Sorry, but I need to rant a bit!!
Short version:
Short on time and weather I took my coach back to the dealer I bought it from for a couple of water leaks and a detail. It took 2 trips to get the detail done right and after 3 I am fixing the water leak myself now.
Long version:
I was in a rush and felt it would be better/faster to let the dealer fix a couple of water leaks in our coach. The dealer is 60 miles away so about 1:20 or so each way. I actually liked the sales side and really didn't want to give any $$ to c-world even though they are just down the road. This dealer is not open for service on Saturday so I arranged it and they had a service writer meet me. I pointed out the leaks and he applied tape to the areas and I thought I explained that their repair was my utmost concern. I also requested a price for getting the coach detailed (we keep it clean, but it was due for a polish and carpet cleaning). So by the afternoon on Monday I had an estimate for both and I was satisfied and said do it. About 2 days later I got the call that it was done and I arranged for payment over the phone with the unit ready for p/u Saturday. I went to get the coach as planned having been told the parts person would have my keys.
As I arrived I saw my coach ready to go, so I walked by and glanced at it on the way to get the keys. Hmm, I thought - I guess the spots on it are from some light rain we had. Geez, I guess it was hard to wash all the way around the wheels. Oh well, I went in to parts and was a little taken aback by the nice parts lady saying she hated giving keys out on Saturdays because she doesn't getting yelled at.... I said not to worry, I'm not a yeller!!. As I went outside and looked a little closer at the detail first I began to question the work.... I have 2 kids, 7 and 12. I think I could get it done for a trip to the Bell and save about $500. I opened the door - just as I left it. So $500 for a wash and squirt with the faux shine. I looked at the leak repairs - sloppy at best. And the carpet was more damp than when I dropped it off. Back in I went.
I was very nice to the parts lady, I just joked about it and asked who was the head cheese here today. I went to the sales side and asked for ____. The sales manager was a very nice woman and we had a chat on the way out to my coach. I had her read the RO invoice I was given.... She about stopped in her tracks at one point. Grammar - it was horrible, Spelling - must be poor quality public schools around, and bonus points for using "da" properly in a sentence. I explained that I was not sure what I was paying for, but I was pretty sure it was slightly more than I was getting. Any way, shortly the sales side detail manager was in my coach and notes were being taken. I left the coach there and awaited a call on Monday.
Monday, I called them (poor form). Oh, we are very sorry. I will see to it getting done right. Blah, Blah, Blah. I explained my back ground (mechanic) and my expectations (fair work for fair price and leaving things better than when found). All was going well, I thought. Went to get it the next Saturday with kids in tow. Met the service writer again, nice young man (gee, I sound like my Dad) who just happened to have started recently with no RV experience. We chatted and I explained what I thought service was and how this had gone wrong. Very sorry sir, blah blah. I didn't move your coach because I couldn't get your door open (hadn't adjusted the linkage yet). So we walked down to it, I noticed the windows were all fogged up. When I opened the door it was like I would imagine Miami Beach after a midnight thunder storm in August - hot and wet. They had the heaters cranked to dry the carpets, but had neglected to open a single vent!!
I kindly explained why this was bad for the next 20 minutes as I wiped down and mopped up all the water from the windows and the tracks that were all full.
I put the slides in and pulled out to hook up the Jeep. Drove it home, added fuel and parked it. Several days later I went back out and wanted to fiddle around and check some work. Went to plug it in - oh, no 30a-50a adapter (guess they needed another one at the dealer) and when I checked the propane - E (from 3/4). I looked and still wasn't happy with the seal job, but if it held after a week or so I was willing to let it go till spring and do I myself. 2 weeks later carpet wet again!!
Another phone call. Another trip back.
I contacted the service manager again and we had another discussion. It seemed the last tech was let go (suprise) and that he would see to it that the top man was put on it. Let me say that in addition to the quality of the workmanship, I questioned the quality of the sealant. To me (apparently untrained) it appears to be Hotmelt glue - the new "Wonder seal" in the RV industry. I waited and was treated to almost daily updates on my coach. Towards the end of the week I was told as a courtesy they would deliver my coach to me at home. I told them that unless your driver was prepared to back in thru 2 90 degree corners to just drop it at my work. I also mentioned the propane and the adapter cord - which promptly fell on deaf ears apparently. It showed up and I looked it over - still covered in hotmelt glue but no sense yelling at the delivery driver. I took it home and waited for a few weeks for the leaks to do what ever.
Several weeks in and no leak on the pass side - loads of glue will apparently do that. I hadn't driven it since, but several days ago before I took it to an interior shop (Dave and LJs) I notice the left corner at the drivers feet was wet (new leak)... Uuuuuuhhhhhgggggg!!!! flick, flarn, flack!! I have already sent a letter to the owner of the dealership and am awaiting a response. I am scheduled for the the TV box shrinkage in a week and I spend today starting to fix the underlying issue with the leaks. Monaco roof rivets. I saw the gaps when I took it in. I ASSUMED a RV repair shop would know how to diagnose and repair water leaks - I even asked about the pressurizing of the interior (told yes we do that).
Why can a diesel mechanic who spends a little time on the internet know more about RV repairs than a RV tech? I'm sure its all my fault for not telling them how to do their job. How come I can spend a dry February Superbowl Sunday peeling eternabond tape and replacing roof rivets and actually get it done? Its really sad, hotmelt glue just peels off if you get under it. And why if a guy removes the old Monaco installed roof seam tape and scrapes around all the loose riviet, why not call the customer and say "I found your problem, but its going to be a bit more than the original estimate Sir."? To scrape around the problem and not try and fix it!! I spend 5 minutes here and have all the answers - just waiting on the 1.125" rivets for the side seam.
I'm saving all the materials I remove for a care package to send them. I ran out of daylight and it started to rain so I covered the seam with duct tape for now. I have new tape and sealant waiting. I had the large flange rivets from a project at work years ago, but could not source the long grip small headed ones locally today (Napa and Ace) so I will contact our MRO vendor in the am. Thanks to the group here, its all just up to me now.
So there it is, the long version.... I know I missed a few things, but I think the jest comes thru. Just to put it out there... the dealer is Johnson RV in Sandy, Oregon. They are also in Colorado I believe. The letter I wrote the owner came about from a letter they send to all their customers with a $100 certificate for service work acknowledging past issues and assuring people that they are on top of it with their new service manager (I dealt with him). Poor form, IMHO.
There, I'm done. Hands cramping and vision blurry. Must relax. kant tipe any moor.
Allen
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