Finally, the Truth about RV Inspectors

[brobox]

Having retired from the Real Estate industry, I am old enough to remember the nightmares we had with unregulated home inspectors. Today they are regulated and a part of every real estate closing.

Fast forward to the RV industry, they are now experiencing the same nightmares coming from the YouTube Click Bait artists that everything they have learned about RV's has come from YouTube, then reselling their little knowledge on their YouTube channels, charging large fees.

Brett Davis and Angie of NIRVC have put together an excellent video with a real life experience of what not to do when choosing an RV inspector. Again NIRVC is there to help us make RV'ing the joy it is meant to be. https://www.youtube.com/embed/SN6fcFOnwSE

[Gravelette]

YouTube Click Bait artists, eh?

[va_capone]

NIRVC is in the business of selling training, so of course they would oppose using someone that did not pay for their training. I know of one person in particular that calls themself a certified RV Tech. But puts out more incorrect than usable information. There are many people capable of many RV repairs that have never had formal RV repair training. My self for example, i have recently retired and find myself providing repair service for my fellow RVeres at a reasonable rate and I only charge that rate if I am able to diagnose the problem and make repairs as long as parts are available. I spent my intire adult life in the service industry, and am more than capable to perform most repairs on an RV, so don't automatically consider lack of NIRVC training a disqualifying situation.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by va_capone

. My self for example, i have recently retired and find myself providing repair service for my fellow RVeres at a reasonable rate and I only charge that rate if I am able to diagnose the problem and make repairs as long as parts are available. I spent my intire adult life in the service industry, and am more than capable to perform most repairs on an RV, so don't automatically consider lack of NIRVC training a disqualifying situation.

Might want to reviews the video again. NIRVC does not sell training. It was not stated for any kind of NIRVC training, but the systems or experience with those systems that would qualify a person to be an RV inspector. NIRVC welcomes inspectors with your qualifications. Their preference is Mobile Techs that do inspection and know how to repair them as clearly stated in the video.

This a true life experience: I had a "home inspector" that made a mess of a home sale and closing. His qualification was that he was a carpenters helper (carried 2x4's from the lumber stack)for Wood Brother Homes, that wet Bankrupt. He couldn't find a job, unqualified, so he became a home inspector. Would anybody want him inspecting their home? Sadly, this is what is entering the RV inspecting market. If a person cannot show any qualifications in the RV industry, then he/she is not an inspector and not welcomed to inspect any MH on NIRVC lot.

Someone made a comment about my statement as a "YouTube Click Bait Artist." My definition, in this case, A person that learned about RV's watching YouTube Videos. Parrot's (plagiarizing) the knowledge of those videos as his own with click subscribe and like so they get paid on the number of clicks and likes. Then to try to sell that as a qualified RV inspector........that is exactly why the home inspectors now have to be certified and in some states licensed. I saw home inspectors working on kickbacks from their contractor buddies on items that did not need repairing. Highly illegal today. This RV inspector was trying to shakedown a MH manufacture, letter in the video.......no regulations on RV inspectors to stop this.

[Paul_D]

I think your confusing National RV Inspectors Association (NRVIA), a training and industry association with NIRVC (National Indoor RV Centers, a reputable RV sales and service company)

[Gravelette]

Ooops. Still get paid for the shill?

[Rob392]

Personally, I have a problem with any dealer who requires me to choose from a list of their approved inspectors........seems like too close a relationship between the dealer and a supposed "independent" inspector.


I also thought that the video was a personal vendetta against one particular RV inspector whose business goal is to do high quality inspections and documents, with pictures, every finding, no matter how small. It is then up to the potential buyer to determine what, if anything, should be done about it. His YT channel promotes the need for inspections for both new and used coaches due to quality issues.


To be clear, I have no relationship with any YT channel and these thoughts are just from an ordinary RVer who feels the industry needs improvement.

[Ricci]

Hi Chuck - I'm glad you started this thread. We do not currently own an Entegra manufactured coach but did until recently. I was surprised that neither the Tiffin forum nor the Newmar forum had any postings about the video. Aside from some terrible lighting (at least on my TV) I thought that Brett's insights and comments were right on the money. His comments that for a used vehicle a pre-purchase 3rd party inspection is needed were on the mark. I also agree that the warranty of a new coach takes some of the edge off the purchase and the warranty can serve as the substitute for the inspection (assuming a good dealer PDI). Level of experience of the purchaser also is a factor.
The issue of the inspector either not being qualified or trying to rig the game by becoming a sales agent incognito was well made by Brett and the letter they showed in the video was proof of how astray this process can go. The entire YouTube universe has changed in the last few years so that little of it reflects the reality they claim to be showing the audience. But that's a different discussion.

NIRVC showed bravery as it isn't always easy to expose conflicts of interest in an aligned industry and not take a lot of flack. NIRVC did the right thing here. My only disagreement is that I don't believe that limiting a perspective buyer to using only a list of inspectors can present issues. "You pay your money and you take your chances". The dealer might express their experience with certain inspectors to the buyer but if the buyer is not taking the time to enlighten themselves then it is on them.

Nobody does a perfect PDI, after more than a dozen purchases over 40 years I can attest to that. And inspectors can not find every flaw, that's why there is a warranty. And in the long run it is about people and relationships. Buy from where you place your trust, hire an inspector you can trust and maintain where you trust. In this case the inspector blew that trust right out of the water.



Chuck, take care as you know so well from your experiences with charging systems what the real power of that last comment is.


Tom

[twinboat]

I had a re-finance inspection done. He came and took pictures inside and out.
That evening he called me and asked if I could text pictures of the engine to him, and if it was under the bed or in the front.

[Flynryan15]

�� I could have guessed who was on the no-go list before I even watched the video��

[DarkSideJeep]

I purchased my 2018 Thor ACE without an inspection. From my perspective the Coach build was fine despite Thors poor reputation. I believe the problems I had with the coach which were all related to the Chassis would not have been identified with an inspection. Honestly, who would expect a four-year-old coach with 3900 miles to have kingpin bushings worn to the point that an alignment could not be completed successfully. Or that a wheel bearing would fail at 13,000 miles because of insufficient lubrication. While I will admit that a sharp inspector might have identified the kingpin bushing issue. I very much doubt any inspection would identify the wheel bearing issue without doing a wheel bearing service.

[spuds]

I've seen the "inspection" performed by an "RVIA inspector" up close and personal. I literally had to walk the guy through everything on a coach we were selling. He did nothing himself other than check odometer reading, tire and battery dates, and note the VIN number.

He had the audacity of offering a copy of the inspection report to us for $500 if we wanted it for another buyer.

I find it very off-putting that a dealer would publish a list of "approved" and "not approved" inspectors without any details whatsoever as to why each was classified that way (especially the not-approved). It smacks of intimidation factor - those who find issues will likely find themselves on the "not approved" list.

Conflict of interest is legitimate for "not-approved" as a valid reason - an employee of a competing dealership or service center. But to put a name on a list without explanation or justification gives me pause.

[NXR]

There's another thread on that "not approved" one here: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f59/blue...on-658084.html

Ray

[brobox]

Reading the posts this morning and seeing the comments about a dealer allowed and not allowed list. Believe me that is a good thing for the buyer. Here is another similar fact. When Home Inspections were in their infancy we had the same list in the real estate company's offices I worked for. It was to protect the buyers from the home inspectors like the one in the video. We didn't want blind inspectors, just inspector that did not list a bunch of BS to make themselves look good for the fee they were charging. When an RV inspector does not know what Pre Delivery Inspection is, and makes his video on the normal dirt before delivery, it is time for a qualified inspector.

We went through the same thing in the real estate industry 45 years ago. Why are home inspector certified, some licensed, now in all states?

NIRVC will I am sure, welcome the inspector of the buyers choice, if they have some type of qualifications. Not a friend of cousin Joey's that rebuilt a 73 Winnebago in his backyard, that does not know what Pre Delivery Dirt is. I would want that protection from my dealer, just like I did for my clients is the RE business. How many purchased their homes with a home inspector found on YouTube?

NOTICE: there is only one inspection company not allow on NIRVC list, thirteen allowed, thanks NXR, Ray. That sure looks like a buyer/consignment sellers protection list to me. Bottom of page for list https://www.nirvc.com/ThirdPartyInspections