Community Forums

BigRedLancer · 05-25-2006, 07:52 AM

I took my coach in for repair at a local shop that will do Ford warranty work. I still have two years left on the Ford chassis warranty. The next closest shop is over 75 miles away. When I brought the coach back home after the repair, I found paint on the passenger mirror. They must have hit the mirror against the building because it has flat paint over a 4" square area. The mirror housing has gouges in it as well. They admit that the damage was their fault but their solution is to "paint" the damaged area. I expected they would replace the mirror on my one year old MH.
Since I am not happy with their solution I have two alternatives. Forget the whole thing and fix it my self and keep a local dealer that will actually work on my coach; or demand a replacement mirror, possibly go to small claims court, and lose a repair shop.

This is a delema as it is very difficult to find a repair shop that is willing to work on motor homes under warranty. My local Ford truck dealer is NOT willing to work on motor homes (under warranty) and Ford is OK with that. What do you do in a case like this????

BigRedLancer · 05-25-2006, 07:52 AM

I took my coach in for repair at a local shop that will do Ford warranty work. I still have two years left on the Ford chassis warranty. The next closest shop is over 75 miles away. When I brought the coach back home after the repair, I found paint on the passenger mirror. They must have hit the mirror against the building because it has flat paint over a 4" square area. The mirror housing has gouges in it as well. They admit that the damage was their fault but their solution is to "paint" the damaged area. I expected they would replace the mirror on my one year old MH.
Since I am not happy with their solution I have two alternatives. Forget the whole thing and fix it my self and keep a local dealer that will actually work on my coach; or demand a replacement mirror, possibly go to small claims court, and lose a repair shop.

This is a delema as it is very difficult to find a repair shop that is willing to work on motor homes under warranty. My local Ford truck dealer is NOT willing to work on motor homes (under warranty) and Ford is OK with that. What do you do in a case like this????

troth · 05-25-2006, 08:21 AM

There's not much you can do but sound off to the Service Manage. And if that isn't gratifying, then you'll have to drive further to a different dealer.

I had a very similar issue in Akron, OH. Workhorse dealer Burt Greenwald had my coach for new front shocks & front end alignment. I saw the service tech driving it through the parking lot (test drive = joy ride) about 40mph careening around parked cars and flying across two significant speed bumps. End result was a half-full coffee pot we left sitting down in the sink had now spilled all over the kitchen and living area. Oh yeah they apologized after I raised cain. I vowed never to go there again for Workhorse service work if I could possibly avoid it. So now I drive over 90 miles (one way) but it's to a great combination Winnie & Workhorse dealer, Ruff's RV in Willoughby.

Kazoo Tom · 05-25-2006, 10:11 AM

BigRed, I think I would be more concerned that you were not informed of the damage, and proposed repair, when you picked the coach up, rather than find it yourself when you arrived home. I don't believe any of us could have scaped the mirror on anything while driving and not know about it. At least they owned up to it after you brought it to their attention. If the service manager can't provide an acceptable solution, maybe a conversation with the general manager would be in order.

BTW, how deep are the scratches anyway? Would they still be visible if properly prepped and painted by a competent body shop?

Miles · 05-27-2006, 02:17 AM

Had the same type of exp at an RV dealer. Drop the 5er off for replacement skylight under warranty. The repair shop managed to damage the landing gear. took 6 weeks to get my 5er back. found another dealer for all work after the warranty expired.

Golfadk · 05-29-2006, 09:40 PM

Me...I would ASK if they would consider replacing the mirror. Keep in mind, you need them more then they need you. I would not get into a "snot slinging" contest with them. If all else fails, go with the repaint and see if that is acceptable. JMHO

Good Luck!

BigRedLancer · 05-31-2006, 07:36 AM

I decided to skip the repair. I will take care of the damange myself. I need them more than they need me.

JB Texas · 05-31-2006, 02:54 PM

Have your insurance company pay for the repair and let them go after the dealer.

Izzyblueye · 05-31-2006, 03:32 PM

Big Red Lancer: This is just a real shame. I don't know about you, but I would never feel good about dealing with that repair place again. They knew they damaged your nearly new coach. The said nothing until you brought it to their attention. Could you ever really trust them again? I would talk to their general manager and then make my final decision on just how important you are as their customer. In the end they really need you more than you need them IMHO.

eghershey · 06-04-2006, 09:53 AM

Quite frankly, I'd be tickled to death that the dealer owned up to the damaged mirror and agreed to fixing it. I'd let them repaint it and see if it looks professional, if not then make a stink about it.

RV4FunFixer · 06-14-2006, 01:47 PM

I have worked for car/truck dealers for 30+ yrs and will tell you that the serv manager is going to fix it as cheap as possible so it doesn't come out of his bottom line. There is some person higher than him in that organization and if they won't help you get it fixed right then there is always Ford.com and being a warranty center for Ford they have to answer to the big dogs. With competition the way it is today NOBODY (Ford included) needs bad advertising.
If the rig was 10 yrs old I would still give you the same advise because it wasn't a repaired mirror when you took it there!
Go get 'em

machman72 · 06-16-2006, 03:28 PM

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. In the little time that I have owned my motorhome, I have found that regular car and truck shops have no clue how to treat a motorhome. I just had a local shop put new tires on mine. It took them over 3 hours to change and balance 6 tires with me standing there watching their evry step the whole time. I stopped them from making some potentially damaging mistakes. They just don't have a clue. My suggestion for future work at this type of facility, is stay with your rig while it is being serviced. Insist on it.