Community Forums

LewPete · 02-28-2021, 12:33 PM

I recently took my RV to be serviced at a local RV dealership. I asked about having two awnings put on my windows. They said yes and it could be done within two weeks. I regularly checked on the installation and was told week after week that the awnings had not come in. After two months of waiting I called to say I was coming to pick up my RV and to cancel the awnings since they still have not come in. When I got my bill they charged me a large restocking fee for the awnings. I asked about it and they said I cancelled so therefore the fee. I never got the awnings, nor did the RV shop ever receive the awnings from the company they ordered them from. I have reached out to them several times via email asking about a refund for this fee and have never had a response. Is this a legitimate fee? Actually they even charged me tax on the restocking fee.

Arch Hoagland · 02-28-2021, 12:46 PM

What state are you in?

I owned a retail store in California and the state Board of Equalization has some very stringent rules about restocking fees.

Ljwt330 · 02-28-2021, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LewPete

I recently took my RV to be serviced at a local RV dealership. I asked about having two awnings put on my windows. They said yes and it could be done within two weeks. I regularly checked on the installation and was told week after week that the awnings had not come in. After two months of waiting I called to say I was coming to pick up my RV and to cancel the awnings since they still have not come in. When I got my bill they charged me a large restocking fee for the awnings. I asked about it and they said I cancelled so therefore the fee. I never got the awnings, nor did the RV shop ever receive the awnings from the company they ordered them from. I have reached out to them several times via email asking about a refund for this fee and have never had a response. Is this a legitimate fee? Actually they even charged me tax on the restocking fee.

Read carefully the dealership's policy on Restocking fees. Exactly what does it say. Does it apply to returns, cancelled orders, both, or does it not make it clear? Quite often, a phrase like, "all special order items are subject to a restocking fee," is included. The key words there are,"subject to." I would argue that the words "subject to" makes the fee open to negotiation, especially in a circumstance like this.

These fees usually are justified for having to process paperwork and actually return ship items to suppliers. From what you describe, no transactions beyond your payment actually took place. Everything was either paperwork or electronic.

Try in-person contact with the dealer management or corporate management, if appropriate, as this certainly seems unreasonable. If you get no satisfaction, file a complaint with the BBB. If the amount is worth it, you may even try Small Claims actions. If you paid by CC, contact them even though it's been over thirty days, and see if they will offer relief in the form of a charge back. If nothing else, that will get the attention of the dealership.

Keep us updated, please.

GWBGE · 02-28-2021, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LewPete

I recently took my RV to be serviced at a local RV dealership. I asked about having two awnings put on my windows. They said yes and it could be done within two weeks. I regularly checked on the installation and was told week after week that the awnings had not come in. After two months of waiting I called to say I was coming to pick up my RV and to cancel the awnings since they still have not come in. When I got my bill they charged me a large restocking fee for the awnings. I asked about it and they said I cancelled so therefore the fee. I never got the awnings, nor did the RV shop ever receive the awnings from the company they ordered them from. I have reached out to them several times via email asking about a refund for this fee and have never had a response. Is this a legitimate fee? Actually they even charged me tax on the restocking fee.

The only thing I can think is that they were in transit from their supplier, and that they are going to get charged and are passing that on. If that were the case, they should have explained that to you.

If you still want the awnings, one option is to ask to reinstate the order for crediting the restocking fee. Then have them call you when they come in, but keep your rig with you until then.

MSHappyCampers · 02-28-2021, 12:58 PM

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

I think your mistake was paying the fee at the start.

I would suggest that you create a signature showing the make and model of your RV. This will make it easier for folks to help with any questions you may have. Below is a link showing how to do that! Look at post #30.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f62/foru...ml#post3101035

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

BillJinOR · 02-28-2021, 01:04 PM

What is in writing on the order that you signed? delivery Time frame and cancelation fees should have been spelled out.

**NLOVNIT** · 02-28-2021, 01:10 PM

My first thought is to consult the service quote you signed when to took it in; paying special attention to the terms in the cancelation section. If there's a clause about cancelation fees, you might be on the hook. If there's nothing, then see if you can get an explanation on why the fee (were the parts already shipped/enroute?) & negotiate something with the service manager or dealership manager.

Ray,IN · 02-28-2021, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

My first thought is to consult the service quote you signed when to took it in; paying special attention to the terms in the cancelation section. If there's a clause about cancelation fees, you might be on the hook. If there's nothing, then see if you can get an explanation on why the fee (were the parts already shipped/enroute?) & negotiate something with the service manager or dealership manager.

RKins · 03-01-2021, 06:14 AM

One approach to getting satisfaction is to file a complaint at the local Better Business Bureau. and also file a report with the state Attorneys General office.
I had a problem with a couple vendors (one I purchased a product from and the vendor they ordered from and delivered it). Anyway the product was damaged and neither of the biz would take it back. After filing complaints with the places I mentioned, all of a sudden the place I purchased it from was willing to take it back and refund my purchase. And then they started hounding me to remove the complaints - worked like a champ.

LewPete · 03-01-2021, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

What state are you in?

I owned a retail store in California and the state Board of Equalization has some very stringent rules about restocking fees.

We are in Florida.

LewPete · 03-01-2021, 07:20 AM

Thank you. I am going to call my credit card company and check on filing a complaint with BBB.

DKRITTER · 03-01-2021, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKins

One approach to getting satisfaction is to file a complaint at the local Better Business Bureau. and also file a report with the state Attorneys General office.

I'm a simple minded fellow. How can they charge you a restocking fee on something they never had in stock?

Secondly I would complain to everyone, I would have listed the name of the dealership in your first post. Go to all of the local and state agencies possible. Plaster it all over social media, write reviews of your actual experience everywhere.

LETMGROW · 03-01-2021, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LewPete

I recently took my RV to be serviced at a local RV dealership. I asked about having two awnings put on my windows. They said yes and it could be done within two weeks. I regularly checked on the installation and was told week after week that the awnings had not come in. After two months of waiting I called to say I was coming to pick up my RV and to cancel the awnings since they still have not come in. When I got my bill they charged me a large restocking fee for the awnings. I asked about it and they said I cancelled so therefore the fee. I never got the awnings, nor did the RV shop ever receive the awnings from the company they ordered them from. I have reached out to them several times via email asking about a refund for this fee and have never had a response. Is this a legitimate fee? Actually they even charged me tax on the restocking fee.

They made a verbal commitment to you the awnings would be installed in two weeks. They were not delivered within the time frame they set. (not you) I would be contacting your state's attorney general and the better business bureau and file a complaint and demand a full refund be credited to your credit card.
Lynn

LewPete · 03-01-2021, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKins

One approach to getting satisfaction is to file a complaint at the local Better Business Bureau. and also file a report with the state Attorneys General office.
I had a problem with a couple vendors (one I purchased a product from and the vendor they ordered from and delivered it). Anyway the product was damaged and neither of the biz would take it back. After filing complaints with the places I mentioned, all of a sudden the place I purchased it from was willing to take it back and refund my purchase. And then they started hounding me to remove the complaints - worked like a champ.

Thank you! I will try to file a complaint with the BBB.