Community Forums

nearfuture · 09-14-2013, 08:15 PM

We recently had major interior work done on our Monaco Windsor at Elite RV and Repair in Harrisburg, OR.
Evidently our mistake was to say ‘take your time’. We took our coach in the beginning of December of 2012. We told them we would like it back the beginning of April 2013. When we called to tell them we would like to pick up our coach they said it would be a rush to get things done.
We had a computer desk put in where the couch was. When I called to give Eric some measurements he said the desk was already built. The desk is nearly unusable for what we wanted. It has a built in angle that is incorrect as it puts your chair right over two different levels –so you’re sitting lopsided. The drawer that was supposed to be for my printer is useless except for storage. They didn’t use long enough telescoping sliders for the tray to hold our laptop. The computer fits on the tray but won’t pull out far enough to open the laptop.
We also took out the ‘head banger’ TV in front and had a new flat screen installed with the cabinet cut back with storage behind. The entire door had to be rebuilt as the hinge and latch gave way when opened for the first time. They used a 25 cent latch with several washers which not only looked very tacky but also did not hold. We also had to cut a notch in the wood holding in the TV so we could use an HMI plug in the back of the TV.
Since our wind sensor for our awning was broken we decided to have it taken off completely instead of replacing it. This was on the work order, but they installed a new one and charged us for labor and materials.
They were supposed to fix our front windshield for leaks. They did not.
They were supposed to fix the step cover. They did not.
They were supposed to fix the leak in the water reel. They did not.
They were supposed to check out our leveling system. They did not.
A hinge on a cabinet drawer that was ‘fixed’ is already broken again.
We have since hired another person to fix what Elite was supposed to have done. We left Elite with every intention of writing a wonderful review but the more problems that arose that’s no longer an option.
After speaking with Elite several times they have only agreed to pay for the wind sensor and just a very small portion of the bill we incurred to fix their mistakes. Since the business we used does not have a website Elite told us it was not a legitimate business. We were also told that their lawyer would be looking for our review and that there was a fine line between comments and slander. Hmm….whatever happened to free speech and the truth?

bjcarpetguy · 09-14-2013, 11:28 PM

I think I would post and re-post on every RV Forum I could find. AS well as places like
Angies List. Sounds like very poor work and customer service. Hope you get some resolve. Safe Travels.

Mr_D · 09-14-2013, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nearfuture

Since the business we used does not have a website Elite told us it was not a legitimate business. We were also told that their lawyer would be looking for our review and that there was a fine line between comments and slander. Hmm….whatever happened to free speech and the truth?

If the business you used has a valid business license, issued to them in their locality, then it IS a "legitimate business". Having or not having a web site makes no difference, and it doesn't matter anyway. We don't have a web site now either, but our state business license is still valid.
Truth is the perfect defense against a slander charge.

LandKinaMoho · 09-14-2013, 11:59 PM

Bettter Business Bureau...Sounds like a real communication issue. Hope you get some sat uhh sfaction....

Dunner · 09-15-2013, 12:24 AM

Always tell a repair or other business you need something hours or days before you actually do. You stand a lot better chance of getting it when you need it.

You can find and give reviews here.

http://rvservicereviews.com/

Arch Hoagland · 09-15-2013, 01:59 AM

Have you talked to a small claims court in your area?

Contact the court and they will tell you if you can file a claim.

RV Wizard · 09-15-2013, 02:10 AM

Sorry to hear of the disaster of service you got in remodeling your coach. Did you research the company's reputation prior to using them? I know it is hindsight now but I see businesses like this used way too many times because they are not investigated by the customer prior to being used. A warning like you are doing will help others from falling into a bad situation in the future. Thank you for your review.
If for nothing else, a good service provider will be in constant communication with their customer.

laj · 09-15-2013, 02:29 AM

would you mind listing their address. Do they have a regular shop, or work out of their back yard/ garage. I'm not to far from there, know most of the shops in the JC area and have never heard of them. Would live to do a drive-by.
where is it that they supposedly got their experience from. Former cc or Monaco employee's. Lots of good shops there, sorry you got what appears to be a bad one. What Mr_D said about web. site is true. Hope you get everything fixed correctly and to your satisfaction.

laj · 09-15-2013, 02:43 AM

would sure make one believe you and wheeling it visited two entirely different businesses.

dons2346 · 09-15-2013, 11:00 AM

I have spent a lot of time in the area and have never heard of them.

This sentence has me confused: " Since the business we used does not have a website Elite told us it was not a legitimate business."

Then there is the other side of the story, which we haven't heard.

Dunner · 09-15-2013, 01:13 PM

I find it interesting that 8 out of 9 reviews for Elite RV at RV Service Reviews are excellent.

becks · 09-15-2013, 03:03 PM

Bad things can happen at any time. Last winter we agreed to have a company do work on our coach. We did check RV service reviews first, and most were positive. However, they butchered the inside of our coach, requiring us to go somewhere else at great cost to have it fixed and done right. Sad to say, but it can happen.

EDALLSAILS · 09-15-2013, 05:23 PM

Not defending any service or firm. but, when doing work Communication is the KEY. don't tell anyone what you what done. NO! Type it out like a punch list. Group items to be made and dimension's. Specifically list where they are to be installed after approval of what ever they built (ie: a desk) Do each item by room group. Main Salon, Galley, BR, rear Bath etc. Don't depend on any service center to just figure our what and where to do something. Communication between you and the service writer doesn't guarantee that work will be as you requested. most dealerships today have write a service order. A so called tech is assigned and takes your coach apart. then when something ordered arrives they give it to another tech to install. Communicate, write it down, inspect parts before install one item after another. the days of just expecting good quality work is over. Safe travels.... ed PS when having engine serviced I want the old filters put into a box so I can read the marking I put on them to insure myself they actually changed filters. I want all Old parts so I can inspect them. Yea, I'm paranoid...I wouldn't be if people stopped watching me!

R2Home · 09-16-2013, 05:29 PM

OP, sure not good to hear about what happened or did not happen. While traveling this spring, we purchased a used 2009 Diplomat that we needed looked at prior to returning to Alaska. When we called Monaco and they could not get us in until late July, one of the places they recommended was Elite RV repair. We called them and they were able to get us in for what we needed. We had also developed another issue with the slide outs, that turned out to be a bad motor for the hydraulics. I believe that your MH was in the shop while we were there and at that time they were cutting new counter tops
For the most part we were pleased with the work that we had they do, but I had everything written down and checked with him daily. We ended up being there several days as we also had 'issues' with our extended warranty that took some time to correct.
I hope that things get better and that they do more to help off set what you had to do to correct what is not right.