Rodent Infestation While RV at Camping World for Repair

[Hammer48]

I took my RV on a trip and when I returned my water tank was leaking, engine cover was broken (Gas engine cover is on inside of RV), and a seat relay was broken (Which they had fixed three months before). I scheduled to take my RV to a Camping World located about an hour drive from me (It was the closest one).
On 8/22/2015 I dropped off my RV for repair and waited for a call,
On 9/17/2015 I had not heard from them so I called could not get hold of the service rep so I was told they were waiting for a part to come in, I told them OK but to have someone check the battery since they were lead acid and need to have the water checked.
On 9/22/2015 Called to check and make sure that the service rep had gotten my message. Was told that the service rep no longer worked there and that another service rep was taking over his work orders (mine was one of them). Talked to the service rep that took over my work order who told me they had to order some parts. Reminded him of the message about the batteries needing water.
10/21/2015 called Asked the service rep to give me a call since they have had my RV for two months now.
10/22/2015 Received a call from the service rep who told me that they had not worked on the engine cover or the leaking water tank and that they were waiting on input from me, (They never called me!) Said they no longer make that carpet and that my extended warranty company would not pay for the carpet or the engine cover. Said I would call and talk to the extended warranty people and call him back.
10/23/2015 Called left a message for the service rep to call me. Told them that I want a call back today because they have not returned any of my calls
10/23/2015 Service rep and his boss called I told them that the warranty company would pay for the water tank and that I would pay for the engine cover, and since the carpet covering the engine cover was no longer made that I would provide the carpet and pay for the labor to have it installed.
10/30/2015 Drove up to carpet company near Camping World , picked up and delivered it to Camping World.
12/16/2015 Called and talked to service rep who said that they were waiting for the water tank to come in.
12/19/2015 Received a call from the service rep who said that the carpet covering the engine cover was going to take a little longer to complete and that the water tank had come in and it was the wrong size. Asked what he was going to do to the water tank and he told me they would send my old tank out for repair, I give him the OK for the longer labor for the carpet.
1/19/2016 Stopped by Camping World and asked for the service rep and found out that he was no longer a service rep and that his work order had been turned over to another service rep. Asked to speak to the general manager was told he was not available. Told him that first I was not going to pay for a relay that they did not fix when it had been worked on previously. He said he would get back with me since the general manager wasn’t there. Told him that I would wait for his call on Monday.
1/21/2016 Received call from the service rep. Was told that they would take the cost of the relay work off and that they needed to charge up my RV since they have had my RV for 5 months. Told them that I would wait for their call Monday letting me know that it was ready.
1/26/2016 Called talked to service rep to check on my RV he asked if he could call me back, I said OK.
1/26/2016 received call from service rep.who told me that my RV was ready for pickup.
1/27/2016 Drove to Camping World to pick up my RV, went to check RV and found out that mice had gotten into my RV, had chewed wires in the outside compartment, used our bed as a toilet, made nests in the pantry and chewed holes in the carpet and side of one of the seats!! Our RV permanent storage is an enclosed storage facility. Prior to taking it to Camping World for repair, the RV had been in the storage facility. We check on it weekly and have never had any rodent problems before. (I have made sure that there is no signs of mice, and that everything is closed and cleaned. So the rodent had to have gotten in while it was at Camping World!

I’m asking the forum what do they think or know I can do to get this fixed (I left my RV at Camping World and had them open a new work order to have everything repaired.) Has anyone had a similar experience and how did you handle it?

[twogypsies]

Did you see a sign at Camping World stating "no mice allowed"? I don't think it's Camping Worlds fault that mice got in. They are everywhere.

[TQ60]

A few things...actually many.

Given the unit was out of your control for work and delays for work certainly positivity could have been avoided ( me thinks warranty or insurance work is cheap rate so do LAST) you should first contact consumer affairs in your state to confirm regulations regarding stopping warranty clock while unit in for warranty repair.

They could have got parts in a week and had it out in two...noting in that unit is one of a kind but the shop can be too cheap to get one today.

Next visit the place and walk around it looking for bait stations or other indications of company name of company providing pest control.

Call them and ask for information regarding the location if they will give it to you.

While there given the high turnover rate bump into sales guys or other employees and just ask about the rats.

Also look for the "license wall" that place where the licenses are posted for public view.

Get good photos of all then follow up with those agencies to see who cares.

Looking for folks well aware of them.

Call insurance again and insist it be corrected at once and at zero cost to you as it was beyond your control.

Do follow up with consumer affairs depth as well as BBB and other regulatory places.

[Ray,IN]

I went through a similar CW experience in 2013. There is a clause near where you signed the work order that says they are not responsible for your RV while there, and I signed agreeing to that in addition to agreeing to permit them to work on my MH. (my fault for not reading the fine print)
Last time I was there I noticed a large sign above the service desk stating, when you pick up your RV and sign the work order, you agree all work has been performed to your satisfaction. I hadn't even seen my MH yet let alone inspect their work.

At this point, I was bordering on harassing the service manager to correct and complete their work. He eventually agreed to finish incorrect repairs, and complete repairs undone at that time.
My MH sat in their lot for 5 months, untouched. I demanded, and received 5 new batteries that ruined while it sat.

A little background. When you make an appt. at CW, what you did was make an appt to drop-off your RV-not to begin working on it. When it comes to the top of the list, they pull it into a bay, diagnose the problem, park your RV back in the lot, obtain approval from the ESC company, call you for authorization to order parts, order parts. When parts arrive they put your RV back on the waiting list and repeat the process.
This was told to me by one of their service technicians.
I feel your pain, at this point about your only recourse is to keep after the service manager, be the squeaky wheel ya'know.

[mwwade]

Yep, that is all I gotta say!

[Wayne MD]

I didn't see any real sound advice--that is to never take your RV to that establishment again. There has to be RV specialists around who are proud of their work and can get the work done quicker,neat,and make you glad you selected them. I know that,because in my town I located a good RV
shop that takes pride in their work. Sure beats those Camping World promises of which I see happen to some people going there. What a heart break story they have.

[TomandGloria]

I am sorry to hear what happened to your coach and the long time it spent in their lot being ignored. Perhaps a call to the state attorney generals consumer affairs division with the info provided in your post can offer some advice. Unfortunately I think in the end this goes into the experience column.

[dieselclacker]

Run, don't walk, away from that place.

[ahicks]

1. Get your coach out of there! They have one of the worst reputations of any service company, if not, THE worst!

2. Call your insurance company regarding rodent damage. I'd be surprised if you didn't have coverage. You have very little chance of getting CW to assume responsibility.

Last, this may sound a little harsh, but in my mind, anyone willing to leave a MH at a service facility for 5 months (or longer) to allow them to perform what should be minor repairs at any competent facility, should sell the coach, as they have proven they have little need for it...

[SarahW]

Chalk it up to experience. I doubt you would ever prove where those mice came from, and has already been stated they likely had signage stating that they are "not responsible" for your RV/property.

I would have removed my RV from that facility after a couple of weeks. That repair timetable is totally unacceptable. Good luck.

[Ernie Ekberg]

camping world has a facebook page- check it out

[Hidalgo]

Originally Posted by ahicks

Last, this may sound a little harsh, but in my mind, anyone willing to leave a MH at a service facility for 5 months (or longer) to allow them to perform what should be minor repairs at any competent facility, should sell the coach, as they have proven they have little need for it...

Harsh? Maybe.

UNHELPFUL? Definitely.

[IC2]

Advice about negative experiences using Camping World abound on the 'net as well as here so wont dip into that subject.

Rodent infestation, two things - first, unfortunately may be between you and the coach manufacturer. They may be the ones that may have left access points for them to enter. Secondly, it also may be your problem alone as you may also have left a window, vent or hatch open. I have had rodents in three of our trailers that have caused me many hours of repairs as well as many dollars to make those repairs. In two cases I should have fixed the manufacturer's access points as these RVs were out of warranty. The third - 'happened' when some rodents 'ate' through the plastic screen in the reefer vent and made a huge nest on the control panel which of course destroyed a $$ Dometic unit..

[DMTTRANSPORT]

When the time comes and I need something repaired I can not do, I will call a Mobile RV Mechanic. (Bold Period)