Karolina Koaches - Mike Brooks False Advertising & Hidden 30% Restocking Fee Piedmont South Carolina
Motorhome purchased with the understanding that it ran great, a test drive would be given before paperwork finalization. None of this happened. Motorhome was brought around hooked up to my car trailer while I was asked to complete the paperwork. Upon leaving it was discovered that not only did the engine not run properly, but the brakes were questionable. I drove to the nearest exit, pulled into Walmart parking lot, called them with my concerns and was told if I wanted to return it, there would be a 30% restocking fee. This was to cover mainly their costs of advertising it with eBay.
They have since asked eBay to forgive their fees. Motorhome purchase price was $10,100.01. I received a check for $6,736.50, plus my $500.00 deposit back from PayPal. Karolina Koaches's position is that I overloaded the towing capacity of the Winnebago. They claim it has a 3500 lb. hitch. A call to the Winnebago factory confirmed that they rolled off the assembly line with a class II 5,000 lb. - 350 lb. tongue weight hitch. My 2003 Trailblazer (approximately 4000 lbs.) and 1500 car trailer, according to Winnebago, should have been no problem to tow.
I think that just the very fact that these swindlers have collected 30% ($3,000.00 in my case) and had the audacity to expect eBay to release them from their fees gives you a pretty good picture of who we're dealing with.
Here are the facts:
1) their ad said it ran great, it did not;
2) their ad said that you'd be asked to complete the paperwork AFTER a testdrive, they did not follow this procedure;
3) their ad said that they had just driven this 600 miles and there were no problems;
4) their salesman, Bob, as I asked to have the leveling jacks demonstrated, said that they're too busy to check all the systems. He also said the only thing they guarantee is the generator, refrigerator, and engine because they are the most expensive to fix;
5) Before they would release my $6,736.50 check, they would need to drive it. Before Mike even left the lot, he said to me that maybe this was just a burned plugwire or something, indicating to me that he felt the engine was not running properly either. Upon his return, he said he felt like perhaps a caliper was frozen up on the brakes.
Apparently, the two conditions that compelled me to return the motorhome did indeed exist. It wasn't a figment of anyone's imagination. Towing 20 miles did not create either of these problems.
Jack
Midland, Michigan
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Jack
Midland,Michigan,
Repo vs Auction
#5Author of original report
Tue, March 26, 2013
A bank repo is nornally something that the bank felt that it was worth lending money on in the first place. Not all bank repos are sent to the auction but are instead sold by the lender. On the other hand vechiles that are poorly maintained, used up, and would damage a reputable dealer reputation to sell are sent to the auction. Obviously there are some great ones and some lemons. The better dealers buy them in person so as to inspect them and not buy them online. The old saying BUYER BEWARE is worth remembering.
Jack
Midland,Michigan,
Karolina Coaches
#5Author of original report
Mon, March 25, 2013
I'm glad to hear your experience was more pleasant than mine and several others. ( I can provide names) Perhaps the bad apple at Karolina was Mike Brooks who has branched off to his own RV's to go. I did a title search on mine and there was no bank or credit union involved. Anyway I'm happy that they are working with you instead of wanting to charge you a hidden 30% restocking fee.
Dave C
Karolina Koaches
#5General Comment
Mon, March 25, 2013
Hi there, just wanted to post this in response to the negative comments towards, Karolina Koaches, Iread this negative review as I was in my hotel room the night before picking up my 2003 Beaver Marquis. I thought "oh my god" what have I done here, I should have got an independent inspection. Soon all my my fears were put to rest, Brad met me. At the dealership, and they were prepping my coach for the trip back to Canada, which included a few small repairs , which were not included in my purchase agreement. They filled the tank with fuel , no charge and when I had a small problem with the generator on the way home, Bob bent over backwards to help me. There was a comment about them advertising these units as Repos, when they are just auction vehicles, well where the hell do you think the bank gets rid of their repos, hmmm , maybe at the auction. Theses guys are good ,they buy cheap and sell cheap , don't expect everything to be perfect, but it will be a good deal.
Jack
Midland,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Mike Brooks (RV Vacations To Go}
#5Author of original report
Tue, February 15, 2011
Different name same SCAM RV's advertised as bank repos when they are truly (for the most part) auction vechiles. When asked on EBAY if these were truly bank repos he simply replyed to ebay that I was misusing ebays" ask seller a question." Ebay stayed neutral. Buyers BEWARE!!!!! Mine came from Florida auction and I can prove it. Jack Midland MI.