Complaint Review: The Recreational Vehicle Industry Associan

A consumer advocate in Phoenix has brought this issue to my attention.

We here at ripoffreport.com feel that is our job to expose deception of any kind. We want you to be an informed consumer before you even think of parting with your hard earned money.

Doing some research for a attorney in Arizona one of Rip Off Reporters/advocates finds that the Monroney law "MSRP window sticker" does not apply to RV and motor homes. Let's say you are thinking of buying a brand new RV from a RV dealership.

Let's say a RV sales person helps you find a RV that will fit your needs. The RV that you want to buy has a MSRP attached to it that says $225,000 is the cost.

The salesman decides that you are a smart RV consumer and he wants to find a smart way to Rip you OFF. So he says to himself I want to bend this RV buyer over and take a bit more than normal RV deal.

He could take you to a RV that is priced at $225,000 but the unit "RV" has had the MSRP removed. You fall in love with the RV that has no MSRP, and this salesman tells you that the second RV that has no MSRP has a price of $245,000. You might say OK and WHAM!! you have been Ripped OFF for $20,000 bucks.

The problem here, is that a RV dealer could play some very expensive number games with a RV buyer if the dealer likes to remove the MSRP's before showing the RV's to the buyers.

In the Auto indusrty there is a LAW called the "The Monroney LAW" This law is to prevent the above from happening to any car buyer. Well it seems that the RV industry has been able to keep this law from being applyed to the RV industry.

I feel that this Rip Off Report should be send to

RV/MH Heritage Foundation
801 Benham Ave.
Elkhart, IN 46516
800-378-8694
219-293-2344
219-293-3466 (Fax)
e-mail: RVMHHALL@AOL.COM

One Thomas Circle, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 628-5164
cvc@vehiclechoice.org
www.vehiclechoice.org

RV Safety Education Foundation, Inc.
211 Mae McKee Road Chuckey, TN 37641
Phoen(423) 257-4940
Fax (423) 257-4623

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Consumer Response Center
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20580
Toll free: 1-877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
TDD/TTY: 202-326-2502
Web site: www.ftc.gov

Below is info about the "Monroney law"

Although prices can sometimes be negotiable, automobiles are the only consumer items required by law to carry manufacturer suggested retail price stickers. This sticker, also called a Monroney label, is attached to a window of the vehicle. It shows the base price of that model, including all standard equipment; manufacturer-installed options and their retail prices; transportation or freight charges (also known as destination or delivery charges); and the total manufacturer's suggested retail price. Details about the average fuel economy for the vehicle are required on all cars and light trucks; this information is usually included on the Monroney label, but will sometimes be found on a separate sticker, the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] Fuel Economy Label. The Monroney label may not be removed by anyone other than the purchaser.

The legislation requiring the sticker is commonly known as the Monroney Law, named after its sponsor in Congress, Almer Stillwell "Mike" Monroney (1902-1980): Born in Oklahoma; U.S. Representative from Oklahoma, 1939-51; U.S. Senator from Oklahoma, 1951-69.

So if you, your Mom and Dad or grand parents are even thinking of buying a NEW RV think real long and hard before buying a RV "MOTOR HOME" from ANY RV dealer that likes to sell new RV's with out showing you the manufactures sticker price on the coach.

Their deception could cost a RV buyer BIG BUCKS real fast.

The Great Thorn
Bayville, New York
U.S.A.