Complaint Review: ROBERT CRIST & Company RV

Actually we were at the dealership on Saturday afternoon, you were with another customer so "Joe" worked with us.  We had already driven over 250 miles to look at the trailer, making the round trip over 500 miles, so we were to buy, not as looky-lous, but as both a qualified and very interested buyes.  We were going to pay cash for the unit.  We are very appreciative of Joe's knowledge and his willingness to share it with us concerning the different manufacturing processes and what makes a truly quality trainer. 

We looked at several newer and some older, but settled on the 2007 HR Presidential. We were ready to buy the trailer. There were a couple of items that we asked if they could be repaired, specifically that the boots around the slides had torn corners. Joe went into a very condescending attitude and was pointing at the "green tag" yelling that if we wanted to start negotiating we needed to start at the $44,??? that was shown as the MSRP.  I asked where that number came from and he said something to the effect "we know the trailers and we set that price based on the trailer and that the "Sale Price" ($31724) was not negotiable. 

It is a take as is where is. The $44??? was a WAG.  NADA had it at $34??? for a high retail.  He then asked if we would buy the trailer if they were fixed, we said yes,but we would offer $28,500 based on the NADA average retail for the unit, he went back inside and returned saying that Mr. Crist had said he would replace the boots for an additional $600.  We said we did not feel replacement was necessary, but repair would help with our ease of mind.

Then he went back inside and returned with a printout of the base price, added upgrades, and total price for the unit, evidently from a computer valuation program.  It showed a base price of about $28, 500 with numerous upgrades.  He showed me the paper and I reviewed it, noting that the first three items, Washer, Dryer, and 4 door Refrigerator were not on the trailer.  The washer was $325, the dryer was $350, and the 4 door fridge was $990, making the difference $1665 just for the first three items, we did not go over the rest of the items on the list to verify their presence in the trailer.  He said this was the document used to set the valuation for the trailer by Mr. Crist.  I said, " Well, let's go talk to him, is he inside?" 

I took the paper, went inside and introduced my self to Mr. Crist.   I then asked if this was the document used to value the trailer.  He said it was.  So I asked him about the first three items on the list and told him that they were not on the trailer.  He said he did not run that report and grabbed it from me, wadded it up, threw it across the room at the waste can, and told me " HAVE A NICE EVENING SIR!!!" summarily dismissing my wife and I.  We left with your dealership with the feeling of a very bad experience from both the SALESMAN and the OWNERSHIP. 

The one good thing about Saturday, I always try to look for positive experiences in every thing I do, is that we have absolutely settled on the 2007 HR Presidential 34 SKD.  Yesterday I took about three hours to locate all of them for sale in the US on the internet and sent request for quotes, trasportation methods available, and additional photos for them.  I suspect we will be making a trip to do a final inspection and finalize the purchase in the next two weeks.  I might add that in most cases we found, their starting price is in the $29,500 range and I suspect they are way more flexable in negotiations than CRIST.

So based on the FINE treatment we received at CRIST, we have gone on a nationwide search for a trailer and found a 2007 HR Presidential 34 SKD that is in immaculate condition, we have already done the inspection and closed the deal. We will pick it up in the very near future and it closed for exactly what we offered you for the one you have.  I sincerely hope CRIST does not screw some one at the price you are asking for that trailer. 

It would be a cold day in h*ll before I would recommend CRIST RV to anyone and I certainly will never cross your lot line.  

Sincerely,