I will share my experience about what I consider outright attempted fraud against us by Camping World of Asheville. We completed a deal with the sales manager and had negotiated a $3000 increase in our trade value from what was offered When we went to the finance office to sign all paperwork, as I read through the numbers I saw that they had inflated the sales price agreed to by Several thousand dollars, simmilar to the increased amount given for my trade.
I was purchasing a consignment RV, a unit consigned from a local resident, and they also had added freight charges in the amount of $700. As we threatened to leave the numbers were quickly changed. Why???? Because someone, had deliberately changed the numbers thinking we were too stupid to notice.
Now I will tell you about an orchestrated policy of Camping World that in my view is a pure scam policy. After we completed transferring our belongings into the new RV and waiting to go into the finance office to finalize paperwork here comes our salesman and the sales manager. Camping World has a program that after you agree on numbers they have their tech go through the RV with a fine toothed comb listing every problem they can find, or imagine, about it. They then compare that to a list you make of known problems while filling out paperwork.
In our case our trade was 26 years old. The sales staff looked at it before we negotiated, understood it was 26 years old, and even commented on what great condition it was in. The sales manager gives us an inspection report claiming $5000 of repairs needed. This included such things as window leaks, roof leaks, scratches, minor wear and tear and more.
Mind you our RV never leaked a drop. The sales manager sleeze says we cant complete the deal unless you give us an additional $500. He implied we had not disclosed some of the items (which was a lie) and pointed to condensation on the inside of the windows (it was like 17 degrees outside that morning) as proof of leaking. I laughed in his face and asked him if he knew anything about RVs.
Now using common sense if there was $5000 worth of problems why would they ask for just $500??
Later I met a nice gentleman who had come all the way from Southern Georgia to trade his 28-year old motorhome for another unit. Before he negotiated I warned him about what I thought they would do. Sure enough they had done exactly what they did to us with a bogus list and hit him up for an additional $2000. This program is designed to apply maximum leverage against you to get more money from you.
I went to the general manager who looked at me with some sympathy and said it was a corporate program and they had no choice.
This is pure Marcus Lemonis trade practices. I warn anyone who goes to Camping World to buy an RV to think twice about it.
Also I would like to know how many others have been scammed, or have had this practice of recovering part of the trade in allowance in bogus items.
Remember this is a corporate program that is ripe for a class-action lawsuit against Camping World. I would quickly enjoin such a law suit.
Product or Service Mentioned: Camping World Trade-in.
Reason of review: Not as described/ advertised.
Monetary Loss: $500.
Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution.
Camping World Cons: Ceo hot line produced no results, Made me depressed, Inaction by the company after filing multiple complaints, What should be an enjoyable experience turned into a nightmare. I want to stress: I tried to use the program offered by the CEO of Camping World, Marcus Lemonis, “if your’re not happy I’m not happy” —call my office.
I tried to use it twice for this issue and got what sounded like an intern who showed no evident concern or promised action.After the first attempt produced nothing I tried a new case and now they are not contacting me.I also talked with the General Manager of Asheville who thought I was as stupid as I probably look.
He said I wish you would have come to me that day. What difference does the day make. . . .if it’s wrong the GM has the power to fix it.I promised Camping World that their dishonest practices would cost them thousands more than what I lost in terms of actual dollars and customer satisfaction.
Steve
Murphy,#2Author of original report
Mon, February 10, 2020
I am pleased to report that today the Camping World complaint process of Marcus Lemonis worked to our complete satisfaction. I received a call from the GM of Camping World Asheville who is refunding our $500 and who gave us his personal apology.
I also received a followup call from the corporate office to make sure our issues were resolved. Things may not always go the way you wish, as in our case, but when you use existing corporate processes to complain and request resolution, and that process works, what more can you ask for?