Frustrations with dealer, new trailer order

NavyLCDR · 03-11-2021, 03:18 PM

Venting, and hoping this doesn't happen to anyone else. On 2/13 I visited a dealer in Florence, Oregon. We knew we wanted a Vintage Cruiser 23RSS. They had the 23BHS on the lot with the Red exterior and Woody interior. We loved the combination of the Red exterior and Woody interior, and the dealer told us they had one that was already completed at the factory and was just waiting for the weather to clear up to be delivered and they thought they should have it the last week of Feb or first week of March. So we put down $500 refundable deposit and left very excited.

We sold our travel trailer and I got approval for 3.5% financing on the new trailer. Fast forward to March 1 and dealer tells me the trailer is still waiting at "freight", but it might be 6 weeks before they can deliver it. Wow, so delivery moved from 3/5 now to possibly 4/9? I know there are huge delays in building and delivering RVs, so, oh well..

Fast forward to this morning, 3/11. I couldn't stand it anymore and thinking I still probably would not get any answers, I called the Gulf Stream factory in Indiana. That was probably the best customer service experience I have had in a long time. A very helpful gentlemen informed me that my trailer was ordered on 2/26, it was scheduled to start build on 3/19. If everything went perfectly, which is very rare right now, my trailer would finish build in about a week, 3/26. Then final inspection and release, probably another week, 4/2 then go to waiting for delivery which would be out of Gulf Stream's control. Again, if all the planets aligned, we could expect delivery 4/16 at the earliest.

Further research revealed the dealer did not cash my deposit check until 2/24. I guess they were waiting for "buyers remorse" to kick in. They delayed ordering my trailer for 13 days, meanwhile telling me that it was already built and just waiting for delivery. I would love to cancel my order and go to a "less dishonest" dealer but that would set me back at least 3 more weeks, so I just have to ride this out, but I am furious!

If the dealer just would have been honest with me, I still would have ordered the trailer. I was fully expecting to wait 3 months. But I would not have sold my previous trailer and would have been camping right now. Also, I have a loan approval now that is going to expire, and I don't know if I will be able to get the 3.5% interest rate again.

lets go · 03-17-2021, 12:45 AM

Hello I just ordered 3/13 from the same place in Florence we enjoyed working with the seller and felt that everything was on the up and up and am hoping I do not have the same experience as you have had , I was shown the build sheet for one they had on order already with all the options I wanted so felt good about the experience, gave them a deposit and now we are waiting .

All I ask is that they have it by July so they called their rep at factory an was told no problem but could not give a confirmed date as there is lots involved with getting one to Oregon especially with the weather

NavyLCDR · 03-17-2021, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lets go

Hello I just ordered 3/13 from the same place in Florence we enjoyed working with the seller and felt that everything was on the up and up and am hoping I do not have the same experience as you have had ,

What model did you order?

lets go · 03-17-2021, 09:28 AM

I ordered the BT Cruiser 5245 motorhome

NavyLCDR · 03-17-2021, 10:54 AM

Very cool lets go! I was going to say if you ordered a Vintage Cruiser 233RSS red with woody interior, you could have my trailer that was supposed to start building on 3/19. I'm cancelling mine today. Just one comment on the build sheet - that could be someone else's order and already be spoken for, but let's hope not.

My new dealer is in Spokane, WA, 445 miles away. We did some more shopping around and found a Sonic 231VRL by Venture RV that we think we are going to like more than the Vintage Cruiser. Perfect weight for our tow vehicle too. Dealer has 2 in stock. Negotiated a decent price, not the best, but decent. Also negotiated a surge protector and wheel covers as part of the deal.

This dealer has been so great to work with so far. I've actually had a lot of fun communicating with the salesman so far. I'd send him a request in email at 8:00 pm and he would email me right back! They have accommodated every request so far. We pick it up on Saturday and we're staying at a campground Saturday night half-way home!

lets go · 03-17-2021, 11:43 AM

I am glad that things are working out better for you bummer that you had to go so far to get what you wanted I would have to go to Boise to find another unit like I wanted .

If you are like I am you researched everything and when you find what you want and looks like everything is going your way and then things crash you end up in a bitter mood and wonder if other sellers will be like that. The invoice that she showed me was for one they ordered for their own stock, I guess we will see but you giving me the idea of calling is something I will do down the road.

jamesham · 03-21-2021, 11:09 AM

Very glad to see you cancelled the first dealer. Lies should never be tolerated. We have had similar experiences ordering a new minivan that is supposed to be in transit but in real world, has not even been ordered yet by car dealer.

Considering the rush to push units out the door at every RV factory, I think you should spend at least the first couple of nights camping in the dealer lot or FHU at a campground near the selling dealer. You are going to have a list of needed repairs...hopefully a very short list. But you are more likely to get service if they have not cashed the check yet.

[QUOTE=NavyLCDR;33321]Very cool lets go! I was going to say if you ordered a Vintage Cruiser 233RSS red with woody interior, you could have my trailer that was supposed to start building on 3/19. I'm cancelling mine today.

RVingagain · 09-10-2021, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lets go

I ordered the BT Cruiser 5245 motorhome

Did you get your 5245 by July as hoped? How long was the total wait and build time if you know it?

I ordered a 5240 on July 5th and am told it could be six months to a year. Two months gone by now and Monday I got a "no update yet" message.

RVingagain · 09-10-2021, 04:20 PM

Just found your July 6th first outing post. Sounds like it took roughly 4 months and probably a month or so of build time. Hope your rig is trouble free from here on out.

msdickerson · 01-14-2022, 12:57 PM

NavyLCDR - I hope your new unit is satisfactory, and we also just ordered a BT cruiser 5210- Delivery expected sometime in June thru August. We bought it through RV Wholesalers. They do seem pretty good in relation to so many other dealers we have worked with on other units. By the way, I was a Navy LCDR and now am a retired AF Major.. We are in Massachusetts.

Herboy33 · 03-24-2021, 08:31 PM

Also just venting
We had very similar.Told us TT we wanted was'nt made anymore a 19csk woody, so we deposited $ on a red one, a First dealer sold out his business with our 500 deposit and told me that he is in Florida now, come and get it. I reported him to Att. general and called charge card company and they reimbursed us and will investigate.
Second dealer ordered our 19csk Woody that they still make and got it in about 5 weeks total delivered. Love it, BUT the bbq pit that hooks to rear bumper that he sold us for 395$ is junk and available at Walmart for 79$. And he will not answer me back about returning it, now it sits in garage sale pile. So don't get the factory sold bbq

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