Bumgarner RV in Lenoir, NC

 

When we decided to finally buy there were a few dealers that we researched.  We had seen a 177 before (iamsmonk) and they had bought theirs from Bumgarners as well, and we wanted to check it out vs a 171.  When we arrived on lot which is an hour and a half away from us we wandered around looking at them and it was probably about 15 minutes before the salesman even came out to check on us.  Very low key and no pressure approach to the whole sales process, which made us feel very comfortable.  Sat down and negotiated with them on the overall package & price, including the work I needed done on my TV, and this is where having done my homework here in this forum and elsewhere really paid off.  Knowing that the 171 had been sitting on their lot since last February and that it isn't necessarily the fastest moving model for sale gave us a bit of a leg up.  Told them we would think about it (this was on a Saturday) and would call them back on Tuesday with a final answer (they are closed on Mondays).

 

We already knew we were going to get it but we also always wait at least one day before committing to large purchases just so we can be completely sure.  Called them back on Tuesday, and an hour later after faxing documents back and forth had the agreement signed and down payment processed.  Made arrangements to pick it up 3 weeks later on the 19th since we already had plans for the 2 weekends in between.

 

Showed up just after 10am on the 19th and they took the TV back to start putting the hitch & wiring & brake controller in, and afterwards we would do the walk-thru on the Pod.  We decided to spend the time looking around at some of the other trailers and rv's on the lot, and were really-really unimpressed with the construction on some of them as it compares to the Pod.  About 15 minutes in I saw the salesman headed for us with a look on his face that didn't strike me as the most positive ... uh-oh was all I thought.

 

Well, there was an issue alright.  My Hyundai Veracruz was supposed to have already had the wiring pre-wired back to the bumper.  That was what my dealer told me (twice), that is what I had told Bumgarner.  They were supposed to have checked on it prior to our negotiating originally and apparently they either didn't or they forgot to.  Regardless, no wiring was there.  They had tried calling the local Hyundai dealer to see if they could purchase the T-wiring assembly and were told that Hyundai would not sell them just the wiring harness ... they would have to purchase the whole trailer hitch package, which they didn't need.  They then tried every parts store around but had no luck.  So, it was appearing that they were going to have to order one and we'd have to come back in a couple weeks to pick it up ... wife was not a happy camper at that point.

 

Then they came up with a new solution.  They offered to install a Tekonsha Prodigy wireless brake controller system for just the difference in their cost instead of what I was going to originally get.  Uhm, yeah, let me think about that for a total of 2 seconds ... yes, do it!  And this was what impressed me the most about them as a dealer.  Issues & problems always come up ... it is how you react to and deal with them that in the end makes or breaks you.  And they came up with a great solution!

 

The walk-thru was quick and uneventful.  Having learned so much from the forums here over the past year made much of what was gone over a repeat lesson for the most part, but it allowed us to see/feel where certain things are (electric switch for H2O heater, anode rod placement, low point drains, etc).  After the walk-thru wevheaded back inside, signed the paperwork, paid the piper and our TV & Pod were hitched up out front and waiting for us to drive off into the sunset ... or mid-day sun as it was now only noon.  Some quick photos for them and us, 5 minutes trying to get up the nerve to pull out from their lot onto the highway it sits on, and we were on our way.  2 hours total, including the one slight problem that needed to be addressed ... we were amazed.

 

Again, we both highly recommend Bumgarners to anyone in the area that is looking for a Pod.  I can't say enough about how easy & professional & caring they were to work with!