R-pod Owners Forum : Is Service Optional? http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Warranty, Service and Recall Bulletins : Is Service Optional? Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 01 May 2026 08:09:17 +0000 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 21:57:43 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=2030 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Is Service Optional? : Originally posted by FISHTAIL Originally... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19887#19887 Author: furpod
Subject: 2030
Posted: 30 Sep 2011 at 9:57pm

Originally posted by FISHTAIL

Originally posted by furpod


While it may be illegal, I know from experience it has always been a problem around Army posts. Not just with VW either.

We don't normally own "new" cars, but this was bought because my wife was running back and forth to Chicago a lot for work, and we figured rather than drive a 175k mile Explorer.. (which NEVER left us stranded) we would get a brand new car.. the rest as they say, is history.


Well, it's an easy problem to solve.  Call VW.  I'm sure they have a customer service division, and tell them the local dealership is refusing to honor your warranty.  They'll come around in a big hurry.  I have to say, not only did I work in the auto repair industry through college (I was both a service writer and a mechanic), I'm pretty much neck deep in the auto enthusiast scene. 

While I hear about people getting warrenties denied due to modifications pretty frequently, I can't remember reading about anyone running into a dealership that refused to perform warranty repairs other than your post.

If I were you, I'd be going way out of my way to cause some serious trouble for that dealership.  VW has a massive online community, report it to them.  Call VW and complain.  Don't believe it won't make a difference...it does.  I had an issue with my local dealership when we bought two new cars from them earlier this year, I reported it to ford, and I know they heard about it because I got phone calls and letters from the dealership afterwards.  If your problems are legit, VW will get your back.


While that all sounds good, and it would seem that is how it would work, it wasn't and it didn't. I was active on several forums, both local and national. Most everybody had the same thoughts, but in the end, VW told me since the warranty work WAS done by "a local dealership", all was good in their opinion.

And as I said, after the whole fiasco, I SOLD the GTI 3 years ago. We liked it, good car when running, and fun  to drive. But in 26k miles, it had to be flat bedded to VW 4 times. Even had we had perfect service every time, (and we did from Orland Park VW in Chicago, but a 6 hour drive is to far to go for a good relationship with a car dealer) Regardless, I still would have gotten rid of it after the 4th ride to the dealership.
]]> Fri, 30 Sep 2011 21:57:43 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19887#19887 Is Service Optional? : Originally posted by furpodWhile... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19886#19886 Author: FISHTAIL
Subject: 2030
Posted: 30 Sep 2011 at 8:52pm

Originally posted by furpod


While it may be illegal, I know from experience it has always been a problem around Army posts. Not just with VW either.

We don't normally own "new" cars, but this was bought because my wife was running back and forth to Chicago a lot for work, and we figured rather than drive a 175k mile Explorer.. (which NEVER left us stranded) we would get a brand new car.. the rest as they say, is history.


Well, it's an easy problem to solve.  Call VW.  I'm sure they have a customer service division, and tell them the local dealership is refusing to honor your warranty.  They'll come around in a big hurry.  I have to say, not only did I work in the auto repair industry through college (I was both a service writer and a mechanic), I'm pretty much neck deep in the auto enthusiast scene. 

While I hear about people getting warrenties denied due to modifications pretty frequently, I can't remember reading about anyone running into a dealership that refused to perform warranty repairs other than your post.

If I were you, I'd be going way out of my way to cause some serious trouble for that dealership.  VW has a massive online community, report it to them.  Call VW and complain.  Don't believe it won't make a difference...it does.  I had an issue with my local dealership when we bought two new cars from them earlier this year, I reported it to ford, and I know they heard about it because I got phone calls and letters from the dealership afterwards.  If your problems are legit, VW will get your back.
]]> Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:52:25 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19886#19886 Is Service Optional? : I think the dealer should look... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19885#19885 Author: sfish
Subject: 2030
Posted: 30 Sep 2011 at 4:14pm

I think the dealer should look at service and sales as two seperate items. If the selling dealer isnt competetive and you go elsewhere to purchase and the customer returns and you wow them with your great service I would think next time you are going to make a purchase you might try even harder to purchase from your servicing dealer. To me great service is King!!]]> Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:14:02 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19885#19885 Is Service Optional? : I agree with you. However, since... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19878#19878 Author: Camper Bob
Subject: 2030
Posted: 30 Sep 2011 at 10:37am

I agree with you.  However, since most dealers are aware of what other dealers are charging to purchase an rpod they are trying to make a case for buying from them.  No purchase from them, no service.  In these trying economic times, most buyers should do their homework before making a major purchase.  Exposing shoddy warranty practices will make dealers think twice about restricting their warranty work to just customers who bought from their dealership.  My local dealer, upon questioning the salesman assured me that they would honor the warranty even if I didn't purchase from them.  Will want a little stronger assurance before I order mine from whomever I purchase mine from.]]> Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:37:25 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19878#19878 Is Service Optional? : If the dealer was getting paid... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19875#19875 Author: sfish
Subject: 2030
Posted: 30 Sep 2011 at 10:27am

If the dealer was getting paid a fair hourly rate to do the warranty repairs you would think he or she would welcome you. If it was out of warranty and you were a cash paying customer would they turn the work down? Stinkin Thinking if you ask me !]]> Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:27:17 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19875#19875 Is Service Optional? : It seems to me that one of the... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19874#19874 Author: Camper Bob
Subject: 2030
Posted: 30 Sep 2011 at 10:25am

It seems to me that one of the best ways to "educate" a dealer that will not honor a warranty from a rpod bought at another dealer is to expose them on this website.  Let them know that you will be informing other potential buyers that they will not honor the rpod warranty unless you buy from them.  I don't believe many dealers will welcome that kind of exposure.  Your certainly within your rights to post their names if that is their stated policy.  Might want to first chat with the dealer owner to verify that policy before posting.  We're all consumers and need to inform ourselves on all policies of dealers that is not in our best interest.]]> Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:25:59 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19874#19874 Is Service Optional? : Originally posted by FISHTAILfurpod,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19873#19873 Author: furpod
Subject: 2030
Posted: 30 Sep 2011 at 9:42am

Originally posted by FISHTAIL

furpod, that's not normal.  I routinely have my cars warrenty work done at dealerships other than the one I purchased from.  In fact, I'd have to do some reading, but I think they are required to perform the work whether they want to or not.  

I'd say your experience was some kind of odd isolated incident, because with cars, that's generally not the case.  I'm not even sure what they did to you is legal actually, but you'd have to do some research to determine that.  At the very least, I'd think they could get in trouble with the manufacturer for not honoring your warranty.


While it may be illegal, I know from experience it has always been a problem around Army posts. Not just with VW either.

We don't normally own "new" cars, but this was bought because my wife was running back and forth to Chicago a lot for work, and we figured rather than drive a 175k mile Explorer.. (which NEVER left us stranded) we would get a brand new car.. the rest as they say, is history.
]]> Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:42:27 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19873#19873 Is Service Optional? : I was reading in the local newspaper... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19478#19478 Author: Tidalwave4455
Subject: 2030
Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 12:53pm

I was reading in the local newspaper about the Mercedes A(Smart)-car...the little two-door car.
Mercedes has pulled all warranty repair for the A-car out of Minnesota...if you own one in MN...the car has to be repaired in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Hundreds of miles and hours away.  Mercedes will haul your car from MN to Milwaukee...but after it is repaired the owner has to go to Milwaukee and drive the vehicle back to MN without compensation (since the car is now working correctly).
This is why it is important to check on warranty work for any expensive item you are looking to purchase (what's covered and who is willing to do the warranty repairs)!
]]> Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:53:36 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=19478#19478 Is Service Optional? : I agree, the car industry is different... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18839#18839 Author: techntrek
Subject: 2030
Posted: 16 Aug 2011 at 5:38pm

I agree, the car industry is different and the manufacturers require all dealerships to service all models, warranty work or not.  You should report that to VW.  Heck, in this economic climate I've heard local dealerships advertise that they'll service any make/model even if it isn't one they sell!]]> Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:38:45 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18839#18839 Is Service Optional? : furpod, that's not normal.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18828#18828 Author: FISHTAIL
Subject: 2030
Posted: 16 Aug 2011 at 9:35am

furpod, that's not normal.  I routinely have my cars warrenty work done at dealerships other than the one I purchased from.  In fact, I'd have to do some reading, but I think they are required to perform the work whether they want to or not.  

I'd say your experience was some kind of odd isolated incident, because with cars, that's generally not the case.  I'm not even sure what they did to you is legal actually, but you'd have to do some research to determine that.  At the very least, I'd think they could get in trouble with the manufacturer for not honoring your warranty.
]]> Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:35:27 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18828#18828 Is Service Optional? : Originally posted by this_is_nascarThis... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18819#18819 Author: furpod
Subject: 2030
Posted: 15 Aug 2011 at 8:29pm

Originally posted by this_is_nascar

This thread shows yet another issue with the RV industry.  How dare a dealer refuse warranty work if you didn't purchase the rig from them.


It's not just the RV world brother..

We bought a VW GTI a few years ago, from a dealer in the nearest town. About a year later they closed their doors. There are 3 other dealers within 75 miles, and believe it or not, it's the farthest one away, that will/would do our warranty work, even when we explained we did buy from a local dealer, just as they would want their customers to do, but through no fault of our own we couldn't go there anymore. We had a problem in Chicago one weekend, and the closest dealer to us at that point was fantastic. If we were ever to buy another VW, we would go there and buy it. We actually got rid of that VW because it was such a pain to get it worked on under warranty, and REALLY didn't want to find out how it would be out of warranty..
]]> Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:29:40 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18819#18819 Is Service Optional? : This thread shows yet another... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18812#18812 Author: this_is_nascar
Subject: 2030
Posted: 15 Aug 2011 at 7:37pm

This thread shows yet another issue with the RV industry.  How dare a dealer refuse warranty work if you didn't purchase the rig from them.
]]> Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:37:31 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18812#18812 Is Service Optional? : When I was shopping for my Pod... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18782#18782 Author: TIDALWAVE
Subject: 2030
Posted: 13 Aug 2011 at 2:58pm

When I was shopping for my Pod (and bought from RVnation), I checked with my closest Forest River dealer and was told that they would not do warranty work if I didn't buy it from them.  I checked with the next closest dealer and was told that they would do the work even if I didn't buy from them.
Subsequently they are the dealer who I chose to do annual maintenance on the Pod.  I have been buying additional items from them as I modify the Pod's interior.
I have visited the 'closer' dealer and informed them that they had lost significant after-market business from me.  And that the 'other' dealer was soon going to make up his 'lost' sales profit in
selling me all the items I wanted to install on the Pod and doing maintenance on the Pod.
Shop charges in my area are close to $100/hr...and it doesn't take long to start to add up.
]]> Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:58:32 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18782#18782 Is Service Optional? : Find a Forest River dealer that... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18736#18736 Author: TerryM
Subject: 2030
Posted: 10 Aug 2011 at 11:50am

Find a Forest River dealer that doesn't sell R-Pods and take it to them.  They MIGHT do warranty work on it anyway.

Terry
]]> Wed, 10 Aug 2011 11:50:49 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18736#18736 Is Service Optional? : Yeah, I ran into this with my... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18734#18734 Author: FISHTAIL
Subject: 2030
Posted: 10 Aug 2011 at 9:36am

Yeah, I ran into this with my local dealer too.  They told me if I bought my Camper elsewhere, that they would not honor the warranty.  Given that the Ohio dealer was about 3k cheaper than the local guy, I bought elsewhere anyway.  I just couldn't justify spending an additional 3k on the pod so I could have someone local honor the warranty.  

As others here have posted though, I hear camping world and other places will take care of you.
]]> Wed, 10 Aug 2011 09:36:20 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18734#18734 Is Service Optional? : I haven't had any problems... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18682#18682 Author: TerryM
Subject: 2030
Posted: 06 Aug 2011 at 11:29am

I haven't had any problems with my locale dealer here in Florida.  I bought mine in Ohio also.

Terry
]]> Sat, 06 Aug 2011 11:29:12 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18682#18682 Is Service Optional? : Thanks for the replies. I wouldn't... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18681#18681 Author: Footslogger03
Subject: 2030
Posted: 06 Aug 2011 at 11:07am

Thanks for the replies. I wouldn't even have brought up this point but was told so by a supposed FR dealer (not to be named) the other day. In fact this same dealer tried to get me interested ina different rv than the R-Pod.

We have other options   ...

MJ]]> Sat, 06 Aug 2011 11:07:59 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18681#18681 Is Service Optional? : I am from South Carolina and bought... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18680#18680 Author: tdrace
Subject: 2030
Posted: 06 Aug 2011 at 10:08am

I am from South Carolina and bought my rpod from RvNations in Ohio. I have had no problem with Camping World and another Rv dealer working on my camper. I can't imagine anyone not wanting the business in this economy. Everyone has been Great!]]> Sat, 06 Aug 2011 10:08:05 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18680#18680 Is Service Optional? : It is my understanding that... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18677#18677 Author: Guests
Subject: 2030
Posted: 06 Aug 2011 at 7:02am

It is my understanding that the selling dealer is the only one who is obligated (by FR) to perform warranty work on a FR product that you may buy from them.  The FR web site (last time I looked) had a statement or 2 encouraging one to "buy local".  Personally, I like to spend my $$$ as close to home as I can, whenever possible.  Not all FR dealers sell Pods and their technicians may not be quite as "sharp" on anything unique to the Pod & it's construction.
With that said however, it seems most will do the work; as they get re-imbursed by FR for the cost.  I suspect this is at a negotiated price with FR.  I also suspect this would be something less than the dealer's standard "retail" rate.  So, you may get put in line behind those who purchased from them.  The dealer wants/needs to make money.  I would think their priorities would be something like this:
 
1.  Out of warranty "retail" repairs & upgrades  ($$$)
2.  Warranty work from "loyal" (and potential repeat) customers  ($$)
3.  Warranty work from guys/gals who bought elsewhere to maybe save a few dollars ($) 
 
]]> Sat, 06 Aug 2011 07:02:32 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18677#18677 Is Service Optional? : Been doingma lot of talking and... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18675#18675 Author: Footslogger03
Subject: 2030
Posted: 05 Aug 2011 at 10:50pm

Been doingma lot of talking and visiting of Forest River dealers. It seems like some of them feel like it is up to them whether theymwork on an R-Pod or not.

Just wondering what everyone's experience has been. There is no doubt loyalty between a customer and the dealer from whom they bought their R-Pod.

But what about those of you who travelled a great distance to purchase/pick-up your R-Pod and now have to take it to a different dealer for warranty issues?

Thanks in advance   ...

MJ]]> Fri, 05 Aug 2011 22:50:12 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2030&PID=18675#18675