Well, this is a first. I know there’s a sizable group of readers here, and I need some thoughts / ideas / suggestions for a friend.
One of the folks staying here is “stuck”. Can’t think of a better term. Last year she came to Prescott, and bought a new Winnebago from a local dealership. Sizable dealership too. From the get go, she’s had nothing but troubles. Electrical shocks touching the outside of the Winnebago (the model is an Aspect). Problems with the electrical system internally, etc. After fighting with the dealership and Winnebago directly she’s had the power converter replaced, etc. Each issue is a fight.
Well, finally she’d felt her issues were small enough to where she could drive home with her new LEMON. All the way to Alaska. She didn’t even make it out of Arizona. Near Flagstaff her gas line separated, and her gas tank dumped out on to the road way. A friend who flew down to travel back with her was following in a mini van trying to flag her down. Other drivers flagged her down.
The police arrived on scene, helped cover over the dumping gas with dirt. A report is on record. And when she returned to the local dealership, being towed in 70 miles, the dealer told her to get it off the lot, the leak was a Ford issue, not theirs. Winnebago was called and told her they’ve done all they could for her.
Clearly she’s got a flaming lemon. I’ve heard of issues like this with Winnebago when I researched getting a Eurovan Camper. That’s why we got a Weekender instead years ago. Too many bad reports about Winnebago pointing at VW, and VW pointing at Winnebago. Now my friend is at the same point with her dealership, Winnebago, and now Ford too.
I’m at a loss as to how I could be helpful. She really needs to get home to Alaska, and really needs to get the product she paid for, not the Lemon she’s clearly being saddled with. Getting a brand new RV, you have an expectation of a quality product. The dealer and the manufacturer are not standing behind their product. I know there are a ton of RV savvy readers here. So, all suggestions guys.
Thanks in advance!
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Rich
I live in phoenix and our loacl Channel 12
has what they call “12 on your side”. They step in and try to help solve problems that consummers have with a business. I think that
Channel 12 is transmitted up to Prescot.
Come to think of it some of the other local
stations have trouble shooters. The dealer might start handling things if they are going to get some bad publisity.
unfortunately, the Lemon laws in AZ have a lot exclusions for motor homes:
“Automobiles Covered by the Lemon Law:
Arizona’s Lemon Law applies only to new automobiles. In the case of motor homes, the law applies only to the vehicle and chassis; it does not protect the section used for habitation. Further, the statute does not protect your purchase if it weighs more than 10,000 pounds or was purchased at a public auction.”
When people complain to us about their lemons, (thankfully not many Nissans are…) they always say they are going to contact the Atty. General’s office. It’s a place to start.