Betty's experience is reason enough to post again regarding RV manufacturers and their warranties.
In particular, if you are planning on being a full-time RV'er, be sure and look into whether the RV manufacturer will warranty their product if you are living in it full-time.
We were at the Fort Worth RV Show back in February and I had a conversation with a salesman about whether their brand would honor their warranty if we were living in the unit full time. After some hesitation, the salesman said, "I don't know anyone living in their RV fulltime." So, I clarified that some manufacturers might not warranty their product if the owner is full-timing. He repeated his original statement. Thus, I got the impression that one was just not supposed to admit they were full-timing if they wanted warranty service.
I asked him another question about the unit and he said, "The factory representative is here, so lets just go ask him." (The question was not related to the warranty, but to the unit itself.)
While talking with the factory rep, I asked HIM about the manufacturer policy on warranty work on units where the owner was full-timing. Unbelievably, his response was, "Just don't tell us you are full-timing."
Now, if that isn't indicative of the fact that some RV manufacturers will not warranty a unit that is being used for full-time RV'ing, I don't know what is.
So, I advise asking whether the manufacturer will warranty fulltimers. If you get hum-hawing or hesitation or round-about answers, be very cautious.
Terry
Gary said
09:40 AM Nov 9, 2010
Yep. Keystone is no longer a consideration. Good advise Terry. Always ask the tough questions and if you get hesitation, walk away.
If no hesitation in the answer, see if they can back it up in writing.
TxYellowRose said
09:56 AM Nov 9, 2010
Terry,
Keystone has not specifically said they will not honor the warranty, it is all the hoops we are being made to jump through, the expressed indifference, the incompetence of Keystone dealer service departments and so on.
Boil it down to customer service in general. I am sure it is not just Keystone, but widespread throughout this country in all areas relating to customer service.
Warm regards, Betty
J Riechman said
10:12 AM Nov 9, 2010
Contact the Consumer Protection Agency at www.(insert your state initals).gov,
Document everything. Record calls if you can. If you mention that you are keeping records and recording this call for their benefit, You may get some action. No one with good sense wants the gov involved.
crouton said
07:23 PM Nov 9, 2010
Did you send the letter to them directly? You can also post the letter on planetfeedback.com for others to see.
GENECOP said
08:15 PM Nov 9, 2010
Also post on Ripoff Report.Com
DorisandDave said
08:16 PM Nov 9, 2010
Betty, I have heard many times a letter from a lawyer will get action.
Terry and Jo said
09:50 PM Nov 9, 2010
Betty,
I'm sorry if you took it so, but my comment was NOT specific to Keystone. I simply said that your experiences should make us all take notice as to whether a manufacturer will honor their warranty, EVEN IF THE OWNER IS A FULLTIMER.
I wanted to post that comment for the benefit of new members that may be researching here in regards to an RV choice. In addition to the warranty issue, if one is a full-timer, one also needs to verify with their insurance company whether they will insure an RV being lived in full time. My current insurance company will NOT. Thus, when we begin living in our Mobile Suites full time, we'll have to change insurance companies.
Terry
TxYellowRose said
08:13 AM Nov 10, 2010
Terry,
Wise words to anyone researching this lifestyle.
When we were looking at Open Range as a possibility, we asked the sales guy about the warranty and full-timing. The OR model was the "Residential," which infers (to us, at least) that it would be considered an option for full-timing.
The sales guy said oh yes, it is covered as a full-time unit. Well . . . I emailed Open Range directly and heard the usual disclaimer that it is not intended for residential usage.
That's what most warranties say.
You are so right about the insurance, too. We had State Farm for our truck and bumper pull, and even for the fiver prior to full-timing. Once we went full-time, we left the truck with State Farm (I've been with them 20+ years) and got full-timing insurance for the fiver, contents, etc.
Again, wise advice for anyone following this thread, thanks!
Here's my blog post yesterday regarding latest interaction with Keystone Customer Service:
"If It's Still Wet . . ."
In particular, if you are planning on being a full-time RV'er, be sure and look into whether the RV manufacturer will warranty their product if you are living in it full-time.
We were at the Fort Worth RV Show back in February and I had a conversation with a salesman about whether their brand would honor their warranty if we were living in the unit full time. After some hesitation, the salesman said, "I don't know anyone living in their RV fulltime." So, I clarified that some manufacturers might not warranty their product if the owner is full-timing. He repeated his original statement. Thus, I got the impression that one was just not supposed to admit they were full-timing if they wanted warranty service.
I asked him another question about the unit and he said, "The factory representative is here, so lets just go ask him." (The question was not related to the warranty, but to the unit itself.)
While talking with the factory rep, I asked HIM about the manufacturer policy on warranty work on units where the owner was full-timing. Unbelievably, his response was, "Just don't tell us you are full-timing."
Now, if that isn't indicative of the fact that some RV manufacturers will not warranty a unit that is being used for full-time RV'ing, I don't know what is.
So, I advise asking whether the manufacturer will warranty fulltimers. If you get hum-hawing or hesitation or round-about answers, be very cautious.
Terry
Terry,
Keystone has not specifically said they will not honor the warranty, it is all the hoops we are being made to jump through, the expressed indifference, the incompetence of Keystone dealer service departments and so on.
Boil it down to customer service in general. I am sure it is not just Keystone, but widespread throughout this country in all areas relating to customer service.
Warm regards,
Betty
I have heard many times a letter from a lawyer will get action.
I'm sorry if you took it so, but my comment was NOT specific to Keystone. I simply said that your experiences should make us all take notice as to whether a manufacturer will honor their warranty, EVEN IF THE OWNER IS A FULLTIMER.
I wanted to post that comment for the benefit of new members that may be researching here in regards to an RV choice. In addition to the warranty issue, if one is a full-timer, one also needs to verify with their insurance company whether they will insure an RV being lived in full time. My current insurance company will NOT. Thus, when we begin living in our Mobile Suites full time, we'll have to change insurance companies.
Terry
Terry,
Wise words to anyone researching this lifestyle.
When we were looking at Open Range as a possibility, we asked the sales guy about the warranty and full-timing. The OR model was the "Residential," which infers (to us, at least) that it would be considered an option for full-timing.
The sales guy said oh yes, it is covered as a full-time unit. Well . . . I emailed Open Range directly and heard the usual disclaimer that it is not intended for residential usage.
That's what most warranties say.
You are so right about the insurance, too. We had State Farm for our truck and bumper pull, and even for the fiver prior to full-timing. Once we went full-time, we left the truck with State Farm (I've been with them 20+ years) and got full-timing insurance for the fiver, contents, etc.
Again, wise advice for anyone following this thread, thanks!
And thanks for your PM. We appreciate you and Jo.
Warmest regards,
Betty