Camping World Rant - oil change pricing

[JudyJB]

Luckily, I have a few good experiences with RV repairs, but it is frustrating not to be able to find a Ford place that will fix a Ford! There is a new Ford truck fleet service place in Traverse City, MI, but the newly hired young guy put my radiator hose on backwards, and it lasted a whopping 3 miles before everything came apart. After he came out and put a new one in right, I drove back to the shop and asked them to please get an older and more experienced service person to check it for me, which they did! I would take it back to them, but would make sure the service person assigned to me had been on the job more than one week.

Strangely enough, if you end up with engine problems near or in Bryce Canyon, there is a Sinclair gas station at the entrance that works on medium duty trucks and motorhomes. I discovered it while driving by and noticing that they had four huge repair bays that were obviously built for bigger vehicles. This was about 7 years ago, and they replaced all of my spark plugs and five of my coils while I rode the shuttles around the national park! No problems with their work, and they had the parts and started work the morning after I had stopped in. Done by a little after noon!!

 

[SeilerBird]

Very good point!!!!

And on top of that you get to watch them work.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Ahhh, Camping World. The gift that keeps Forums members busy with story telling.

 

[Wasillaguy]

A 30'x50' made in America flag costs about $2.7K. Each location probably spends $10K/yr on flags.
Somebody has to help buy those flags, but I don't.
I do love seeing her wave as I drive by though!

 

[JudyJB]

A 3' x 5' flag from Harbor Freight costs $4.99, or they could buy an "indestructible" flag that size from Amazon for $8.98, and that would result in several customers they don't have to cheat!

 

[UTTransplant]

But how could they say they are patriotic if they don’t have a 30’ flag?/s

 

[Wasillaguy]

But how could they say they are patriotic if they don’t have a 30’ flag?/s

They could change their name to Camping U.S.A.?

 

[uchu]

This is why I only use mobile mechanics. I get to watch them.

Don't they get upset for doing that? I know some can be very touchy about shadowing them while working.

 

[SeilerBird]

Don't they get upset for doing that? I know some can be very touchy about shadowing them while working.

Never happened to me.

 

[solarman]

A 3' x 5' flag from Harbor Freight costs $4.99, or they could buy an "indestructible" flag that size from Amazon for $8.98, and that would result in several customers they don't have to cheat!

Made in China too.. LOL

 

[JudyJB]

Actually, I have been able to stay in my vehicle for a lot of the services that had to be made to my motorhome, but never at Camping World.

And maybe it is because they feel sorry for an old lady, but I always stick my nose into their business. Politely of course. Last spring, I had to have bearings replaced in two front wheels, and the Boss Trucking service place at the trick stop along I75 near Ft Myers. It was 3 hours on one tire and 5 on the other on two separate days. I just sat quietly in my recliner and stayed on my computer. (Chose a cool day because not able to run AC.) Ditto for when they had to replace a bad coil in a shop in Coeur d' Alene, and earlier last winter while a mobile mechanic replaced all spark plugs and coils in the campground.

Way, way, way back when my rig was under warranty and I had to take it to the fleetwood, Decatur, IN, factory customer service shop for repairs, they even let you stay in your vehicle while they worked on it for most things. If you got out, you had to wear closed toe shoes and safety glasses in the shop. Don't do that anymore.

 

[Bearcatrp]

CW wanted to charge me $450 to repack the bearings on my 5th wheel. Found a locate RV maintenance shop that did it for $75 per axle. No way I will let CW touch my RV. They plain suck.

 

[jymbee]

This is why I only use mobile mechanics. I get to watch them.

When traveling, mobile mechanics are an option of course, but given some past experiences I try to find a service that has their own repair shop, not just a pickup in the driveway with some tool boxes.

The mobile guys typically have a hefty charge just to show up and not uncommon for them to not have the part they need. For that reason, while I do search for "mobile RV repair" i try to find a service that has their own shop and agree to do the work at their location.

That limits the options of course but going that route has saved us a LOT of $$$ over the years.

 

[jymbee]

Don't they get upset for doing that? I know some can be very touchy about shadowing them while working.

Depends a lot on your attitude. I usually ask politely whether they charge extra if I watch. They've heard that line hundreds of time and I usually get a good natured response.

More often than not they don't object and you can often learn some things in the process.

 

[tlmgcamp]

Don't they get upset for doing that? I know some can be very touchy about shadowing them while working.

My dad (custom kithchen and baths) had a sticker on his toolbox that provided three labor rates depending on the situation. The rates increased as follows:

$/hr for Base Labor
$/hr premium if you watch
$/hr double premium if you help

 

[gwinger]

Made in China too.. LOL

From the HF website

 

[solarman]

From the HF website
View attachment 176420

it helps to have a sense of humor..

 

[gwinger]

it helps to have a sense of humor..

?

 

[Boat Bum]

it helps to have a sense of humor..

It's designed in the US.

 

[gwinger]

It's designed in the US.

Says MADE in the USA

https://www.harborfreight.com/made-in-usa-3-ft-x-5-ft-embroidered-american-flag-56915.html