Repair experience follow-up re: Workhorse W-22

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Michael Holden

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Joined
Jan 4, 2013
Posts
59
In mid Feb. I posted "Workhorse W-22 exhaust parts source?" and got a few helpful responses. After speaking to several muffler shops it became apparent that no one was going to be able to bend the 4" pipes that I needed. So I looked for RV repair shops.
First stop was Register RV in Brooksville, FL. They were very helpful. I was allowed to view the computer screen while these two pipes were researched on the Workhorse parts listing. I identified the two pipes needed and made a mental note of their (the dealer's) cost. I was given the print-out and "my" cost was written in by hand. They were (in my opinion) very expensive, and I said that I would have to think about this. Then I spoke to the service person and suggested that this repair might take about an hour, and he responded that he thought so too, or maybe an hour and a half at the most. Then back home to mull this all over.
The next morning I decided to get a second opinion so I rode out to Alliance RV in Wildwood. It is an extremely large facility with 50-60 bays or more, a waiting area with at least 50 folks lounging around, and no less than 20 dogs! All seemed very nice, but both the parts and labor were more.
After a few days I finally had come to terms with the expense and decided to ride back to Register RV and have them order the parts and schedule the work. After the parts were ordered from the factory (via a phone call) and after already knowing what they were going to cost - I simply asked if there was any way they could help me with the cost of the parts. I was politely told "I don't have any authority... but I'll go ask." ...and came back with a further reduction! Here's the breakdown:

                                                  List price on Workhorse website                      My cost listed on print-out                  My actual cost
crossover y-pipe                                        467                                                                350.25                                            308
tailpipe                                                      406                                                                304.50                                            278

The dealer's cost was exactly 1/2 of the list price, that mental note made ealier came back to me as I veiwed the Workhorse list prices from home.
Yesterday I had the work done. My MH went on the lift at 9:15 AM and came off the lift at 11:45 AM. 2-1/2 hours total, with maybe 20-30 minutes of unproductive time. I was charged for 1 hour labor! When was the last time you had an experience like this?! Everyone was friendly and helpful, I even asked - and was allowed to, walk under the MH while on the lift to check out something else I wanted to peek at. They have about 14-16 bays, several with full lifts, body work, mechanicals, and a full parts depatment. Labor rate $85, I'm accustomed to $105 where I live in MA. Register RV will be my FL shop!


 
One other thing that was done that I found extremely helpful and out of the ordinary! The parts person picked up a clipbboard and went back into the stacks saying "I going to see what else we need to order from Workhorse, 'cause you're close to qualifying for free shipping". I was appreciative, but did not fully understand the value of this gesture until the day the work was performed. The pipes had been palletized and shrinkwraped so this was not an ordinary UPS shippment, it was a freight delivery - that was probably another $100 or more saved!
 
One thing I will say about Workhorse certified parts... 

Workhorse standard steering wheel is an all plastic thing.. You can get the "Delux" model for , well at the time I researched, about 350 dollars.  This is slightly larger and leather wrapped.. IT is alwo what came on my coach.

Problem is that it blocked by view of the speedometer, a most important indicator.. I determined the smaller "Standard" wheel would have done the same.. But a 2" Larger wheel would work for me (And I might add it does)

This one was hand assembled, out of stock pasrts, custom for me.. How much do you think it cost including shipping nad handling?      $127.00  Direct from the maker.
 

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