- This topic has 0 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 5 years, 10 months ago by
CLOC-Admin.
CLOC-Admin.- Topic
CLOC-AdminBadMed
Apr 26, 2016#1
We have a 2015 LS that has a couple of issues requiring us to go to Middlebury in June for repairs. The trip to Middlebury will be about 2000 miles one-way and will require we stay in a hotel for 2 weeks. The fuel and hotel costs are expenses that we would not normally have and feel LS should pickup these costs. Sure, we would have travelled during the same time and would have had RV site rent, but not nearly the expenses we will have traveling to Middlebury and staying in a hotel for 2 weeks. In addition, we will have to eat-out, adding more costs that we would not normally have. I like to plan well in advance and had made reservation at several State Parks for the summer, all of which have charged cancelation fees which is another added expense. All of these extra costs are due to no fault of my own but due to LS manufacturing and selling a faulty RV. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate that LS is going to repair my RV at the factory but getting the repairs done should not be a burden to me. My question: “SHOULD LS PICKUP SOME OR ALL OF THE FUEL, LODGING, MEAL, AND OTHER MISC ADDED COSTS WHEN YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TRAVEL TO MIDDLEBURY?” Those of you that have returned to the factory, has LS paid for any of your expenses and are you satisfied with your experience at the repair facility?
Fulltimer50
Apr 26, 2016#2
There has been a conversation about this in the forum. Anything you can get them to pay for is great, but they are not required to pay for anything but the repair if under warranty. My experience with the factory was less than satisfactory. Many here have had better luck with a good dealer.
Apr 26, 2016#3
I was at the factory for work last fall. My overall experience was so-so. They took care of the main issue, which was frame related, and also fixed a number of minor non warranty issues. That was the good part. The not so good part was that they didn’t start to do the work until Friday morning, when they were supposed to start the previous Monday. Also, I asked them to check a specific problem, and I didn’t find out until I picked the trailer up, that they didn’t do it. I had to get it fixed on my own later, but they did pay.
While there, they paid for my hotel (up to $100/night). I did adamantly remind them that I am full time, and this is my home. I also knew from this forum that nhcowan was being reimbursed for travel to Middlebury. If you talk to Sherry Roberts and mention that you know we were compensated, she may help out. As mentioned above, there’s no requirement, but see what you can squeeze them for.
Good luck, let us know what happens.
Cliff
BadMed
Apr 26, 2016#4
Fulltimer50 wrote:There has been a conversation about this in the forum. Anything you can get them to pay for is great, but they are not required to pay for anything but the repair if under warranty. My experience with the factory was less than satisfactory. Many here have had better luck with a good dealer.
Fulltimer50 – Can you point me to the topic where this was previously discussed? I did several searches and found only a couple of posts where LS paid for lodging (papacliff for one), but I did not find an entire topic dedicated to this. Also, what problems did you have at the factory? Can you point me to the topic where you discussed your dissatisfaction with the factory repairs?
My issues involve a broken frame as well as delaminated siding. I think the factory is the best place to get these problems fixed. I have been to several dealers and repair shops to get these issues repaired and so far it has been a total waste of my time. I have read several posts from people that where very pleased with the factory repairs and probably just as many that are not happy with the factory work.
Apr 26, 2016#5
I had a reservation for warranty work for frame issues but chose to go to Kansas RV Center instead. I was thoroughly satisfied with Kansas RV. They did not make the repairs in the same way I have seen it done at the factory but I feel the repair was a better approach that will last.
If they are closer to your location, I would highly recommend them. That being said, the factory was willing to move the RV out each night to allow us to avoid hotel cost as compared to Kansas who do all of the work in the old NuWA factory and would not give us the option of living in the RV while it was being worked on.
Even with all of that, I would choose Kansas RV center again if the need arises.
Mark
BadMed
Apr 26, 2016#6
Vairman – Thanks for the info on Kansas RV Center. I have read the topic about LS vs. Kansas. Sounds like Kansas RV Center is a very good repair center, but there are also people that are dissatisfied with them. I have had other dealers and repair shops try to repair my issues and they have failed. I really feel that LS needs have an opportunity to repair my RV. If LS can’t fix my problems then we are probably going to be looking at a “Lemon Law” suit.
BadMed
Apr 26, 2016#7
Back to the topic, Should LS pay for my fuel to get to Middlebury and my lodging expenses while at Middlebury? I am a full-timer. If I bought a new home and found it was structurally unsound and I had to live in a hotel while the contractor repaired the home, wouldn’t the contractor have to pay for my lodging? What’s the difference?
Fulltimer50
Apr 27, 2016#8
BadMed wrote:Back to the topic, Should LS pay for my fuel to get to Middlebury and my lodging expenses while at Middlebury? I am a full-timer. If I bought a new home and found it was structurally unsound and I had to live in a hotel while the contractor repaired the home, wouldn’t the contractor have to pay for my lodging? What’s the difference?
I think that logic is not relevant in the legal world. Look at your warranty statement to read what LS is responsible for. You will have to deal with them to find out what they will pay.
Apr 27, 2016#9
Another option to avoid the financial hit might be your insurance. My policy covers loss of use. Some will only reimburse you if the policy covers the loss (accident, etc.), others will pay you if there are mechanical problems. Of course, if you file a claim, it will affect your premium, but it might be an option.
Lifestyle was reluctant to pay for my hotel, but when I told them that I knew they were paying Ray, they agreed to pay my expenses as well. Keep fighting, go as high in the company as you can. Remind them of the power of social media if you feel the need. I made a pest of myself, but I got what I wanted, and was treated well. Sherry kept telling me that she wanted to keep the Lifestyle customers happy, as it is the “flagship” brand.
Apr 28, 2016#10
My friend, who I have tried to get him to join this forum and tell about his experiences, had a Bayhill 379FL that was purchased at the Hersey show 2014/2015. At that time it was a new model. I called it a show queen, either their made great or slapped together for the show. Well he got one slapped together. The problems with it were to many to list, it was coming apart going down the road. They were in the state of Washington when all the problems came to a head. Bayhill said to bring it to the factory, my friend paid all expenses to get it there. While there, 2 weeks, Bayhill paid all their expenses. They said it was beyond repair and gave them a new 375RE to make up for all their problem.
remoandiris
Apr 28, 2016#11
BadMed wrote:If LS can’t fix my problems then we are probably going to be looking at a “Lemon Law” suit.
Good luck with that.
BadMed
Apr 28, 2016#12
papacliff wrote:Another option to avoid the financial hit might be your insurance. My policy covers loss of use. Some will only reimburse you if the policy covers the loss (accident, etc.), others will pay you if there are mechanical problems. Of course, if you file a claim, it will affect your premium, but it might be an option.
Good idea papacliff – I’ll check my insurance policy.
BadMed
Apr 28, 2016#13
Fulltimer50 wrote:
BadMed wrote:Back to the topic, Should LS pay for my fuel to get to Middlebury and my lodging expenses while at Middlebury? I am a full-timer. If I bought a new home and found it was structurally unsound and I had to live in a hotel while the contractor repaired the home, wouldn’t the contractor have to pay for my lodging? What’s the difference?
I think that logic is not relevant in the legal world. Look at your warranty statement to read what LS is responsible for. You will have to deal with them to find out what they will pay.
Maybe that logic is not relevant in the legal world but it should be relevant in the business world. Evergreen has gotten a bad reputation when it comes to the Lifestyle brand. There are a lot of unhappy LS owners. Just from reading this forum I believe there are very few LS owners that would recommend buying a LS. If Evergreen wants to clear the LS brand they should do everything possible to clear the bad reputation that LS has. That includes bending over backwards to satisfy those owners that have major problems. My warranty statements states that “LIFESTYLE Luxury RV shall be entitled to condition warranty coverage under the sixty (60) month limited warranty on purchaser allowing LIFESTYLE Luxury RV to transport the vehicle to its facilities in Middlebury, Indiana for purposes of the repairs.” That is an awkward statement to understand, but I believe it says that LS can and will transport my RV to the factory if I want it repaired. I am doing them a big favor by taking my RV to their factory for them. The least they can do is pay me for the fuel and lodging to get it there.
BadMed
Apr 28, 2016#14
remoandiris wrote:
BadMed wrote:If LS can’t fix my problems then we are probably going to be looking at a “Lemon Law” suit.
Good luck with that.
Most states Lemon Law state the if you have your vehicle repaired 4 times and it continues to fail you qualify for the Lemon Law. Not sure what state we would fall under (Indiana or Washington where we purchased). We have had 3 repair attempts so far all of which were approved by LS. The repair at the factory will be repair # 4. If we still have problems after that I think we have a very good argument for a Lemon Law suit. Our attorney agrees. If the suit is successful Evergreen would have to give us a new RV or refund our money.
Apr 28, 2016#15
BadMed wrote:Most states Lemon Law state the if you have your vehicle repaired 4 times and it continues to fail you qualify for the Lemon Law. Not sure what state we would fall under (Indiana or Washington where we purchased). We have had 3 repair attempts so far all of which were approved by LS. The repair at the factory will be repair # 4. If we still have problems after that I think we have a very good argument for a Lemon Law suit. Our attorney agrees. If the suit is successful Evergreen would have to give us a new RV or refund our money.
One caveat with Lemon Laws is that some (many?) states specify that they cover motor vehicles. Trailers may not be covered. Check with your lawyer.
Apr 29, 2016#16
papacliff wrote:
BadMed wrote:Most states Lemon Law state the if you have your vehicle repaired 4 times and it continues to fail you qualify for the Lemon Law. Not sure what state we would fall under (Indiana or Washington where we purchased). We have had 3 repair attempts so far all of which were approved by LS. The repair at the factory will be repair # 4. If we still have problems after that I think we have a very good argument for a Lemon Law suit. Our attorney agrees. If the suit is successful Evergreen would have to give us a new RV or refund our money.
One caveat with Lemon Laws is that some (many?) states specify that they cover motor vehicles. Trailers may not be covered. Check with your lawyer.
I just looked at both Indiana and Washington and both lemon laws only pertain to motor vehicles. Washington does have a Motor home lemon law but it very specifically only pertains to the running gear.
I hope you are successful in getting your issues resolved but I would not count on the law to help.
http://www.indianalemonlaw.org/
http://www.atg.wa.gov/motor-home-lemon-law
http://www.atg.wa.gov/general-lemon-lawMark
JoeLifestyle
Apr 29, 2016#17
Hey I can relate. We bought our brand new Lifestyle just a month ago and now have a list of 25 repairs, including the full slide doesn’t work. I don’t agree that Lifestyle has a bad reputation but it’s getting there. I was also really angry and trust me I’m not happy I had to drive to another state and get it fixed for who knows how long. But the way I think about it is this: it’s a great design, great parts, poorly assembled. I believe everything wrong with my coach can be corrected and we’ll have a very solid home on wheels. I don’t think it’s OK that they made it so poorly but if it all can be fixed and they cover it, I still got what I paid for. I’d say if they can’t be fixed and/or Evergreen doesn’t cover it, they have more of a class action risk on their hands than individual lemon law suits. Ask your lawyer about that. It seems to me if we all have faulty slides, bent frames, dodgy plumbing, then it’s grounds for class action. No? But I’m still hopeful to get ship shape within a couple of months.
BadMed
Apr 29, 2016#18
vairman wrote:
I just looked at both Indiana and Washington and both lemon laws only pertain to motor vehicles. Washington does have a Motor home lemon law but it very specifically only pertains to the running gear.I hope you are successful in getting your issues resolved but I would not count on the law to help.
http://www.indianalemonlaw.org/
http://www.atg.wa.gov/motor-home-lemon-law
http://www.atg.wa.gov/general-lemon-lawMark
Thanks for the info Mark. That is very unfortunate. Generally the RV industry has poor initial quality as we all know by our own experiences, reading the numerous RV forums and talking to fellow RVers. And yet the RV consumer has little or no protection besides a weak manufacture’s warranty. We all paid a lot of money for our LS RVs and deserve top-notch quality RVs but many of us received much less.
BadMed
Apr 29, 2016#19
FaithBowls wrote:Hey I can relate. We bought our brand new Lifestyle just a month ago and now have a list of 25 repairs, including the full slide doesn’t work. I don’t agree that Lifestyle has a bad reputation but it’s getting there. I was also really angry and trust me I’m not happy I had to drive to another state and get it fixed for who knows how long. But the way I think about it is this: it’s a great design, great parts, poorly assembled. I believe everything wrong with my coach can be corrected and we’ll have a very solid home on wheels. I don’t think it’s OK that they made it so poorly but if it all can be fixed and they cover it, I still got what I paid for. I’d say if they can’t be fixed and/or Evergreen doesn’t cover it, they have more of a class action risk on their hands than individual lemon law suits. Ask your lawyer about that. It seems to me if we all have faulty slides, bent frames, dodgy plumbing, then it’s grounds for class action. No? But I’m still hopeful to get ship shape within a couple of months.
Sorry to hear you are having issues as well. I think you are correct that LS has great designs but poor manufacturing. I think that a class action suit could be a possibility given the number of LS owners that have had frame issues and other major problems. These are not just one-off occurrences and points to negligence in manufacturing.
We do love the design and truly hope that Evergreen can repair all of our problems.
Apr 29, 2016#20
FaithBowls wrote:But the way I think about it is this: it’s a great design, great parts, poorly assembled. I believe everything wrong with my coach can be corrected and we’ll have a very solid home on wheels. I don’t think it’s OK that they made it so poorly but if it all can be fixed and they cover it, I still got what I paid for.
You didn’t get what you paid for if you have to spend valuable time, loss of use, wear and tear on tow vehicle to take it back to the factory and get it fixed, even if they do pay for the repairs. Life is short and time is very valuable. JMHO
Chip
B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TX
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.