La Mesa RV

I said I had a rally I did not want to miss and they let me have it the following week. I went on the rally and found out the area that they worked on still did not work so after Christmas I got a hold of the service mgr and asked to have it looked after. I was turned over to his service writer who said the soonest she could get me is over a month away on Feb. 6, 2019. I came in at 1100 am as I was told and everyone looked at me as if I was an alien from somewhere else. They did not have me listed anywhere. I still left it there. After a week I called in asking about it. No it's not in the shop yet. Now I also had mentioned that the window somewhere in back of the sink was leaking and during a rain a lot of water was on the floor.

In another week they said they were too busy to bring it in. This figured as I had read that they were hiring mechanics. I called the mfg and was advised to bring it to another of their dealerships. I promptly went down, picked the coach up and made the appointment. The items were taken care of. Oh and coming home the hatch door on the hot water tank blew off. And got destroyed. This was one of the items that was stated "we owe you". In three mos time this could not be fixed? Well after buying a new hatch and painting. It was quite a disappointment and I know that If I were to ask for reimbursement from La Mesa it would be easier to ask for the pope to turn protestant. Beware La Mesa down by Vero Beach.

I was not born yesterday! This is dishonesty at its worst and Winnebago should be ashamed to associate its long standing and excellent brand with such a dishonest company like La Mesa. I understand their volume with Winnebago and the revenue that you generate from La Mesa in general. After I told them I would walk from the deal if he didn’t reprint the contract WITHOUT the $6K he reluctantly reprinted it and his demeanor became combative and nasty. FAR from customer friendly.

BUT it doesn’t stop there. We left a deposit of $500 with them and was given a receipt for it. When we went to pick up the coach and met a different finance person in Sanford and after we had signed all papers, we had to ask about the $500 deposit. It was nowhere on any of the final signed paperwork. After discussion the finance person again reluctantly put a check request in and and gave us a copy of it and said we would have our deposit returned within a week. We are now starting the 3rd week and no check.

When we called we were given the run around and a promise of a returned call. Of course no call! This is YOUR agent, your dealer the one you gave a gold star for on your website! We cant be the first customers who have complained about La Mesa’s shady dealings but yet they get the gold star. Their hubris is loud and clear and it only tarnishes and damages the valued Winnebago brand especially when you endorse and award the a “favored” status on your website. Remember we who are customers. Without us there would be no need to have dealers. This is how owners of your entry level coaches are treated; as second class customers.

The next thing I noticed was leaking from the shower pan, the water would travel out from under the shower and flow across the floor and then disappear underneath cabinetry. La Mesa Service looked at it and reported to me that there were no problems with it. The fantastic roof fan leaked water when it rained and I had to capture water in cups, the ceiling was soaked with water. I saw mold growing. I had to wait more than a month before the service department could repair the issue, they said they cleaned the mold and said the leak that I saw in the moonroof was probably water that had traveled through the ceiling from the fantastic fan to the moonroof...

Now, months later, another technician looked at the shower pan and noticed that the pan has a crack which was filled with silicone. The technician was familiar with the RV model and was confirmed that this was not normal (I spoke with the manufacturer and they said they would not ship a unit out with that fault so it is obvious that La Mesa found and tried to fix it prior to selling the unit). La Mesa re-filled the crack in the tub for me but the pan still leaks, and now I have to wait more than two months before they can fit me into their schedule. Knowing how they work, they won't order a new pan until they look at it again so that means I possibly have to wait another month or two after that, so November?

Just recently I saw that the backside of the kitchen cabinetry is de-laminated, obviously the water leak is causing damage to the unit. When I complained about the radio and the other items a salesman actually asked me sarcastically if I want to buy another unit. WTF. Did I mention I am a full-timer? This makes life very difficult and stressful and now I'm worried about mold. Nothing is perfect but jee wiz.

As I'm preparing for a upcoming trip I decided to have the tires rebalanced. Much to my surprise I had a bent wheel... Hmmm if they had it sent out for the pre sale vibration check they would have found the bent wheel. Please do not believe a word they say after you leave the sales dept. Regarding service... oh what could I say. I paid for a special coating. Yeah right. It was never applied but they are going to recoat it after the fact. They repaired a leaking window but you guessed it still leaking. Waiting since September for new vinyl graphics for the front, hopefully it'll happen sometime this year. It takes 4 to 6 weeks to make a appointment for service then you go through the parts ordering song and dance. I could go on and on. Some people walk away happy, I try to keep my sense of humor about everything as I believe my service advisor is truly trying to provide quality service.

When I contacted the credit agencies to have these hard inquiries expunged, I was informed by Experian and Transunion that I would need letters from each of the banks that processed the credit request asking to have the hard inquiries removed. The banks stated that they could not do this as the requests were "Dealer-Initiated" and that I would need to speak with La Mesa to have them resolve my issue. I spoke with Frank **, Finance Manager after requesting a call back from the La Mesa RV Finance Manager. He apologized for my experience but stated that La Mesa RV is not able to create the requested letter for me as they cannot intercede on behalf of an individual in terms of their credit report.

I then contacted the La Mesa RV Customer Relations team on 6/11/2018 and spoke with Jay ** on 6/12/2018. Mr. ** contacted me back after obtaining my file and stated that no letter would be available as there were no records created by either Frank ** or Barry ** (Sales) stating that (1) we were not ready to purchase and (2) we did not approve our application going out to multiple banks as we wanted our credit application only to go to our existing bank.

No apologies given and when I asked to speak with the President/CEO of La Mesa RV, Jay informed me that the President/CEO was traveling extensively and would not return my phone call for at least 4-5 weeks. Jay went on to state that the President/CEO would refer me back to him as Jay handles all issues and there would be no available recourse for me in this case. I informed Jay ** that due to this response that I would not be doing any future business with La Mesa RV and will be submitting a complaint.

We drove the coach back to Naples, it did drive and ride a little better than the test drive. The coach was parked for a week, then were offered a free weekend at Cypress Trails in Ft. Myers for the weekend of May 4-7, 2018. While we were there we experienced a few other issues, and decided to drop the coach off at La Mesa for repairs and correct the steering issue. We were told own the coach and our responsibility to take it to the chassis shop for repair. We explained it was like that when purchased the coach. Well the coach is still there for repairs for now and they haven't made the warranty repairs. We are picking it up on Friday to take to the chassis shop. I feel we have been mistreated, taken advantage of, and told the coach was repaired and driven and this is not true.

While in Finance, our CSR Stacy ** stopped by, asked us if we wanted our T.V. Installed (which we brought with us) on a swing bar? Cost $170. Never mentioning that if on a swing bar it would be permanently mounted! Which our CSR conveniently forgot to mention to us. FYI our camper has an Outside TV Bracket! When we finished in Finance, our camper was parked outside all hooked up to our vehicle! My husband decided to walk around the camper to do a double check! He noticed the latch right behind the ball was NOT in locking mode! When my husband tried to lock it, The locking mechanism would not lock into place, and the paddle lock would not go through the hole.

We were being sent out with an unsafe ball & hitch! We found the mechanic that had installed the hitch. He worked on it for several minutes, then said "Oh I know the problem." He struck a screwdriver through the hole and jiggled it down. Saying "There You GO!" My husband asked if we had to do this every time? Mechanic just said "No, it'll get better!" Tuesday, April 1st we were going on a 3 day shake down Cruise with our NEW camper. Our first day, we started making a list of it.

Within an Hour, we had a list of Items that had Not been taken care of during The $995. Dealer Prep! As friends stopped by, everyone immediately noticed the TV, just because someone in the factory had slapped a white sticker on the wall that's Where the TV Was installed, With wires and cords hanging down the wall! This is when we realized the TV was Mounted Permanently! (We have an outside TV Bracket) (Intelligent people are able to Think Outside the box!) Not La Mesa RV Fort Myers Florida! The wood Frame around the bed and Table were ALL coming apart! I decided to try out the shower, within minutes the water was backing up in the shower and ready to overflow! When I yelled at my husband to open the Grey Tank. Out came, pieces of Wood, caulking, molding, sawdust!

When we mentioned this to our CSR, She said “Oh, that's just building materials left over from the factory!" REALLY. This is when we decided to leave our campsite 2 days early, return to La Mesa So they could fix what was Not done the first time. Back at La Mesa - We were reprimanded by our CSR - Stacy **. People Make Appointments, and What Gave Us the Right to Just Show and expect Our Camper to be worked On! I wanted to say "if everything had been done correct the First Time, we would still be at the campground, that we had paid for!" Instead, we Cleaned out the refrigerator, freezer, our clothes, everything in the camper so we could leave it with La Mesa!

Friday April 4, La Mesa Called us to come get our camper. When we arrived, our camper was parked next to the waiting room. The door was open, so we walked outside and stepped into OUR camper! That was when Steve ? GM stepped in and began YELLING at us for being in Our Camper! My husband said "sorry, I didn’t see a sign saying Don't Step Here.” While the GM proceeded to YELL, We don't need signs, I'M telling YOU! Then our CSR enters, when I say "a 5 year old could have done a better job mounting the TV!" That's when we were shown a piece of paper saying we were OK with a swing bar! NEVER telling us it was a permanent Fix! And we didn't expect to see hanging wires! My husband removed the swing bar, and Put the TV Up the Way it should have been done! FYI we now have a New TV swing bar which we paid $170. Is now Sitting on our workbench!

There was ONLY one person at La Mesa that knew what he was doing. Mike ** - Worked on the Ball & Lock for 3 hours, Modifying until it Was Right! There was another mechanic who came in and repaired ALL the other items until they were done RIGHT! La Mesa really needs to have a Class for its GM's & CSR's How to treat customers AFTER they've Purchase a Camper! Customer Service doesn't Stop As Soon as The Stamp is on the paperwork Paid In Full!

While negotiating they said they would sell the warranty at their cost. When I asked to see their cost, they weren't ready for that question. They said they couldn't because they have no paperwork showing the cost so I settled at $3500. The deal is done - just need to wait for pick up. The day before delivery, my new service adviser Mike ** calls to inform me that the RV has a problem with a USB port, GPS, and a vibration, but all is ok. It's in the shop getting looked at and the delivery day is still on. They said that they balanced the tires, updated the software for the GPS, and fixed the USB. On delivery day, I take a train to Davis. My RV is in a tented area getting cleaned, I do a walk around and I start seeing paint problems, then while the sales staff and I are looking at the RV and how beautiful it is I noticed some black marks on the Winnebago-added trim.

While it does not stand out at first glance, there is definitely a faded look you wouldn't expect on a new vehicle. The sales staff plays it down and tries to buff it out with no luck. Everything that needs attention is listed on a work order to be addressed at a later date. My first trip was to Fort Bragg. The speed limit on 128 is 55 mph but the RV feels better between 45-55 mph. But wait - there is a very significant vibration, even the stitching on the steering wheel is blurred and hard to hold. Then I find myself pumping the brakes every time, they feel soft and spongy. I tried to use the GPS but when you put in the first letter for the destination city it goes to the next page "Item not found." I run the heater and find the vanity and supplies are all 119 degrees a 30-degree difference from the front of RV. The TV has no power and bathroom pocket door has a big gauge.

There is now a total of 22 items in need of attention. On my first trip to the service department, I meet Mike **. I start with the GPS because I assume this should be easy to resolve. I asked Mike ** to put in my address, he puts in "S" and it goes to "Item not found". He plays with it for 3-5 mins and asked me for my zip code. He hits enter and the city shows up but with a list of every street in town and you have to scroll down to find the one you are looking for. Then I'm told, "A friend has one of these and that's how it works." We finish going through the 22 items. We are almost done and Mike ** wants to know what 10 items I want fixed this trip! Their policy is only 10 items per trip to the service department! AND it's brand new! I was told they fixed the GPS and the vibration prior to this - nothing was done. Finally seven weeks later repairs are supposedly done.

It took SEVEN WEEKS and communication was nonexistent! It was so bad I had called their customer service department and spoke with Mr. **. Only then did I hear from Mike **. I had asked by e-mail several times if the vibration, brakes, and paint were taken care of. While they would reply to the e-mail, they would avoid my questions. Finally I received a e-mail from the service manager that they test-drove it and there was no vibration. They waited SEVEN WEEKS to tell me the paint problems will not be corrected - that the flaws are acceptable per Winnebago. When I pick up the RV I noticed the pocket door for the bathroom was replaced but sitting 5" behind the door frame. Mike ** sends the RV back to repair the door, but once home I found they didn't even put in the doorstop for the other Direction.

The work order states front wheels needed balancing and brakes are good. After SEVEN WEEKS in their shop I still have a significant vibration but now it's at different speeds - and still pumping brakes to stop. The heater still gets bathroom excessively hot. I opened up the compartment where the heater is and find ducts not fastened, or loose. I repaired it myself in 10 minutes. I took the RV to Fletcher Jones Mercedes in Fremont. They find rims are bent! I called Mr. ** and his answer was to give me my money back! I don't want my money back! I want a working RV in the brand new condition I paid for. Mr. ** will not replace the rims.

A couple of days later we got a call from him saying it was a mistake and could we come back to San Diego right away and straighten it out. We said no, we would mail it to him, but we were not returning to San Diego. We overnighted it and to thank us he sent us a gift certificate that originally was for $75, but he crossed that out and put in $100. He did not sign it, but put on a sticky note saying thank you. Do we really think anyone will honor this? Now fast forward 1 year and we are in Phoenix for the second time getting work done.The original service tech decided we were too demanding when after being told it would be done in a week was not ready. They were waiting for authorization from Tiffin to do the work.

Now it could be coincidence or not, but the slide was adjusted a few months ago as the tiles were wearing. After that a screw came loose and gouged out two tiles. So our question was "Who is responsible? La Mesa or Tiffin", but they wouldn't do anything without Tiffin authorization. Our rep was not authorized to encourage Tiffin to respond so we were sent to the General Service Manager who was able to get Tiffin to overnight parts for repair. We were told the parts would arrive the following week and everything would be done by the following Friday. We checked in with La Mesa on the next Monday where we found the General Service Manager to be on vacation for a week. We then requested to talk with the original service rep.

He did show up for an hour, and then his remark was that it wasn't his issue anymore. We could talk with his supervisor if we wanted. Freddie has been the only employee who seems to understand customer service. He normally does not handle individual problems but works in fleet service. But he has been very kind and courteous. He told us our original service rep would be responding to our needs and would be our contact person. The parts did not arrive until the Friday we were to pick it up. Nobody called us to let us know. We had to call them. We were told it would be ready Monday by 4 PM.

We decided we needed to deal with Freddie as he was the only one who responded to our calls. We showed up on Monday about 2 PM and guess what? No really, guess! Absolutely nothing had been done. Not one darn thing. And for whatever reason there seems to be a problem with the house batteries, even though it has been plugged in for two weeks. We got the General Service Manager involve, again, His attitude was "stuff happens." A very unimpressive response. As full timers we had been staying with friends and in a hotel. Yes, stuff happens, but he wouldn't even pay for a hotel room. Freddie said he would top off the gas tank. Again Freddie was the only one who seems to understand customer service.

So here we are today, they have told us it will be ready by noon with all work done. Do we believe this will all come together? My husband wants to use the gift certificate, I do not think they will honor it. It just seems this company is interested in selling you a RV and then they don't want to be bothered. Be very careful and ask more questions. We didn't know what we didn't know and they have been less than helpful in helping us.

After a month finally got them back. We only given 1.5 hours to get all our belongings from one camper to another. The person who was supposed to be helping only could say that we had to hurry because their drivers had to be back to their office before dark. No help whatsoever other than the reprimand that we had to hurry. After of having our camper for a 2 weeks still have not gotten our second remote for second TV that they gave to someone else. They flat out lie to your face and do exactly the opposite. We were told that we would be contacted by one of their managers to address our issues and this has not happened even after many requests. There are many issues that we will have to do on our own. I have no confidence in this company backing anything that they say.

When we finally had a chance to use the trailer - May 2016 - discovered that 1 of the propane bottles was manufactured in 2013 and the other 2005. The 2013 bottle although 2 years older than the trailer can be refilled, but the 2005 bottle can not. Not sure how they get away with filling an outdated propane bottle, but I guess when you are as dishonest as they are you do what you want - legal or not. Called the sales person, explained the situation, he said "that is above my pay grade" and he would contact the service department manager. Service manager called me and the end result was he told me "the tank works, so it's fine" and they would not replace the tank. Small item perhaps, but we paid the market price for the unit and they made their money and provided us with an unusable item.