Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-21-2017, 07:15 AM   #1
2 Rivet Member
 
DaddysBus's Avatar
 
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin , Texas
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 56
The "add on" pitch at time of closing

So our 27fb is arriving in about a month, and since I'm new to airstream trailers, I wanted to ask the more experienced folk the following.

When buying the Airstream Interstate I was awestruck at buying our first rig and fearing the worse I signed up for sone crap the finance manager pitched that in hindsight were useless, and me falling for the scare tactic.

This time around, I'm thinking of sticking with the usual AS warranty and a Good Sam membership, but wanted to see if there were any other important stuff I should be looking to get.

Thanks in advance!
DaddysBus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2017, 09:26 AM   #2
2 Rivet Member
 
2018 25' International
Sanford , Florida
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 60
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaddysBus View Post
So our 27fb is arriving in about a month, and since I'm new to airstream trailers, I wanted to ask the more experienced folk the following.

When buying the Airstream Interstate I was awestruck at buying our first rig and fearing the worse I signed up for sone crap the finance manager pitched that in hindsight were useless, and me falling for the scare tactic.

This time around, I'm thinking of sticking with the usual AS warranty and a Good Sam membership, but wanted to see if there were any other important stuff I should be looking to get.

Thanks in advance!
I JUST ordered a 2018 Serenity 25'FB twin and this finance manager had nothing to sell me. Was he not doing his job? Is it a dealership variable? What exactly did I miss out on (not that I would ever go for an extended warrantee or any other B.S. from a dealership)?
astroboy18 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2017, 12:44 PM   #3
2 Rivet Member
 
DaddysBus's Avatar
 
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin , Texas
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by astroboy18 View Post
I JUST ordered a 2018 Serenity 25'FB twin and this finance manager had nothing to sell me. Was he not doing his job? Is it a dealership variable? What exactly did I miss out on (not that I would ever go for an extended warrantee or any other B.S. from a dealership)?


Did you just order or pick up? I'm talking pick up when you sign final papers.
DaddysBus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2017, 02:39 PM   #4
4 Rivet Member
 
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Gold Country , California
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 334
I know a lot of people on here, including myself, did not sign up for any add ons. It really depends on your comfort level, but I think the 2 year warranty included with a new Airstream should be enough time to work out the initial bugs. I also opted out of the coating package.

Some people are willing to pay extra for the comfort of knowing they have a warranty, but it sounds like you didn't need any of that before. I think with a trailer you would have even less to worry about failing.
NorCal Matt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2017, 03:37 PM   #5
Living Riveted since 2013
 
Rocinante's Avatar

 
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Green Cove Springs , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,201
Blog Entries: 1
The "add on" pitch at time of closing

If they're going to sell you a bunch of add-ons, it's the final paperwork person (usually also the finance person) who suggests a bunch of additional stuff.

When we bought our 2014 International Signature 27FB, they managed to sell us on the stain-proofing option for the upholstery and some kind of protectant for the outside. Had this been anything but our first time around buying a new RV, we would have declined those options. We successfully declined extended warranties and any other stuff beyond additions we had specifically ordered, such as a rear-view camera and a solar panel. Thought about buying a 3rd party "comprehensive" warranty, but that is a lawyer's game and we also vetoed that, choosing to cover our own repair risks once the warranty ended. So far, that has proven to be a good decision.

If we had it to do over again, we would *not* have had the dealer add the solar, and would instead have gone with a firm that knows far more about it than any dealer (e.g. AM Solar, Lewster, or pretty much anybody else would have been more knowledgeable and experienced than the dealer, and would have installed a much better system for the money). Please do not misunderstand - we are, overall, very happy with our dealer's service department, but they really are not, and cannot be, solar specialists.
__________________
Rocinante Piccolo is our new-to-us 2016 Interstate Lounge 3500 EXT
(Named for John Steinbeck's camper from "Travels With Charley")


Rocinante is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2017, 05:41 PM   #6
2 Rivet Member
 
DaddysBus's Avatar
 
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin , Texas
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 56
Awesome, that's what I figured.
I fell for the Resist-All protection too as I was just dying to finish up and get in the RV...
DaddysBus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2017, 06:45 PM   #7
Rivet Master
 
PharmGeek's Avatar
 
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover , Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
I cannot remember being really bothered much - but a 3rd party plan for warranty stuff was offered - it seemed a fine print and costly nightmare to me
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”


PharmGeek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2017, 11:48 AM   #8
Rivet Master
 
Troutboy's Avatar

 
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Parker , Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,772
Images: 1
Purchased new, first time RVer, last December. They sold me an extended warranty, $2100, and a road hazard plan ($585). I fell for it, as I also just wanted to get the trailer home and play with it.

I am an avid do-it-yourselfer, and had many modifications planned. The next day I wasn't feeling great about the warranty, and remembered i had 90 days to cancel. So i began to read the fine print, and didn't like what I saw. Seemed very hard to get things approved (burden of proof on owner), as well as many caveats and exclusions. The main thing was modifications. I planned many (solar, electrical, AC, running gear, etc). I was convinced they wouldn't honor any requests based on all the mods i wanted to make. So i called the dealer, and I cancelled it. They gave me a full refund, no questions asked.

I kept the road hazard, as we have horrible luck with tires on our cars. I have these on both our cars, and it has paid for itself many times over. Hope fully wont need it on the trailer, but it was worth the peace of mind for us.
__________________
Thanks,
Troutboy
Troutboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2017, 11:53 AM   #9
Moderator
 
jcanavera's Avatar

 
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton , Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,401
Images: 143
Send a message via AIM to jcanavera Send a message via Skype™ to jcanavera
We were offered an extended warranty but turned it down. I have no regrets over the 14 years of ownership. Also read all the documentation that come with your trailer for the various appliances and components. In many cases you will find that those manufacturers may offer warranties that exceed the 2 year Airstream warranty or offer an extended warranty for their component at a very low cost. For example my systems panel on my Classic carried a 5 year warranty.

Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
jcanavera is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2017, 12:42 PM   #10
4 Rivet Member
 
Currently Looking...
Vintage Kin Owner
Sonoma Co. , California
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 297
The add-ons are pushed by the finance manager instead of the sales manager because they know at that point of the purchasing process most buyers will not attempt to negotiate a lower price on these highly marked up and extremely profitable add-ons. They will push even harder at the finance dept if the sales dept has had to give you a discount to secure your purchase. Auto dealerships are especially notorious for this practice.
USAtraveler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2017, 12:43 PM   #11
Reads a lot
 
2017 30' Classic
Titusville , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,209
Images: 1
I wasn't pressured at all by the dealer I went through but if I could suggest I would highly recommend that you spend at least one night in your new AS on the dealers lot, full hookup, to make sure everything is actually working as it should. Play with everything, heat/AC, showers, sinks, television, all systems. I know we all want to play with our new toys and excited to get back home but please, just spend one night on the lot. Let then know you plan to do this ahead of time. You may catch something before it is an issue and have to haul it back to the dealer. Many can attest to the maiden voyage shakedown. Just a suggestion.
__________________
Lauri

She Believed She Could so She Did.
kendrick.l.j is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-16-2017, 08:43 PM   #12
2 Rivet Member
 
2018 27' Globetrotter
Chandler , Arizona
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 85
Images: 1
We returned to our dealer to sign the papers for our 2018 Globetrotter yesterday (Friday). The finance guy seemed upset that we hadn't purchased cilajet ($1795) sealant, Tyron flat tire protection ($1000), or Portfolio Protection ($4895) mechanical breakdown protection.

When the dealer GM came in, the finance guy told us that the GM wouldn't be happy because the finance guy hand't sold us any add ons. The GM spent the next 30 minutes telling us why we needed there three additions. I was starting to think that maybe we needed more that we had, but held my position.

I'm a data guy, so my response was consistently that I'd go and do my research and then call back if I wanted any additional coverage.

So the questions that I want to ask are:
1. Do folks believe that the additional breakdown warranty is worth it versus paying out of pocket?
2. If the warranty is worth it, which firm? (seems that that Portfolio Protection is not liked by some)
3. celajet was promoted as a way of preventing corrosion and fabric protection - is it worth it? Again, $1795 seemed steep to me.
4. Is tyron really going to help when pulling a two axle trailer? The dudes mentioned that the product will also close the deductable gap should damage occur. My thoughts are that a tire pressure monitoring system might be more valuable.

Thanks! ... Duncan
ddrg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-16-2017, 09:26 PM   #13
Living Riveted since 2013
 
Rocinante's Avatar

 
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Green Cove Springs , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,201
Blog Entries: 1
The "add on" pitch at time of closing

Three words: Just. Say. No.

Besides when did it become your job to make their GM happy? It’s *their* job to make *you* happy. [emoji38]
__________________
Rocinante Piccolo is our new-to-us 2016 Interstate Lounge 3500 EXT
(Named for John Steinbeck's camper from "Travels With Charley")


Rocinante is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-16-2017, 09:55 PM   #14
Rivet Master
 
2018 27' International
Southeastern MI , Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,344
Quote:
Originally Posted by ddrg View Post
We returned to our dealer to sign the papers for our 2018 Globetrotter yesterday (Friday). The finance guy seemed upset that we hadn't purchased cilajet ($1795) sealant, Tyron flat tire protection ($1000), or Portfolio Protection ($4895) mechanical breakdown protection.

When the dealer GM came in, the finance guy told us that the GM wouldn't be happy because the finance guy hand't sold us any add ons. The GM spent the next 30 minutes telling us why we needed there three additions. I was starting to think that maybe we needed more that we had, but held my position.

I'm a data guy, so my response was consistently that I'd go and do my research and then call back if I wanted any additional coverage.

So the questions that I want to ask are:
1. Do folks believe that the additional breakdown warranty is worth it versus paying out of pocket?
2. If the warranty is worth it, which firm? (seems that that Portfolio Protection is not liked by some)
3. celajet was promoted as a way of preventing corrosion and fabric protection - is it worth it? Again, $1795 seemed steep to me.
4. Is tyron really going to help when pulling a two axle trailer? The dudes mentioned that the product will also close the deductable gap should damage occur. My thoughts are that a tire pressure monitoring system might be more valuable.

Thanks! ... Duncan
I always tell them up front I'm not interested. I don't need to hear the schpiel. I can buy new tires and axles for what the coverage costs.
Countryboy59 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2017, 05:14 AM   #15
Reads a lot
 
2017 30' Classic
Titusville , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,209
Images: 1
IMO the add on are not worth it at all. Airstream’s 2 year warranty is really all you would need and it is free. Please don’t waste your hard earned money on something you don’t need, especially if it’s just to make someone you don’t know and may never see again, happy. If you read ALL the fine print in those policies you will see very quickly that they are very specific in what they say it will cover. Please say no.
__________________
Lauri

She Believed She Could so She Did.
kendrick.l.j is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2017, 05:18 AM   #16
Rivet Master
 
Tincampers's Avatar
 
2007 Interstate
Sneedville , Tennessee
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,753
Keep in mind that the two year warranty only covers the Airstream and not the stuff added to the Airstream. All that other stuff made by Dometic only carries a one year factory warranty. That is where most of the problems occur IMHO.
Tincampers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2017, 07:55 AM   #17
Rivet Master
 
Troutboy's Avatar

 
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Parker , Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,772
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tincampers View Post
Keep in mind that the two year warranty only covers the Airstream and not the stuff added to the Airstream. All that other stuff made by Dometic only carries a one year factory warranty. That is where most of the problems occur IMHO.


Hmmmm.... that’s not what the dealership told me. They told me that if the AC unit or fridge dies after 1year, it is covered. Maybe not by dometic, but they will replace it as part of the two year warranty. I asked specifically because I almost got suckered into buying the extended warranty. They assured me the two year warranty was bumper to bumper with the exception of roof caulking (6 months).

The other thing that turned me away from the extended warranty was that I am a “modder”, and if you alter your airstream (I.e. add solar, lift, maxim skylight, etc, then. The warranty will be void.
__________________
Thanks,
Troutboy
Troutboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2017, 09:08 AM   #18
Living Riveted since 2013
 
Rocinante's Avatar

 
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Green Cove Springs , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,201
Blog Entries: 1
Yup, the AS 2 year warranty covers everything for 2 years, with one exception. The sealant between all those lovely riveted sheets of aluminum is covered for 6 months.

Best way to deal with that exception is to have your dealer do a thorough inspection of all the seals at all the joints and repair any issues found before the 6 months are up.
__________________
Rocinante Piccolo is our new-to-us 2016 Interstate Lounge 3500 EXT
(Named for John Steinbeck's camper from "Travels With Charley")


Rocinante is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2017, 09:57 AM   #19
4 Rivet Member
 
2013 28' International
Bozeman , Montana
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 466
Images: 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by ddrg View Post
We returned to our dealer to sign the papers for our 2018 Globetrotter yesterday (Friday). The finance guy seemed upset that we hadn't purchased cilajet ($1795) sealant, Tyron flat tire protection ($1000), or Portfolio Protection ($4895) mechanical breakdown protection.

When the dealer GM came in, the finance guy told us that the GM wouldn't be happy because the finance guy hand't sold us any add ons. The GM spent the next 30 minutes telling us why we needed there three additions. I was starting to think that maybe we needed more that we had, but held my position.


Thanks! ... Duncan
I would have walked out and would not buy from a dealer that is pressuring you to buy any of this nonsense. $1800 for waxing the trailer and calling it some magic formula, wow. You can buy 4 new Michelin’s for 1000 bucks or there abouts. 5k would easily cover a new A/C unit and another appliance or two. Keeping the GM happy. Just unreal. How about concrete examples of how any of this has truly benefited another one of their customers?

I treat dealers decently and don’t try to squeeze the last penny out of a deal. Fortunately, I haven’t had to deal with this high pressure crap on any of my numerous vehicle purchases over many years. I have either had good dealers or they must sense my BS meter is hyper sensitive.
HeadWest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2017, 10:02 AM   #20
Rivet Master
 
1986 31' Sovereign
Miami , Florida
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,137
Blog Entries: 13
Every single thing they tried to sell you is relatively valueless.

Instead of $1795 for some "sealer", search this forum for the preventative measures you can take using Corrosion X or Boeshield, do that instead and put the money in your pocket.

Portfolio Protection at $4895 -- your Globetrotter, mechanically, is a pretty simple machine. Couple of axles, some bearings and some brakes are pretty much all the moving parts. The appliances and other installed devices are pretty standard stuff that is pretty robust and even if, say, your water heater failed 2 years and one day after purchase, a replacement is about $600 bucks. So you can see that pretty much everything would have to fail in fairly short order after your warranty expired for you to even get close to spending almost five grand.

Flat tire protection at $1000? Buy one of the many recommended TPMS systems discussed on the forum. You would have to lose all four tires to recoup a grand...
__________________
Sorta new (usually dirty) Nissan Titan XD (hardly paid for)
Middle-aged Safari SE
Young, lovely bride
Dismissive cat
n2916s is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Pitch and road tar Orson Cleaning, Stripping & Polishing 4 09-30-2011 08:09 PM
Cleaning pitch slindgren Cleaning, Stripping & Polishing 2 05-23-2011 02:20 PM
A pitch for the Airstream Park in Minnesota markdoane Airstream "In the News" 14 08-11-2009 03:39 PM
high pitch whining noise.. safari25-05 Tow Vehicles 13 03-21-2008 07:39 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:22 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.