Warranty work

[Drake1949]

Have a question to ask.
I know that sometimes there will be some small issues with a new Airstream and I can live with this, but I thought warranty work would be covered by any dealer.
Well I bought a 2017 FC 25'FB from Orlando RV in Winter Park, FL. After pulling it home I notice that the panel that holds the radio came off and was hanging by the wires that goes to the radio. I called my local Airstream dealer and was told that they would not work on it because I did not buy the TT from them. Called Airstream, they told me that they should cover the work, but Airstream cannot make them. They did call the dealer and tried to get them to do the work but no luck. Called a dealer 3 hrs from my house...... they will do the work.
Now the question..... has anyone had the same problem?

[Lily&Me]

That sounds like very bad manners on the part of the dealer, to me.


Maggie

[Drake1949]

yes....that's what I thought. Think it was because I had bought the Bambi from them....but got a better deal on the 25' than they wanted to give me trading in the Bambi.
Told them I would not be bothering them anymore.

[Drake1949]

The dealer was Dixie RV in Defuniak Springs, FL.

[paiceman]

It's too bad, but a manufacturer cannot force a dealer to do warranty work. The manufacturers recourse is to not renew the dealer agreement when it comes do. The company I was with had one year agreements and things like this would be discussed and reviewed and often resulted in no new contract.

Good luck

Bud

[Drake1949]

That is what I was told when I contacted Airstream. It is bad when you have bad apples like this. If a few more lost their contract maybe it would get better.

[runnersg]

Happens every day. It's a terrible practice.

[Endodoc]

Was it Foley who agreed to do the work.

[Drake1949]

Originally Posted by Endodoc

Was it Foley who agreed to do the work.

Yes.......calling Monday to set the appointment.

[Lily&Me]

You will be in excellent hands with Foley...who understand the importance of building relationships.


Maggie

[Drake1949]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

You will be in excellent hands with Foley...who understand the importance of building relationships.


Maggie

Hope so.

[moosetags]

This is a bad service situation that Airstream allows to go on. Airstream should demand that all of their dealers do warranty work on any eligable Airstream product. By their very nature, RV's travel around the country, and warranty issues come up.

These dealers line up to sell Airstreams. Their contract should specify that they do any warranty work that is brought to them, or the are immediately terminated. It's not like they are doing the work for free. Airstream is paying them to do it.

We are not far from you over in Walton County. We did buy our last Airstream from Dixie two years ago. They were able to match Colonial's price.

If I were you, I would try to figure out how to reattach the panel and do it myself. You will end up with a better job than you will get with most dealers. Dixie's service department is not particularly confidence-inspiring.

I have gotten to the point after ten years of Airstreaming that if I can't to it myself, I take it to JC. We were just at the Service Center yesterday having some minor warranty work done and getting a new street side awning.

Brian

[Flht2k]

Did anyone remember the seeing the dealer show in mayish with the president of airstream? He discussed how airstream is now bringing a 5 star type rating program for dealers to acheive. He stated , to provide the ultimate in customer service and to rank dealers ,if you suck, your out. I work for a freightliner dealership, and freightliner has a program called "elite support", this is to provide excellent service to the customer and to improve internal processes. Airstream is incorrect according to franchise agreements with dealers, that to sell there product, they agree to provide all services related to warranty,parts and sales. It is a binding agreement. Let me put it this way, we streamers call airstream and want to create a dealership, according to them ,we have no binding agreement with them to provide anything, does not make sense does it. Airstream is going to be cracking whip soon.

[moosetags]

I agree that Airstream really needs to straighten this service thing out. There are way too many Airstream Dealers who have this "If I didn't sell it, I won't do warranty work" attitude.

These dealers need to be forced to do the warranty work or be terminated.

Airstream will do better with fewer good dealers than they will with a bunch of sorry ones.

Brian

[dkottum]

I think Airstream is aware of the issue, inconsistency of service quality is a greater problem. We were insulted by a local dealership service/parts manager right off the bat and havn't been back since. We work Jackson Center Airstream Service Center into our travels every couple of years or so, very pleased with them.

[TheCabin]

It is curious that AS is talking about making all these demands for service and quality from a dealership when they do not seem to value the same when they assemble the trailers. Is this just PR to hide the obvious?

[dkottum]

Our assembly quality was excellent, just looking for consistent reliable routine service and repairs in the years after purchase from dealers about the country.

[Mrjkq]

That's an Industry wide problem not just Airstream. I'm retired living in Fl so if I need warranty work done I'd most likely call Sanders RV or take the trip to the mother ship in Ohio. BTW we stopped there a couple months ago for a very minor repair & believe me, they know customer service. Also free camping in the Terra Port CG during service & just $10 a night otherwise.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Most of us who have been to JC for any type of service appreciate how well they do...it just doesn't always trickle down to the folks who sell them.

Bob

[Drake1949]

This should be a easy fix....... can I fix myself without voiding warranty. Foley RV is 4 hers. from my house and I don't want to cause any more damage.