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04-03-2006, 08:42 AM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
1963 24' Tradewind
Pittsford
, New York
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 121
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Bradenton / Tampa FL
I am going to Braedenton FL from Tuesday (tommorrow) thru Friday the 7th. I am a newbie to Airstreams. Are there any nearby ralies during that time. Or any good places to see Airstreams?
Thanks!
-Sig
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04-03-2006, 09:17 AM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
2000 31' Land Yacht
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 497
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Bates RV on I-4 just east of I-75 has a large assortment of new and used units. Unfortunately, their service has been rated poor. One person here said "Buying an Airstream from Bates is like buying a Mercedes from a Yugo dealer and expecting service"
Travelers Rest Resort at exit 293 on I-75, about 30 miles north of Tampa, was an Airstream only park, and still has a lot of Airstreams in residence.
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04-03-2006, 10:19 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1979 30' Argosy
Havelock
, where we park it
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,652
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If looking for a campground nearby
Hello... Bates RV is at exit 14 on I4 just east of 75... If you are looking for a campground.. try Tampa East RV .. it is just beside Bates on McIntosh Rd.. and if you are going to Bradenton... Try the Beach House restaurant on the Gulf.. great food... we are at Tampa east right now but we are leaving Wed.. Hope this helps... Annie
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Marvin & Annie
Niki (fur baby)
1979 Argosy 30 (Costalotta)
WBCCI 10103
"Happiness is a warm Puppy" Charles Schulz
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04-03-2006, 10:22 AM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
1972 31' Sovereign
High Springs
, Florida
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 2,311
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There is an Airstream dealer in Alachua, Florida (JD Sanders) off of exit 399. Head east about 5-6 miles, on 441, it is on the right. They usually have quite a few in stock. They usually have an MH or two, plus a few Interstates.
__________________
ARS WA8ZYT
2003 GMC 2500HD 4X4 D/A Ext. Cab
Propane Powered Honda EU2000i
Lots of Hot Sauce!
Air # 283
WBCCI 1350
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04-03-2006, 11:13 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Bates RV
If you are going to Bates, ask for Don Harkins, or call ahead for an appointment. I bought my CCD from Don....a real straight shooter. I agree that their service dep't. leaves 'something to be desired' but then I am my own service Dep't. anyway . Tell him I sent you!!!!!
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lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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04-09-2006, 01:51 PM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
1963 24' Tradewind
Pittsford
, New York
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 121
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Thanks for the reccommendation. I eneded up going to bates and was impressed; had about 25 units on the lot of different sizes. I had never been in a new airstream before; they are very very nice. Still like my 63 tradewind though. The vintage units they had there were absolutely trashed; very poor condition.
Thanks again,
-Sig
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05-19-2007, 10:16 PM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member
1972 Argosy 20
Winter Haven
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 34
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Bates RV
I am having a little work on my Argosy at Bates. It has been a slow process through the the estimates......should I go somewhere, else?
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05-19-2007, 10:40 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
West of Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,699
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Just based on the comments in this thread, I'd be cautious. Why go through the aggravation if you have other choices. If they are the only dealer in your area your choices are limited. Good luck.
Dave
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05-20-2007, 04:40 AM
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#9
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Bates as a dealer is very good, as a service center, they are good. They are not as experienced with vintage units, just because of the age of the units.
What work are you having done?
There is also RV World of Nokomis, if you want to go south of Sarasota, the PO of our new coach had much work done there. All different stuff, too, from the work orders, not just repeats, or "come backs".
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Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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05-20-2007, 02:12 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2000 31' Land Yacht
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 497
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You might check with Register RV in Brooksville. I have had nothing but good service there.
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05-20-2007, 08:58 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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I bought my CCD at Bates, but that's about all the 'good' I can say. While I was there picking up my unit, there were 3 VERY dissatisfied customers who had been there (with SOBs) from 3 days to 2 weeks and STILL had not had their service issues resolved. They were NOT HAPPY!
Mine had NOT had a proper PDI done and was about to be delivered to me with 2 bad batteries and a half page of other issues. I was furious and realized right away that this was the last the Bates would see either me or my CCD.
Having the luxury of being able to do my own service work, I called Frank Bates and explained my situation. Other that offering me a job on the spot, he asked that I do all of the corrective work and send him the bill at my reguler rates, which I did. It was promptly paid!
Frank Bates made the situation right and is a man of his word, but the service department AND the techs that work there leave much to be desired!
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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05-20-2007, 09:11 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1979 30' Argosy
Havelock
, where we park it
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,652
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Frank is the one who controls the techs and says what goes and who goes... we know from personal experience...
__________________
Marvin & Annie
Niki (fur baby)
1979 Argosy 30 (Costalotta)
WBCCI 10103
"Happiness is a warm Puppy" Charles Schulz
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05-29-2007, 03:36 PM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member
2006 28' Safari SE
Winter Park
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 150
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Since this has sort of become a "rate Bates" string, I'll make a contribution ... my 2006 28' AS (which I bought new from Bates) has been at Bates awaiting service since May 4, and I can't get anyone to tell me if they've begun work, finished work, or anything at all, although our target date to pick it up was May 22. Three times I've had my name and number taken, and not a single call back. Today I left a voicemail for Frank Bates' describing the situation and asking if he can find out for me what is going on. I'll let you all know how things turn out, but so far I wouldn't be able to tell you if their service was good or bad ... it's just been "no" service. Hopefully, all will end well, but we'll see ...
__________________
'06 28' Safari SE / '08 Chev 2500HD Duramax
'64 Me / '60's-ish wife / '90's kids / '06 Black Lab / '02 Poodle / oh, and a horse, too.
GO GATORS!!
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