Camping World of Raleigh, NC Inflated Estimates for Generator Installation - Complete Ripoff Attempt! Garner, North Carolina

On two separate "estimate" documents (work orders) given to me by this company, Camping World Raleigh tried to charge me for the labor to install the 2.8 Onan Microlight Generator TWICE: Once for what they termed "Install Camp Power 2.8" for $467.00 and then a second time for what they said was,  "Install Generator" for $595. This is actually on the S & I Camping World retail sales work order dated 10/13/2012. When I subsequently pointed this out to their service manager, he could not even begin to explain this mistake. The estimate also included trying to charge me a "2 year Protection Plan for $399.99 (BTW -- they never even asked me if I wanted this, but if they had ...  I would have declined ... since the the generator comes with a full 3 year warranty). In addition, they tried to charge me for unspecified "Shop Supplies" to the tune of $89.25. Furthermore, they tried to charge me for a fuel line for $25.99. (Even though the extra fuel line is already on the vehicle and can easily be seen under it, already capped off and ready to go. Roadtrek 190's come this way from the factory -- as I called the company in Canada to check on this fuel line to find out if it was "prepped" for a generator).

Finally, after bringing the vehicle out to Camping World Raleigh a second time (the first time, they said they "didn't have the right person" looking at it"), they actually added even more money to the original inflated and "guaranteed price" of $3,500. Now they gave me a price of $4,498.79 (S & I Work Order: #136-2191903 by one Jody Brower SW-136), but also added that it might be "considerably more" than even this 2nd estimate. Keep in mind too, that I had already paid them the $3,500 in full-- based on their "iron clad guarantee" on the first estimate. They said the main reason for the additional cost was that Onan no longer produced the 2.8 Microlight generator and that the one they needed, "just happened" to be more expensive. When I asked them about how much more this would all cost, they said about $2,600. However, I later called Onan about the issue of them no longer producing the Microlight 2.8 generator, and they said that was absolutely NOT true.

I also called two North Carolina Onan distributors and both indicated they had this generator in stock and that the price had not changed for well over a year. Two different on-line sales folks also told me they had the Onan 2.8. Finally, the technician at Camping World Raleigh also said he needed, for safety reasons,  to fabricate a "heat shield". However, two separate service reps from the manufacturer assured me that all Roadtrek 190's come "prepped" with a heat shield pre-installed on the vehicle (a quick look under the vehicle confirmed this as did the Onan technician, who I later took it to for installation). 

I am truly amazed by the kind of people they hire at Camping World, and I highly recommend you do not trust them with your RV.

Customer was at our location prior to making this claim. His generator bill came to 4100 approximately. This amount came from the additional items required for installation. These items included a remote panel, harness, and a under the floor mounting kit. The initial bill was subject to change due to unforeseen installation requirements and safety regulations. The approximate amount could have decreased or increased upon installation of the generator. We could not meet his satisfaction because he price shopped us and found a better deal. We were more than happy to meet the customers demands. Not only did we refund his deposit, but we also gave him a courtesy oil change for his troubles. We were in compliance with all of his requests because we did not want him to feel as if we were trying to take advantage of him. We were only providing him our tech recommendations and wanted to be sure he was getting the safest and the highest quality of installation available.