Camping World RV Sales — Attraction in San Diego

Short Version:

Luke the sales manager lost my business when he responded with a dismissive attitude to my concerns and problems that I found with the Nova Class B RV (that I was purchasing) during my delivery inspection. His unprofessionalism and passive aggressive comments such as, “I’ll just give you your money back because I have a line of people waiting to buy this” or “well this is the unit you chose” lost a customer who already paid a deposit and arrived with a cashiers check in hand to take delivery on a unit that had been sitting on RV Solutions lot for months (along with another identical unit).

Long Version:

I decided to purchase a new 2021 Coachmen Nova Class B from RV Solutions after taking a quick look at the model on their lot and researching it online. After placing a deposit over the phone and scheduling a pickup date, I informed the salesman I would be potentially down Labor Day weekend to walk through the RV in detail (since I had not done so yet). I made it very clear that I will not accept delivery before walking the RV in detail and inspecting it. When I arrived that weekend to inspect my potential purchase I was told the RV was locked up in service (which was closed that day) and the key was inaccessible. I toured the identical model on the lot to get a better idea of what I was buying and informed Trevor (my salesman) that I will still need to inspect the RV during pickup date next weekend, and again informed him I will not accept delivery if I find any problems. When I arrived on Saturday, 11Sep21 for orientation and delivery, I was shown to the finance office to complete the purchase. I requested to inspect the RV before I completed the purchase and was taken to see it. I found numerous issues such as dirty seats, a tear in the leather wall behind the driver seat, rust on the back couch metal support structure and a faulty spice drawer that would hit the cabinet door when operated, which was very frustrating since the other unit I looked at did not have these issues. The other all-stop problem I found was the control screen (Firefly) being placed behind the TV rather then above it (the model I was shown had the Firefly above the TV and easily accessible). I did not want to have to move the TV every time to access the control panel and informed the sales team. The sales manager Luke came out to the RV to meet with me and my wife. When I told him there were some problems with the RV he responded with an attitude stating, “well this is the one you chose but lets take a look.” I informed Luke that I did not choose this RV and have not had the chance to look at it until that day. When I explained to him about the screen being mounted in a different position and why that was an issue for me he replied again with an attitude “I’ll just give you your money back because I have a line of people waiting to buy this.” Both of the Nova RVs have been sitting on RV Solutions lot for months and this sale could have easily been salvaged if Luke did not introduce his pretentiousness and passive aggressive attitude. I would have been ok with taking the other RV (that did not have any of the annotated issues), but not after Luke’s “customer service” experience. Perhaps the COVID buying frenzy has left individuals like Luke feeling entitled to carrying themselves in a pompous manner towards customers since during that time there was a line of people waiting to buy any RV. That time has passed, and Coachmen Novas are sitting on dealership lots for months throughout CA. I will never do business with RV Solutions in the future due to this buying experience.

DECEMBER 2021 - UPDATE It has been over 2 months since my review and the RV is still not sold. So I guess there was no “line of people” waiting to buy it like Luke the sales manager stated 🤷🏽‍♂️ And the price has now been reduced by over $30k 😂 Karma can be...

To set the stage: I walked into Camping World knowing as much about RVing as I do about the nuances of underwater basket weaving. Which, much to my surprise - and possibly yours - is an actual thing. You can Google it. People do it. For real. Same goes for RVing: “People do this? It’s actually a thing?” Yes it is, and it sounded almost too good to be true. But there Camping World was, promising a gateway to a dream I’d nearly given up on.

I’ve always had the dream of unplugging, getting away from it all. Sadly, I was usually too focused on whatever seemed important that day. In hindsight of course, it rarely was. Life has a way of refocusing you, though. For me, it came in the form of living as a newly disabled person. Suddenly, a lot of my bucket list dreams had to be reimagined out of necessity. I wasn’t sure if RV life was still possible. The logistics of managing a “tiny home” that I’d need to move and set up seemed newly unrealistic. Could I really take this on, or was this going to become one of those bittersweet bucket list items best left unchecked?

Enter Clint and Matt, two comic book heroes of sorts, conveniently stationed in the city of Comic-Con. (Yes, I know San Diego, you’re so much more than SDCC, but for nerds like me, eh not really. I’m only here for Comi-Con.) From the moment I walked in, Matt honed in on my needs with the precision of someone who genuinely cares about more than just a sale. He didn’t just explain the RV lifestyle; he tailored it to my unique situation. At every step, he made sure I understood how someone living “mostly unassisted” could still hit the road with confidence. He pointed out features I hadn’t even thought to ask about, like a trailer with an automatic crank system. His attention to detail was matched only by his ability to make the whole process seem not just manageable but exciting and achievable. And then there’s Clint, who inadvertently named my company. Like Matt, he answered every question I had, but it was the ones I didn’t even know to ask that made the biggest difference. That’s the kind of awareness that gives you the confidence to turn a wild idea into an actual plan. Sometimes, knowing it’s possible is the biggest hurdle, and they both cleared it with style.

Clint and Matt, who I interacted with the most, were like a cooler, more practical version of Batman and Robin. (No shade to Clint being the Robin here, he’s like Robin to Matt’s Batman, except not lame.) But it wasn’t just them. The entire Camping World team felt like a convention of superheroes. From top to bottom, everyone I met made me feel like more than just another customer. It was like SDCC but with none of the crowds, zero social awkwardness, and everyone actually smelled good. That last one was a real shocker compared to my usual dealings with people in San Diego when I’m here at the con.

Fast forward a week, and I’m writing this review from my new RV, parked beside a calming body of water, living the dream. I’ve spent the last several days completely unplugged, staring at a view so breathtaking it makes me wonder why I ever stared at a screen. I’m replugged now, but only long enough to write this.

If you’re considering RV life, do yourself a favor and start at Camping World. Better yet, start with Clint and Matt. I thought I’d lost this dream, but they turned it into a reality with their knack for making the impossible seem effortless. Five stars? Absolutely. Gratuity? Metaphorically speaking, 30%. Thanks, Clint and Matt, for helping me turn a hesitant “maybe” into the adventure...

I was trying to decide between a Class A and fifth wheeler. We looked at several from small RV lots and private sellers then we found the fifth wheel - toy hauler combo and I was convinced this was the perfect RV for our family and I was lucky to already have the tow vehicle F250 - 6.7 Liter Powers stroke.

I started searching obsessively along with my wife and our ideal fifth wheel (fiver) popped up at a VERY GOOD price. I wasn't sure about the the benefits of buying from the largest RV dealer vs. buying from a mom and pop place or literally from mom and pops back yard.

The big difference maker to me was has everything at one place, great referrals to insurance (Good Sam Discount), Good Sam Club (Discounts at RV Parks), 4 year warranty for any of the big ticket items like generators, ac, awnings, slide outs, refrigerators as well as them fixing everything potentially wrong after there thorough inspection of the vehicle. Yes, these add on costs can certainly add up but I'm in a place in my life where I will pay extra for certainty and insurance on a rolling house where anything can go wrong.

They even replaced my tires due to age, not necessarily tread depth, detailed my coach, replace mattress and installed my fifth wheel hitch.

You pay for what you get and my time is my most value asset. This was a win win because I got a great price on my Fiver and I'm totally dialed in to hit the road in the least amount of time with everything you need under 1 roof.

When traveling with my most precious cargo (my family) I want the certainty of purchasing from a reputable company that has repaired and or replaced all items to avoid time and money sucks down the road.

The San Diego location has a new GM by the name of Dan Beasley. I only have 1 thing to say about Dan, "Dan is The Man!" Like any RV or Car Dealership you'll potentially run into some sleazy sales people. My interactions were all positive with my sales reps Matt Watanuki and Darryl Miller to the installers and retail sales manager Reid Robbins. Dan Beasly and his team went above and beyond for my family and took great care of us!

I would highly recommend that if you're thinking about buying a rig you cruise into Camping World and check out everything they have to offer. It's a great starting place even if you don't buy from them. I would call ahead and reserve a time with Matt or Darryl. The only downside is they are busy and sell a lot of RV's, far more than anyone else in SD although I still never made appointments and got in quickly to their well stocked large lot.

Be prepared to give your ID at check in because they want to know that you're qualified to buy (DL) and not waste anyones time! I can appreciate this being in sales nobody appreciates their time being waisted.

After a quick check in and reservation I felt zero obligation to buy and didn't purchase after my first trip, I think it was actually my third. No annoying phone calls or gimmicky sales pitches. Just a wide variety of RV's both new and used at great price with the added certainty of Camping World and Good Sam.

PS I never though I'd be writing this long of a review for a RV place but I felt I must give credit where credit is due.

Thanks Camping...