Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Tips on finding honest RV repair services

August 20, 2018, 02:52:56 am

I am not looking for referrals but instead wondering if you can list/describe the parameters you use when choosing an RV mechanic or repair shop, outside of prices alone.

As an example of what I'm looking for here.....  I could tell you exactly what parameters you need to use if you wanted to find an ethical dog breeder, or a legitimate horse trainer.

Is there a similar set of parameters you use for finding an honest, capable RV mechanic or repair shop??

Re: Tips on finding honest RV repair services

Reply #2 – August 20, 2018, 11:45:41 am

"..list/describe the parameters you use when choosing an RV mechanic or repair shop, outside of prices alone."
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The first thing that I'd suggest is to do the repair/service selection process homework before needing it, e.g., to avoid scrambling to find a service facility/tech to fix the refrigerator when it decides to go south the day before a trip.   

I don't use shop time/labor costs as a choice parameter; in the area where I live, they're all high, some $200 per hour, so no repair or service is going to come cheap. (I'd be very leery of the quality of work from any place where the charges are out of line with the going rates!)

I do use web resources as the first step in narrowing down possible service facilities, e.g., reviews.  Information from reviews should be taken with the whole "saltshaker"; some are accurate and timely, but many are simply rants, contain irrelevant "complaints", or are so out-of-date as to be useless. (And, does the shop respond to a negative review on the review site?)

Service facility websites should list the types of services offered; although there may be many very good shops, particularly in small towns or in more rural areas, that don't have a web presence (everybody already knows who does the jobs right!), most in urban areas do. A facility's website doesn't have to be "slick", but it should contain basic information in navigable form!

The starting point is to pinpoint the service(s) needed and narrow the search to the appropriate types of shops. For example, although many large RV repair shops are "generalists", and may work on various chassis, engines, systems, transmissions, appliances, generators, etc., many specialize and/or limit their work to appliances, body repair, suspensions or other "coach" services. (IOW, a shop may be able to service a water heater, but are not equipped to do a brake job.)  I suggest carefully assessing a shop's list of offered services for appropriate "fit" for one's needs.

Word-of-mouth information and recommendations from others can be helpful "shop finders"; obviously, more credence should be placed on suggestions from someone who has at least a rudimentary understanding of the type of job to be done.

I visit the shop (on a drop-in) and talk to the service writer/manager; his or her attitude most often reflects that of the shop. Not all service writers are equal, however; in a large facility, there may be two or three or more of these, and they are not always on the same page! And, how they deal with a 77-year-old woman can be very enlightening!    Condescending smoke-blowers don't get my business.

Other "tells" (depending on the type and size of the shop) from my point of view:  How long has the shop been in business? Is the shop clean (as shops go!) and organized? How busy are they? Are the techs and mechanics trained/certified?  Does the shop have techs who specialize, e.g., gas/diesel, transmissions, appliances, brakes, etc. (Is their paperwork displayed? This is often the case in larger shops, but not necessarily in smaller ones.) Is the shop familiar with Do the mechanics/techs seem to have a good working relationship with the parts people and the service managers? Is the service manager candid about how long a job will take and what is involved in getting it done? Is the customer able to talk to the tech/mechanic who's doing the job? Will the shop agree to use OEM parts or parts of equal or higher quality? (Some shops may use cheap replacement parts, ostensibly to save the customer money, but may inflate the prices anyway, figuring that most customers won't know the difference.) Does the tech/mechanic/service advisor go over the work order with the customer before and after the job and allow the customer to check out the work?

How does the shop treat customers on the phone? ("Quality assessment", not eavesdropping, on a prospective customer's part!)  Are there other customers waiting or dropping off rigs or vehicles who might be willing to (privately) offer their experiences with the facility?

While it's true that there is often a lot of turnover in shop personnel - tire shops seem to be particularly hard hit with this - a good shop will try very hard to maintain high quality service, and either require training for their techs or train them to shop standards.

Clearly, there are enough challenges in choosing an RV (or vehicle) repair service when one isn't on the road, e.g., on a shorter or longer trip, or as a traveling fulltimer. For those, an emergency road service contract, a cell signal, internet access, and local referrals are critical to obtaining needed services!

Finding good RV and vehicle service can be very difficult, so when one finds a shop that does professional-grade work, establish a good relationship with the staff, appreciate them, and let others know. (Ditto the other side, of course.)

As always, YMMV!   

Re: Tips on finding honest RV repair services

Reply #4 – August 20, 2018, 01:57:39 pm

It's a good question to ask, and not an easy one to answer.  Even though I live in a major metro area (pro sports, international airport), there are only a couple of RV repair services that I know of.  I've seen a handful come and go.  I prefer to deal with an individual person or very small group instead of a dealership.

I've had better luck out west than on the east coast and have had some work done while traveling. 

I found one option at a local RV show.  He moved away.  I found another via a suggestion from Coachnet.  There is heavy equipment mechanic in our area that services a lot of RVs.  I bet they could give some advice on someone to service the coach part (they do engine/chassis).  I might also ask around at a campground that has a lot of permanent campers if you have something like that where you live (we have them near the beach or in the mountains). 

I get the feeling that you have to either be a bit odd or really like RVs to stay in the business for long.  If it was just about the money, a person could make a lot more elsewhere with the same skills.

When I do find someone good, I try to treat them well and toss in a few extra bucks to make sure they answer with a smile next time I call.

Rich
'03 MB in NC 

Re: Tips on finding honest RV repair services

Reply #6 – August 20, 2018, 03:14:44 pm

I've found word of mouth to be a good way to help find places to get anything done.
I'd rather trust people I know to give a recommendation than strangers on the internet.
When they have a good experience at a place, it tends to make me gravitate to those places.
At least I'm more willing to give them a try, this has worked out pretty good for me so far.

Re: Tips on finding honest RV repair services

Reply #8 – August 20, 2018, 06:00:17 pm

I hew closely to the method Joan wrote of. 

Know as much about the work to be done as possible.  I don't argue or disagree where my thoughts diverge from the repair techs, but add them to my research and compare to what others tell me. 

While listening, I look around for organization, cleanliness, consideration for others' RVs, worker attitude. 

I always ask if they have worked on a Lazy Daze, and evaluate what they tell me. Some have told me they have even been to the main Lazy Days in FL! (a huge dealership selling all brands). Others have demonstrated that they know how our beloved coaches are constructed.

Ask for referrals from all sorts of people.

When I have to get a repair without these preparations, I obsessively follow step one, and stay as engaged as possible, with as much respect as I can, knowing the job of the tech is usually more difficult than it seems. And I try to have as little work done as possible, then add on once I am convinced I am satisfied.