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Old 10-04-2019, 01:39 AM   #1
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Brand: Still Looking
Model: Sunstar 29VE Winnebago
State: Texas
Posts: 5,633
THOR #13058
Finally: We found our RV and Thor Wins, My Stories Begin

After 1 year and 3 weeks of reading all of the wonderful stories about Thor, their quality, and untouchable levels service, today we found our Thor and placed deposit on a new unit. My learnings from this site has taught me that Thor Motor Coaches are best right from the manufacturer

For all that has been said, and I spent a lot of time looking, I could not find any other manufacturer with a unit that had all of the options, features etc. that I have found in our about to be 2019 Windsport.

Today our stories begin. I hope they are good ones to tell. Our next step is to go back to dealer and do what I call Pre - Pre Delivery Inspection. Our true PDI is about 2 weeks away, but I hope to have tried everything before we even start the official PDI.

I am gonna miss my tent, but do wish to thank all on this site for all of the useful information that I have learned to even get the confidence to pull the trigger. Will keep all posted on how it goes with the process.

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Old 10-04-2019, 01:41 AM   #2
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Model: Miramar 37.1
State: California
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Welcome to the family. Enjoy the new camping experiences you are about to explore.
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Old 10-04-2019, 04:13 AM   #3
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1 Windjammer
State: Illinois
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THOR #7074
Congratulations! How great it is roaming this Awesome Country. Enjoy.
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Old 10-04-2019, 10:01 AM   #4
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Brand: Entegra
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State: South Dakota
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THOR #1469
Congrats on the coach. May the miles be many and the problems be few.
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Old 10-04-2019, 11:05 AM   #5
I Think We're Lost!
 
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Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
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THOR #8860
. Glad to hear that you found the right RV, and welcome to the start of your Greatest Adventure!
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Old 10-05-2019, 10:40 PM   #6
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.1
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Congrats on the new rig and welcome to the forum! Post a pic of your new addition when you get a minute.
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Old 10-06-2019, 12:06 AM   #7
I Think We're Lost!
 
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THOR #8860
I agree: we love pictures!
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Old 10-06-2019, 12:09 AM   #8
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Just starting out, too!

I also am starting my new adventure with a Thor Freedom Elite 24HE. After too many hot days of hooking up a bumper trailer, I am looking forward to the added freedom or being able to jump in and go!
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Old 10-06-2019, 12:16 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by Sunny T View Post
I also am starting my new adventure with a Thor Freedom Elite 24HE. After too many hot days of hooking up a bumper trailer, I am looking forward to the added freedom or being able to jump in and go!
Congrats and best of luck in your travels, don't be in such a rush to get somewhere that you miss the value of the journey!
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Old 10-06-2019, 12:54 AM   #10
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.1
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Sunny T, welcome to the forum and congrats also on your Thor Freedom Elite 24HE. I remember those days setting up the TT with kids and dogs running all around me. I loved it! Just much easier now with a Class A, 'cept we will have that darn toad following us.....
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Old 10-06-2019, 03:08 AM   #11
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Model: Sunstar 29VE Winnebago
State: Texas
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THOR #13058
Short lived journey

All,

After 2 days of traveling & visiting the coach for what I called the "Pre - Pre Delivery Inspection)", my wife are fully exhausted. I don't know if I was wrong or right, but will simply lay out the facts in sequence they occurred and hope to learn something.

10/3 Over phone, we select place deposit on brand new 2019 Windsport coach
10/3 We target delivery pickup for 10/18
10/4 I get docusign sales agreement, but inform we will travel to see coach and sign in person
10/4 I get a cashier's check from my bank to pay in full less deposit
10/4 I provide copy of cashier's check
10/5 Using the Universal Rx Acceptance Pre - Delivery Inspection checklist from Tom Boles modified by retired Air Force Colonel Ed Ferker, I can honestly say we completed about 70% of checklist. Noted items we did not check were the functioning of any of the tanks, engine fluid levels, and anything upon the roof. I went up the ladder but it was kind of wobbly and went I got to the top, I said I can do this later
10/5 We identified 71 defects, issues, & concerns. We provided a report to the salesman.
10/5 The salesman came by to see the critical items and didn't see any issues with item listed. He stated that they could be fixed.
10/5 We go to Finance and I sign the Sales Agreement. I then signed my credit card transaction slip that had been processed online earlier
10/5 Then Finance Manager hands me a new form to sign that was clearly indicating the deposit was non refundable. I asked what if the items cannot be satisfactorily resolved? Sales Manager was summoned in and basically said "the coaches are not perfect, they don't make them, but try to fix what they can under warranty". But the moment they start fixing anything the deposit is non refundable.
10/5 I advised Sales Manager I did not feel comfortable signing that document to accept responsibility given the number of issues that may or may not be resolved. In my view, I was paying the dealer to fix defects that they may or not fix?
10/5 Sales Manager tells Finance Manager to give me a refund and relist the coach. He then proceeded to tell me about the process, the industry and his concern that a customer may change their mind. I countered that I had no problem paying a non refundable deposit if I changed my mind. The unknown of what could or would be corrected was my concern. I reminded him that if coach was in acceptable condition, I could have bought and took delivery today.
10/5 I asked if they could line by line let us know what they would fix as part of the written agreement; so if later during the real PDI if one of those items were not fixed I would not be liable. He stated they would review; so I sent the list to Sales & Finance Managers
10/5 Depleted... my wife and I depart to head home
10/5 Later tonight we get an email from our salesman, that his management stated "after reviewing the list it doesn’t look like we can meet all of your needs. Unfortunately these units aren’t perfect."

There was no line by line explanation, but a few of the items we had on our list are noted for reference.

1. Side molding on rear of coach had buckled on both sides where rear and side transition
2. Radio did not work at all, could not check any sound, navigation camera etc.
3. Walls had protruded nails and/or staples in multiple places. In most areas it was if someone had tried to sand the area to clean and it had large patches of spots that were very visible. This was prevalent in bedroom Kitchen & bath areas. We had not seen that on any other coach
4. Refrigerator was mounted in wall case but crooked, trimming on top was broken. Inside of freezer backwall was rusted, and the shelving coating had already separated in few areas to expose even more rust.
5. Kitchen sink was leaking water in below cabinet and into 3 of the 4 drawers to the side
6. Vents in both bath & bedroom missing parts to open / close and missing cover screens if opened.
7. The privacy curtains white inner liner material had begun to dry rot, it was literally flaking off, I assume from exposure to sun. Also, curtain stop missing so driver side curtain would easily come out off track
8. Kitchen main cabinet door did not have a latch; so as we were driving it kept banging
9. The rubber seal around front windshield was loose in several spots. During test drive the top part and about 20" of it came completely out and was banging upon the roof.
10. Signs of leakage around the hydraulic pump
11. The rear ladder was wobbly. All of the screws were rusted and some excess sealant around where glued to wall. Looks like it has required a repair previously thus the odd rusted screws? It did not look new anyway

I could go on, but wanted to give an idea of some of the things we found. Granted some were minor, but one would think that minor would not be an issue for a dealer on brand new coach?
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Old 10-06-2019, 05:08 AM   #12
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.1
State: Ohio
Posts: 176
THOR #14952
This was a BRAND NEW ONE????!!!! That is horrible that it was like that and even worse that the dealer wasn't willing to fix anything without you signing and paying (non refundable deposit) them to fix some of it. I have heard the stories about new rigs needing a lot of repairs, but the dealers were most accommodating in working in the punch list. Is there another dealer in your area, or within a few hours that has a better reputation for pleasing customer rather than alienating? You guys were so excited, I am sorry to hear all of this. Please don't give up...... just change directions or tactics to get what you want, in the shape it should be in, for the amount of money it is costing you. Good luck!!
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Old 10-06-2019, 11:59 AM   #13
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Palazzo 36.1
State: North Carolina
Posts: 349
THOR #13712
Sorry you lost this one but there will be others. This happened for a reason. With that much wrong you are better off. That dealer was looking to dump a unit. As a 2019 i wonder how long its been on the floorplan costing interest.
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Old 10-06-2019, 02:07 PM   #14
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Model: Hurricane 31S
State: Texas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck and Mary Ann View Post
Sorry you lost this one but there will be others. This happened for a reason. With that much wrong you are better off. That dealer was looking to dump a unit. As a 2019 i wonder how long its been on the floorplan costing interest.
Thor industries does not have a floor plan as car dealers do. Each coach or trailer is ordered on a dealer order form with the stated price at the bottom of the form. A down payment is required before construction is started. After the RV is built is put in a delivery lot awaiting transportation to the dealer. Payment in full by the dealer is required before the RV leaves the delivery lot. Thor considers each RV as a custom order. Batch production requires some standardization among series and models. Every Thor RV on a dealer's lot is owned by the dealer and his finance company.
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Old 10-06-2019, 02:18 PM   #15
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Brand: Still Looking
Model: Sunstar 29VE Winnebago
State: Texas
Posts: 5,633
THOR #13058
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck and Mary Ann View Post
Sorry you lost this one but there will be others. This happened for a reason. With that much wrong you are better off. That dealer was looking to dump a unit. As a 2019 i wonder how long its been on the floorplan costing interest.
They acknowledged they had more than year, it had about 1200 miles, short something broken / missing like the pantry door, refrigerator trim, vent fan knobs and screens, the rest is just poor workmanship.

Several months back I was reading a thread on this site where a number were talking about the poor quality of brand new coaches from Thor. They were concluding that in hindsight it is best to buy a used coach. I couldn't help but jump in to ask if the quality is so bad with the new... why on earth would you want to buy the same thing used? I am thinking it is worse...? I am beginning to see their logic now. Somebody will ultimately buy this coach. Whatever the dealer does not fix, they will fix themselves over time. If they wish to sell in a year or two, the next buyer saves on the depreciation and get the RV with headache issues resolved, and possibly a few significant mods.

My wife and I work and I don't mind doing a few things, but don't have a lot of free time. I don't want to have a brand new coach that does not look brand new if that makes any sense. I have an 11 year old SUV, that some still ask me is this brand new when they get in it. I know what they are saying and it is the ultimate compliment.

What is really frustrating and why it has taken us so long; I can't simply say, I will go to Newmar, Tiffin, Entegra, Winnebago etc and just pay more money to get better quality. To my knowledge what we seek I have not seen elsewhere? The Baysport Sport is the closest for about $20k more, but I lose the 2nd AC, outside TV, and number of other features and toys like firefly controller. I do gain full body paint and the obvious quality on the inside.

For reference coach we seek is preferred to have the following:
-Less than 30' 4"
-2 ACs 5kw
-Electronic Controller i.e Firefly or similar
-Sofa
-Dropdown bunk
-Outside TV. Kitchen outside is plus not a must
-I will consider used but nothing older than 2018 (short the immaculate exception)
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Old 10-06-2019, 02:22 PM   #16
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THOR #13712
That's my point, the dealer is paying interest - my bet, and looking to recoup some of that money any way possible.
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Old 10-06-2019, 02:24 PM   #17
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Brand: Still Looking
Model: Sunstar 29VE Winnebago
State: Texas
Posts: 5,633
THOR #13058
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunny T View Post
I also am starting my new adventure with a Thor Freedom Elite 24HE. After too many hot days of hooking up a bumper trailer, I am looking forward to the added freedom or being able to jump in and go!
Congratulations, and I know this has to be exciting for you. I am glad that this thread has some good news to add to this storyline. Don't forget the often request for pictures.
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Old 10-06-2019, 02:31 PM   #18
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Model: Sunstar 29VE Winnebago
State: Texas
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THOR #13058
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
I agree: we love pictures!
Bob,

Given the obvious disappointment with our RV, I couldn't wait to get back into my beloved tent this morning. Sending picture at your request, but I may have gain a few pounds thinking I was going to move into RV.

https://media.giphy.com/media/ni36GTFskVkgo/giphy.gif
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Old 10-06-2019, 02:39 PM   #19
I Think We're Lost!
 
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Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
I'm sorry to hear that this one didn't work out for you...
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Old 10-06-2019, 10:36 PM   #20
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport. 35M
State: New York
Posts: 306
THOR #6199
dkoldman,

Sounds like you dodged a bullet. I understand your disappointment but you did the right thing. You stuck to your guns. The dealer must have thought you were bluffing. They met their match: An educated, informed, level headed consumer. They should be ashamed for trying selling that unit the way it was. The dealers should inspect these units better before they take delivery from the manufacturer. Keep looking. The right coach for you is out there. Thanks for posting your experience. Many other people will learn from it.

Shawn62
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