Monday, August 18, 2008

 

THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY MAY NO LONGER EXIST

By Greg Gerber @ RV INDUSTRY NEWS (August 18. 2008)
LINCOLN, Neb. -- RV Industry News has learned that extended warranty provider Heritage Warranty Services may be out of business.

After receiving a tip from a dealer in Louisiana that none of the dealership's claims had been paid this year, RV Industry News attempted to track down the company.

The toll-free numbers given to RV dealers (800-753-5236) are being answered by a company that tells callers they are a "third party" and have nothing to do with the administration of the contracts. The company refuses to provide information about where the company is headquartered or to provide contact information for someone authorized to speak or act on behalf of Heritage Warranty Services.

A Google search of the company reveals that scores of RV dealers and consumers have been reporting problems with the company.

RV Industry News uncovered legal documents filed by the Connecticut Attorney General's office against Heritage Warranty Services in 2003. However, the phone numbers contained in correspondence from the office of legal affairs for Heritage Warranty Mutual Insurance have been disconnected.

Several companies are doing business as Heritage Financial Services in Lincon, Neb., where the warranty company is reported headquartered. Yet people answer the phone at those companies claim they are not affiliated with Heritage Warranty Mutual or Heritage Warranty Services.

A spokesperson for the Nebraska Attorney General's office referred RV Industry News to the Better Business Bureau, which also provided a number that had been disconnected. Even the fax number for Heritage Warranty Services has been disconnected.

A call to the Nebraska Secretary of State's office revealed that the company is not legally registered to do business in the state.

Anyone having contact information for Heritage Warranty Mutual or Heritage Warranty Services is encouraged to contact Greg Gerber, editor of RV Industry News, at 920.691-1242 or by e-mail at ggerber@milomediapub.com.

 

NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN BEAUDRY RV AND LAZYDAYS RV ENDING

RV Business
Monday, August 18, 2008

Beaudry RV is no longer negotiating with Seffner, Fla.-based Lazydays RV Center Inc. for sale of its RV dealership outlet in Tucson, Ariz.

The Arizona Daily Star reported that in June, Beaudry Motor Co. CEO Thomas Sylvester sent a memo to Beaudry employees saying that Beaudry RV had entered into a "letter of intent" with Lazydays to purchase the Beaudry’s Tucson operations that would include the Beaudry RV Resort.

At the time, neither Sylvester nor a representative of Lazydays would comment on the negotiation.

But Sylvester confirmed last week that the deal was mutually called off Aug. 8.

"We couldn't come to agreeable terms. A letter of intent is far from a finished and completed agreement," Sylvester said.

The Beaudry family has owned auto dealerships in the Tucson area since 1940. Company President Bob Beaudry started downsizing the business in 2003 with the sale of six dealerships to the Scottsdale-based Chapman Automotive Group.

Last December, Beaudry finalized the sale of its San Diego RV sales and service center to FreedomRoads/Camping World. Beaudry also operates an RV dealership in Phoenix.

 

LARGE SAN DIEGO RV DEALERSHIP CLOSING

RV Business
Monday, August 18, 2008

A longtime San Diego RV dealership is closing its doors and liquidating inventory.

According to the company website, 10,000 RV sales is holding a $10 million liquidation sale after 25-plus years of operation. The company, founded in 1982 in Lemon Grove, was named for a policy at its opening to sell all RVs for under $10,000.

The retailer joins a growing list of prominent California dealerships feeling the effects of a slowing economy and a severely depressed housing market.

Of note, Dan Gamel RV began liquidating stores in June. Last month, La Mesa RV Center Inc. closed stores in Davis and San Bernardino.

 

RECALL: 2007-2008 TIFFIN PHAETON MOTOR HOMES: FREIGHTLINER: STEERING

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
TIFFIN / PHAETON 2007-2008
Manufacturer : TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC. Mfr's Report Date : AUG 01, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V393000 NHTSA Action Number: EQ08008
Component: STEERING
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 271
Summary:
TIFFIN IS RECALLING 271 MY 2007-2008 PHAETON CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. THE AAC FRONT AXLE STEERING ARM BOLTS WITH A LATCH LEVER PIVOT BOLT ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN OVER TIGHTENED.
Consequence:
OVER-TIGHTENED STEERING ARM BOLTS MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
TIFFIN IS WORKING WITH FREIGHTLINER TO HAVE THE STEERING ARM TIE ROD FASTENERS INSPECTED AND REPLACED. THE STEERING ARM WILL BE INSPECTED FOR CLEARANCE TO THE KING PIN BOSS. FREIGHTLINER IS HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

 

RECALL:2004-2008 NEWELL MOTOR HOME: TRANSMISSIONS

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
NEWELL / MOTOR HOME 2005-2008
Manufacturer : NEWELL COACH CORP. Mfr's Report Date : JUL 30, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V392000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: EQUIPMENT
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 80
Summary:
NEWELL IS RECALLING 80 MY 2005-2008 MODEL 450 MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH ZF TRANSMISSIONS. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE SHIFT SELECTOR TO MALFUNCTION AS A RESULT OF A CELL PHONE OR RADIO BEING PLACED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE SHIFTER CONTROL PAD.
Consequence:
THE INTERFERENCE FROM THE CELL PHONE OR RADIO COULD RESULT IN AN UNEXPECTED CHANGE IN DIRECTION AND POSSIBLE CRASH IF A SPECIFIC SEQUENCE OF EVENTS WERE TO OCCUR.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE SOFTWARE TO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROLLER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NEWELL AT 1-888-963-9355.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

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