Parts Costs... Shame on Winnebago

[tim myers]

I have been using the same old o-ring on my whole house water filter since I acquired my Journey in Feb of 2021, and have no idea how long the previous owner had used it. I have noticed the need to tighten the housing a bit more with the last few filter changes and figured I should pick up some replacement o-rings.

I know how to measure o-rings, but since the Motorhome was in storage 20 minutes away, I opted for the convenience of just purchasing a few from Winnebago Parts. I have always liked how they know what I need for my coach as long as no one has changed things since new, and I realize there comes a cost for the assurance that the correct part will arrive.

I sent an e-mail out for a cost on the o-ring. I received a response that the o-ring was going to cost $34.92, plus shipping. I replied that I only wanted the o-ring and not the entire filter. They assured me that cost was for the o-ring only.

Holy extortion Batman!!!

I drove out today and brought the canister with o-ring to the house to properly measure it and have a set of 3 on the way for less than $6. If I can purchase them for $2 each Winnebago is probably paying $.50 each and marking them up to $34.92.

There are no words I can use on this forum to express how that made me feel.

[blifsey]

Do you mean WinnebagoParts.com? If so, they are a separate company from Winnebago Industries. I do agree that price is crazy.

[creativepart]

Yeah, you can't order parts directly from Winnebago. They stopped that practice about 4-years ago. You can only order from a dealer.

I only use Lichtsinn RV in Forest River for any specific Winnebago parts I need but I try to buy most parts from some OEM company. It's true that Winnebago parts are expensive when purchased from a dealer.

https://www.lichtsinn.com/

[tim myers]

I realize when you e-mail Winnebago Parts you are going to a dealer, but Winnebago has their name all over it, so they are gonna get the credit. For the convenience factor I would have willingly paid $4 or $5 and they would have still made way more than 200% in profit, $34 that's ridiculous.


You also have to closely watch for their shipping charges. A couple years ago I ordered an aluminum strip and plastic cover for the drooping ceiling vinyl in the bedroom of our Journey. The price for both was in the $40 range. Almost as cheap as an o-ring, I digress. They said there will be shipping on that, but never told me what the shipping would be. Parts show up, I cut to fit and install, then a few days later, it shows up on the ole credit card. They hit me up for around $225 in shipping costs. When I called them they said it was an 8' long tube and that costs a lot to ship.



You have to watch them like a hawk. And it isn't good for their image/reputation.

[Ray,IN]

That's kinda like Winnebago in Australia. By a legal decision in an Au court they are the same name, totally different company. Who gets the blame???? Winnebago in North America.

Sadly Tim, those shipping charges you agreed to without hesitation or inquiry. That's totally on you.

[tim myers]

I agree Ray, I have not ordered anything from them without knowing the shipping costs since, but you have to press them for the shipping costs.

[creativepart]

Originally Posted by tim myers

I agree Ray, I have not ordered anything from them without knowing the shipping costs since, but you have to press them for the shipping costs.

Who is “them”? Are you speaking about years ago when you ordered from Winnebago directly? Or from this other 3rd party parts seller?

And is it just Winnebago? What’s your experience been ordering parts from other parts manufacturers? Were they much cheaper?

In my experience parts from OEM manufacturers are pretty much crazy expensive regardless of the product. I ordered a 1/2” plastic cap from Lippert for my hydraulic fluid tank and with shipping it cost $45. But there was no other way to buy that cap.

I don’t think Lippert cared about how that “looked for their reputation.”

[Cooperhawk]

I only deal with Mobility RV who are officially the Winnebago Parts supplier.

https://winnebagoparts.com

So far they have been fair and shipped the parts quickly. They are located just a few miles east of the factory just off I35.

[creativepart]

Originally Posted by Cooperhawk

I only deal with Mobility RV who are officially the Winnebago Parts supplier.

Huh? I don’t believe there is any one dealer that is “officially the Winnebago Parts supplier.”

Where did you get that idea? Is that what they say they are?

[Cooperhawk]

Originally Posted by creativepart

Huh? I don’t believe there is any one dealer that is “officially the Winnebago Parts supplier.”

Where did you get that idea? Is that what they say they are?

Just click the link. I'm not here to argue.

[creativepart]

Originally Posted by Cooperhawk

Just click the link. I'm not here to argue.

Not arguing either - they do seem to be the only parts seller that is not a Winnebago dealer. Their claim to be "official" is what I find debatable.

But, if it works for you, then that's all that matters.

[Cooperhawk]

They've worked very well and when you first contact them they ask for the serial number of your coach and the model. Then they bring up the specs for your specific coach and will help you find the part.

Through them you can also download the parts catalog for your specific coach to have for reference.

I've used them over the years and they have always been friendly and helpful.

[creativepart]

Sounds great.

Lichtsinn RV does the same thing - asks for and works off of your serial number. I've used them ever since Winnebago stopped taking direct orders and they've been great.

Winnebago publishes a parts list for your motorhome serial number that anyone can access.

https://dealer.winnebagoind.com/unitsearch/parts.htm

[akeagle]

Originally Posted by creativepart

Sounds great.

Lichtsinn RV does the same thing - asks for and works off of your serial number. I've used them ever since Winnebago stopped taking direct orders and they've been great.

Winnebago publishes a parts list for your motorhome serial number that anyone can access.

https://dealer.winnebagoind.com/unitsearch/parts.htm

I suspect this is the outfit that others were referring to. Lichtsinn is indeed a Winnebago dealer located just a few miles from the Winnebago plant and in so many words they claim to be closely associated with the Winnebago factory.

[deckape]

Lichtsinn for any parts I need Wonderful people that know how to get it done .

[Cooperhawk]

Just my opinion but Lichtsinn seems more expensive for parts.
I've been to their store many times and they are very proud of what they sell.

[deckape]

When I need a Winnebago part , I research and find part # on the Winnebago's site ,I'm not going to search the web , other sites . or try to find it at some store I have no idea where they are . . I'm calling Lichtsinn talking to someone who knows what I'm asking and glad to do that for me . Order part ,pay ,and it"s on it"s way in a few days . I have been to their store for repairs have been impressed with the people and the way they do business . The new store is a great example of the commitment to the customer .

[TravatoJohn]

Couple years ago I inquired about a new screen for my van side window. They quoted me 264.00 plus shipping. Sometimes you need a good laugh.
Travato John

[sajohnson]

Originally Posted by tim myers

I agree Ray, I have not ordered anything from them without knowing the shipping costs since, but you have to press them for the shipping costs.

It's easy to pin blame on the customer. Yes, technically, the buyer should confirm shipping costs. The flip side of that coin is that the vendor should not make the customer dig/beg for that information.

I do a lot of buying online and I cannot recall a company that did not clearly include shipping cost along with the price of the item(s) and sales tax. In fact, most are very open about it and even offer to calculate the shipping before you enter your name, address, and payment method.

There are some sleazy outfits that demand the buyer enter all of their info before revealing the (usually exorbitant) shipping expense, but even those vendors provide shipping costs before the order is complete (just at the tail end of the process).

From Google:

"The cost to ship an 8-foot long tube depends on the tube's weight, size, and destination, as well as the shipping service used. On average, domestic shipping for tubes costs between $5 and $25."


I rarely need to resort to this but there is always the option to dispute the charges using the credit card company. The few times it's come to that, it has worked out well.

[creativepart]

Originally Posted by sajohnson

From Google:

"The cost to ship an 8-foot long tube depends on the tube's weight, size, and destination, as well as the shipping service used. On average, domestic shipping for tubes costs between $5 and $25."

Yeah, to ship a "tube" but to ship something 8 feet long, no way.

I've too have shipped a lot of things. UPS charges for weight, size and certainly for length, as well.

Back when Winnebago handled parts they routinely quoted the parts cost without shipping. I ordered some trim from them that was 10 feet long. However mine could be rolled so the box was nowhere near 10' long. They told me they didn't know what it would cost to be shipped and I accepted that because I very much needed the part.

I just now estimated the cost to ship a 8 foot by 3" by 3" 11 pound package from Forest City, IA to my House in Texas on UPS.com and the estimated ground cost was over $400.