Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-02-2009, 03:15 PM   #1
Winnebago Watcher
 
Indyradar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 4
Great Service..at last!!!

We have been RV'rs for about 2 years now. Up until now I have been disgusted with the RV service industry. Over charging, poor workmanship, horrible customer relations, and the "if you don't like it, go someplace else" attitude.

The only providers I can say I am impressed with is Flying J, Irv2.com and American Technology Components.

I had the dreaded " bad hot water heater light switch" I called American Technology, the maker of the switch and they replaced the 5 year old switch for FREE, no hassle, and said there sorry!!!! They went on to say they wanted to change it to an LED but that Winnebago won't let them.

If anyone needs a light or switch, give these guys a chance http://www.atcomp.com/. There a class act.
__________________
2005 Winnebago Journey 39F, 06 Nissan Altima toad, My beautiful Wife Wendy, Molly, Bradi and Bruschi, the canine trio.
Indyradar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2009, 05:09 AM   #2
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: North East Indiana
Posts: 762
Quote:
Originally Posted by Indyradar View Post
We have been RV'rs for about 2 years now. Up until now I have been disgusted with the RV service industry. Over charging, poor workmanship, horrible customer relations, and the "if you don't like it, go someplace else" attitude.

The only providers I can say I am impressed with is Flying J, Irv2.com and American Technology Components.

I had the dreaded " bad hot water heater light switch" I called American Technology, the maker of the switch and they replaced the 5 year old switch for FREE, no hassle, and said there sorry!!!! They went on to say they wanted to change it to an LED but that Winnebago won't let them.

If anyone needs a light or switch, give these guys a chance http://www.atcomp.com/. There a class act.

Great post. Giving those that stand behind their products a pat on the back is great and may just bring a few more into the camp. Your entire post rings very true.
Izzyblueye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2009, 08:56 AM   #3
Winnie-Wise
 
hamguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Mesa, AZ USA
Posts: 263
Quote:
Originally Posted by Indyradar View Post
Portions snipped.

I had the dreaded " bad hot water heater light switch" I called American Technology, the maker of the switch and they replaced the 5 year old switch for FREE, no hassle, and said there sorry!!!! They went on to say they wanted to change it to an LED but that Winnebago won't let them.

BS. Winnebago has NO SAY in how the company builds a product unless is is written into the purchase contract that the component cannot change. That would be unique.

__________________
Wretched excess is just barely enough.

2002 Itasca Suncruiser - WH Chassis - 35U - 2006 Jeep Liberty
hamguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2009, 09:27 AM   #4
Winnebago Camper
 
Dave and Jaime's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by hamguy View Post
BS. Winnebago has NO SAY in how the company builds a product unless is is written into the purchase contract that the component cannot change. That would be unique.

Certainly you can imagine something like the following:

American Technology: We would like to change the water heater light switch to a newer, better LED design. The LED switch costs $5 more.
Winnebago: No, we won't pay the extra $5, even if it is better.

This is in all likelihood not a contract issue, but an economic one in which choices are made. American Technology should have made a better product but if Winnebago knows there is a problem and there is a proposed solution, even a costlier one, it has to share some blame.
__________________
Jaime & Dave (and our 3 cocker spaniels)
2005 Alpine Coach 36FDTS w/ 2009 Honda CR-V, Doran TPMS, Roadmaster Towbar, US Gear Braking
Dave and Jaime is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2009, 10:42 AM   #5
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: North East Indiana
Posts: 762
Quote:
Originally Posted by hamguy View Post
BS. Winnebago has NO SAY in how the company builds a product unless is is written into the purchase contract that the component cannot change. That would be unique.

Sorry HAMGUY, you are incorrect in your statement. I spent a considerable part of my life in manufacturing management. We usually told suppliers what we wanted, and how much we would pay for it. .05 cheaper over many thousand of pieces adds to the bottom line. If the supplier did not want to make it, he was eliminated. Generally he would be back the next bid session. Parts are usually good and better categorically.
Izzyblueye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2009, 10:40 AM   #6
Winnie-Wise
 
hamguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Mesa, AZ USA
Posts: 263
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave and Jaime View Post
Certainly you can imagine something like the following:

American Technology: We would like to change the water heater light switch to a newer, better LED design. The LED switch costs $5 more.
Winnebago: No, we won't pay the extra $5, even if it is better.

This is in all likelihood not a contract issue, but an economic one in which choices are made. American Technology should have made a better product but if Winnebago knows there is a problem and there is a proposed solution, even a costlier one, it has to share some blame.
I suppose Winne would defer to paying more (I doubt that an LED lit switch is $5 more. More likely $1.00 more but it will have a lifetime 200 times longer. I would gladly pay a buck more for the reliability and customer satisfaction.

My experiences are based on 9 years as an ASQC quality engineer and a product manager in the semiconductor/aerospace business.
__________________
Wretched excess is just barely enough.

2002 Itasca Suncruiser - WH Chassis - 35U - 2006 Jeep Liberty
hamguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2009, 11:16 AM   #7
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 46
My experience is it depends on the particular manufacturer and the business line they are in. In an earlier life I worked for a semiconductor equipment mfr and they would gladly pay for a more reliable component.

Then I worked for 17 years for an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) mfr and they would not. I suspect that Winnebago is more at the UPS end of the spectrum than the semiconductor equipment and aerospace end.

Stewart
__________________
Stewart, Brenda and kids
2008 Newmar Canyon Star 3410, now at a new home
2006 Roadtrek Versatile 210
Luv2go is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2009, 03:19 PM   #8
Winnebago Master
 
cbeierl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Nashua, NH
Posts: 1,817
Just in case anybody else needs to replace that switch, here's an earlier post of mine which describes how to do it: 110 volt water heater switch
__________________
Chris Beierl

2005 Winnebago Vectra 36RD
cbeierl is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
GREAT parts service from Lichtsinn Motors SeeTheUSA General Maintenance and Repair 6 09-23-2008 01:13 PM
Great Service Experience at Winnebago in Forest City rv rick Winnebago General Discussions 14 09-20-2008 04:26 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:32 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.