Blue Compass RV Repair shop

Jim Kay

New Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2019
Messages
5
I just had my roof and floor replaced on my 2015 Grand Design Solitude 379 FL tan fifth wheel. The work was done at the above shop in Seguin TX. This national co just recently purchased Explorer USA in Seguin which had been recommended to me.

I originally brought the RV to fix a shower leak. The connection between the shower and the gray tank came loose and water had been leaking into my under belly.

First thing I know my roof and floor are a bad and will need replacement and Blue Compass feel that my insurance will cover it. I have RVed in the past , but this is my first fifth wheel and I let Blue Compass work with my insurance company.

As you can imagine the negotiations went on for a while. Out the blue the claim gets approved and the repairs began. I told the service rep that I wanted to inspect the work as it progressed, and he said pictures would be provided to document the work. Well I got hit with a bad bug for five days and I’m told the work is done. Mind you the estimate called for 165 hrs of work to be completed within 45 days. The work was all done in under 3-3.5 days.

As I was sick I was unable to view the work and I had no idea it would be completed that quick. So I ask the Service Writer where are the pictures to document that we work was done and done to industry standards? He says he has them. No pictures have been provided yet and it doesn’t look like none are coming.

The repair bill was $30K. The floor work is of course all hidden in the. Underbelly - no way to check and the roof was done so quick I have doubts about it. As they failed to provide me with any documentation to prove their work, I advised them that I would be hiring an independent inspector to check their work. As I have limited knowledge in this area and no documentation was provided on the work. I will get the insurance check and will of course sign it over once the work has been reviewed by a knowledgeable inspector.

Well all hell broke out when I told them I wanted their work inspected. They sent me this text:

Repair shop. I requested pictures of the repair work as most of it is hidden. I just am want an independent inspector to check out there , at my expense, work before I sign over the insurance check of $29K. They service tech said pics would be provided. None have shown up. This is there response to an independent inspector: Blue Compass RV - Policy for 3rd Party Inspector's:

? All 3rd Party Inspectors must be Licensed and Insured. A copy of their License and Insurance must be obtained and a copy must be put in the customer's file.

? The 3rd Party Inspector must be accompanied by a Blue Compass employee during the whole duration of the Inspection.

? BLUE COMPASS RV - SEGUIN HOURLY RATE IS $189. WE WILL CHARGE FOR THE DURATION OF INPSECTION.

? The 3rd Party Inspector MUST use their own equipment. They are not allowed to use our tools, ladders, scaffolds, etc.

? The 3rd Party Inspector and/or Customer will be responsible for any damage they may cause to the RV. If the Inspector were to damage the RV in any way, either the Inspector or Customer will be responsible for covering any damage. Also, the customer will not be let out of a contract due to any damage caused by the inspector.

? The 3rd Party Inspector will NOT be allowed to take part in the Final Walk Through with the customer and tech.

? The customer will be responsible for hiring, scheduling and paying for the inspection. The customer must also be aware that we do not use the inspectors report. The report is solely for the customer.

If you have any questions, suggestions or concerns, please let me know.

Thanks
Gabriel Calderon
General Manager Blue Compass RV - Seguin
PER
Chris Glenn
Vice President Blue Compass RV

This doesn’t sound right, equitable or fair to me. Has anyone seen these requirements issued by an RV dealer shop? Imagine paying them $200/hr to watch my inspector. I understand their concerns but this is just out of line. And not being able to bring my inspector on the final walk through - sounds very unreasonable to me and will not build customer confidence or trust.

I have offered to take photos and videos myself of the flooring and roof repairs so I have some record of their work. They only offered a 100 day warranty, if I had know that I would have taken my work elsewhere. I have not heard anything back from them yet. On this point.

I just can’t see signing over a $30K check to them without some visual inspection of the work. And they promised me pictures of the work.

To be honest I don’t know what to do. I live in the unit full time in New Braunfels. Kinda homeless right now. Any comments or suggestions with be appreciated.

Jim Kay
 
Not sure why an inspector of your choice cannot stand in your stead for the walkthru as long as you accept the outcome of the walkthru results between the shop and your advocate. Thats seems odd to me.

Goods and services should always be examined prior to payment - unless you previously agreed to not do so or allowed your insurance to manage it on your behalf.

I would contact your Insurance carrier and see what they say. Maybe their own inspector has looked at it and verified the work, especially since they are providing payment for it.

Is there any guarantee on their work? If so, how long and whats covered? I believe some insurance compamies require warranties on any work done by authorized repair shops sponsored by the carrier.

Good luck.
 
Have you considered informing your insurance company of the situation, given all the data you have? I would think they would be very interested in what might be insurance fraud. I am not attorney, and so I say “might”, but they sure would find it interesting that 165 hours were authorized but done in 3 days, which is at most 72 hours… That is less than half yet the price was the original amount. I think your insurance company would find plenty of interest in this and fight your fight for you :). Just a thought
 
All of those conditions sound legit to me except the walk-thru condition. Unless they have a written policy somewhere stating walk-thru participants can only be immediate family or approved by the dealership, I see no way they can prevent the inspector being part of your party in the walk-thru. I can understand having their employee with the inspector to make sure the inspector doesn't cause any damage, which is going to cost you money.
 
I’m considering giving a financial POA to a qualified inspector to manage the RV for me. It would be limited to this situation. As the inspector holds my POA the dealership would have to work with him - as he is me. Refusal to work with someone having a valid POA could be a breach of contract.

Any thoughts - if any legal minds are out there?
 
Thanks for the thoughts about my insurance co. I have been with State Farm for over 40 years. They have left me out to dry concerning the inspection of the work. I must say they have been good to me until this situation.
 
Thanks for the thoughts about my insurance co. I have been with State Farm for over 40 years. They have left me out to dry concerning the inspection of the work. I must say they have been good to me until this situation.

Until about 7 years ago we had also been with SF for over 30 years for all insurance (homes, autos, boats, and life). Then, just like you, we ran into a snag on a claim. That made us go out and look for other insurance. We had accident free on all of our cars and had only a couple of claims throughout those years w/SF. But once they decided to go cheap on us after a seemingly small claim, thats when we started looking around.

We came across USAA which gave us all the same benies plus and was about $2k less per year on premiums! That became the deciding factor due to how much we had been paying SF and their petty reluctance towards a small claim.

IMO with SF, hungry new agents usually treat you better than those that have been around for awhile... where as USAA your not assigned a specific agent who may over time become more complacent once they have their base built. But, I'm sure USAA will be just as critical of high number of claims by a customer as any other company in premium cost.
 
I’m considering giving a financial POA to a qualified inspector to manage the RV for me. It would be limited to this situation. As the inspector holds my POA the dealership would have to work with him - as he is me. Refusal to work with someone having a valid POA could be a breach of contract.

Any thoughts - if any legal minds are out there?
That's a damn good idea, Jim - McCoy

Actually, yes, in this instance it would be a great idea. The only caveat is you just have to trust the inspector.
 
Mind you the estimate called for 165 hrs of work to be completed within 45 days. The work was all done in under 3-3.5 days.

Could they have put 5 guys working 10 hour days on the trailer? That would account for the hours, but it does not seem likely. Do RV repair shops bill like car repair shops where X job takes Y hours in some book, so how long the repair actually takes doesn't really matter?
Anyway, hope this all works out.
 
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Thanks for the "review"! I drive by this shop and wonder about them...and now I know that they are just one more den of amateurs focused on getting all they can get from any customer. Their rate is ludicrous at $189. I have been using Explore USA in Rockport, Texas, but still make them give me a written estimate and have dealt with my insurance company directly. Most of these RV dealers are just amateurs trying to charge in excess of automotive rates while they are only using off-the-street technicians.
 

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