Just a note to all fellow RVers looking to purchase a generator - while Westinghouse may have some very nice generator options on the market, be warned that their customer service and support is the worst I have experienced, EVER!
Back in May, I purchased their iGen4500c digital inverter generator for our travels, on sale at Lowe's. Given the difficult nature of changing the oil on this unit, I installed a "Drainzit" hose (HON1010) to make the process of changing the oil easier. While trying to remove the side panel of the generator to install the hose, it became apparent that one of the machine bolts was cross-threaded and impossible to remove. No matter what I tried, I was unable to reach the problem bolt. Unfortunately, at the time of the Drainzit hose installation, I was past of the point of being able to return the generator to Lowe's but well within the generator's warrantee. After checking the Westinghouse website, I discovered that an authorized repair shop was very close to our home so I took the generator there to resolve the issue before a trip we were about to take. Upon arrival at the small engine repair shop, however, they quickly informed me that they no longer do any warrantee work on Westinghouse equipment due to the fact that they were unable to get paid by Westinghouse for any warrantee work they performed despite the Westinghouse website still listing them as an "authorized repair facility."
Since we were leaving for our next trip in 2 weeks and we needed the generator, I paid for the repair - $121.66 - and figured I would follow-up with Westinghouse. The shop was able to remove the cross-threaded bolt and "plastic welded" the section of the side panel that held the housing for the nut that the bolt was cross-threaded into. After our trip, I contacted Westinghouse about getting reimbursed for the repair and after numerous e-mails, Westinghouse finally approved my reimbursement and said a check would be issued in 10 business days - that was 4 months ago!
I have lost count on how many times I have called and emailed Westinghouse to inquire about my reimbursement over the past 4 months- I even mailed a letter to Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment Customer Service - no response of any kind. When you call their support number, you always get their answering service who basically takes a message and forwards it on to Westinghouse, or so they say. While I am very happy with the generator, I am equally unhappy with the total lack of customer service of the company behind it. Buyer beware!
Back in May, I purchased their iGen4500c digital inverter generator for our travels, on sale at Lowe's. Given the difficult nature of changing the oil on this unit, I installed a "Drainzit" hose (HON1010) to make the process of changing the oil easier. While trying to remove the side panel of the generator to install the hose, it became apparent that one of the machine bolts was cross-threaded and impossible to remove. No matter what I tried, I was unable to reach the problem bolt. Unfortunately, at the time of the Drainzit hose installation, I was past of the point of being able to return the generator to Lowe's but well within the generator's warrantee. After checking the Westinghouse website, I discovered that an authorized repair shop was very close to our home so I took the generator there to resolve the issue before a trip we were about to take. Upon arrival at the small engine repair shop, however, they quickly informed me that they no longer do any warrantee work on Westinghouse equipment due to the fact that they were unable to get paid by Westinghouse for any warrantee work they performed despite the Westinghouse website still listing them as an "authorized repair facility."
Since we were leaving for our next trip in 2 weeks and we needed the generator, I paid for the repair - $121.66 - and figured I would follow-up with Westinghouse. The shop was able to remove the cross-threaded bolt and "plastic welded" the section of the side panel that held the housing for the nut that the bolt was cross-threaded into. After our trip, I contacted Westinghouse about getting reimbursed for the repair and after numerous e-mails, Westinghouse finally approved my reimbursement and said a check would be issued in 10 business days - that was 4 months ago!
I have lost count on how many times I have called and emailed Westinghouse to inquire about my reimbursement over the past 4 months- I even mailed a letter to Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment Customer Service - no response of any kind. When you call their support number, you always get their answering service who basically takes a message and forwards it on to Westinghouse, or so they say. While I am very happy with the generator, I am equally unhappy with the total lack of customer service of the company behind it. Buyer beware!
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