By Cheri Sicard
Pierre and Laurel, the certified RV inspectors from the Blue Ox on the Run YouTube channel, present some shocking truths in the video below about unethical RV salesmen teaming up with equally unethical RV inspectors. If an RV dealer ever offers to bring in his own inspector that he recommends, beware, and watch the video below.
It started with an RV inspection on a Forest River FR3 30DS. Our hosts were wary, as the dealer had done everything they could to make the inspection as difficult as possible. It was only after the customer threatened to go elsewhere that the Blue Ox team was granted access to inspect the RV.
Even when they arrived to do the inspection the dealer tried to rush them through it. He also claimed that the rig in question was “perfect.”
Yeah, right.
To start with, the awning had damage, so “perfect” went right out the window. Pierre found several other problems, including the fact that the slide out room was out of alignment, the seal did not seal and there was a split in the fiberglass. Laurel found more problems.
In the end, it was enough for them to suggest the buyer take a hard pass on the rig.
Pierre then goes on to explain that as RV inspectors they always work for the client. Therefore, dealers often don’t like inspectors. But it is worse than that: Some dealers are teaming up with unethical inspectors!
Watch the video at the 7:00 minute mark as Pierre relates an experience he had at the recent Hershey RV Show in which a dealer was suggesting a relationship in which they could help each other to create a “win/win.”
This dealer said if Laurel and Pierre normally charge $1,200 for an inspection, the dealer would pay them $2000, with the dealer stipulating what could and could not go in their report.
Pierre and Laurel are too ethical to go along with this. But rest assured that the RV buyer would not come out as the winner in such scenarios. In the video, they outline the exact deal this unethical RV dealer proposed to them to help dupe customers into buying damaged RVs.
Let’s hope for the RV-buying public’s sake that the dealer did not find other less ethical RV inspectors to take him up on his scam. But know that in certain segments of the industry, this is the kind of predatory business practices that are going on.
Caveat emptor!
##RVDT2251
Thank you, Cheri! I have subscribed to their channel, probably because of this column. In any case, the video is a great warning about the potentially nefarious tricks RV salespeople may try pulling. We have not used an inspector on either of our RV purchases. I sometimes regret that (may again in the future), but so far, so good. I do wish that I had seen their inspection video of the 2022 Newmar New Aire 3545 before our manufacturer warranty expired because it is the same make, model, and floorplan as our current RV. Thank you again for highlighting this video and the “buyer beware” warning it contains. Safe travels!
Similar problem – I made the mistake of using a home inspector recommended by my realtor. A year later when selling the house my own inspector found that the 2nd floor deck had serious damage from carpenter ants that had obviously been there when I purchased the home.
American products are not what your grandfather built anymore. Greed is the problem now…push it out the door at any cost. I see this in new vehicles with their unrelenting recalls. Don’t even get started on RV manufacturers which have no shame anymore. It is up to the individual to carefully inspect an RV before they buy it. As the saying goes…pay me now or pay me later.
My career spanned both administrative law and financial services. Way back in my undergrad commercial law class I was taught the #1 rule. Advice professionals of any stripe represent whoever is paying the bill. Always ask how a professional is being compensated. Yes some will try to hide the truth. But most will be at least just honest enough (for fear of lawsuit) to help you avoid their conflict of interest.
Call me cynical but after watching Pierre and Laurel a couple times on YouTube, they strike me as just another pair of “influencers”.
Of course they’re going to promote themselves as knowledgeable and trustworthy in a world full of unscrupulous sellers and ignorant buyers.
It’s almost offensive how condescending they are to everyone, including the buyer but who done at least one right thing by handing them money. I can see why dealers and folks shun them.
If you honestly think a coach is so bad that you’re willing to part with $1,200 to prove yourself right, don’t buy it. You’ll save money and not have to worry if everything was caught…..
Good points, Vince. And, just how WOULD you find an inspector you can trust? Recommendation from a dealer? Probably not.
That’s a great question Tommy. If I was on the bubble and unsure of my own thoroughness, I think I’d trust an owner who’s been down the road of RV ownership.
Dealer technicians see a lot of repairs but if their inspection skills were decent, there’d be fewer “right off the lot failures” that we all experience. Not throwing shade on the guys, it’s a tough job but historically, inspections aren’t their strongest trait.
Folks that inspect for a living get paid whether they catch everything or not. Of course, to get invited back by the dealer, they need more of a relationship with the dealer than the customer that buys fewer units than the dealer sells….
Your thoughts?
It is a shame but newbies are the perfect solution to an industry needing to unload a bunch of their junk inventory. I can’t imagine why one would not expect all manner of deception. Pay for your own inspector. If the dealer balks, run don’t walk.
If the dealer is recommending the inspector, are they going to be truly honest? Inspector is working with the dealer, if not, they’ll get someone else.
Buyer beware. Look under the bling. Lipstick on a pig doesn’t make it better.