In another forum topic, someone mentioned they made purchases from Adventure RV, which reminded me of the bad reputation that Adventure RV and its owner Leonard J Socinski have. They are located in Sevierville, TN, (a few miles from the old Foretravel owned showroom). I decided to repost as a separate topic.
We have purchased items from Adventure RV and received the wrong item, and a used item sold as new. They don't seem to have a warehouse location or anyplace to call. It took months and dozens of emails to get it resolved. After our purchase, I Googled and found more about their bad service and knew we were not alone and should not have bought anything from them. Some have been stuck with wrong major appliances.
Adventure RV, Phone: (865) 428-3694
20 ADVENTURE RV complaints and reviews @ Pissed Consumer (http://adventure-rv.pissedconsumer.com/)
Customer Reviews for Adventure RV Center in Sevierville, TN - Greater East... (http://www.bbb.org/knoxville/business-reviews/recreational-vehicles-equipment-parts-supplies/adventure-rv-center-in-sevierville-tn-90005515/customer-reviews?cacheit=y)
Quick Edit
Great site! I was looking at the damage from a fire at Mesa RV in Mesa, AZ last night and somehow that site came up as a sideline. I read every post and sure would never go within twenty miles of Mesa RV. Seems like they're all over the country, as well.
I would like to see more reports on businesses that are ripping us off, over charging, or inferior workmanship. I feel as great a bunch of members could change the way a business treats us. Which would benefit all of us. Not a flame but a honest posting of what took place. We are a very tight knit group with immense buying power. Used properly we could change the direction of or ruin a business that ripped us off.
Although its been a few years, I've bought several items from this company including a 10 gal water heater I had shipped to Arkansas during a trip and a Blue Ox Aventa tow bar and Tahoe base plate. Never a problem and fast shipping.
This company and the RV upgrade Store typically have the cheapest prices if they have it...
YMMV
Used improperly we could get into a whole lot of legal issues. As a group here we are a pretty sane (and smart) lot. This sort of suggestion on most forums would make me cringe.
You should know, however, that companies are starting to pursue legal action over reviews that they feel impact their business; even accurate - but negative - reviews. Their theory seems to be that they'll scare away negative reviewers if they can get enough publicity on taking revenge. That seems to have backfired in a couple of cases, though.
In general I like to know when a business seems to be more interested in bottom line than in good service. But I remember 4 ladies in a restaurant my wife operated who told us that the food was terrible and they wanted their money back. I looked at their plates and they had eaten every scrap of that "bad" food. I told them to get out and stay out. I'm sure they would have given us a bad review on Yelp.
Craig
Yup. Being that this forum is entirely volunteer-run, we won't tangle with legal issues.
I bought an Atwood Furnace from these guys about a year ago. I was lucky. The price was the best I could find, shipping was fast and I got the furnace I ordered. Sometimes you pay your money and you take your chances but always use a credit card so you can contest the charges if necessary. :)
see ya
ken
I ordered three new light fixtures from this outfit. One of the worst internet shopping experiences ever. They came today, all three damaged. Customer service is something on their web site, no people. Returns if damaged? Sure, but you have to pay the return shipping and a restocking fee.
Good thing I used PayPal. Buy elsewhere.
I remember having a conversation with this guy when he was selling SOB. I was shopping for and eventually purchased this SOB. He told me he was in trouble with the manufacturer for under pricing the company's list prices. It's been 15 years so I don't remember his exact words but he indicated he was going to continue this practice. He was the cheapest by far. I was living in NY and didn't want to drive to TN so I purchased locally.
I have no experience with Adventure RV, but I've had bad experiences when ordering other types of items from other companies. I use my favorite credit card when ordering, and if I have a problem then I provide the detailed explanation of the transaction to the credit card company. The problem always seems to quickly get resolved in my favor when the credit card company is involved. The credit card companies are definitely our friends when it comes to troublesome merchants!
We wanted to give an update or a heads up about Adventure RV.
We needed some parts for a repair of a coach so we were shopping around at some of our go to internet stores (eBay, Amazon) found what we needed and placed order with a company called RVtec. When the parts got here today we are pleased with the products, price, shipping speed, packaging.
Now the rest of the story, the packing slip was from Adventure RV in Sevierville, TN. We don't know if they have turned over a new leaf or what but it appears that these 2 companies are one in the same.
Pamela & Mike
When it works OK it can be OK. When it doesn't then the true colors show. Do they have good customer service? What kind of reputation do they have? Will the fix what was wrong? AdventureRV seems to be on the wrong side of this balance. RVUpgrades is on the other end. Great prices and customer service. The cheapest price is not always the objective.
Yup, I love that line: "A sucker for a short haircut".
We were just trying to inform members that have been bit to be aware if they come across this company.
They weren't the cheapest but were able to get us the parts so we could get another member fixed and going.
Sorry if you thought we had endorsed this company as we have not and would have went elsewhere if there had been any info as to the real identity.
Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike, Thank you very much for posting your findings and updating this thread. Barry & Cindy Glad you found what you needed.
I have to say I appreciate the info on the vendor. I hope that it is realized that when only positive experiences can be listed that causes problems as well. When we sought references for one of the vendors in Nac we were told to check this site. We did and found the positive comments. In the end it was dreadful work. Our friends who followed had the same result.
Truth, not flaming or personal attacks, is a perfect defense at law. It is not difficult to state facts and outcomes but only accentuating the positive is problematic. It has little to do with ones intelligence or maturity. But it does have everything to do with misplaced trust for the unaware.
I have ordered from them a few times and never had an issue.