From: cubbycrane <cubbycrane@centurytel.net>

To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net

Subject: Poulsbo RV Experience

Date: Nov 5, 2007 12:22 PM

My wife and I purchased a 28' Wildcat Poulsbo Special Edition pull behind from the Ridgefeild dealership. This has been the worst purchase of our lives and we wish we could give it back and walk away as fast as we can. We had to pay them $500 for the post delivery inspection (PDI) which I think is a ripoff. Why should we pay them to make sure everything is working correctly from the factory, should be Wildcat paying them. After our first trip with the new trailer we found 17 different things either broken or not working correctly on a brand new trailer. Many of these things should have been found on the great $500 PDI that Poulsbo's great service department performed on the trailer, the toilet leaked, handle on screen door broken, water did not come out of showerhead, awning got stuck when opening, storage door did not lock, tv antenna was stuck. These were the things that all the guy had to do was try them out during the PDI, which I paid them to do, and he could have fixed them before I picked it up. When I took the trailer back to them and complained about the PDI they did refund half my money, in store credit of course.

The major problem now is not Poulsbo's fault that it happened it is how they are handling it. The factory put a screw on each side of the slideout in too far and they snagged our carpet and ripped it on both sides. Poulsbo fixed the screws, I think, and ordered the new carpet. This was ordered on July 30 2007, it is now Nov. 4 2007 and I just called them on it and they said they will call me back. I don't think that they know that they actually need to call me back when they say that. Rusty has told me that this has been a never ending problem for their service department, not calling customers back. I called them an hour ago and I am still waiting for the guy to find my carpet and call me back.   This has been the worst purchase of my life, and I feel that I have been completly ripped off. We spent $30,000 at Poulsbo and got worse customer service then I get from a 15 year old at a fast food resturant.  

Kevin Crane cubbycrane@centurytel.net

From: Bobby Rieke <mscrieke@msn.com>

To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net

Subject: thanks for the warning

Date: Oct 1, 2007 9:23 PM

Thanks for the heads up.  we were planning to go there this weekend to look for an rv.  Changed our minds. Bob

From: James Ankney <jimmypwadd@hotmail.com>

To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net

Subject: Another Bad Experience

Date: Sep 27, 2007 12:24 PM

Another example of a bad experience with Poulsbo. We looked long and hard and finally decided on a trailer at Poulsbo RV in Kent. They were rather unfriendly on the phone and I was a little apprehensive about doing business with them. I called back angry and asked to talk to the Sales Manager. I told him we were 4-1/2 hours away so the drive had to be worth my while. He was friendly at first but once we started talking numbers that all changed. However, the price was right even if they wouldn't budge a little, sell us a set of jacks at their cost or even throw in a spare tire for the trip home. (You’d think that a customer driving 300 miles to spend almost $15,000 would get some incentive)

Anyhow we drove over and got hung up in traffic. As we got close I called and told them what had happened and we were only minutes away. We were already financed and had the check in hand. It was 4:00 on Friday and they said that they could not release the R.V. that day as they would not have and the time to fill out all the paperwork and do the walk thru. I was immediately mad and said "WHAT?" They said it would take an hour to do the walk thru. I said I would waive the walk thru and they said they couldn't do that. I drove to their location and we had our words. Needless to say I was mad and they could tell. I finally got them to waive the walk thru and we completed the paper work within a half hour. I inspected the trailer for defects and signed off on the inspection form and was ready to roll. When I backed up to the trailer they said, "well your not pulling that trailer off the lot with that hitch." Again I said "WHAT?!" - The lot guy said, "It is our policy that you must have a stabilizer hitch." - B.S.!!!! They wanted me to pay another $350 for this hitch. I almost called it off right there. But no, I drove all this way, did all the paper work, yada, yada. This time I was fuming. They must have known because they all left for the service dept. office. I talked it over with my wife a bit then went in to say my piece.  I met the lot guy outside the door and told him we were about ready to take our money back and turn around and go home. Then I asked if they would sell me the hitch at their cost after all the other B.S. that they had pulled. He said he would go in and talk to the sales manager and service manager. He went in and must not have thought I was behind him because when he spoke to the manager he said, " You know that jerk that bought the Dutchman?" To which the service manager (who was nice enough) said, "You mean the gentleman behind you?"

So I got the stabilizer hitch for $230 and I left with a BAD taste in my mouth. I drove the 300 miles home and we packed for our first camping trip the next day. To my amazement I saw little "puckers" sticking up on from the floor to which I assumed it was bolts that holds the floor to the frame. I called Poulsbo R.V. and talked to the two friendliest people I had dealt with which was the woman that filled out all the sales forms and she was rather rude and said that it was not their issue and to follow the appropriate channels and disconnected the call. So I called back and spoke with the service manager who was also friendly the day before. He told me to contact Dutchman and that they would probably have to pull up all the linoleum and repair the floor. I told them I wanted I different camper. He said that was something I would have to take up with the sales manager or Dutchman.

After more B.S. at Poulsbo I called Dutchman and we came to a compromise. I took it to a local repair facility and they were able to tighten the screws from underneath and bolt them to the frame to prevent reoccurrence.

HOSPITALITY ENDS AFTER (EVEN BEFORE) THE SALE!!!

NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH POULSBO R.V.!!

From: stenning@telus.net

To: dellingson@earthlink.net

Subject: poulsbo rv and bounder

Date: Sep 27, 2007 10:29 PM

Hello Dick,
Thank you for your site regarding POULSBO RV and bounder. We have been looking
at the Bounder in Alberta but have also heard negative things about Fleetwood. 
Was also searching the net for dealers in the US when I came upon Poulsbo RV
site, got all excited and then saw your site.  Thank you!
 
We have also been looking at a Tiffin product, the Phaeton. Do you have any
information from all the emails you receive regarding an internet site for
positive comments for buying specific brands and manufactures of motorhomes?

We empathize with your problem.
Thank you,
Shelley Stenning,
Calgary,Alberta 

From: Gary and Teresa <gary0007@hotmail.com>

To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net

Subject: Re: Another Horrific Poulsbo RV Experience

Date: Sep 24, 2007 11:31 PM

Hi,

I'm sending the ending of what has happened since you graciously posted my 
sister's plight on your website.  Steve Perry, the vice president of 
operations for Poulsbo RV, did contact her when he read what was on your 
site.  He was a kind person and offered a full refund of her money and took 
the trailer back!  Thank God!  She's out her bloody knuckles and back, but 
that's all :).  Would you mind posting this end of the story?

Thanks again!
Teresa Christison

From: Gary and Teresa <gary0007@hotmail.com>

To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net

Subject: RE: Another Horrific Poulsbo RV Experience

Date: Sep 11, 2007 12:11 PM

Hi,

First I want to say, thank you and God SO much for your web site.  Poulsbo 
RV's VP of Operations, Steve Perry, read and responded to my letter posted 
on your site within 12 hours.  He was very polite, and within 24 hours, he 
offered my sister and brother-inlaw their money back!  It was totally 
unexpected, since they had already talked to the lot manager, and he said 
the best they could do was repair it at cost.

What has been a month long nightmare, is to come to an end on Friday, when 
they are suppose to drop it off.  Until then, they are on the hunt for a 
different one in a big hurry, with some hard lessons under their belt.

I'll drop you a line when they get their money back :).

Fingers crossed,
Teresa

From: 	Gary and Teresa <gary0007@hotmail.com> 	 	

To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net 	

Subject: RE: Sister & Brother-in-Law's trailer 	

Date: Sep 7, 2007 2:00 AM

Hello,

I would like to know if this is still Dick Ellingson's e-mail 
address.  I find it strange that Poulsbo RV would know of a personal e-mail 
I sent to the Ellingson's before they posted on the internet (I did not see 
it).  If you are intercepting e-mails, it's very shady business indeed!  If 
this is the Ellingson's, then I wanted to update them on my sister's trailer
situation, by sending them a copy of an e-mail sent to me because of the 
e-mail I sent to them, and the reply I sent.  I will let you know if any 
justice comes from it or not.  If justice is done, please post that as well.

Thank you,
Teresa Christison

Dear Steve Perry,

I will give you the ENTIRE story of my sister's experience, so you will not 
need to use up her cell-phone minutes as much when you contact her (as I 
hope you will in the most kindest way after what she has gone through), and 
so she and I will have a complete record incase she needs to take action 
with this mess.  I was very involved in her purchase, since I had done the 
research for them on the internet for this trailer, and looked up the blue 
book value on it, and spoke with them several times while they debated on 
its purchase.  I assume you read my note to the website last night, so you 
know my regrets of not having looked into your company's history.  In 
everyway, your company treated them in a horrible, if not criminal way.  My 
sister and brother-in-laws names are Debbie and Terry Dodge.  They purchased 
their trailer, a 28' Fleetwood Mallard on March 15, 2007, from Poulsbo RV in
Everett on Highway 99.  The serial number is #1EF1X282822478043.  The date 
of manufacture is 4/26/02.  In the end they paid $9318.76 (which was done 
through bait and switch, as I'll explain later).

My sister sold her mobile home in June in order to build a house this fall.  
She went to your lot with her husband in April and intended to purchase an 
older $3000 trailer for her family of 4 (2 little girls, 6 and 8) to live in 
through the winter.  They had given away their older trailer that had 
extensive dry rot and wanted something sound.  The salesman they ended up 
with, Patrick Keppel, was skanky and behaved like the stereotypical used car 
salesman (they were willing to put up with it for a good deal).  He insisted 
that the older trailers were not for them and insisted that this one that 
cost much more was the one for them, because it was only 5 years old and 
wouldn't have any problems like the older ones had.  When my brother-in-law 
noticed a springy spot in the floor next to the bed, he asked if it had ever 
leaked or had dry rot problems, because their #1 requirement in a trailer 
was that it could NOT have dry rot.  Patrick replied, "Absolutely no rot.  
It's only 5 years old.  This has marine grade tongue and groove plywood.  It
can't rot!" (There was NO WAY Terry and Debbie, both college educated, 
building their own home, and experienced home and trailer repair people 
misunderstood him - HE BOLD FACE LIED TO THEM).  Having their fears of dry 
rot and leaks alleviated, they dickered on the price.  He offered it to them 
at about $7670.  He said their payments on the trailer would amount to $100 
a month, and that they could easily resell it in a year and not loose much 
of its value.  They went in to sign the papers.  However, when they sat 
down, they noticed the price was $800 more (bait and switch). They were 
told, "Oh, there's no way we can give it to you for that price, this is
the 
best we can do."  My sister pointed out that it was above the blue book 
value for the trailer.  They insisted this was the best they could do.  The 
sales people were rude, pushy and hurried, "Make your decision, we don't
have all day."  Tired, they took it.  Their payments ended up being $150 a 
month (much more than what he said).  There was no key for the door lock, 
but the salesmen told them that it had originally came from the Mt. Vernon 
store in WA, and that the keys for Fleetwoods were generic (only so many 
made) and the Mt. Vernon store could give them a copy to the lock.  They 
stopped by at the Mt. Vernon store and were told, "We've had never had 
a 
Fleetwood in our lot", that the locks were not generic, and that they would
have to buy a new door assembly (which they did).

The Everett Store said not to take the trailer the day they bought it, 
because they would detail the trailer and wash it.  Debbie drove down to 
pick it up a couple days later, and they had done nothing to it ("we didn't
have time").  She called a couple days later, and was told, "The guy who
does things like that is out of town".  After calling 4 times, a week later
she drove down again.  They told her that she hadn't called that exact day, 
so it wasn't done (she lives on the Canadian Border in Custer, WA - an hour 
drive one way).  They were rude, hurried, and wanted her to get out of there 
the whole time.  At no time did she loose her cool.  They told her they had 
done a propane tank check on it (it was checked off).  However, there was 
not propane in the tanks to do a check with.  They had done nothing to it.

She hooked it up and brought it home.  For May and June, during which we had 
great weather, they didn't live in it.  They sold their mobile in July and 
moved in with their 2 little girls and began building their house.  They 
noticed that the soft spot in the bedroom was getting larger.  They were 
concerned with fall coming that there might be a problem (they need to keep 
their daughters safe from falling through a possible hole in the floor).  So 
they took their sawzall and cut a hole in the floor.

Dear Sir, this is when the nightmare and hell truly began.  The entire floor 
of the front half of the trailer was dry rotted to the point of powder.  
There was very little to nothing holding up the floors.  The damage was so 
extensive that she believed the trailer would be totaled.   After examining 
the trailer further, they found that evidence that the roof had been 
repaired before (big globs of caulking).  Everything they had been told 
about the trailer's condition was a LIE.  She feels (she's done many floor
repairs on different trailers and houses they've owned and remodeled) that 
this trailer has been leaking from the day it was made to have such 
extensive damage.  The floor joists, supports under the walls, floor 
sheeting (NONE OF IT WAS MARINE GRADE PLYWOOD) were all completely rotted.

She called your Everett Store and spoke with Dennis Stone.  He told them 
that his salesman would have never said it was tongue and groove marine 
grade plywood, because none of them have that.  She asked him what he could 
do for her, after spending over $9000 on an over blue book priced, 5 year 
old trailer that she had owned for 3 months, and used only 1 month.  He said 
they could repair it for her at cost.  She called a reputable RV repair 
place up by them (she could give you the name of it), and they said it would 
cost between $4-6000 to repair that much damage.  They don't have any money!
  They don't have any place to live!  They are building a house!  They had 
already spent $6000 more than they had planned on a trailer, with the intent 
of selling it after they finished building their house by next summer, in 
order to recoup at least that sum of money for their home.  She couldn't 
afford to have your company fix it.

She looked into the paperwork that had been given to her with the trailer, 
and found that it originally was purchased from Poulsbo RV 5 years ago.  
Unfortunately the name of the previous owner was not on the paperwork.  She 
would like to get a hold of the service record for this trailer, because she 
believes it's been leaking from the time it was sold by you originally (yes,
that much damage), was most likely an attempted repair was made under 
warranty, unsuccessfully, and that the owners most likely were so unhappy 
with it that they returned it to you.  This is speculation, but very good 
speculation considering the previous repair work that had been done to it 
(to the roof, windows, and storage areas), apparently unknown by your 
willfully ignorant salesperson, Patrick.

For the past week, my sister and brother-in-law have sent their children 
away so they could remove the dry rot from the front 1/2 of the trailer, 
while they were still living in it.  They removed the bed, storage, stairs, 
and all things attached to the floor upfront.  They had to jack up the walls 
while they removed all the rotted floor joists, wafer board, and supports 
under the walls (they were all rotted to the point of powder!).  The 
insulation was rotted, the vapor barrier was moldy, and they were standing 
on the ground, inside their trailer, by the time all the damage was removed. 
  It took 2-3 people working everyday for a week, working from 8AM in the 
morning until 1AM at night, every night, to repair the damage (my 
brother-in-law used his vacation time to do this).  My sister has cuts and 
bruises all over her body from cutting out the 100s of staples and screws 
that this monster was put together with.  They said the $4000 to repair it 
would have been worth it, if they could have afforded it.  It was major 
labor, and was HELL.  Luckily, they have the skills to do it, but it's time 
and energy taken away from building their own home, on a time frame before 
winter hits with their 2 little girls.

Her costs, as far as materials, have been minor to the suffering (living in 
the cold and elements for the past week at night with no floor in 1/2 their 
trailer and with out their children the last week of summer vacation) and 
labor.  They have spent:
$50 on Sikaflex Calking
$19 on Vapor Barrier
$25 on Insulation
$55 on Plywood
$12 on 8 - 2'x3'
They will be purchasing flooring (most likely laminate for the bedroom area) 
for 1/2 the trailer very soon and installing it.
In addition to this is all the wear and tear on their tools and saws that 
they need for the building of their home.

They are still making $150 payments on something not worth nearly that (a 
week ago, not a soul would have touched it - it was garbage).  They will not 
be able to sell it to recoup their $6000 for their house (they're honest 
people, they will disclose the repairs to the people they sell it to).

They still haven't found where the water was coming from.  The vapor barrier
was filled with water.  They are concerned that it may be a fresh water 
plumbing leak (it doesn't stink like gray or black water).  They are unable 
to inspect the plumbing, because the huge black and gray water tanks are in 
the way.  For the same reason, they were unable to inspect the floor and 
joists in the back end of the trailer (the tanks).  There are no soft spots 
on the floor, yet.  They've recalked the roof joints, windows, outside front
corners, door, storage doors, and around the awning holders.  Most of these 
things had been recently done before they bought it, which also makes them 
suspect someone knew of this problem.

Again, they would like to see the service history of this trailer through 
your company, and feel it has been leaking for years to do this amount of 
damage.

My parents are full-time RVers (they live in a new 38 foot Cardinal), and 
they said among their retired peers, your company has a reputation.  That's 
why I went online yesterday to see what your reputation was.  I kick myself 
for not speaking to them prior to this and looking online sooner.

My sister's family has no place else to live until their home is built next 
spring.  If you have it in your power to do them justice, and make right 
where your company has wronged them, then my family will share with all how 
you made things right and are a good company after all.  If you don't, then 
we will tell the truth as it stands to our many friends who may be 
interested in RVs and help her in anyway we can.

Sincerely,
Teresa Christison

Debra and Terry Dodge
(address deleted)
Custer, WA 98240-9200

P.S. Their home phone was disconnected when their mobile was sold, so their 
CELL phone number is 360-xxx-xxxx.  Their minutes are not used if you call 
after 9pm.  They live at the same address in the trailer.


>From: "Steve Perry" <Steve.Perry@poulsborv.com>
>To: <gary0007@hotmail.com>
>Subject: Sister & Brother-in-Law's trailer
>Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2007 15:51:40 -0700
>MIME-Version: 1.0
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>Sep 2007 15:51:42 -0700
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>FILETIME=[7E692290:01C7F0D8]
>
>Dear Mrs. Christison:
>
>
>
>Please provide me with your sister's last name and the Poulsbo RV
>location her trailer is being repaired at so I can review their purchase
>and subsequent experiences.
>
>
>
>Sincerely,
>
>
>
>Steve Perry
>
>Vice President Operations
>
>Poulsbo RV

Hi,

I don't know if you're still posting, but I helped my sister and brother-inlaw
purchase a 28' trailer from them a couple months ago.  The trailer is 5 
years old.  Noticing a small soft spot on the floor, they were told it had 
marine grade tongue and groove plywood, therefore it could have NO dryrot 
problems, nor had it ever had any water issues, like some older and less 
expensive trailers they were looking at.  They spent more than $5000 more 
for the newer trailer, to live in while they build their house this winter.  
The soft spot grew, and they opened up the floor last week.  The entire 
floor, stringers, and supports were rotted out.  Water is leaking from 
somewhere, because the vapor barrier was full.  For the amount of damage 
there was, it must have been leaking since it was built.  On further 
examination, it had roof repair done previously.  It was origionally 
purchased from Poulsbo RV, and they figure the previous owner had it 
repaired under warranty, and then traded it in when it started falling 
apart.  $3000 worth of damage on a 5 year old trailer purchased 2 months 
ago, with bold faced lies told to their face.  It's September 2007, and my 
sister's family and 2 little girls are living in a tent while they try and 
repair a lemon trailer.  Oh, and the storage doors were installed tilted in, 
so water could enter, awning support holders were ORIGINALLY installed 
upside down and allowed water to enter, the caulking on their shoddy repair 
was done wrong and allowed water to enter, and no recourse for any action 
against such crooks.  I wish I would have found your site, and will look out 
for similar ones from now on when I make or help to make such a huge 
purchase.

Miserable,
Teresa Christison
Stanwood, WA 98292

From: pettygrove <ppettygrove@comcast.net>

To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net

Subject: RV tailgate

It is hard to believe these people are still in business. I was looking at 
purchasing an RV gate for a Dodge 2004 but after reading this I will be going 
to Clear Creek RV.

Thanks,

Paige Pettygrove

From: T <tazmandevil@shaw.ca>

To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net

Subject: Poulsbo july 26 2007

Date: Jul 28, 2007 6:46 PM

Very well done on your web to bring attention to the poor service from Poulsbo. This week we went to visit there "on the road show" in a mall outside Marysville WA. We are on the market for a lite trailer and there were some deals there. However. I beleive everything you post and write. Your fight is real and I wish I had the time to do what you have done when we have had such poor service from other corporate bottom feeders. Thanks for the info....We will be asking all the right questions and reading all the find print as we continue to shop for our unit. And by that I mean....While we shop everywhere but Poulsbo!  

PS...We are big on the road campers and full season site holders on Whatcom lake.        This web site and story will make good talk around the fire.  

Cheers John Wright   604 988 6617

From: Sue and Don Corliss sudocor@wavecable.com

To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net

Subj: your info

June 15, 2007 4:39 P.M.

Thanks for putting out the  information on Poulsbo RV.  We are sure glad we ran across this as we were there this past week-end and planning on going back to purchase RV. Thanks again, we will go the other direction!

Don and Sue

From "Lawson, JoAnn (Kearney, MO)" jlawson@fairpoint.com

Wow! I was looking for the web site for the Bounder factory to see if I could get a name and number for our floor covering and happened upon your web site.

We have a 36ft.  ’99 Bounder. I cannot imagine how much anxiety you have been through over this purchase. I just wanted to tell you how much I admire what you are doing. All too often we have a problem and may share our concerns with a few friends or family but never take the time to make unethical people pay for their sins.

I really think this is great because I feel it will accomplish three things.

1) It will make people aware of a very unscrupulous dealer.

2) It will make anyone buying a motorhome not take any dealer at face value. They need to do their homework.

3)Lastly it may make other dealers who think they can take advantage of people realize that they may just encounter someone like you who will not take bad treatment without a fight.

So hope you have a wonderful summer and I am sure you have cost Poulsbo much more than they made on your sale.

JoAnn Lawson

JJJ Ranch

Excelsior Springs, Mo.

Tim Sanders Timothy.Sanders-02@mcchord.af.mil

Subject: good RV dealers

Date: June2, 2007 11:45 AM

To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net

Dick/Lois,

            Great website.  It is a shame that, as hard working Americans, we get hosed by others who just want to make a quick buck.  My wife and I are researching the purchase of a new TT within the next year.  Of course Poulsbo was on our list of places to go. They are a huge dealership with a huge selection, which leads one to believe that they are reputable.  I guess not.  Can you point me in the direction of a good brand of TT and a reputable business that sales them? 

Thanks in advance. 

Tim/Lori Sanders (future RVers)

teddybear98043@hotmail.com

Subject: Poulsbo RV

Date: June 1, 2007 5:28 PM

To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net

In 1997 we purchased an older motorhome from Poulsbo RV what we didn’t know is that there was a very soft spot from a leak right in the entry to the hall they had simply put a rug over it to hide the damage to the carpet.  They had also told us that we had 1 week to try it and see if we wanted to buy it. Then when we got back and told them about the problems with it, they adamantly denied any such deal.  I am the son of the purchasers and I sat away from my parents at one of the tables while my parents talked to them.  I overheard 3 of the salesmen talking about how it was the third time that month that particular rvhad been sold and returned defective.   Then after we complained about the problems with the first one, they agreed to sell us another with 10% restocking fee but would not refund our money.  So we got another 29foot pace arrow which seemed pretty good till we had an accident and the insurance declared it totaled and paid it off.  Since then we have not had another rv and will never deal with Poulsbo RV again.

As far as your page we love it.  We live in Mountlake Terrace and plan to do exactly the same thing as far as moving out of our 3 bed 2 bath split level and into an rv for a couple of years at least till we are unable to do it anymore.  It sounds wonderful to take the dogs along but we are wondering what to do with our finicky cats.   We love the cats but I don’t think they would enjoy riding in the rv.  But we have nowhere to leave them while we travel.  Any tips about traveling with pets and such or just living on the road in general?

Shirlee Anderson Lee <ambrosegirl@comcast.net>

Subject: Poulsbo RV-Vancouver WA

Date: May 9, 2007 8:05 PM

To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net

So sorry to hear everyone has had such bad luck dealing with Poulsbo RV. We have bought 3 RV's from them & had nothing but great experiences with them-even with the repairs we need to get done from time to time.  My stepson just told me about your site and I was surprised to see all the negative comments about Poulsbo.  Good luck to everyone in their further dealings with Poulsbo.

>From: crq18@att.biz 

>Sent: May 2, 2007 3:53 PM
>To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net
>Subject: more on poulsbo...just found your site
>
>Hi Folks,
>
>Wish I had found your site & the links before I spent my money.  Do you
>have a lawyer you'd recommend to go after these turds?
>
>They have jacked me around way too long...
>
>Thanks
>Colleen Quinn
>(out in Enumclaw)
>360-909-0966

Original Message:
-----------------
From: Dick Ellingson dellingson@earthlink.net
Date: Thu, 3 May 2007 07:17:44 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
To: crq18@att.biz
Subject: Re: more on poulsbo...just found your site

Hi Colleen,

What kind of trouble are you having?

Dick

Hi Dick,

Long story short...bought the coach (34' 5th wheeler) 1/6/07...had some
extras added on, had walk through (supposedly) a few days before delivery &
that was around 1/24-25/07...then...it did not get delievered to my
location until 4/6/07. And that was only AFTER a legal demand letter.
I.E. gimme my $ or my stuff.

There were still probs thereafter...but in the last coupla days fortune
smiled upon me in the guise of some of the Kent folks, had a guy come out,
fix everything, & now I'm a 100%.

I have found that Poulsbo in general is good, BUT that most folks at the
Everett location are just flat psychotic. I read several rants against
those fruitcakes.

And thanks for returning my email...at least my story is now a happy one.

Colleen Quinn

Subject: RV Experience

March 22, 2007 1:35 PM

Eric Lee <ericlee@pressenter.com

To: dellingson@earthlink.net

Subject:  We read your story about Snuggles  

Date:Sep 3, 2006 9:04 P

From: tajars@hotmail.com
Jay and Renae


On August 26, 2006 we came to see the  RV "sale" at the Clark County  
Fairgrounds.  We saw a man outside with a sign about his bad deal  
from Poulsbo RV  but didn't think much of it.  We went on in, of  
course met the salesman who followed us around and around. (grr)     
We decided to take the Winnebago View for a test drive.  We liked  
it.  Came back and sat down to make some deals.  We told them what we  
wanted.  Of course they'd get it for us.  So we made the deal.  Went  
to see the finance lady.  Now the numbers she had on her sheet was  
not what we agreed to. (It was now  full MSRP.)   She went on and  
said the best she could do for interest rate was 8.9% for anyone.   
That no one could do better for us.  (Our credit was in the mid  
700's.) She pushed a Propack and extended warranty that raised the  
price up nearly $100 a month!!!  I had warning bells going off but  
kept going.  $834.00 per month.(240)  We signed the order.  For two  
nights I  could not sleep.  Finally we called to cancel it on  
Monday.  (High pressure sales tactics used when we called.)  But we  
cancelled it. Thank Goodness!!!!
We called Costo RV services and USAA financing.  Got an new View for  
$603 per month for 180 months.  We saved over $20,000 up front alone  
and well over $65,000 in interest.  (And for the same $834 we will  
have it paid off in 9 years instead of 20.)
I will never go to Poulbso.  I disliked their tactics and number  
shuffling.  I made mention at work today of Poulbso and was told by  
one person of his horrible experince and he told of another co worker  
that had bad experince.  Please keep up the good work and the  
website.  We were lucky...we escaped!!

>From: Terry & Cherie Boyer and Kaylie & Timmy Larson <boyerlarson@donobi.net>
>Sent: Aug 22, 2006 5:00 PM
>To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net
>Subject: Poulsbo RV in Poulsbo WA

Wow,

I too just finished reading the stories from several
individuals that have experienced the same as my husband
and I. We actually purchased our 30' Prowler travel trailer
over in Kent and were very pleased with the sales service.
It has been the grief of repairs since purchase that has us
never wanting to do business with Poulsbo RV again.

I will try to be brief:

We purchased our trailer in May 2004 and have had leaks
from the get go. It seems that the cheesy hoses that are
put in seem to blow within weeks or leak due to not being
tightened. My husband has replaced all of them, with
thicker tubing and plumber's tape. Also, our slide out
leaked the end of that year that required more repair but
this time we took it to Poulsbo RV in Poulsbo. The service
there is as if you are inconveniencing them...how does that
work? After that repair and replacement of the carpet, the
final straw with the service department was December 17,
2005. We used it the previous weekend and as we were
leaving our property my husband heard a loud noise as if
something were wrong with the axels. He immediately drove
it directly to Poulsbo RV in Poulsbo and took it to their
lot until he could contact them the following Monday
morning. He called first thing Monday morning (Dec 19th if
I have my dates correct) and informed him of the problem.
Upon inspection, they agreed that the axels need repair and
we should still be under warranty, they would contact
Fleetwood directly. Since our trailer was going to be there
for a short time, we asked that they winterize it as well
while it was there. A couple of weeks went by and we had
not heard back from them. I called and spoke to Service and
they informed me that they were still waiting to hear from
Fleetwood but it shouldn't be much longer and they would
call me. Another week went by and still no word from them,
I called again. I was told the same story with a "promise"
of a return call within 2 days. Well, I got a call and was
informed that Fleetwood would not cover this under warranty
as the measurements "were within their guidelines". I then
said I wanted to make sure there were no problems with this
because I do not want to be driving down the road and have
a serious breakdown or cause an accident. The assured me
they would be fine. They would winterize it and we could
pick it up in a day or two. WELL...(so much for keeping it
short, sorry) to my surprise I received a call within 2
days but not to tell me our trailer was ready. It was to
inform me that as they were moving our trailer from one lot
to the next, they crashed it into a lot light and they
needed to repair the side of it, including new siding. Mind
you...we had a trip planned in the beginning of February
but they again, assured us, this would be repaired in time
for that trip. Well, we got our trailer back in APRIL!!!
They ordered the wrong siding and then not enough and so
on.....and to top it off, they still wanted to charge us
for the winterization! I will not use the words my husband
shared with them but I will say that in April when we
finally picked it up, we didn't pay a dime. 3+ months to
fix nothing is completely unacceptable and we will NEVER
use them for repairs again. As like other of your readers,
A-1 RV will have our service from now on. In fact, we had a
question about our hot water tank (as it wasn't working
properly since the return from Poulsbo RV) so we called A-1
RV and they were able to fix the problem over the phone! 

Thanks for listening and having all great info on your
website from all the other readers.

Cherie Boyer

An item from the Kitsap Sun, Kitsap County, Washington:

RV Protester Calls Police after Incident

By Josh Farley
August 18, 2006

POULSBO

A man who has been protesting against a Poulsbo RV dealership on Viking Way called police about an incident involving an employee of the business today, according to Poulsbo police.

Officers responded at about 10 a.m. to the business. The man said the employee had walked up to him and "patted him on the back," then told him the company had enjoyed a "record sales month," police said.

The man has apparently been unhappy in his business dealings with the dealership.

Police said no arrests were being made, though a report of the incident would be forwarded to Kitsap County prosecutors.

Copyright 2006, kitsapsun.com. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.kitsapsun.com/bsun/local/article/0,2403,BSUN_19088_4927207,00.html

I don't know any more than what's in the article.

Some readers responded here.

Aug 16, 2006 11:59 AM

DEAR MR AND MRS ELLINGSON - 

I WAS GOING TO BUY AN RV FROM POULSBO UNTIL I READ YOUR STORY. I AM STILL GOING TO BUY ONE BUT NOT FROM THERE. 

IF THERE IS ONE THING I CAN'T STAND IS A LIAR WITH A LAWYER TO BACK THEM UP. 

IT'S A SHAME THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS KIND OF THING. 

I'LL LEARN FROM YOUR BAD EXPERIENCE AND STEER CLEAR. 

I INTEND ON SENDING POULSBO RV AN E-MAIL STATING WHY I WILL NOT BE BUYING FROM THEM. 

THANK YOU 
SINCERELY,
JERRY MAW

June 2, 2006 10:09 A.M.

I don't know if you will post this on your site or not however here is my story about Poulsbo RV. 

  A couple of months ago my husband and I were in search of a motorhome, we had thought long and hard about trading up to a motorhome versus a straight trailer.  So on a Saturday afternoon we went to Poulsbo RV in Poulsbo Washington and looked at numerous vehicles, the sales person who helped us (Gina) was helpful and when she couldn't answer a question, she found someone who could.  Gina had only been working there for a very short period of time, I do believe we would have been either her very 1st or her 2nd sale was all. 

Well we selected a motorhome that we liked and it fit our needs.  We presented an offer to Gina, a very reasonable one at that, just a couple of thousand below what they were asking, she presented it to their Finance Manager and they came out to talk to us in regards to it, the finance manager said they could do that however there is a $1500.00 PDI (pre-delivery inspection) we have to pay, my husband proceeded to tell her we would not pay it, she said we had to because it is done by Poulsbo RV Service dept which is a separate entity, he said that is fine he understands however Poulsbo RV sales needed to work something out with them because it is a new vehicle and that should be done anyways.  The finance manager looked at my husband, put her hand on her hip and her finger on the paper on the table and said to him " what's the matter, can't you afford it"?

Well, this spinned my husband up very fast, we have been married 28 years and I have never seen him so mad. So, anyways, he said a few choice words to her and we walked out without purchasing the motorhome.  I wrote a letter to the general manager of that store in regards to the way we were treated, we have never heard back from them.  I mentioned to him it is a shame that the finance manager wouldn't even consider working something out with the service department, she obviously did not think Gina needed to make a sale that day or pay her bills. What a shame for Gina. 

Long story I know, however I did mention to him in the letter also that this is a very small community and word gets around really quick, so we have told everyone we know to NEVER do business with Poulsbo RV and to top it off we went to Baydo's in Fife and purchased a beautiful 5th wheel instead, which we are happier with at this time, possibly when we retire we will still purchase a motorhome, but not from Poulsbo RV.

Margie Shurts. Silverdale, Washington

margies@myrootcanal.com

May 6, 2006 7:56 A. M.

Thank you for the valuable information on Poulsbo RV. They were one of three dealers I was considering for
my new Class C purchase. I will exclude them from any further consideration. I have a conversion van in Kent
and am looking to trade up to a class C. I will seek other dealers, like Great American, Baydos or the
dealer in Kent.

Thanks again for your warnings.

Sincerely,

John Wheeler
2770 W. Devonshire Ave., F-05
Hemet, CA 92545

Apr 25, 2006 7:09 PM

Hi, I found your website when I went looking for another site called junk rv's or something like that.  I have read so many horror stories about bad dealers as well as bad products that I'm really scared to step out and buy our 5th wheel and truck.  The truck I'm not worried about - just the brand of 5 er.  I'm hearing that Fleetwood is good and bad, but mostly bad.  Your opinion of Fleetwood products and the manufacturer.  Does Fleetwood say "shove off" or do they come through?    I'm so sorry about your ordeal...do you mind sharing what eventually happened?  I'm passing this site on to friends.  Go get'em!  I think what you're doing is fantastic!   

God Bless you,   Linda McMillan

twinsmom53@msn.com

April 18, 2006 1:42 A. M.

Sorry to hear about your troubles with Poulsbo RV, my wife and I are looking for a new class C or class A depending on the price and availability of both. We like the bounders but are also looking into the new class C 31 footers with two slides. I f we shouldn't use Poulsbo Rv, where do we look in the state of Washington, and if we should not buy a Fleetwood product what should we look for. We are looking to become fulltimers sometime next year and would appreciate your input. I was amazed that so many people have had trouble with Poulsbo RV . We live in Oak Harbor Washington on Whidbey Island. Please slip us a line at dn1946@verizon.net.

                                                                                                                                            Thanks   Duane and Nancy  Dinwiddie

<kitchlow@aol.com>

I know your problems were with Poulsbo. I have dealt with several RV and auto dealers and find very little differences in their tactics. Honesty is the best policy, but it is hard to find in the RV world

But I truly believe the major problem lies with the manufacturers and our lawmakers. Cars and Trucks have standards that must be met, but RVs have none. I recently saw a million dollar Prevost in the shop. It looked new so I started talking with the owner. He said it was 2 weeks old. He was waiting for a new ENGINE! His seized. Now I don't know about you, but if I had just paid that much money for an RV and it was in the shop for major repairs within 2 weeks, I would be calling for a replacement RV...not just a replacement engine!

The dealers are expected to fix all of the things that the manufacturers should have installed properly at the factory. There is just no industry quality control. You also have to remember that you are rolling down the road, twisting, tweaking and shaking...things will leak, break, warp and rot...its just the nature of the beast...it may look like a car, but it is not engineered like one.

The other thing that everyone fails to mention is that you should never get more than a 10 year contract, because when your rig hits the 10 year mark, many rv resorts will turn you away (image conscious snobbery). So buyer beware, it is NOT just one bad apple, it may be a fairly decent apple from a totally rotten tree.

Sincerely,
Darren Kitchlow
15 year fulltimer

Mar 11, 2006 7:06 PM

From "brother" Jim Russell, Kent, Washington

Dear Folks, I was shopping on the web and came upon your site. As a consumer activist for 35 years, I just loved it. Your site is like a visit to consumer-activist-heaven for me. Reading it, I feel I am with my brothers and sisters. My Poulsbo RV, bought new in '02, was a lemon also, but after so many years as an activist I hired a lawyer and kicked the crap out of them. Actually, I focused on the manufacturer of the chassis, Workhorse, and they paid for everything I needed, after many frustrating trips to alignment shops.  They paid to rebuild the steering box ($1,200), making it a ball bearing unit instead of a sleeve bearing that was binding up and causing the RV (a class-A Fleetwood Terra) to literally steer off the road virtually all the time (the rebuild worked great). They also paid for another spring in the back ($400), which eliminated the bump-steer. I added a trac-bar in back (a second sway bar) which did a good job of getting rid of the "tail-wagging-the-dog" effect; but I got ripped off for a ball-bearing bell crank I didn't need from the chronic bunglers at Camping World.  I have had horrible repair service at Poulsbo. The people have been very, very nice to me, but the repair workmanship at the Kent store is from hell. Compounding the problem greatly is the fact that RVs are just cheap as crap to begin with. I am sorry to say it, but RVs show why American car makers could not put one car in Consumer Report's top 10, and why GM and Ford are in such trouble. Fleetwood, of course, is also a wham-bam, slop-'em-together outfit. I hate to say it, but doing things the cheap way, while execs are focused first and foremost on making tons of money for themselves and stockholders, is very widespread in our work and business culture. 

Thank you, and best wishes to you from Jim Russell

March 8, 2006 3:29 PM R.V. Show in Wenatchee

  I am almost 60 and am thinking of retirement and would like to travel at that time in an R.V. I was driving by the Mall in East Wenatchee and saw a large area of the parking lot with R.V.'s displayed so drove in and walked around. I saw they were from Poulsbo R.V. and thought this is a long ways from their dealership, how would they service what they sell.     When I got home I went on google and typed in Poulsbo R.V. and saw your site. WOW. I read a lot of nightmare stories from people that only want to be happy campers. ( Pardon the pun) but  I don't want any part of that kind of dealership. Maybe they are here because they don't think we have computers over here.     I think I will shop at D & L RV here in Wenatchee and if I need too, I can talk to the Owner Dale Launer.

Thank you for the Web site.

Wes Olinger
Wenatchee Washington

wesley.olinger@verizon.net

March 4, 2006 4:17 P.M.

Boy, what stories I have read here.  We Owned one Fleetwood motorhome, an 83 Pace Arrow, The then top of the line.  What a piece of --------.  We then bought a Safari diesel pusher, much better, but still problems with the chassis, a Freightliner.  IT we a problem. Then we made the best move of our RV life. We bought a Dutch Star diesel pusher made by Newmar in Indiana. Their workforce is largely Amish and Mennonites. Great people and a wonderful coach. It was 1999.  Whenever we took it to the selling dealer for small repairs, it was a problem. They did not have the skills to do the work right, lied about the factory input they got and then turned the coach back to us saying that's all they can do.  We started taking the coach back to Nappanee, Indiana for all work and learned what nice cooperative folks they have working to build and do warranty work. Unfortunately, our RV was destroyed in an accident, and we may be through motorhoming, but if we do go back to a class A coach, it will be a Newmar product. Good luck with your web site, and if I get back to looking at an RV in Seattle area, I am forewarned about Poulsbo RV by your web pages.  Thank you.

Duane Ross

CUSTERBUFF@aol.com

Thanks for the heads-up. I am currently looking for a class A coach and WAS thinking of possibly doing

business with Poulsbo RV until I came across your site. Approximately 5 years ago I was looking for a

motorhome and I spoke with different people on different occasions, and some were telling me then

that Poulsbo RV was not a good outfit to deal with. I forgot about that until I saw your site. I'm glad you

jogged my memory. I will steer clear of them.

                    Jeff Meyers
                    Lynden, Wa.

Hi, My name is Joanne.  I found your website while
researching RV's.  Unfortunately despite what I had
read, I decided to go ahead and purchase a travel
trailer from Poulsbo RV.  Silly me, I actually thought
telling them I had read negative things about them on
line would encourage them to be up front with me right
from the start.  However, that was the total opposite.
I wish I would have listened to you.  Maybe someone
else will read this and heed the warning that I didn't.
If you are interested in hearing my story I would love
to share it with you.
Sincerely,
Joanne Crosswhite

Dear Joanne,

Yes. I'm definitely interested in knowing what happened. 
Please write back with the details.

Dick

Hello Dick,

Thank you for responding to my email so quickly.  I
also want to thank you for having the courage to let
others know of Poulsbo RV's deceptions.

Let me give you a little background about myself
first.  I supervise a locked psychiatric unit.  Last
February marked 15 years of employment with them.  As
a result I became eligible for a 6 week paid
sabbatical above and beyond my regular paid vacation
weeks.  So given that, my significant other and I
decided we were going to go on a road trip during
those weeks and that we would prefer to buy a travel
trailer and vehicle to tow it as it gives you so much
more flexibility when traveling.  Anyway, I have never
purchased an RV before so I did get on line and
researched a few things which is how I initially came
across your website.  After reading it and seeing that
it all happened around 2000 I thought maybe management
had changed etc.... I also went there being very up
front and telling the salesman that I had read about
them and was asking them to be honest and upfront with
me as well, especially given the fact that I was so
green in this area.  
I ended up purchasing a 25' travel trailer with a tip
out.  It is a 2005 Fleetwood Prowler.  When I looked
through it for the first time I noticed that the back
of the bench looked a little warped and asked how that
happened?  The salesman of course said he didn't know
but when I asked if it could get fixed as part of the
deal he said yes.  The original asking price was
around $24,950 but it was reduced to around $19,950. 
When I asked why the salesman said because it is
getting toward the end of the season (Mid June of
2005) and that it hadn't sold because of the colors
(most people he said like the bright color schemes
inside) so silly me I took him at his word.  They ended
up taking another $2,000 off the price of the travel
trailer because they quoted me one interest rate with
$2000 down, which I had given, then a few days later
said that the bank wanted another $3,000.00 down to
get that interest rate.  I told them that they never
told me that, that my credit was excellent and if they
wanted me to still buy it they could reduce the price
of the trailer another $2,000.00 and I would pay cash
for the "Pro-Pak" which was an additional $1,000.00
They agreed.  I signed the papers and then went to
pick it up and during the walk through the repair man
tells me that they had to order my replacement wood
for the bench seat that needed to be repaired from a
WATER LEAK!  I asked how it happened and he said that
when they get trailers from Fleetwood they have to set
them up and make sure everything is operational and it
was during that time that the leak occurred under the
sink.   Again being ignorant I said ok.  After leaving
there and hearing other RV'ers input I realized that I
should have been made aware of the leak prior to
buying it.  Unfortunately the management people
disagreed.  
We were told to take it out for a test camp out before
we left so we did.  We reserved a spot at the Belfair
State Park for 5 days.  We arrived Sunday evening and
Monday morning I woke up to the floor being wet.  The
trailer was leaking but I couldn't tell where.  My
significant other had to close down his practice for
the day and come hook it up and tow it back to Poulsbo
for repairs.  They said it was two different leaks. 
They had it for over two weeks.  We picked it up the
night before we were to leave for our 5-6 week road
trip.  When we got there the bench didn't match the
other wood which they said they would replace.  We had
asked them to install a level on the front which
looked poorly installed and the top level didn't work.
 I was pretty upset by this time and felt they were
lying to me as the water leak followed the same course
as before.  I asked the manager to call me so I could
talk to him about this whole thing.  Two weeks go by
and I still haven't heard from them so I called him. 
He basically played dumb.  Apologized for this "other
guy" that never called me back that was told
to...etc...etc...  I got the run around.  By this time
I was very upset because more things were showing up
as water damaged, mainly the tip out wouldn't slid all
the way out right and other more minor things that
need repairing.  
I hope this isn't too confusing.  
So continuing on... 
The day we left I received a phone call from a woman
in the Kent office asking me what my experience with
Poulsbo Rv was like.  I told her everything, including
how rude and arrogant the finance lady was the day I
went to sign the papers.  We had this 45 minute
conversation about my whole experience there.  She
told me that the Kent office would make good on their
wrong doing and so should Poulsbo.  She told me that
she agreed that I should be given the opportunity to
get a new trailer just like the one I had although she
did say that I should get through the trip and see if
I had anymore problems with water leaks first.  Very
nice lady, but when I tried to find out who that was,
they no longer have that department by one persons
understanding and by another they have it but she was
transferred to a secretary/receptionist position and
that other position is waiting to be filled.  Now
doesn't that sound a little strange?  Anyway, they
have just basically made a lot of claims of not
knowing anything.  See the other thing is I thought I
was talking to the "Manager" of the Poulsbo office
when I called them from Wyoming but upon return was
told they had no clue who spoke to me because
according to him, he wasn't the guy I had spoke with
and he was the manager.  He is the one who told me
that they have the right to sell a travel trailer as
new and not disclose any prior damage as long as the
damage is brought back to a "new like" condition!  I
told him I couldn't believe that.  Even in houses you
have a disclosure you fill out and sign.  So I am
stuck.  They say they will do whatever they have to
make good......we will see.
I don't think I have any options.  The thing that
really peeved me is that the manager wouldn't even
admit that he would be upset if it happened to him! 
He told me that when I mentioned getting an attorney
he really couldn't take any responsibility for
anything.
Well there you have it.  It goes in tomorrow for
repairs.  
Do you have any advice?  I really hope other people
pay attention to your website.  I did email the person
investigating Poulsbo RV.  Do I have any grounds to
contact the Better Business Bureau?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  I better get
going, have lots to do. 

Take Care
Joanne

P.S.
At one point I was told to Sue Fleetwood!
I told them I couldn't believe they said that as it
wasn't Fleetwoods fault they didn't have things
properly set up before turning on the water in the
first place.

From: Kerri <Kerri@polobaer.com>
Sent: Sep 2, 2005 2:36 PM
To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net
Subject: FW: PoulsboRV Horror Stories


> I have read all of your horror stories on  the
> www.poulsborv.com.fleetwood.net website and I want to thank each and
> everyone of you-  Unfortunately for Poulsbo RV we are the not typical "Oh
> shoot- someone took advantage of us" kind of people.  I want everyone 
to
> know what kind of operation they are running.  So for Those of you
> interested and have the same passion in your heart of this that I do- We
> will be picketing along Hwy99 this Labor Day weekend- My friends at KOMO
> and KIRO will be joining us as well.  I think Huge Lemon signs would get
> our point across!?!?  Poulsbo has deep pockets but my passion for this
> runs deeper then those pockets.  
> 
> I have 3 children that WERE living with myself and my husband in our 2004
> Fleetwood Revolution, until it caught fire from faulty wiring- (of which
> we knew was bad cause out speedometer NEVER HAS WORKED!  Nether has the
> right half of all the outlets-- We had been in just weeks prior, begging
> them to check it out- "Sorry we are 2 months out on service right
> now"..Which put is RIGHT AT The time our "warrenty" ran out..
Funny, we
> bought the 'extended warranty..  "NO, we will not honor it- Do business
> elsewhere, if you don't like it SUE FLEETWOOD!") Please help us out!  
The
> more bodies we have the better  we are heard!
> 
> 
> Come on down and picket with us
> POULSBO RV
> HWY 99 in EVERETT
> Saturday & Sunday 9/3-4th
> 
> Thank you all and Blessings to you and your family!
> 
> Kerri & Jon Baer
> www.polobaer.com

From: Borderbuster <randy.reid5@verizon.net>
To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net
Subject: Poulsbo RV
Date: Mar 26, 2005 8:07 PM
Great Site!

I am having a similar problem with a building contractor. So far my experience has been trust no one, their lack of honesty varies in degree only. My opinion on this may change but first I need proof.

What really irks me is the consumer protection advocates such as the State Attorney's General's office not only lacks the teeth to protect us but are not interested. Don't bother to contact your legislators, They aren't interested either.

Anybody out there that reads this please think about this next election. Not that it makes much difference as most of the candidates will be lawyers and will lean in the direction of dollars, not ethics, honesty and/or morality.

is this a wonderful country or what?
Randy Reid
Blaine, WA

From: Richard Snow <rich4123@wavecable.com>
To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net
Subject: Prospective RV Buyer
Date: Nov 25, 2004 8:39 PM
Dear Dick and Lois,

Thank you for your time and effort to alert prospective buyers of the problems with Poulsbo RV. Our neighbor also bought from Poulsbo RV but thought their service was terrible. They have since moved, but I would like to get a recommendation on where I can get a good buy on a 2000 24 to 28 foot motor home. A dealer that also provides GOOD service. If I could get a good deal on a private sale, I would have the unit checked out before buying it. What do you think about two local repair shops: B&B Repair in Bremerton, and Town & Country in Bremerton.

Thank you,
Richard Snow
Bremerton

From: Gary Raymond <garydraymond@yahoo.com>
To: dellingson@earthlink.net
Subject: Thanks For the Poulsbo RV Lesson
Date: Nov 5, 2004 3:00 PM

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Ellingson,

I feel awkward emailing you both since I am a total stranger but I am compelled to do so. My name is Gary and I grew up in Lynnwood, WA and attended Meadowdale High School. My wife and I are interested in purchasing a Tow-Trailer for some vacations and our goal, when we retire, is to pick up and tour, just as you both have done.

I wanted to thank you for the valuable insight on Poulsbo RV. If I hadn't looked at your website, I'd have never known who I was about to give my money to.

Like most others probably do, I assumed Poulsbo RV was a class act. How couldn't it be with good ol' Bruce King from KOMO 4 being their spokesman? Until I read everything on your website I had no idea. It really is too bad that the almighty dollar makes those who desire it short-sighted, isn't it? In their attempt at trying to save themselves some money in the short run by lying to you both, they ended up losing so much more in the end. I cringe thinking of the lost sales they've caused themselves. There must be hundreds of lost customers and they have only themselves to blame. I know they've lost my wife and I.

Thanks to you both, God Bless you and happy safe travels!

Gary & Monique

From: JOYCE CRAFT <flowergirl-1@msn.com>
To: dellingson@earthlink.net
Subject: Paulsbo Website
Date: Nov 2, 2004 9:34 PM
November 2, 2004
To everyone on this website who have been ripped off;

Why haven't all you folks who have had bad experiences with Poulsbo RV contacted the Better Business Bureau? Also, if people can get class action lawsuits going for being ripped off by 'other' companies, ya'll could do the same thing against Paulsbo. What about it? Is this just a "complaint department", or do you plan to put a stop to the crooked dealings? I was searching the web for RV's when I saw this website.
I know I would be tossed in jail if I went to Paulsbo RV, because I would 'call them', on the spot, if they tried to pull something on me. I don't take crap off nobody, especially when I'm there to pad their pockets.

Joyce, Oak Harbor, Wa.
Flowergirl-1@msn.com

10 Sep 04

Hi Dick & Lois,

I am currently in Okinawa, Japan and have been here since around 0ct/Nov 02. On the day before catching a flight from Seattle to Okinawa, I was dealing with Poulsbo RV.

Would you believe it was on a used Fleetwood Flair 1994. The only thing that prevented me from buying that unit was that I made the flight as I was flying stand by. I now think that it was God way of telling me not to buy that product nor from that dealership.

In May of 03 the price of that unit was on the internet for $10,000.00 less than what they were asking from me. That was a big drop in such a short time for an asking price, was my feeling at that time.

Having read not only your dealings with them but all the others that have had similar experiences as you; you can not know how thankful I am that I did not go thru with that purchase.

I am currently employed again as we want a larger and newer motorhome that the one we bought back in 1998. That purchase would have upgraded us but we want even a bigger upgrade is the reason for my employment at this time.

I own property in Moses Lake, Wa and would have really been tempted to go back to Poulsbo RV had I not had the good fortune to have read your and your fellow customers of Poulsbo.

I am grateful that you took the time to create this page and provide others with this information so folks like myself can at least be in a better position to make quality decisions.

I may end up with the same experiences that you went thru; however, you can be rest assured it will not be by Fleetwood or Poulsbo RV.

Another Grateful Reader and Respectfully, we remain

Jim & Michi Cagle
USAF, Retired

To: bad.bounder@fleetwood.net
Subject: Poulsbo and Fleetwood
From: Walsteu@aol.com
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 13:08:48 EST

You seem to be collecting a lot of stories of bad service and bad product.
Let me give you another one. In June of 2001 I purchased a Prowler 5th wheel
from Poulsbo in Ridgefield, Wa. It had a number of problems (leaky roof cap
etc) that were fixed by the dealer over the next 6 months. Our first long trip
was to Spearfish, SD in May of 2002. During the return trip, the large
slider did not retract or extend properly, and a stop in Bozeman, MT informed us
that the "stop nuts" on the slider were not in place, and probably were never
installed correctly. Upon our return home, we took the unit to the dealer,
where they worked on it for several days and "fixed" it by adding a 2" wide ship
to the slider. Fortunately, I live only a short way from the dealer, because
by the time I got home, the slider would not close (because of the shim). Back
it went. The dealer finially informed me they could not fix it, and had
contacted the factory in La Grande, OR. I recieved a letter from them saying they
owuld pick up the unit and fix it, but I actually ended up taking the unit
over to LaGrande, where, by appointment, they would fix it and I would get same
day service. I hauled the trailer to LaGrande, getting up at 4 in the morning
to make the 9 am appointment. At 5 pm, they had once again shimmed the
slider. I told them it had not worked before, but they assured me it was OK. I
offered to stay overmight and bring it back in the am, but again was assured it
was OK. The following weekend I took the unit to the coast, and- guess what--
the slider, when opened, had a two inch gap. We really got a lot of salt sea
air. When I got back, I called the factory. They asked that I bring the
unit it back, and let them keep it. So I did. They had the unit for 6 weeks. I
continued to pester them with phone calls, and was always advised they were
"working on it that day". IOn August 24 I picked up unit from a repair shop in
LaGrande (ot the Fleetwood factory). The folks at the repair shop told me
not to level the unit as per instructions but instead to level the trailer from
the back, informing me that the she design of the unit puts sgtress on the
slide out if the rear leveling is not made first. Also, the slide is not
"vertical" with the inside of the trailer when open- it still is not, but it goes in
and out without leaking. So- that is my experience to date, with Fleetwood
and Poulsbo. I bought a unit from a delaer who could not service it, and ,
while it is usable, it is not structurally correct to this day. I have a full set
of correspondance to support the contents of this letter.

Wally Steucke
1216 NW 384 Circle
LaCenter, WA 98629

To: <bad.bounder@fleetwood.net>
Subject:
From: "terry" <estherandterry@earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 19:56:38 -0800

Just wanted to thank you for the warning cause I was just about to go there and look at trailers.
-Thanks

To: "'poulsborv.com@fleetwood.net'" <poulsborv.com@fleetwood.net>
Subject: Poulsbo RV
From: "Allen, Steven K. OS1" <AllenSK@shoup.navy.mil>
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2002 14:41:08 -0700

Well I must toss my hat in the ring too. I purchased a 1993 27' Jayco class
C with only 39,000 miles. Noticed some damage on the roof over the nose and
was told no problem, we fixed it. Ok so I purchased the RV, put a thou down
and took delivery first week of September. Took the RV to Oregon and had a
decent time with it, with some expected things for a RV this old. Third week
of September took RV to go deer hunting and experienced a short in the AC
power system. Well, the warranty I bought took care of that but, then they
noticed about $10 - 15,000 worth of damage in the roof and side panels.
Well, sorry you purchased it, and the warranty does not cover the roof, and
my insurance is not thrilled about the idea. So, I am going to have to patch
the roof myself, and deal with the damage. I experienced several of the same
problems that others have experienced and will not repeat this experience. I
have been very disappointed with the company and their sales personnel were
not too forthright with the condition of the RV, even after I asked about
the roof. So I am screwed with a shoddy RV with no real value for trade in
because another dealer will spot the damage and I will just go deeper in
debt.
Steve

Tuesday September 24, 2002 - 07:54AM

Thank you for putting up this web site. After looking at RV's in Poulsbo last week end, my husband & I came home and I ran across your web site by accident. As it turned out, our "looking" ended up in us making a deal on a used RV. On Monday, I was to deliver the deposit to Poulsbo RV and secure our financing. After reading the comments from the many unsatisfied customers here on your web site, not only did I not give P.R.V. the deposit but Cancelled the deal. I told then we did not care to do business with a company who had so many unsatisfied customers. Shocked on their part was an understatement but elated is how my husband & I feel. You have provided a good service to the unsuspecting consumer and we just want you to know we APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS. THANK YOU !!!!

Donna Hodges

Silverdale, WA.

donhodg@sprintmail.com

To: <poulsborv.com@fleetwood.net>
Subject: Thank you
From: "J. Mcneese" <jmcneese@armstrongnet.net>
Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 17:42:27 -0400

Thank you for the warning about POULSBORV. I hope many heed the warning. Happy travels to all. Thank you for taking the time to warn others. I have a Fleetwood Bounder that I have been very happy with. Recently my wife and I have been talking about getting a new one, and had looked at POULSBORV's site. We were considering a trip there to look. We won't go now! Many people just drop it after they have been taken, allowing this type of business to continue. Thank you for helping the rest of us. Thank you again, James McNeese

Jim and Chris

To: poulsborv.com@fleetwood.net
Subject: Thank you
From: MC Delgado <mcdelrod@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 20:03:03 -0700 (PDT)


Dear Dick and Lois:

Thank you, thank you for your website informing people about Poulsbo RV. We are looking for an RV and had already experienced some misstatements made by a Poulsbo RV salesperson. We certainly will stay away from them! Hope you got your situation taken care of through Fleetwood.

Best regards,

Miriam and Dottie


 

August 6, 2002

Hello Ellingsons & Pooch,

We may starting thru the same things you encountered from Everett Poulsbo RV.

There were only a few things on our fixit list when we signed to buy this Storm 31W, but 10 days later when we picked it up there were a dozen more things to be added to the list. Especially after the three - way ProPack treatment, (1) Grease on the couch, (2) a rainsoaked cushion in the dinette, (3) undercoating smeared on the outersides of the body, (4) a missing sliding glass door in the bedroom closet, (5) no closet pole or brackets for same ever installed in bedroom closet, (6) a 39" shelf missing over sink in cabinet, (7) a 5" tear in end of mattress facing bedroom door, (8) kitchen faucet doesn't allow water but yet good pressure in bath sink, (9) the larger oven that we had asked for did not get installed and now are quoting an extra 5 hours labor to install in addition to the original quote of 2 hours, (10) the door covering the TV in the bedroom does not open all the way for the TV to be viewed, (11) someone has gone on the white rubber roof and caulked around vents and air-cond. with GRAY and some white caulking and then tracked the GRAY on their boots to the ladder, (12) there are areas under the coach that didn't get undercoating,(13) the cover over the burners on the cook-top is missing, it was there when we bought the unit, (14) the wood on top of the dashboard with the little rubber pad on it has extra holes drilled in the wrong places, and then the trip thru the parts store to get the little necessary items that we would absolutely need such as pressure reducing valve, water hook-up hose, electrical connecter, and the such the store was out of. What an award winning adventure that was ? !
Now that I had called them with this list and also faxed a copy last week early to let them know that the earliest we could get all the way back over there from here on the Olympic Peninsula would be the start of our vacation Aug, 13, and now I call a week later and they hadn't even put us on the schedule for that day.
I am going to write a log book complete with pictures, so maybe my experiences would corroborate your problems. What do you think ? Please respond.

Joe and Debbie Coates
and "Trouble" (our mini- dashhound)
283652 Highway 101
Port Townsend, Wa. 98368
joedeb@olypen.com

From: "Zoya" <Zoya@Waypoint.com>
To: poulsborv.com@fleetwood.net
Sent: November 24, 2000 3:18:54 AM GMT
Subject: [No Subject]


Hi,
I'm sure glad I read your horror story about Poulsbo RV. I was thinking
about getting a travel trailer from them. Sounds like a root canal would be
more painless.  Thanks for the tip-off and good luck with your Fleetwood.
D.M Savage
Port Townsend

From: "Mommajo" mommajo@who.net
Subject: Re: DON'T READ IF NOT INTERESTED -- Regarding the deceptive and unscrupulous Poulsbo RV, Everett, WA
Date: 2000/02/17


Had a similar bad experience with them. Then they tried to put a sticker on
my rv saying that it was purchased at Poulsbo RV when we came in to try to
get service on it. I made them spend 45 minutes taking it back off. I made
it very clear I wouldn't advertise in anyway for them after the poor service
we experienced.


 Everett, WA
>
 

From: Toby (toby8309@gte.net)
Subject: Re: Campground Search Engine
Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.rv-travel
View: Complete Thread (7 articles) | Original Format
Date: 1999/04/28


Chris,

I believe if you click on this URL it will take you directly to the site
you may have been looking for.

http://www.tldirectory.com

Agreed on Sumner RV. Won't go anywhere else (especially Poulsbo RV).

Best Regards
Toby

Chris Schell wrote:
>
> Last week I ran across a WEB site that had an excellent campground
> [snip]
> I would also like to put in a plug for Sumner RV near Tacoma WA as I
> just bought a new 27' TT with excellent service and would recommend them
> to anyone in the Seattle-Tacoma area.
>
> Thanks;
> Chris Schell
> Tacoma, WA
 

From: KB7PYF (kb7pyf@aol.com)
Subject: Re: Brake Question
Newsgroups: alt.rv
View: Complete Thread (32 articles) | Original Format
Date: 2001-08-30 19:44:13 PST


>Dang Charlie, It sure sounds like your dealing with the rip
>artists at Poulsbo RV

Greetings Rick,

Nope I know about POULSBO RV so I took my rig to A1 RV in Silverdale. Friday
at 1 PM I have an appointment for my truck at Sonny's RV in Irondale. They are
going to perform a load test on the tow vehicle wiring and verify curretn load
at the electrical connection. I am most interested in what his shop comes up
with.

Thanks for your comments//

Charlie
Poulsbo WA

From: "stanley vankleeck" <svankleeck@austin.rr.com>
To: dellingson@earthlink.net
Sent: February 1, 2001 3:56:26 AM GMT
Subject: Do we really want a Bounder?


We really appreciated reading your diary and wonder if things are going O.K. now.
We were planning on buying a Bounder later this year, but now are really having
second thoughts. We are planning on retiring in April 2002 and becoming full-timers.
We have been doing research and shopping for a motor home for the last 6 months.
Since we have never owned one, that is becoming a full time job! Yours is the first
letter we have read concerning all the Bounder problems. We would like to know
if that is specific to Bounder or can be in any brand of motor home. We have friends
that are full timing in a Winnebago and have also had problems, but nothing to the
extent you have experienced. We are planning on going to the RV show this weekend
in Austin, Tx. and will certainly look at some other different brands. Will look
forward to reading about your adventures in the future. Thanks Debbie

Debbie, 

Most of the things were fixed.  We still have some CO leaks, even worse than before
the repairs.  And the workmanship by the repair shop is no better than the original.

My experience is that all brands and models of motorhomes, in all price ranges, 
have the same types of workmanship problems.  One of our neighbors in a Highlander
worth about $200K or so had many problems, some like ours, and some different.  
They were heading for the factory when they left us.

When we were at the factory in Riverside, CA, we saw Bounders and more expensive
Fleetwood diesels in for major repairs.  In fact, Fleetwood has an area where the
high-priced defects park, segregated from us peasants.

When you go to the RV show, don't fall for the sales pitch about special show sale
prices.  It is not true.  It is NOT TRUE!  RV prices are horribly inflated.  A $100,000
sticker price means you might offer around $60,000 if you really want it.  You cannot
insult a salesman by making a low offer.  He will happily make a counter offer.

Ask a