Adventure RV.net ?

[PP]

Hi, I'm considering a large purchase from this company and I know nothing about them except that they're clear across the country. In fact, I think they're located in some foreign country by the name of Tentcity (sp)(lol). Has anyone dealt with them and are they a reputable firm?
Thanks for any and all input. I apologize if I hurt anyone's feelings with regard to TN. I'm sure it has its good points too.
Will

[belfert]

I'm pretty sure I have made some small purchases (less than $200) from them online before.  No issues that I recall.

[robertglines1]

Will ; We have some bus nuts that live in that area. Maybe they will visit later and offer first hand knowledge.Gate- Way to Great Smokey Mountains.

[Iceni John]

A few months ago I bought my two SHURflo Classic pumps from them, along with eight quick-connect barb fittings.   Even with S&H they were the cheapest, and I got everything as promised.   It's seems silly that I had to buy from TN to get the lowest overall price, considering the pumps are made only a few miles from here!   One way they have low prices is by selling OEM items  -  I received the 144 models of the 2088-422 pump, just packed in bubble-wrap in a plain box, as opposed to the 444 models that are for aftermarket sales.   Who cares what the box looks like?

I would buy from them again.

John

[MEverard]

I have purchased a lot of items from them. I have received everything on time and in good condition. I would not hesitate to reccomend them based on my experience. My largest purchase was not more than a couple of hundred dollars though.

Good Luck

Mike.

[PP]

Thanks for the input guys. As soon as I figure out the rest of what I need I'll be giving them an order. Most people don't realize what it's like to shop online and have stuff shipped to them when they're physical address changes all the time. When you know you're going to be somewhere for a little while, you take advantage and buy everything you've been holding off on and it feels a bit like Xmas.
Again, thank you for the responses,
Will

[Seville]

In the past year I have bought almost all my conversion parts from them including 5 Coleman AC's. They are the cheapest and everything has arrived in good condition.
I think they great.

[technomadia]

When you know you're going to be somewhere for a little while, you take advantage and buy everything you've been holding off on and it feels a bit like Xmas.

We know that feeling well, and spent the day shopping online for our next found of modifications. 

Serendipitously, our shopping brought us to AdventureRV for the MaxxAir fan we want, so appreciated having context for them from this thread.  Their price on it was stellar, but unfortunately they only offer Ground shipping which wouldn't reach us before we move on. Oh well, next time we have access to both a physical address and a place to do roof mods.

- Cherie

[technomadia]

Just to add to this thread, thought I'd share our experience with AdventureRV this week.

Over the weekend, we ordered our MaxxFan 7000 from them.  They had two listings on their site - the 7000 and the 7000k.  There was no description on their site as to features or differences between the two models. And MaxxAir's site did not list the 7000 as a differing model on there site, so there was no way to know that there were differences, especially as drastically different as we have now found out they are.

The photos for the two listings were different however, so we matched our order to the photos on the manufacturer's website for the product we wanted - a fan with 10-speeds and a 'ceiling fan' mode.   We paid extra for rush shipping to make sure it got here before we moved on.

It arrived yesterday, and were confused as to why the fan we received only had 4-speeds and no ceiling fan mode.  The remote included with the fan is completely different than the listing on AdventureRV's website, and actually matches the other fan.


So, I submitted a claim ticket requesting a RMA for the wrong product being sent.

They gave me an RMA to return the fan and order the correct one, but will however be charging us a 15% restocking fee to return the fan AND we have to cover shipping both ways (it's a 29 lb box, not an insignificant cost). And they will not refund our purchase for up to 21 days after they inspect the return.   They would not budge on this policy at all (I've gone through multiple attempts at explaining the situation).. stating that their pictures are generic, and it is our responsibility to order by model #.  Basically 'you got what you ordered, and it's not our fault we have the wrong picture up and don't offer comprehensive feature descriptions.' 

They are expecting us to pay $100 for their listing mistake.  (Incidentally, will make you a deal on a MaxxFan 7000 )



Incidentally, we contacted MaxxAir directly about this... and they are going overboard to correct the situation. They will be contacting AdventureRV to get the listings updated and more clearly define that the 7000 model is an older model with less features, and using the correct image.  AND they are offering to sell us direct the unit we want for about 1/2 what AdventureRV is selling it for. Now that's what I call customer service!!


So.. in conclusion. If you order from AdventureRV - make absolutely positively sure that you know what you are ordering.  And know that even if AdventureRV provides misleading information in their listing, the best they will do is give you back 85% of your purchase price and you cover all shipping both ways.   They stand firm that they only waive these charges if the product arrives defective.   Now we know how they afford to have the cheapest prices.

- Cherie

[belfert]

Interesting.  I just ordered a 30 amp transfer switch from Adventure RV through Ebay earlier this afternoon.  I hope my experience is better than yours.  The price with shipping on Ebay was about $10 less than their own website.

I looked through their feedback for the negative feedback.  There were 6 negative feedbacks in the past year most complaining about slow shipping from Fedex.  One or two complained about Adventure RV taking a few days to ship and one said they never got their package even through Adventure RV said it arrived 5 days after the order date.  All in all, mostly a bunch of whiners who think everything ordered online should show up the next day.

The picture issue is not uncommon on websites.  I always verify model numbers or contact the seller if I have any questions about what I am getting.  I think Adventure RV at minimum should waive the restocking fee.  They probably have a disclaimer buried on their website stating they are not responsible for incorrect pictures.

[technomadia]

We checked their website thoroughly for disclaimers related to the pictures. This is it:


"We try our best to have accurate descriptions, photos and pricing for our products. However, the products that we sell can be updated, discontinued or modified by the manufacturer without notice as well as typographical errors. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase as a result we will replace your item or refund your purchase price at our discretion . "

Obviously, they chose not to apply their discretion... whereas we strongly feel otherwise.

A no mention anywhere that their graphics are 'generic', as their support representative is claiming. In fact, they have their logo watermarked on the images posted.


Here's a link to the entire support thread:

http://www.adventurerv.net/help/view.php?e=us@technomadia.com&t=912540



I suspect that those who know the exact model number and there is no confusion in the listing, will not experience problems and will benefit from the lower prices.  We just pass on the warning to not order unless you are exceptionally sure.

- Cherie

[scanzel]

I had some problems with an on line site ordering some items at one time. After repeated attemps to get a resolution I stated to the seller that I would contact there state consumer protection agency ( they had an address) and I would give them severe negative comments on the internet. Which can hurt there business. This person jumped through hoops after the email to him. Finally corrected all problems. Not something I like to do but sometimes you have to stand up to them and the Internet can be a wonderful way to get them to change their ways.

[technomadia]

We already tried that approach.  In our last e-mail with them, we told them that however they choose to handle the situation would be reflected on our very visible blog (as we're documenting our conversion upgrades).  We even told them we have over 15,000 page views a month - a lot of them RVers. 

They still opted to stand firm.

*shrug*

At this point, it's not about the money.  But the attitude.  And we will fully use our visibility to make sure that attitude is known.

The internet is powerful indeed.. and we have elevated this to the ClueTrain (http://www.cluetrain.com). 

- Cherie

[PP]

Well, we placed our order with them last week and it shipped Monday via FedEx. I'm positive I ordered the right items because their numbers matched the manufacturer's on every item. I'll post more when they arrive if there is a problem and will contact my bank and reverse charges if they don't cooperate. Hopefully, everything will arrive as it should and I'll be one of the happy campers, Good luck, Will

[MEverard]

Everybody has a horror story to tell. The main issue in this case is to know what you are ordering. I always go to several sites to make sure that I am getting what I need before I order it from anybody. I will also call them if I have questions. Most companies would rather talk to you before the problem is created. The internet has made our lives easier to compare prices and shop all over the country with the click of a mouse. However, it has also caused many problems, like the one outlined above. Please don't hold it against a company for one issue that we know of. I have had many dealings with them and speak volumes of their service. Additionally, as always, know what you are ordering before you click.

Good Luck,

Mike