We have driven by the Brown's Valley RV repair shop many times. And each time I thought to myself they look like a large professional operation in a great location to serve the many RVers who visit the area and those who find themselves in need service for their RV.
Recently, it was my turn to be the one in need. We pulled into the "Lake of the Springs" Thousand Trails campground on Wednesday May 21, 2025. We immediately had an issue......as soon as we attempted to put our living-room slide out, one of the upper retraction cables snaped. We were able to extend the slide but were facing an obvious issue a week later when it was time to pull the slide back in.
Having passed BV 16 miles earlier, it was clear who to call. We called within the hour (about 1 PM) on 5/21/2025. A very nice and professional woman took my call, gathered my information and said that she would contact a tech and get back to me.
Given it was a holiday weekend, we were a little nervous to let too much time pass before getting it fixed. We were scheduled to leave the day after Memorial Day. So after a few hours of not hearing back, I decided to call and get an update. I spoke with the same nice woman and she said she would check and get back to me. No call back.
I called on Thursday at 10am to see if I could get an update. I spoke to the same woman. She said that she would talk to the tech and get back to me. No call back.
A few hours later, an unmarked truck pulled up and asked me what site I was in. I told him and he then parked in the next site. I figured he was checking out the site and I went about my tasks. A few minutes later I turned around to find him standing next to me. He did not introduce himself, he did not identify himself as a BV tech, he was not wearing a BV shirt...he simply asked "what's the issue"?
My first thought was that I had somehow offended him when he pulled up and he wanted to know what my issue was......I thought he was mad. But then it dawned on me that he was from BV, so I lead him to my RV.
I showed him the broken cable and he looked at it from the outside and inside, made a few comments about measurements and said they would have to check to see what they had in stock and may need to call the manufacturer. I mentioned that if worse comes to worse, I would solicit the help of a few fellow campers and push the slide in while putting tension on the cable to at least get it home. He then left.
I called on Saturday at 9am and no one answered......getting nervous. I looked online and saw that they were closed on Saturday and Sunday.
I called Monday (Memorial Day) at 10am not expecting to get anyone. To my surprise, a man answered the phone. I explained who I was and reiterated the issue to make sure that we were on the same page.
I will pause here and say that up to that point, I had not really been very impressed. The communications had been lacking at best. No returned calls, no updates, and an odd no-introduction from the tech. In my opinion, the normal polite and professional communication that we all expect from a place of business......was simply not there. But here is where it went from lacking to offensive.
The man who answered the phone told me (in a fairly annoyed tone) that they did not have the part. Then silence.
A bit confused I asked "So what does that mean?....are you going to be able to get one soon?" In a slightly more annoyed tone he told me "it would be weeks before they would be able to get one". Then silence.
A bit flabbergasted, I paused and tried to gather my thoughts. It was all very odd. I was asking myself if I had said something wrong to offend these people as his tone and shortness made no sense to me.
I calmly asked if anyone was planning to call me and let me know as we had been told by the tech that he was going to look and see what they had but no one had called me. I said that I was a bit disappointed with the lack of communication.
He then raised his voice and snapped back "what was COMMUNICATED (that is him barking at me) to him was that you were going to push the slide in and take it home."
Again, a bit stunned by what can only be described as rude and hostile behavior to a potential customer.....I simple said "well sir, I am very disappointed and we will obviously be taking our business elsewhere" and I hung up the phone. I did not gather his name but can only assume that he is either the owner or the manager as the techs were communicating things back to him.
Even as I write this.....I am stunned by the unprofessional and hostile behavior these people, and especially this man....displayed.
Moral of the story: My opinion - if you want kind, courteous, professional service with adult level communication.......Avoid Brown's Valley RV repair at all costs. If you want to be left stranded, on your own with communication that is lacking at best and even hostile if you get the wrong person.......go ahead and call them. read more
