A Disappointing Experience: A Review of LIV travel trailer and Factory Direct Marine & RV in Georgia.
My experience with the LIV travel trailer and the delearship has been an absolute nightmare from start to finish. It all began when my wife and I did our due diligence and researched various travel trailers. We stumbled upon the LIV unit and were instantly captivated by what we saw in the online video. Little did we know that this initial excitement would quickly turn into a series of disappointments and frustrations.
Upon contacting the dealership Factory Direct Marine & RV in GA and speaking with Shaun, the salesman, on 5/8/23, we inquired about a new LIV travel trailer. To our surprise, we were informed that they had a used 2023 model available due to a customer upgrade. Although we had concerns about purchasing a unit we hadn't seen in person, we decided to proceed with the purchase and provided a $1000 down payment. Unfortunately, we were not provided with any photos of the actual unit we were buying.
The following day, Tyler Zimmerman, the sales manager, contacted me and informed me that there had been a mistake - the unit was actually brand new, not used. While this news initially seemed positive, it came with an additional demand for $1300 more as a down payment. Reluctantly, I complied and received a new buyer's order with the same VIN number. I patiently waited for a week to pick up the unit, expecting it to be in pristine condition.
However, upon arrival, I was greeted with a disappointing sight. The dealership was still installing a battery box and making repairs to the unit. During the hurried walk-around, I discovered multiple issues during our inspection. The mattresses were filled with fiberglass shavings and were clearly used, despite being informed that all mattresses would be new due to health code regulations related to COVID-19. The stove burners were coated in cooked-on grease, the toilet emitted a foul odor, and the shower water was plumbed in reverse, with hot and cold water switched. During the walk-through, an employee casually asked if it was really an issue that the plumbing was reserved.
I was assured that the unit would be thoroughly cleaned before departure, for which I was charged an additional $990. Believing their word, I did not reinspect the unit before leaving. I hooked up the trailer and embarked on a 5.5-hour journey back home to Florida. However, the next day, upon closer inspection, my wife and I discovered even more issues with the unit.
Desperate for a resolution, I reached out to the salesman and Tyler to report the problems. To our dismay, we received no response for days, which prompted us to send an email with detailed photos. We made it clear that their response and actions would directly impact our review and ratings, even mentioning the possibility of involving a lawyer. Finally, Tyler responded, claiming that the unit was actually a "New Demo Unit" and warned us against threatening their business. However, at no point during the purchase process were we informed that we were buying a demo unit. This critical information was omitted from all paperwork, including the bank contract, which clearly states that the unit is "New."
To exacerbate the situation, when my lawyer in Florida contacted Tyler, he callously hung up on him. It wasn't until we involved the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of GA that the dealership finally responded. However, their claim that they had tried to communicate with us was completely false, as we had received no such communication.
The problems with the unit continued to escalate. During my stay in South Florida, the first night in the travel trailer was a disaster. Rainwater seeped in through the ceiling vents. There were leaks along the walls behind the toilet, kitchen counter, and windows. Additionally, the toilet did not retain water in the bowl, emitting an unbearable stench. To add insult to injury, the air conditioning unit ceased functioning within two days, forcing me to purchase a new one at my own expense.
Throughout this entire ordeal, we never received any meaningful communication from the dealership's sales representative or manager. It was only after the BBB intervened and provided us with contact information that I reached out to the Tennessee dealership for assistance.
In summary, my experience with the LIV travel trailer and the dealership in GA has been a complete disaster. From the false information provided during the purchase process to the multitude of issues with the unit itself, it is clear that this dealership's practices are unethical and unacceptable. I strongly advise against doing business with them, as they have demonstrated a lack of integrity, professionalism, and customer care.
In conclusion, I cannot help but express my profound disappointment with the LIV travel trailer and the dealership Factory Direct Marine & RV in GA. read more