My son lives full time in a 5th wheel trailer which, I own. The 5th wheel has been located in a mobile home park for the last three + years. Per the rental agreement electrical power has been included in the rent.
I learned through several media sources about an electrical system, CheapHeat™, sold by RV Comfort Systems LLC. (www.rvcomfortsystems.com) that can be installed in conjunction with a RV gas furnace. The selling point is that either gas or electric can be used for heat depending on circumstances and what is most economical. Not having to pay for electrical power, we concluded the system would be feasible, economical and would pay for its self in a short period of time.
To assure the correct system was ordered and to get the ball rolling; as a favor the system was purchased and paid for by my personal technician friend then I promptly reimbursed him.
The same day we received notice the equipment was shipped we also received notice from the park electrical power was no longer going to be included in the space rent and the renter will be responsible. Therefore, installing the furnace in the fifth wheel was no longer going to be economical. As an alternative and not wanting to return the furnace, I was hoping the system could be installed in my motor home. However, discussions with owner resulted in his waffling back and forth not able to give assurance if the system could be installed in the MH.
Therefore, not wanting to take any chances of additional costs of returning opened boxes, my technician and I advised owner that we needed to return the system. In separate e-mails he responded:
"IF THE BOXES have not been opened there is a 15% restocking charge. If any one of the boxes have been open our UL listing will not allow us to resale the product without it going back through the UL inspection process which cost us $139.00 plus $25.00 handling. So............. Open box returns will cost 15% plus the UL $164.00 inspection & handling fee. Sorry----------"
While traveling from Portland to the Seattle area I personally delivered and handed the unopened boxes to owner. He proceeded to tell me that there could possibly be a workaround for my MH. Too late, there was no way I was going to take the equipment back to Portland with the uncertainty and the big chance of ending up with equipment that can't be used and returned or at least stuck with additional out of pocket cost.
Shortly after a refund memo was issued to the technician showing the refund was going to be less the 15% restocking charge ($72.20), $43.57 freight & credit card fee and UL $164 fee. Owner's response after contacting him regarding there must be some mistake as more than 15% was being deducted: "Bill your correct there should not be a 164.50 charge. The freight it cost to ship to Portland and the 3% we get charged for the original payment will not be refunded. I'll remake review and check reflecting the $164.50 change." The check less the $164.50 was sent to my RV Technician who had to refund me.
Owner has repeatedly failed to acknowledge his stated return policy was only the 15% stocking fee. Nowhere is an additional freight and credit card fee stated. One would assume they are included in the 15% as part of the unrecoverable costs. In spite of numerous requests and pointing out the stated policy there has been a refusal to refund the $43.57 for the freight & credit card fee.
My observation, this company is operated solely by an unprofessional person, owner, who is difficult to deal with, operating out of a unit in a storage facility. It is not a well-established manufacturing business/facility the advertising makes it out to be. It is my experience this business is unethical in its business practices. It appears to me it is not a company that will or has the resources to stand behind or warrant its products. Throughout our correspondence owner would state procedures/policies differently. One being he doesn't honor returns, after the equipment had been returned. Our last correspondence he advised me the system was sold to a dealer and he will no longer communicate with me. Nothing more than a smoke screens. I am not willing to put my friend who did me a favor and is not responsible for the refund through the hassle.
Anyone who is considering purchasing the system, mail order only, I recommend the product and company are researched thoroughly. Making sure, which is difficult to find out from owner, that it definitely is a system that can be installed in your RV. I didn't see any place the system is warranted. Therefore, it's doubtful in my mind if issues develop there could be little or no recourse. read more