Big Country RV – Bend, OR Exposed: Hidden Add-Ons, PDI Failures, Title Delays & Service Backlogs

Serious Concern

Multiple recent consumer accounts (including low-star Google reviews) describe delivery-day defects, misaligned components, water leaks, non-functioning appliances, and long waits for post-sale fixes. The most powerful way to protect yourself is to hire a third-party, independent RV inspector before you sign or take possession. The inspection report is your only leverage to require repairs or concessions before the sale closes; once paid, many customers report being “pushed to the back of the line” for warranty or service work, resulting in canceled trips and weeks or months without their RV.

• Find an inspector: Search “RV Inspectors near me”.
• Insist on water intrusion testing, roof and sealant checks, slide operation, battery/charging system tests, LP leak tests, chassis/axle/brake inspection, and appliance functionality under load.
• If a dealer refuses an outside inspection, walk away. That’s a red flag.

We also recommend a post-repair re-inspection if the dealer performs substantial fixes pre-delivery. If you’ve already had a delivery day surprise at this location, tell other shoppers what you found.

Serious Concern

Shoppers repeatedly report feeling steered toward extras they didn’t plan to buy—service contracts, tire-and-wheel, fabric protection, paint protection, GPS trackers, and prepaid maintenance. Some reviews suggest that add-ons were included in price quotes without clear consent or were framed as “required.” Consumers also report high-pressure tactics around “today-only pricing,” pushing quick signatures before true due diligence. If you see a payment that looks inflated relative to the agreed price, demand a line-item breakdown and decline unwanted products.

• Ask for a cash price and a full itemized buyer’s order without add-ons.
• Decline “etching,” nitrogen fills, VIN protection, and other low-value packages.
• Never sign an iPad or DocuSign bundle without reviewing each contract screen.

For broader context on dealership tactics, see consumer education videos on the Liz Amazing channel: How RV buyers get upsold. Then search her channel for the dealership you’re evaluating.

Moderate Concern

Multiple buyers report that quoted rates were higher than their credit union pre-approvals, or that fees appeared in the F&I office they hadn’t seen on the sales floor. Dealers often earn reserve (a portion of the rate markup). You are not required to finance through the dealer—bring competing approvals from your bank/credit union and require the dealer to beat your rate without bundling add-ons. Decline any product you don’t want; don’t let “we can only approve at this rate if you buy the service contract” pressure you.

• Insist on the APR and total finance charges in writing.
• Request a copy of every signed document; photograph each page before you leave.

Moderate Concern

Some customers report trade values well below guidebook ranges or changing numbers between initial quotes and the finance office. This is common industrywide, but patterns of dissatisfaction at the Bend location appear in low-star reviews. Protect yourself with multiple buy-bids from other dealers/car-buying services and bring printed comps for similar year/mileage units.

• Get your trade value in writing early, with an expiration date.
• Document condition with photos and maintenance records.

Serious Concern

Negative reviews for the Bend store include frustration over delayed plates and titles, clerical errors, and repeated back-and-forth to fix paperwork. Oregon buyers should know that delayed title work can affect your ability to insure, register, or sell the unit. If you experience delays, escalate promptly and document all communications.

• Oregon DMV title information: Oregon Title and Registration.
• If deadlines pass without resolution, consider a complaint to the Oregon DOJ Consumer Protection section (see Legal section below).

Serious Concern

Public complaints describe customers discovering issues the day of delivery or immediately afterward: water leaks, malfunctioning slides, electrical faults, non-working furnaces/AC units, or misadjusted doors and trim. Some reviews allege that these defects should have been caught in a proper pre-delivery inspection (PDI). A thorough third-party inspection reduces this risk and gives you leverage to require fixes before money changes hands.

• Never pick up in a rush; plan to camp overnight in the dealer’s lot if allowed.
• Test every system: fresh/gray/black tank fills and drains, water heater on propane/electric, slides under load, refrigerator temps, battery charging, generator load.
• If issues are found, do not sign acceptance until a written due bill with dates is issued.

Serious Concern

Recurring complaints target months-long waits for appointments, extended parts delays, poor status updates, and alleged misdiagnoses. RV industry-wide technician shortages are real, but reviews at this Bend location suggest communication gaps compound the frustration. Some customers report multiple return visits for the same issue.

• Ask the service department for current backlog estimates in writing before you buy.
• Require a written diagnostic plan, photos, and estimated completion date.
• If under warranty, contact the manufacturer directly to confirm parts have been ordered and ask for shipping ETAs.

If your rig sat for weeks without progress at this location, can you tell other owners how you finally got movement?

Moderate Concern

Some low-star reviews describe customers who believed certain items were covered, only to be told a failure was “wear and tear,” “owner damage,” or “not warrantable.” Add-on service contracts sold in the finance office often have strict exclusions, deductibles, and claims processes that can frustrate first-time owners. Always demand a full copy of any extended service contract, read the exclusions, and verify labor rates and claim processes in advance.

• Federal warranty law primer (Magnuson-Moss): FTC Guide to Federal Warranty Law.
• If a warranty claim seems improperly denied, you may have remedies under federal or Oregon law (see Legal section).

Moderate Concern

Many negative public reviews cite unreturned calls, missed promised updates, and confusion between sales, service, and parts. Ask for named points of contact and confirm the preferred update channel (email/text/phone). Calendar weekly status check-ins and recap each call with an email.

Moderate Concern

Disputes arise when a buyer expects a certain option (solar, inverter size, auto-level, heated tanks, towing capacity) based on verbal claims or listing language, but discovers a different configuration. Always match the VIN-specific build sheet to the window sticker and marketing page before you sign. Photograph the listing and capture every promise in writing on the buyer’s order.

Serious Concern

Reported defects can quickly become safety issues: propane leaks, brake or axle problems, slide malfunctions while traveling, 12V electrical faults, or water intrusion leading to mold. Some manufacturers issue recall campaigns; timely remedy hinges on proactive dealer-manufacturer coordination. If you suspect your VIN has an open recall or service bulletin, verify immediately and document all communications.

• Check recalls: NHTSA Recall Lookup by VIN.
• Industry recall research related to this dealership: NHTSA recall search formatted for Big Country RV – Bend.
• If the dealer delays recall repairs, escalate to the manufacturer and NHTSA.

Because recall remedy parts can be scarce, shoppers should confirm recall status before purchase and require written proof of completion. Consider a second independent inspector if a recall involves critical systems. If you faced a safety-critical issue here, what steps led to a successful fix?

Serious Concern

Based on consumer complaints, potential legal risk areas for the dealer include misrepresentation of features or condition, improper warranty handling, failure to honor repair obligations, and delays or errors in titling. Consumers may have rights under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act (UTPA).

• Federal Warranty Law: FTC – Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
• Federal Trade Commission: deceptive sales or financing practices can be reported to the FTC: Report to the FTC.
• Oregon DOJ Consumer Protection: file a complaint if promises aren’t honored or paperwork is delayed: Oregon Department of Justice – Consumer Protection.
• NHTSA Safety Defects: report safety defects or recall concerns: Report a Vehicle Safety Problem.

Keep meticulous records: written quotes, signed buyer’s order, finance contract, warranty booklets, inspection reports, photos of defects, and time-stamped emails/texts. Documentation is essential if you need to escalate to regulators or pursue mediation.

Moderate Concern

Numerous RV buyers—at this location and industrywide—report feeling pushed into products they didn’t fully understand. Typical add-ons include extended service contracts, tire-and-wheel, interior/exterior protection, gap coverage, roadside plans, and GPS/anti-theft. Many have fine print, deductibles, exclusions, and caps that reduce real-world value.

• Ask for full contracts in advance. Read exclusions, labor rates, and claim filing rules.
• Compare third-party coverage; you can often buy later if you still want it.
• Decline anything you don’t want. A higher APR in exchange for add-ons is not a deal—do the math.

For buyer education on dealership add-ons, see this consumer-focused channel: Liz Amazing’s RV buyer protection videos.

Moderate Concern

Across the RV industry, parts and technician shortages can turn simple repairs into multi-week ordeals. Bend customers echo this frustration. Consider these tactics to minimize downtime:

• Ask about mobile RV tech availability in Central Oregon and keep contacts handy. If the manufacturer authorizes mobile service, it can be faster than waiting on dealer bays.
• When possible, handle minor fixes under manufacturer guidance if that preserves your warranty and speeds resolution—confirm in writing.
• Don’t leave the RV on the lot without a written work order describing the issue, the promised remedy, parts needed, and estimated completion date.

If you’ve found a reliable mobile tech in Bend/Redmond/Sisters, will you recommend them for other readers? Pair that with an inspection referral: RV Inspectors near me.