Eldorado RV & Marine- Sherman, TX Exposed: Hidden fees, finance markups, PDI defects—buyer beware

(Serious Concern)

Shoppers across the RV industry frequently report persistent upsells for paint protection, interior coatings, tire-and-wheel plans, alarm systems, and extended service contracts. The concern is not merely price—it’s value. Many add-ons duplicate manufacturer coverage or come with exclusions that make claims hard to file. Watch out for pre-printed “packs” on the buyer’s order, and insist each line item be optional. Ask for the actual contracts up front, not just a brochure, and read cancelation rules and pro-rated refunds. If negative public reviews at this location mention “extras” being added late in the process or being framed as required to get a deal, that is a strong sign to slow everything down and get itemized out-the-door pricing in writing.

• Ask for the cash price, then compare with and without add-ons.
• Refuse “mandatory” add-ons; by law, extras must be optional.
• Photograph every page of the buyer’s order before signing.

(Serious Concern)

Another recurring complaint in RV finance is payment-focused sales that bury the total interest cost. Dealers can mark up buy rates from lenders and sell ancillary products inside the loan, inflating the APR and total of payments. If public complaints at this location describe pressure to “just focus on the monthly payment,” assume the structure may be unfavorable. Competing lenders (credit unions, banks) can often beat dealer-arranged APRs. Secure a preapproval before you shop and ask the F&I office to beat it. If they can’t, use your own lender. Texas consumers with financing disputes can find guidance at the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner.

• Get at least two outside preapprovals.
• Demand a full Truth-in-Lending disclosure and the itemized finance menu.
• Decline add-ons you don’t want; ensure they’re removed from the retail installment contract.

(Moderate Concern)

Trade values can swing thousands of dollars depending on seasonality and reconditioning costs. Complaints at various RV dealers often cite disappointing trade numbers followed by higher advertised retail prices on the same unit. If low-star feedback at this Sherman location echoes this, treat trade value separately from the purchase price. Solicit cash offers from multiple buyers and bring printed quotes. If your trade is underwater, consider a private sale to avoid rolling negative equity into a new loan.

• Get trade bids from at least two independent buyers or wholesalers.
• Don’t let the dealer mix purchase price and trade value—negotiate each independently.

(Serious Concern)

Consumer reviews across the RV sector frequently report receiving units with water leaks, miswired outlets, nonfunctioning appliances, damaged seals, or missing parts right after delivery. If any 1–2 star reviews for Eldorado RV & Marine cite similar issues, the remedy is to require a third-party inspection before closing. It’s your only leverage to get repairs done promptly. If you skip the independent PDI, you may find yourself in the service queue after your funds clear—risking canceled trips while the RV sits for weeks or months waiting on parts or authorization. Begin your inspection search here: RV Inspectors near me. If the dealership refuses to allow a neutral inspector on-site, walk away.

• Demand water intrusion testing, roof/caulk evaluation, and a full appliance burn-in.
• Operate slides, awnings, jacks, and hitch systems repeatedly during PDI.
• Document discrepancies in a signed “Due Bill” that delays funding until remedied.

(Serious Concern)

Complaints about slow titles, registration delays, or incorrect paperwork are more than hassles—they can prevent you from using or insuring the RV. If low-star reviews at this Sherman dealership mention extended delays or clerical mistakes, insist on clear timelines and written commitments for titling and registration. Keep copies of everything you sign and track dates. In Texas, you can escalate unresolved title or dealer conduct concerns to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles – File a Complaint.

• Ask who handles title work in-house and how long it typically takes.
• Do not accept delivery without a complete, accurate bill of sale and temp tags.

(Serious Concern)

Post-sale service is often where negative experiences pile up. Industry-wide, consumers report long queues, parts delays, and inconsistent communication. If reviews for this location describe months-long waits or repeated visits for the same unresolved defect, take note. Ask the service department about current lead times and whether they prioritize customers who bought there. Extended delays on safety-related issues—brakes, propane systems, axle alignment, or electrical shorts—require swift escalation to the manufacturer and potentially to regulators (see Legal and Regulatory Warnings below).

• Before buying, ask for the current average turnaround time for common repairs.
• Clarify whether they service units purchased elsewhere (it signals capacity and policy).

(Moderate Concern)

Extended warranties and service contracts vary drastically in what they actually cover. Public complaints often mention “warranty won’t cover it” surprises and high deductibles. If you see similar themes in the low-star Google reviews for the Sherman store, demand copies of the full policy text and read the exclusions list. Consider saving your money in a repair fund rather than buying a third-party plan with restrictive fine print. The Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act governs written warranties and deceptive warranty practices; know your rights.

• Get the full contract, not a brochure; verify cancellation and refund terms.
• Ask how claims are approved and who pays diagnostic time.

(Moderate Concern)

“Like new” should mean minimal wear and no water intrusion or structural issues. Consumers frequently report discovering prior water damage, soft floors, or prior repairs after purchase. If any reviews at Eldorado RV & Marine reference surprises about condition, that underscores why a third-party inspection is non-negotiable. Inspect with a moisture meter, check for odor, discoloration, delamination, and uneven seams. Document every discrepancy and tie the sale to a signed due bill for corrections before funding.

• Use borescope and moisture meter on suspect areas: slide room corners, roof edges, window frames.
• Look for overspray, mismatched caulk, or paneling that suggests prior repairs.

(Moderate Concern)

Slow callbacks or vague status updates drain customer trust. Low-star reviews, when present, often call out unanswered messages or repeated rescheduling. Before you buy, ask the service manager about their communication standard (e.g., updates every X days) and whether they offer text-based status updates with photos. Build a written record of every commitment—who said what, and when—so you can escalate effectively if expectations are not met.

• Confirm a single point of contact in service and sales.
• Follow up every phone call with an email recap for a paper trail.

(Serious Concern)

Water Intrusion and Roof Integrity: Water damage can total an RV. Inspect all roof seams, penetrations, and slide toppers; run a hose test while someone inspects inside for drips. Check walls for bubbles/delamination. Any softness underfoot is a stop sign.

• Inspect caulk continuity and look for lifted edges at the front/rear caps.
• Use a moisture meter around windows, skylights, corners, and slide rooms.

(Serious Concern)

Propane, Electrical, and Heat Systems: LP leaks, miswired outlets, or furnace failures are safety hazards. Conduct a full appliance burn-in: fridge, furnace, water heater, A/C, microwave, and breakers/GFCIs. Verify CO and LP detectors are within date and functional.

• Bubble test LP connections; verify regulator condition and date codes.
• Trip-test GFCIs and verify polarity at outlets.

(Moderate Concern)

Chassis, Tires, and Brakes: Check tire DOT dates (older than five years is risky), brake function, bearing temps after a test drive, and suspension alignment. Ensure hitch equipment, safety chains, and breakaway cables are correctly sized and installed.

• Torque-check all lug nuts; verify spare tire condition.
• Confirm VIN plate GVWR/GAWR ratings and match them to your intended load.

(Serious Concern)

Consumer Protection and Warranty Law: If you encounter deceptive practices (misrepresentations about condition, “mandatory” add-ons, bait-and-switch pricing), Texas law provides remedies. The Texas Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division enforces the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA). For written warranty issues, the federal Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act prohibits deceptive warranty terms and requires clear disclosures.

• File dealer conduct complaints with the Texas DMV.
• Escalate unfair finance practices to the Texas OCCC.
• Report deceptive marketing to the FTC.

(Moderate Concern)

Safety and Recall Oversight: Many RV defects trace back to component suppliers (axles, refrigerators, LP systems). Dealers should help owners navigate recalls and prioritize safety-related work. Use the NHTSA database to check VINs and component recalls: NHTSA Recalls Search. You can also explore recall context with this query: NHTSA recall search – dealership context (note: recalls are manufacturer- and VIN-specific).

(Serious Concern)

Reported defects like water ingress, soft floors, or delamination not only destroy resale value, they can create mold exposure and structural instability. Slide-room failures can trap occupants or damage walls; electrical shorts can spark fires; propane leaks endanger life. When warranty processing drags, families lose camping seasons and incur lodging/storage costs. A pre-purchase inspection and a tightly written due bill mitigate these risks by forcing timely remedy before funding.

• Safety-critical issues (LP leaks, brake failures, axle misalignment) should be escalated to the manufacturer and, if unresolved, reported to NHTSA’s safety portal.
• Demand a written turnaround timeline for safety repairs and insist on prioritization.

(Serious Concern)

Make third-party inspection your non-negotiable: It’s your only leverage before signing or funding. The inspector’s report lets you require repairs, discounts, or walk away if you find structural, electrical, or safety defects. Use a certified professional—start your search here: Certified RV inspectors near me. If the dealership denies on-site inspections, treat that as a deal you should not do.