Kent Mitchell RV Sales LLC- Hammond, LA Exposed: Hard-sell add-ons & title delays—get outside PDI

(Serious Concern)

Independent pre-purchase inspections are your best leverage and the single strongest way to avoid weeks or months of service delays after the dealer has your money. Request a thorough third-party inspection before you sign anything or take possession. If a dealer refuses to allow an outside professional inspector, that’s a major red flag—walk away. Use this search to find vetted pros near you: Find RV Inspectors near me. Consider scheduling the inspection at the dealership and require all deficiencies to be corrected in writing prior to closing.

(Moderate Concern)

Many buyers report canceled camping trips when newly purchased units are stuck awaiting parts or repairs. The risk is higher if issues aren’t documented at delivery and you lose priority after funding. Your inspection report and a detailed due-bill (a written list of all promised fixes, parts, and delivery items) are essential for enforcement and follow-up.

(Serious Concern)

Consumer complaints about aggressive finance-and-insurance (F&I) tactics are common throughout the RV industry and can include extended service contracts of questionable value, paint/fabric protection, anti-theft etching, nitrogen tires, and “mandatory” fees. Watch for:

• Payment packing: Extra products bundled covertly into the monthly payment.
• Conditional approvals: Being told financing requires add-ons—often untrue.
• “Limited-time” pressure: Push to sign before you can compare offers.

Insist on an itemized, out-the-door price, and request that all add-ons be optional. Take the unsigned contract home to review and compare bank/CU financing. For a reality check on these tactics, search the Liz Amazing RV consumer videos and see how buyers push back effectively.

(Moderate Concern)

Reports often mention trade offers that come in well below market, with the difference recouped via high retail pricing on the new unit. To protect yourself, gather written, competing trade bids (e.g., RV consignment dealers, national buyers) and obtain a real out-the-door offer. If the deal only works with a low trade value and inflated doc or prep fees, walk.

(Serious Concern)

Multiple consumers across the industry describe lengthy delays receiving titles, permanent tags, or payoff confirmations—issues that can lead to fines, travel cancellations, or problems selling or insuring the RV. Title delays may also indicate internal process bottlenecks. Require delivery timelines in writing, and don’t fund the deal until the title status and payoff details are crystal clear.

(Serious Concern)

Common complaints include units sitting for weeks awaiting diagnoses or parts, limited callbacks, or “not replicated” findings. RV service capacity nationwide is tight; however, buyers at smaller dealerships often report difficulty getting priority queuing post-sale. A third-party pre-delivery inspection (PDI) and a comprehensive due-bill help ensure you aren’t placed at the back of the line for warranty fixes immediately after purchase.

• Get in writing: Estimated completion dates and who pays for parts and labor.
• Loaner options: Ask about temporary accommodations if repairs sideline your trip.
• Follow the paper trail: Keep dated photos and written service logs to support warranty claims.

(Serious Concern)

Owners often report being bounced between dealer and manufacturer, with each side blaming the other. Extended third-party “warranties” sold by dealers can limit coverage or require exact maintenance records. Before you buy, request sample contracts and read exclusions. If a claim is denied, the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and state warranty laws may apply (see Legal and Regulatory Warnings below).

(Moderate Concern)

Buyers frequently find water leaks, slide malfunctions, mis-wired components, or inoperative appliances after leaving the lot. A rushed PDI is a recipe for return trips and downtime. Block out several hours at delivery, run water systems, extend all slides/awnings, light the furnace and water heater, test GFCI outlets, and video the walkthrough. Don’t sign final delivery paperwork until defects are documented on the due-bill.

(Serious Concern)

Across many dealers, consumers have reported discrepancies between advertised features and what is delivered: missing options, different floorplans, or undisclosed prior damage. Always match the VIN to the exact online listing and window sticker, and capture screenshots. If you’re presented with “equivalent” equipment after arrival, it should come with a transparent discount or you should refuse delivery.

(Moderate Concern)

“Prep” or “delivery” fees vary dramatically and are often negotiable; some buyers report these fees ballooning late in the process. Demand a line-item breakdown. If a fee cannot be explained as a true cost, it should be removed or offset by price concessions.

(Serious Concern)

Water leaks can compromise structural integrity, rot subfloors, and destroy interiors. Slide malfunctions can trap owners in a park or on the roadside. If you detect any soft spots, musty odors, staining, or slide racking, do not accept delivery. Ask your inspector for moisture meter readings and a slide mechanism assessment.

(Serious Concern)

Brake controller malfunctions, under-torqued lug nuts, axle alignment issues, and OEM tire defects have all been reported across RV brands. These hazards can result in catastrophic loss. Before taking possession, verify torque specs, inspect tires for date codes and sidewall defects, and request a written confirmation of PDI checks.

(Serious Concern)

Gas leaks, mis-wired GFCIs, and overloaded circuits carry serious fire and injury risks. Insist on pressure checks for LP systems, appliance function tests, and a complete 12V/120V test under load. Bring a plug-in circuit analyzer to delivery and confirm that surge protection and EMS requirements are understood and documented.

(Serious Concern)

Consumer complaints involving warranty denials, misrepresentation, and deceptive sales practices may implicate federal and state laws:

• Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: Governs written warranties; prohibits deceptive warranty terms and certain claim denials. Filing info: FTC Warranty Law Guide.
• FTC Oversight: The FTC can act against unfair or deceptive acts or practices; complaint portal: ReportFraud.FTC.gov.
• Louisiana Attorney General: State-level consumer protection, deceptive trade practices, and complaint filing: Louisiana AG Consumer Protection.
• Louisiana Redhibition (Civil Code): Provides remedies for hidden defects (vices) that render a product useless or so inconvenient that a buyer would not have purchased it. Consult a Louisiana attorney for applicability to your case.

Keep copies of all ads, texts/emails, the buyer’s order, due-bills, inspection reports, and service tickets. Document any discrepancy between advertised equipment and the delivered unit (screenshots are evidence). If the dealership delays title delivery or registration beyond agreed timeframes, this can trigger additional remedies under Louisiana law.

(Moderate Concern)

When issues arise, escalate in writing to the dealership’s general manager and the manufacturer’s regional service rep. If unresolved, file complaints with the BBB, the Louisiana AG, and the FTC. Consider contacting a consumer law attorney experienced in RV cases—particularly for repeat repair attempts or significant safety defects.

(Moderate Concern)

Extended service plans and ancillary packages can cost thousands while excluding the most common failures. If you want coverage, compare third-party options and negotiate price hard—up to 50% off MSRP isn’t unusual in F&I products. Verify cancellation and refund terms in writing; some buyers report difficulty getting prorated refunds when they sell the RV early.

(Moderate Concern)

Dealers sometimes mark up buy rates (the wholesale interest rate) without disclosing the spread. Arrive with a pre-approval from your credit union or bank, and let the dealer try to beat it. If the APR improves only when you add expensive products, decline the bundle or seek outside financing.

(Moderate Concern)

Owners at smaller dealerships often report uneven technician experience, leading to repeat visits for the same concern. Ask about RVIA/RVDA or manufacturer certifications held by the techs who will work on your unit, and request documentation of diagnostic steps. If a repair is “not replicated,” clarify the test conditions used and request a recheck under the circumstances where the issue occurs.

(Moderate Concern)

Parts bottlenecks can add weeks to repairs. Get an ETA and tracking info when parts are ordered, plus a scheduled install date. Ask the service manager for escalation contacts at the manufacturer if parts stall. Keep all emails organized to establish a timeline if you need to elevate your case.

(Serious Concern)

Delays on structural, brake, gas, or electrical defects elevate risk every time you tow or camp. A leaking roof can quickly become a total loss. Slide or frame issues can trap the unit on site. A gas leak poses immediate fire/explosion danger. Owners bear the real-world costs: canceled trips, lodging while repairs drag on, and devalued trade-ins due to stigma from repeat defects.

(Serious Concern)

Manufacturers issue recalls for documented hazards; the dealership’s role is to verify VIN applicability and complete the work promptly. If you experience stalling on recall scheduling or incomplete recall repairs, escalate to the manufacturer and file a safety complaint with NHTSA: Report a Vehicle Safety Problem to NHTSA. Keep proof that you requested recall service and your communications timeline.