Lazydays RV of Knoxville at Strawberry Plains- Knoxville, TN Exposed: PDI failures, finance markups

(Serious Concern)

At this location, consumers frequently report delivery-day discoveries of defects that should have been caught during the dealer’s pre-delivery inspection (PDI). Issues like roof sealant voids, slide misalignments, inoperative appliances, water intrusion, and electrical faults can be expensive and time-consuming to resolve—especially if the store must order parts from the manufacturer and the service queue is already weeks long. Once your funds clear, your leverage drops dramatically. If you decline a thorough third-party inspection before signing, you risk finding defects only after you’ve taken possession, at which point you may be pushed to the back of the service line.

• Hire an independent NRVIA-certified inspector to perform a full systems check and detailed PDI before you finalize financing or sign anything. Use this search: RV Inspectors near me.
• Put in writing that your deposit and purchase are contingent upon an independent inspection and correction of all safety and functionality deficiencies.
• If the dealership will not allow an independent inspection on-site, that is a major red flag—walk away. Have you ever been refused an independent inspection?

Explainers and cautionary walkthroughs on the Liz Amazing channel demonstrate exactly why third-party inspections save buyers from years of headaches and thousands in repairs—and how to document issues so they’re fixed before money changes hands.

(Serious Concern)

Recent one- and two-star Google reviews for this specific location describe high-pressure sales interactions, advertised prices that change at the desk, and line items added late in the process (e.g., prep fees, “mandatory” protection packages, or dealer-installed options) that materially increase the final price. Some shoppers say they felt rushed to sign or were told an RV would be sold to another buyer if they didn’t commit immediately. Others report that “we’ll take care of that after the sale” promises later became disputes.

• Ask for a single “out-the-door” purchase agreement with every fee itemized—and refuse to sign if numbers are changed after your approval.
• Decline add-ons you don’t want. Dealers sometimes present fabric protection, paint/roof coatings, alarm systems, or nitrogen tire fills as necessities. They are optional and often overpriced.
• Cross-check the dealer’s advertised pricing history using cached pages or screenshots if possible. Then keep everything in writing.

To verify recent experiences, browse low-star reviews here: Lazydays RV of Knoxville at Strawberry Plains on Google (sort by Lowest Rating).

(Serious Concern)

Consumers report frustration with the financing process, including surprise rate increases at signing, heavy promotion of extended warranties and gap coverage, and confusion about lender terms. In several cases, buyers claim they could have obtained lower rates through their own bank or credit union but felt directed into the dealer’s financing pipeline. Financing office markups, while common across auto/RV retail, can add thousands over the loan term.

• Always get pre-approval from your credit union or bank to set a benchmark. If the dealer can’t beat it, use your own lender.
• Decline extended warranties unless you fully understand coverage limits, claim procedures, and exclusions. Many negative reviews cite difficulty getting warranty claims authorized later.
• Check the APR on the signed contract against your earlier quotes—do not accept “it’s already locked in” if the rate is different.

For additional context, search broader industry financing concerns, and look up this location’s name with terms like “financing” and “interest rates” using: Google search: Lazydays RV of Knoxville at Strawberry Plains Problems.

(Moderate Concern)

Several complaints mention stark differences between preliminary trade-in quotes and final offers after buyers are seated in finance or when delivery day arrives. While market adjustments and condition findings can explain some variance, the sudden appearance of reconditioning fees or “new damage” allegations has left some customers feeling trapped between restarting their shopping process or accepting a lower value to complete the deal.

• Get multiple trade-in quotes and bring documented private sale values to negotiations.
• Insist on a written trade appraisal with photos before you sign a purchase agreement; don’t rely on verbal assurances.

(Serious Concern)

A recurring theme in low-star reviews is delayed paperwork—especially titles and registrations—which can prevent you from legally using your RV or may derail a planned trip. Title transfer problems, missing temporary tags, and communication lapses between sales, finance, and back-office departments appear frequently in recent complaints for the Strawberry Plains location.

• Before leaving the lot, confirm you have all paperwork, temp tags, and a timeline for title and registration. Get the name and direct number of the staff handling your file.
• If deadlines pass, escalate in writing. Under many state consumer laws, failure to process title/registration timely can trigger regulatory attention.

(Serious Concern)

Buyers report discovering problems during the walk-through or immediately after taking delivery—water leaks, faulty slides, malfunctioning HVAC, soft floors, inoperative leveling systems, battery or converter failures, non-functional appliances, and sealant gaps. Some state that issues documented on delivery are not promptly addressed, leading to long waits for parts and service appointments.

• Bring a detailed checklist and test every system, every vent, every faucet, every electrical outlet and GFCI. Allocate several hours to the walkthrough.
• Do not finalize the sale until defects are remedied or you have a signed due bill with specific completion dates.
• Consider a second independent inspection after repairs, especially for safety systems. Use: RV Inspectors near me.

For step-by-step PDI guidance, see investigative buyer education from Liz Amazing’s channel.

(Serious Concern)

Multiple recent reviews for this location cite months-long waits for service scheduling and parts, minimal updates, and RVs sitting idle in the service lot. Some report canceled trips and storage costs accumulating because promised completion dates slipped repeatedly. The experience can be especially frustrating for buyers who discovered defects within days of delivery.

• Get all service timelines in writing. Ask for part order confirmations and estimated delivery dates.
• Communicate via email where possible to create a paper trail. Escalate to management promptly if updates stop.
• If the RV is undriveable due to a safety issue, document everything and ask whether the manufacturer or insurer can assist with alternative accommodations.

If this has happened to you, please share your service timeline and how it was resolved. Your timeline helps other shoppers set realistic expectations.

(Moderate Concern)

Complaints at this location and across the RV industry frequently involve warranty claims being denied as “wear and tear,” “owner damage,” or “not a covered component.” Extended service contracts sold in finance may sound comprehensive, but they often exclude common failure points or require multiple authorizations that slow repairs. Buyers report feeling stuck between the dealer, the warranty administrator, and the RV manufacturer.

• Read contract exclusions carefully before buying any warranty plan. Ask for a sample contract and look for pre-authorization requirements, deductibles, and labor-hour caps.
• Document defects with photos, dates, and technician notes. If a denial seems improper, escalate to the contract administrator in writing and keep records of calls and emails.

(Moderate Concern)

Several low-star reviews describe repeated returns for the same problem or RVs returned with new issues introduced during repair. Parts backorders are common industry-wide, but buyers at this location report feeling left in the dark about timelines. When repairs finally occur, workmanship quality is a frequent point of contention—trim reinstalled poorly, misaligned doors, or incomplete sealant work.

• When authorizing repairs, request specific written work orders and pictures of the completed repair. Verify function before leaving the lot.
• For structural or complex systems work, consider an independent post-repair inspection: Find a third-party inspector.

(Moderate Concern)

Reviewers commonly cite unanswered calls, delayed callbacks, and promised updates that never arrive. In some cases, customers say verbal promises made by sales or service staff were not honored by other departments. Without clear, written commitments, consumers bear the risk of misunderstandings—and delays compound.

• Insist on written commitments (due bills) with dates. If a promise matters, it must be on paper, not a voicemail.
• Request a single point of contact and their manager’s direct information. Escalate after two missed promised updates.

(Moderate Concern)

Buyers at this location report heavy promotion of paint protection, interior coatings, tire-and-wheel plans, alarm systems, and various warranties. These products can be expensive and may not align with your needs or actual risk profile. Negative reviews often mention buyers later struggling to use the protections they felt pressured to purchase.

• Ask for the retail price of each add-on and the exact coverage terms. Many can be purchased later or from third parties at lower cost.
• Don’t be rushed—treat add-ons as separate purchases requiring separate evaluation.
• Research add-ons independently on YouTube and forums. Try a targeted search on YouTube for issues with this location, and watch buyer education videos from this investigative video hub.

(Serious Concern)

Defects reported at delivery or shortly after purchase can have real-world safety consequences: brake malfunctions, tire blowouts from under-spec’d components, compromised propane systems, water leaks leading to electrical hazards, or slide mechanisms that fail while traveling. If an RV remains at the dealer for weeks awaiting parts or warranty authorization, owners face canceled trips, non-refundable campground fees, and the stress of uncertain timelines.

• Recall diligence: Even if a dealer states a unit is “recall free,” confirm for yourself using the RV’s VIN at the official source. Start with NHTSA’s database and then navigate to your specific vehicle: NHTSA recalls lookup.
• PDI safety checks: Test propane leak detectors, smoke/CO alarms, emergency exits, hitching and braking systems, GFCI circuits, and tire DOT dates. Don’t accept a unit with unresolved safety faults on a “we’ll fix it later” promise.
• Weight and payload: Verify the actual dry weight and cargo carrying capacity (CCC). Overloading due to misrepresented numbers can lead to brake failures and blowouts.

If you encountered a safety-related defect at this store, please document it below for other shoppers. Specifics (model, defect, dates, resolution) help others avoid similar risks.

(Serious Concern)

Based on recurring themes in public complaints, there are several legal and regulatory exposure points for any dealership, including Lazydays RV of Knoxville at Strawberry Plains:

• Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: Misrepresenting warranty coverage, failing to honor written warranties, or conditioning coverage on paid dealer-only service can draw scrutiny under federal warranty law. Learn more: FTC Warranty Guides.
• FTC Holder Rule and Truth in Lending: Financing disclosures must be accurate and clear. Rate markups, add-ons, and signatures on incomplete contracts can create legal risk. See: FTC Holder Rule and TILA (Reg Z).
• State UDAP laws: Tennessee’s consumer protection statutes prohibit unfair or deceptive acts or practices, including bait-and-switch pricing or misleading representations about goods and services. If you believe you were misled, file a complaint with the Tennessee Attorney General: Tennessee Consumer Affairs Complaint Portal.
• Safety obligations: Delivering units with unresolved recalls or known safety defects can create liability. Always check NHTSA and the manufacturer’s recall pages for your VIN before delivery.
• Paperwork timeliness: Delays in titles/registrations can trigger administrative or civil penalties. If your title or registration is late, document every interaction and escalate in writing.

If you are facing a warranty or financing dispute, keep detailed records and consider contacting state regulators or a consumer protection attorney. Your documentation (emails, texts, photos, contracts) is critical. Also consider posting a factual timeline in owner forums so others can learn from your case.