Mike Thompson’s RV Super Store- Santa Fe Springs, CA Exposed: Upsells, PDI failures, slow warranty

(Serious Concern)

Across the RV industry, missed defects during Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) and slow warranty repair queues are rampant. The most reliable leverage you have is an independent inspection before you sign or take possession. Use a certified, third-party inspector—not someone affiliated with the dealer—to test roof seams, seals, slides, electrical systems, propane, brakes, frame/suspension, plumbing, and appliances. If the dealer refuses an independent inspection, that is a major red flag: walk away.

• Book locally: Find vetted options by searching: RV Inspectors near me.
• Make the sale contingent: Put inspection results in writing as a condition of delivery and financing approval. Require all items to be corrected before funds are disbursed.
• Don’t accept “we’ll handle it later” promises: Once you sign, your RV may enter a long repair queue. Trip cancellations are common when units sit for weeks or months awaiting parts and technician time.
• Re-inspect repairs: After fixes are completed, ask your inspector to recheck critical items. Search again if needed: Local RV inspectors.
• Bring a checklist: Cross-verify with independent guidance from creators like Liz Amazing’s RV inspection and buying tips.

(Serious Concern)

Multiple public complaints describe aggressive sales tactics, shifting pricing discussions, and add-ons introduced late in the process. The finance and insurance (F&I) office may pitch extended service contracts, tire-and-wheel packages, “paint/roof protection,” VIN etching, and gap insurance—often with vague explanations of coverage limits and exclusions.

• Protect yourself: Request an itemized out-the-door (OTD) quote in writing with every product listed and costed. Decline any add-on you do not fully understand.
• Verify coverage scope: Ask for the full policy documents before purchase. Many third-party warranties exclude common RV failures (water intrusion, seals, cosmetic issues, owner maintenance).
• Research the dealer by issue: Google search: Santa Fe Springs upsells

(Moderate to Serious Concern)

Some buyers report discovering higher-than-expected interest rates, or finding add-on products rolled into the loan. Dealer-arranged financing can be convenient but often favor the dealer’s margin. Low-credit buyers are especially vulnerable to costly terms.

• Shop your financing first: Secure pre-approval from a credit union or bank to benchmark the dealer’s offer.
• Decline “packages” you don’t need: Insist on removing any F&I items you did not explicitly authorize in writing.
• Learn your rights: The FTC enforces truth-in-lending and deceptive practices rules; keep copies of all disclosures.

(Moderate Concern)

Public comments often say trade valuations come in below market, with the gap sometimes bridged by higher sale pricing on the new unit. This is a common tactic across the industry, not unique to one store.

• Get multiple bids: Solicit wholesale offers from consignment dealers and online buyers to anchor fair value.
• Separate the deals: Negotiate your new unit and your trade-in independently; don’t let numbers blur.

(Serious Concern)

Several low-star reviews across RV dealers—this location included—allege missing paperwork, errors, or delays that leave buyers waiting for plates, titles, or lender disbursements. In California, dealers must promptly process registration and title; extended delays can expose you to tickets, towing risk, or problems insuring the unit.

• Control the docs: Check VINs, lienholder, sales price, taxes, and the buyer’s order for accuracy. Keep copies of everything.
• Regulatory recourse: The California Attorney General accepts consumer complaints: California OAG Consumer Protection.
• Research similar complaints: BBB search results for Mike Thompson’s RV Super Store — Santa Fe Springs

(Serious Concern)

Recurring themes include water leaks, inoperable slides, miswired outlets, and cosmetic or structural issues discovered shortly after delivery—items that thorough PDIs should catch. The risk intensifies if a third-party inspection is not permitted or rushed.

• Mandate an independent inspection: Book before signing: Find RV inspectors.
• Don’t take possession until fixed: A repair promise after funding is often unenforceable without clear, written due dates and remedies.

(Serious Concern)

Many RV owners report long waits for service appointments, slow manufacturer authorization, and extended parts delays. When service departments are over capacity, post-sale customers frequently get pushed behind new sales PDIs and emergency repairs.

• Document everything: Written work orders, timelines, and email threads help escalate to manufacturers or regulators.
• Know your rights: The Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act prohibits deceptive warranty conditioning. Learn more via the FTC.
• Community escalation: If you’ve waited months, share your repair timeline so other shoppers see realistic expectations.

(Moderate Concern)

Low-rated reviews often reference unreturned calls, unclear status updates, and conflicting statements between sales and service. The friction is worst when warranty approvals are pending and parts are on backorder.

• Set scheduled check-ins: Ask for a recurring weekly update via email. Escalate to service managers when updates slip.
• Use manufacturer support: Many OEMs can pressure parts suppliers or authorize alternative fixes if dealer communication stalls.

(Moderate to Serious Concern)

Consumers occasionally allege discrepancies between advertised features and what’s delivered (e.g., wrong solar package, missing inverters, downgraded tires, or uninstalled options). Others report “new” units with prior damage or incomplete prep.

• Verify on paper and in person: Cross-check the window sticker, build sheet, and sales contract against the actual unit on-site before funding.
• Search complaints: Google search: Santa Fe Springs complaints

(Serious Concern)

When substantial issues surface right after delivery, owners frequently cancel prepaid campground bookings or miss seasonal trips. Delays can balloon during peak camping months.

• Mitigation: Delay trip commitments until your inspection punch-list is fully resolved and documented.
• Community report: If a repair backlog derailed your travel, tell future buyers what happened.

(Moderate Concern)

Recalls are issued by manufacturers—not dealers—but dealers should help you check VINs and address open campaigns. If recalls are discovered after delivery, delayed scheduling can pose safety risks.

• Self-check your VIN: Use NHTSA’s database to monitor recalls: NHTSA Recall Lookup. Also see a dealer-focused query here: NHTSA recalls search formatting.
• Demand written recall status at delivery: Ask the store to document any open recalls for your exact VIN and commit to a completion date.

(Moderate to Serious Concern)

Owners sometimes attribute persistent small issues to rushed or inexperienced prep work—loose plumbing fittings, poor sealant, misaligned doors, miswired outlets. When the service bay is overloaded, quality control can slip.

• Hands-on verification: Operate every system at delivery (multiple cycles). Don’t leave until you’ve tested water under pressure, AC under load, slides under load, and all safety devices.
• Learn from experts: Watch detailed delivery checklists by creators like Liz Amazing before your appointment.

(Serious Concern)

Defects missed during PDI or poor-quality prep can have real safety and financial consequences. Common high-impact issues include:

• Water intrusion: Compromised seals or roof penetrations lead to rot, mold, electrical shorts, and severe depreciation.
• Brake, axle, or tire mismatches: Incorrect load ratings or improperly torqued components risk blowouts or brake fade at highway speeds.
• Propane leaks and CO hazards: Misinstalled fittings or untested appliances can be life-threatening. Always test with a calibrated gas detector.
• Electrical faults: Reversed polarity, miswired outlets, or substandard transfer switches pose shock/fire risks, especially under generator load.

Owners should independently check for recalls, technical service bulletins, and safety advisories applicable to their specific VIN using NHTSA’s recall tools. If a dealer defers or delays safety repairs, escalate to the OEM and document timelines in writing.

(Serious Concern)

Based on patterns reported by consumers, the following legal frameworks may be implicated if allegations are accurate:

• Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act (federal): Prohibits tying warranty coverage to paid services and deceptive warranty representations. See the Federal Trade Commission for guidance.
• Truth in Lending Act/Reg Z: Requires clear disclosure of APR, terms, and add-on financing. Keep copies of all signed docs; discrepancies can be actionable.
• California Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA) and Unfair Competition Law (Bus. & Prof. Code §17200): Address misrepresentations, deceptive practices, and unfair business conduct.
• California DMV/title regulations: Dealers must process registration and title in a timely manner. Persistent delays or inaccuracies may justify complaints to the California Attorney General or DMV.
• Safety recalls (NHTSA): If dealers deliver units with unaddressed safety recalls or delay repair unreasonably, document and escalate via NHTSA and the manufacturer.

If you believe a dealer violated these statutes, consult a consumer protection attorney experienced in RV cases. Maintain meticulous records: emails, texts, voicemails, photos, videos, and dated work orders.

(Moderate Context)

To remain objective, it’s fair to note that some customers do report positive interactions at the Santa Fe Springs store: courteous salespeople, quick parts availability for minor items, and fair pricing on specific models during promotions. When escalated, certain service managers have reportedly stepped in to resolve issues. However, the persistence and volume of publicly visible negative feedback on delivery-day quality and post-sale support mean shoppers should proceed cautiously and document extensively.