Pearce RV and Auto- Ocala, FL Exposed: Aggressive Upsells, Defective Deliveries, Long Service Delays

(Serious Concern)

New and used RVs routinely leave lots with unresolved defects—sometimes minor, sometimes serious. A third-party, certified RV inspection prior to signing is your best leverage. If you accept delivery and discover defects later, you become a service customer and can be queued for weeks or months—especially during peak season—while parts are ordered and tech time is allocated. Consumers across Florida report canceled trips, hotel stays, and significant losses when their RV sits at a dealer awaiting repairs. Do not rely solely on a dealer pre-delivery inspection (PDI); get your own independent professional to verify structural integrity, appliances, slide operation, roof/caulk, brakes, tires’ DOT age, axles, freshwater/black/gray systems, propane, electrical including GFCIs, inverters, and battery health.

• Find an inspector: Use a local search and book well ahead of delivery: Search: RV Inspectors near me.
• Make it conditional: Write in your purchase order that sale is contingent on your independent inspection and satisfactory resolution of all findings.
• Non-negotiable warning: If a dealer does not allow an outside professional inspection on-site, walk. That’s a major red flag.

(Serious Concern)

Public complaints in the RV sector—and reflected in low-star reviews for this dealer—often describe pressure to accept add-ons such as paint protection, fabric/roof coatings, “nitrogen” tire fills, etch packages, and extended warranties with marginal value. Some customers allege that they were told add-ons were “required” for financing or already pre-installed. These tactics can inflate your out-the-door price and saddle buyers with products that are difficult to claim against later.

• Action: Ask for a clean buyer’s order without add-ons. Decline anything that isn’t mandatory by your bank or state.
• Verify: Request the cost of every line item in writing; compare to your own quotes for coatings and warranties purchased independently.
• Education: Learn from consumer advocates like Liz Amazing’s deep-dive videos on bloated add-ons and hard-sell tactics.

(Moderate Concern)

Dealers commonly mark up lender “buy rates” to earn reserve, yielding higher APRs than you’d get by arranging your own loan. Negative reviews about the Ocala store suggest buyers felt rushed into in-house financing or encountered rates higher than promised.

• Action: Obtain pre-approval from your bank or credit union before stepping onto the lot. If dealer APR is better, ask for a written “rate sheet” and verify no hidden products are bundled into the payment.
• Compare: Use loan calculators to understand total cost over term; don’t be distracted by only the monthly payment.

(Moderate Concern)

Several low-star reviewers across RV dealerships report trade-in valuations far below market. Complaints about independent Ocala-area dealers often cite appraisals that shift late in the process or are contingent on “inspection” post-signing.

• Action: Get written offers from at least two other outlets and instant online bids where possible. Bring maintenance records and photos. If the trade is revalued after you sign, insist on a signed “we owe” detailing any adjustments.

(Serious Concern)

Some Florida buyers have reported waiting weeks for title transfer or plate registration, risking citations if they travel beyond temporary tags. Low-star comments for the Ocala location mention delays in paperwork completion or communications gaps about where the title was in process. This can derail planned trips and complicate insurance coverage.

• Action: Before paying, ask in writing for estimated title delivery/registration timelines and name a specific point of contact. Photograph all signed forms.
• Escalate: If deadlines slip, escalate to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the dealership’s ownership promptly.

(Serious Concern)

One of the most common threads in 1–2 star reviews across the RV industry is delivery with defects that should have been caught during pre-delivery inspection (PDI): water leaks, non-functioning slides, miswired outlets, seals/caulk voids, delamination beginning, inoperable appliances, soft floors, or roof screw penetrations. Ocala buyers posting recent low-star reviews describe similar issues surfacing soon after pickup or on the first trip.

• Action: Insist on a full, documented PDI walkthrough—ideally outdoors with water and power—before funding is released. Run every system.
• Inspection: This is where the independent inspector earns their fee: Find an RV inspector near you.

(Serious Concern)

Complaints tied to this Ocala address echo a statewide pattern: difficulty getting timely appointments, extended hold times, slow parts procurement, and non-committal ETAs. Some buyers report losing substantial camping time waiting for warranty authorization and parts. In Florida’s high season, even minor fixes can stretch to weeks.

• Action: Ask for the service schedule before purchase. How many techs? Average turnaround for water intrusion, slide repairs, and appliance replacements? Get realistic timelines in writing.
• Manufacturer option: For component failures (e.g., Dometic, Lippert, Norcold), call the component maker to locate an authorized mobile tech—sometimes faster than dealer service.

(Moderate Concern)

Industry-wide, high tech turnover and training gaps can lead to repeat visits for the same issue. Some local reviewers complain about fixes that didn’t hold or new issues introduced during service. On RVs, improper sealant, misrouted wiring, or over-torqued screws can become bigger problems later.

• Action: Request the tech’s certification level in writing for safety-critical tasks (LP gas, brakes, electrical). Ask for before/after photos and notes added to your file.

(Serious Concern)

Multiple low-star reviews for various Florida RV dealers describe “we owe” items that never arrive (extra keys, mattresses, hoses, missing remotes) or promises of “free first service” that later include unexpected fees. Allegations in low-star remarks for the Ocala location also refer to promises not upheld after funding.

• Action: Put every commitment on the buyer’s order. Include dates, part numbers, and who pays. If a promised item is “on order,” add a fulfillment date and consequence if missed (e.g., refund value).

(Moderate Concern)

Customers sometimes discover that a unit lacks advertised features or has a different floorplan option package than described (solar prep vs. actual solar, 50-amp service vs. 30-amp, tank sizes, or “winter package” that’s only partial). Low-rated comments tied to this Ocala location include claims of features not matching expectations after pickup.

• Action: Bring the manufacturer’s spec sheet and build sheet. Verify serial numbers for installed components. Photograph each claimed feature before signing.

(Moderate Concern)

Used units can hide roof leaks, soft spots, patched damage, or dated tires. Some buyers across Florida report that dealers “detailed” units cosmetically but did not properly reseal roofs or service brakes/bearings. Low-star reviews mentioning this Ocala location note condition surprises post-sale.

• Action: Insist on lift inspections, brake and bearing checks, and tire age verification (DOT date code). Use a third-party inspector for moisture readings of walls and floors.
• Reminder: If the dealership won’t allow the inspector full access, that’s your cue to walk.

(Serious Concern)

Allegations of misrepresentation, failing to honor written commitments, or selling units with undisclosed defects can implicate state and federal consumer protection laws. Key frameworks:

• FTC Act Section 5: Prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices; misleading claims about features or warranties could trigger scrutiny. See the FTC for consumer protection guidance: Federal Trade Commission.
• Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: Governs written warranties on consumer products; requires clear terms and timely remedy. Learn more at the FTC: Guide to Federal Warranty Law.
• Florida Lemon Law: Applies primarily to new motor vehicles within the first 24 months; RV coverage can be nuanced (motorhomes vs. towables). Review the Florida AG or state Lemon Law resource to understand if your unit qualifies: Florida Attorney General (search “Lemon Law”).

If you face repeated repair attempts without resolution, document every visit, repair order, and communication. Send written demand letters with response deadlines. If necessary, file complaints with the FTC and the Florida AG’s office, and consider small claims or counsel for Magnuson-Moss claims where appropriate.

(Serious Concern)

Dealers should not deliver units with open safety recalls. Many RV defects involve components (axles, brakes, propane regulators, refrigerators) recalled via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Ask the dealer to run your exact VIN for open recalls before you sign and provide printed proof. Verify independently through NHTSA: NHTSA Recall Lookup. If a recall is open, require written remediation timing as a condition of sale; driving or camping with unresolved safety issues can create fire, brake, or gas risks.

(Serious Concern)

Water leaks from poor sealing can lead to mold, rot, delamination, and soft floors—potentially undermining structural integrity and resale value. Electrical faults can pose shock and fire hazards; propane system leaks risk explosion; slide malfunctions can trap occupants or damage frames; brake/axle defects raise the risk of accidents during towing. Delayed repairs amplify these risks as issues worsen with each mile or storm.

• Financial risk: Post-delivery repairs can consume trip budgets and lead to emergency lodging, lost deposits, and higher insurance premiums. Units stuck in a service queue can miss entire seasons, with depreciation continuing.
• Safety risk: Open recalls or undiagnosed component failures can cause fires (refrigerators, inverters), wheel separations (hub/bearing failure), or LP leaks. Use NHTSA’s tool for your VIN and component recalls: NHTSA Recalls.

(Moderate Concern)

Independent inspections identify many defects before you take financial responsibility. Insist on full water/electrical/propane system tests, roof moisture readings, brake/bearing checks, slide operation under load, tire age checks, and photographic documentation. Reinspecting before final funding can prevent “surprise” post-sale repairs and months in the service bay.

• Book a local RV inspector now and make delivery contingent on passing results.

(Moderate Concern)

Third-party service contracts frequently exclude wear, maintenance, and many commonly failing components, or require strict preauthorization procedures that frustrate owners. Low-star reviewers of Florida dealers often describe denied claims or long delays. If you consider a service contract offered by the Ocala store, request the full contract booklet—not a brochure—before purchase and read the exclusions.

• Action: Compare independent warranty providers and confirm if mobile repair is allowed. Price the policy outside of the dealership; markups can be significant.
• Documentation: Maintain maintenance logs and get preauthorization numbers before any repair to avoid denials.

(Moderate Concern)

Consumers often report being sold expensive coating packages (paint, fabric, underbody) with vague guarantees, or GAP insurance when not necessary based on loan-to-value. Decline these unless you have independently verified price and value.

• Action: Ask for proof of application for coatings, exact product names, and how to file a claim. For GAP, ask your lender if it’s required and compare pricing elsewhere.