Performance RV Sales- Thornville, OH Exposed: Title delays, financing markups & service backlogs

Serious Concern

The most consistent way to prevent costly after-purchase surprises is to hire a third-party RV inspector before you sign or take possession. This is your leverage point: once the check clears, service departments everywhere tend to prioritize new sales, leaving recent buyers waiting weeks or months for repairs. Consumers routinely report canceled trips because their RV is stuck at the dealer awaiting parts or technician availability.

• Insist on a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection by a certified independent inspector (not employed by the dealer).
• If the dealer refuses outside inspection access, treat it as a significant red flag and walk away.
• Use this search to find local options: RV Inspectors near me.

Independent inspectors commonly catch issues with HVAC, slide seals, roof caulking, brakes, batteries, inverters, and water intrusion—before they turn into months-long shop stays. If you’ve experienced inspection roadblocks at this location, please add what happened so other shoppers can prepare.

Serious Concern

Delayed titles and paperwork timing. Multiple RV shoppers in Ohio report delays receiving their titles, temporary tags, and essential paperwork after purchase. Title timing is crucial in Ohio; long delays can complicate registration and insurance and could be a signal of back-office bottlenecks. Patterns to look for in reviews include: temporary tag expirations before the title arrives, repeated calls or visits to “check on paperwork,” and frustration over unclear timelines.

• Ohio dealers must meet state title transfer requirements; if your temporary tags are nearing expiration without a title, escalate early to avoid lapses.
• Ask for a specific written estimate on title mailing date and who to contact if it doesn’t arrive.

Serious Concern

Low-ball trade-in values and financing markups. Critical reviews often cite disappointing trade numbers versus third-party valuations and aggressive pitches for extended service contracts, environmental packages, and GAP even when buyers bring their own financing. Look for complaints that mention being pressured to sign quickly, “only good today” rates, or that the final payment/interest differs from expectations.

• Obtain an out-the-door price in writing without add-ons. Compare trade offers with wholesale guides and competing dealers.
• Secure independent financing quotes before stepping into F&I to minimize rate markups.
• Decline any product you don’t fully understand—these add-ons often carry high margins and limited real protection.

Moderate Concern

Price transparency and discrepancies. Some buyers report differences between discussed numbers and final paperwork, or discover fees late in the process (doc fees, prep fees, “mandatory” packages). Always reconcile the buyer’s order line-by-line and compare it to the original quote. If something changes at the signing table, pause the process and request corrections on paper before proceeding.

Serious Concern

Long repair queues and parts delays. Across many dealerships, the service department becomes a choke point—especially during peak season. Low-star reviews for this location report multi-week or multi-month downtimes, limited communication, and missed ETAs. Delays often involve warranty authorization, parts backorders, and limited technician availability.

• Get in writing: estimated diagnosis date, repair ETA, and how often the advisor will update you.
• Ask whether customers who did not buy there receive lower priority—if so, factor that into your purchase decision.

Moderate Concern

Pre-delivery inspection (PDI) quality. Some buyers describe issues discovered immediately after delivery—water leaks, loose trim, non-functioning appliances, battery failures—suggesting PDI gaps. Expect to create a punch list after your independent inspection and require written commitments with dates for completion before finalizing payment.

Moderate Concern

Warranty claim handling and communication. Complaints describe repeated calls for status updates, lack of callbacks, or unclear explanations of what is covered by the manufacturer versus what is considered “customer pay.” If you purchase an extended service contract from the dealer, ask for the full contract in advance and verify claims procedures and exclusions.

• Document every interaction (dates, names, promises). This helps if you escalate to the manufacturer, BBB, or the Ohio Attorney General.
• Request photos of failed parts and copies of manufacturer communications related to your claim.

Moderate Concern

Overpriced add-ons and questionable value warranties. Frequent upcharges include paint or fabric protection, nitrogen-filled tires, “lifetime” water tanks, and extended service contracts with deductibles and exclusions. Consumers often discover these add-ons were not needed or do not cover their actual issues.

• Ask for itemized costs of each add-on. If you can’t see the line, don’t buy it.
• Shop third-party service contracts directly and compare coverage; many are transferable and sometimes priced lower outside the dealership.

Serious Concern

From a safety perspective, the defects commonly mentioned in low-star reviews—leaks near electrical systems, brake or axle issues, non-functioning refrigerators or furnaces, propane system problems—carry real risks. Water intrusion can cause mold, delamination, electrical shorts, and structural deterioration; brake or axle defects can lead to catastrophic failure while towing; propane leaks are an acute fire hazard.

• Confirm recall status on your specific RV VINs and major components (axles, refrigerators, furnaces): NHTSA recalls search (search by your RV’s brand, model year, and VIN).
• Have an inspector test all propane appliances, perform a pressure drop test, and verify CO/LP detectors’ age and function.
• Inspect roof and slide seals carefully; early leak detection is essential to protect your investment and health.

If you’ve encountered safety-impacting defects after purchasing from Thornville, can you document your timeline and outcomes for other readers?

Serious Concern

Based on patterns in public complaints, the following frameworks are relevant for Ohio RV buyers:

• Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act (CSPA): Prohibits unfair or deceptive sales practices. Misrepresentations, undisclosed fees, or failure to honor written promises may violate the CSPA. Learn more via the Ohio Attorney General: Ohio AG Consumer Protection.
• Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: Governs written warranties on consumer products. If warranty coverage is misrepresented or valid claims are improperly denied, you may have federal protections. Overview: FTC guide to federal warranty law.
• FTC enforcement on add-ons and financing: Misleading financing practices and “junk fees” can draw regulatory attention. See FTC guidance on auto add-ons (applicable principles): Federal Trade Commission.
• NHTSA: Report safety defects related to vehicle systems or components. Filing a complaint helps identify patterns: Report a safety problem.
• BBB complaints: While non-governmental, BBB filings create a public record of dispute handling: BBB search for Performance RV Sales Thornville OH.

Document everything: quotes, buyer’s order, texts/emails with service advisors, repair work orders, promised ETAs, and photos of issues. If you feel you’ve been misled or your warranty rights were compromised, submit formal complaints to the Ohio AG and consider consulting an attorney experienced in consumer protection. If you’ve gone through this process with this Thornville location, what steps proved effective for you?

Serious Concern

Financially, unexpected repairs plus months of downtime can mean paying loan payments, storage, and insurance while the RV is unusable. Some owners report losing entire camping seasons. Safety-wise, unresolved defects—especially brakes, tires, axles, propane, battery charging systems, and water leaks—can escalate to dangerous failures on the road. From a resale perspective, lingering water damage or electrical issues can crater trade-in value.

• Establish a 30–90 day post-delivery “shakedown” plan near home so you can identify and fix defects before longer trips.
• Insist on service documentation for every repair; buyers and future dealers will ask for records.

Serious Concern

Use this pre-purchase and delivery-day checklist to minimize risk:

• Independent inspection before you sign. If refused, walk. Check availability here: Find RV inspectors.
• Out-the-door price in writing with itemized add-ons. Decline anything you don’t want.
• Financing: Obtain a pre-approval from your bank/credit union. Compare the rate/terms to any dealership offer.
• Trade-in: Get written offers from multiple sources (online wholesalers, other dealers) to benchmark your trade’s value.
• PDI walkthrough: Operate every appliance, slide, awning, and system; run a moisture meter; require immediate fixes or a written we-owe specifying completion dates.
• Title/tags: Ask for the expected title mail date and a direct contact if delays occur. Note Ohio timelines.
• Service capacity: Ask how long current lead times are for owners who bought here versus elsewhere—and whether parts are pre-ordered when diagnosing known issues.

For education on hidden dealership tactics, consider watching Liz Amazing’s deep dives into RV buying pitfalls and search her channel for the dealership or brand you’re considering.

Serious Concern

• Missed commitments on delivery dates, repair timelines, or promised accessories/installations.
• Communication gaps after the sale; customers report repeated follow-ups for status updates.
• Condition issues at delivery—leaks, soft floors, non-working components—suggesting rushed or inadequate PDI.
• Warranty friction—disputes over what’s covered or being bounced between dealer and manufacturer.
• Trade-in regrets—buyers discover they accepted below-market offers once they check competing quotes.

Moderate Concern

To remain objective, we note there are positive reviews for Performance RV Sales in Thornville praising friendly sales staff, good selection for the price point, and straightforward transactions. Some buyers report quick fixes and courteous service interactions. We encourage readers to compare positive and negative reviews side-by-side and pay close attention to how the dealership responds to complaints—response speed, willingness to own issues, and whether solutions are documented. If you’ve seen signs of improved title processing, faster service turnarounds, or better PDI outcomes recently, please add timing and specifics so others can weigh current conditions.

Serious Concern

• Buyer’s order with line-item pricing for every product or fee. Decline what you don’t want.
• We-owe/due bill listing any promised repairs, parts, or add-ons with dates and who pays.
• Warranty booklets and extended service contract documents—never accept a summary sheet only.
• Title and paperwork timeline—ask when and how your title will arrive and who to contact if delayed.
• Service contact—get the advisor’s direct line and ask about current lead time for warranty work.
• Inspection report from your independent inspector; if items remain open, hold funds or delay delivery until resolved.

If you’re still choosing an inspector: search for RV Inspectors near you.

Moderate Concern

Extended warranties, fabric/paint protection, tire-and-wheel coverage, and etching packages can add thousands to the out-the-door price without addressing the failures RV owners frequently report (leaks, electrical gremlins, slide alignment, soft floors). Thorough third-party inspections paired with a strong manufacturer warranty and a reserve fund for maintenance often outperform these products financially.

• Always request the complete contract for any service plan before purchase—coverage, exclusions, claims procedure, and cancellation policy.
• Compare third-party provider plans and prices outside the dealership for leverage.

For more buyer education on high-margin add-ons, see Liz Amazing’s consumer-focused RV videos and search her channel for “warranties” or “dealer add-ons.”