Re: I need your help, fellow RVer's!
I have decided to tell my story, regarding Rapid Sales, and Jim Sadler, in hopes that nobody else has to go through anything like it again. Bought Coach at Rapid Sales in November 2006. It wasn't what I had traveled 800 miles to buy, but nonetheless bought one anyway. I was told that when something I wanted came in, I could trade it in and apply the "broker fee" to the next one. In January 2007, I traded the first coach in on another coach, a Newmar Essex 45ft. Within hours of leaving the lot, I was broke down on the side of a desolate road. I phoned Jim Sadler, only to get cussed out, chewed out, and yelled at for calling. (He actually mistook me for another client who purchased a coach on the same day, and had many mechanical issues as well). I hung up the phone, and miraculously, 20 minutes later, the lights on the coach all came on, and it started up again. Parked for the night, and the following day called Sadler to get my Extended Warranty information, as he didn't have it at the time of purchase. Sadler gave me the information, I called, and much to my dismay, it had expired the month previous. (Mind you, I would not have purchased this coach without it). I called the Allison transmission people, got a tech guy, and was on the road again, albeit at 30-40 mph the rest of the way. Called Sadler again, he said that Rapid Sales would take care of the repair, but to go to a Cummins dealer , instead of a Newmar dealer. (He thought it might be under warranty, and not have to pay out of pocket). I dropped it off at the Cummins dealer, 7 days later was told it was fixed. (told it was a loose battery connection...?) Picked coach up, it broke down on the side of the freeway within 40 minutes. (this time had a trooper write a report of the breakdown). Coach got moving again, and I drove to where I was going. Called Cummins and explained that they would have to pick it up in a week, as I was there on a business trip, and needed to get some business done. In the meantime, found a loose battery cable, and after numerous short trips (3-10 miles) decided that it was fixed. Took it out on an overnight, and it broke down comming over a bridge, and coasted to a stop in a seedy part of town. After waiting 8 hours for a tow, it went to the Cummins dealer again, and I and my family (wife and 3 year old) went to a hotel. Forward 3 weeks later, I get a call back from Cummins that it is fixed, this time it was a connection. I spoke to Rapid Sales and Jim Sadler, and explained that after the history of the breakdowns, their response, and the lack of warranty, not only did I not want the coach, but my money back. Sadler asked if I could call Cummins, and allow them to release the coach to his firm. I stated that I wanted my money back PRIOR to releasing the coach. He said he had a driver 400 miles north, and that the driver didn't have a check on him. I explained that I bank at a bank located 1/4 mile from his location, and that he could make a deposit, and I would release the coach, as long as I had the first one back. He said "he didn't do business like that" and that "he wasn't going to jack with me." I replied that I would think about it and get back to him in the morning. Next morning, I call the Cummins dealership, and get a voice mail for the service writer, I leave a message stating that they should not release the coach, until I let them know I have recieved my funds or a suitable agreement as such. 20 minutes later, I get a call from the same service writer, saying, "the guy from Rapid Sales picked up your coach late last night, said they were paying for the repair and that it was their coach. Called Sadler, he said to stop by on my way back home, and that he would give me my money and the other coach, and hung up. I still had 2 weeks in this other state, and after 14 more days in a hotel, was sent home (via air) for an emergency. After returning home, going through the extensive mail in my abscense, I find a letter from Rapid Sales and Jim Sadler, dated a few days after him stealing the coach, (without a check mind you) stating that if I hadn't picked up the coach in 2 weeks, he was calling it abandonment and I'd lose all. I sent a documented letter back, requesting my funds. A month later, I went through an illness that rendered me bed ridden for months. Towards the end of Fall, I started to pursue this issue again, only to be ignored. A few weeks ago, I sent 2 letters to Rapid Sales in both the Arlington, TN location, and one that was forwarded to their Florida location, demanding my money. I have not heard from anyone either via phone, mail or email. I have since gotten counsel, and will be seeking my day in court, and taking other remedies available in this country.
IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE, THAT NO ONE , EITHER BUYER OR SELLER, HAS TO GO THROUGH ANYTHING LIKE THIS AGAIN. Thanks to all who have helped me with this matter.
To sum it up:
Sold me 1 coach (took money)
Traded 1st, Sold me second (took money and coach)
Coach broke down. (Greif and Money)
Warranty expired prior to my purchase. (Greif)
Almost a month in hotel. (Lots of money)
Stole Coach (Took money)
Won't return money or 1st coach.
Will keep you all posted as things progress.
