Rialta Heaven Consumer Reviews
MILFORD, INDIANA -- I bought a 1999 Rialta Winnebago RV from Rialta Heaven located in Milford Indiana. I purchased this vehicle on eBay and paid 20K plus. The company assured me that my purchase would be fully inspected and any issues be reported to me. Our agreement was made and I purchased the vehicle based on photos and their assurance that everything was in order and that I could rest assured based on my own research on eBay reviews of previous customers. I took delivery of the vehicle this May after paying for the delivery.
Upon delivery I noticed a number of obvious problems. The coolant was low, there was a low tire and the generator would not start. The windshield had a delamination problem. The mechanical condition seemed okay. Also, the clear coat on the paint was peeling... None of this was ever revealed in their thorough inspection? Then after getting the vehicle home, I discover corrosion underneath the vehicle which was never revealed and was a major concern from my first inquiries, so far they have refused to take any action.
I have filed with the Indiana BBB and they have filed my complaint twice. EBay does not warrant vehicles ten years or older. They were dishonest and I have learned that the business will be moving to California to join Pop Top Heaven??? I asked for a reasonable fix. They pay for the problems or refund my money... They have rejected both ideas... So much for their reputation. If anyone else has had a similar problem, I would like to share. I am hoping their business receives the proper kind of review. They got my money and misled me.
I explained the vehicle would be great for my family and my son has CF (Cystic Fibrosis) which I made clear was one of the reasons I wanted to buy the RV so he could perform his treatments while we were on the road. Overall, they claim my 20K was well spent?? I believe they need to stand behind their product and put the customer first! I wish they could just do the right thing!
Replies
Rialta Heaven:
In response to This consumer's Complaint. He purchased this vehicle a 1999 Rialta QD with 69,000 miles on Ebay Sept 09 from our company. At the the time of the purchase which was done site unseen other than detailed pictures. He chose not to come and inspect the vehicle to see if there was anything he would be concerned about. He was looking for an inexpensive RV and this particular model holds it's value and thus to obtain one in the price range he was willing to pay, years and mileage are what he would have to sacrifice. I had many conversations with him describing the vehicle and its condition as best I could based on the report given to me by our independent mechanic. I did not hide or neglect to tell him any condition regarding the vehicle. Global Auto of Warsaw does all of our inspections and repairs. they are very diligent about telling us if there are significant rust issues on any of our vehicles as well as anything else that needs replacing. He was concerned with having to pay storage for the winter though, and as a bonus to the sale I offered to store his vehicle here at no charge, for no later than may of 2010. At that time I indicated that we would not be responsible for the vehicle once the purchase was made. I offered to start the vehicle once a week and run the generator to keep batteries charged which we did. It was stored on our lot which is an open lot subject to all weather conditions. I asked for proof of insurance on the vehicle and never got it, I did have a signed agreement stating the conditions of the storage of the vehicle. I did request he come pick it up one month sooner due to possible changes in management. He was not able to and we then delivered the vehicle to him at our cost. It should have cost him at least $800.00 to have it delivered but all he paid for was the flight and gas for my driver. Less than half of what he should have paid for a delivery. He offered to pay us in the form of Honey.
The issues he is speaking of were not present at the time of the sale as far as the windshield or any of the mechanical issues. I am happy to supply the BBB and Alan with a report from our Mechanic regarding the condition of the vehicle at the time of the sale. Any Vehicle regardless of the age is going to have some rust and corrosion. This is a 99 with higher miles and as such very likely does have some. If any rust went undetected by my mechanic then it was not significant enough to be an issue regarding structure and safety.
His purchased vehicle sat on my lot at my cost for 7 months. We are not going to be held responsible for any deterioration that has happened to the vehicle since then. Since this customer never came to personally inspect the vehicle prior to his purchase he has no grounds on which to say it was in that shape at that time.
We do value our reputation but unfortunately many people want more than what their money will buy and have buyers remorse after the fact. We make sure all of our vehicles are mechanically and structurally sound prior to any sale. Our Mechanic values their reputation as well and since we are a nationally known small business it is important to us that we honestly represent what we sell. Im sorry if Mr Montgomery is not happy with his RV. I understand that 20,000.00 is a lot of money but as a consumer he also has an obligation to be informed and understand exactly what he is getting, what his money can buy, and understand that he cannot let a vehicle set for 7 months and not expect a few issues to crop up in that time. We do want him to be Happy with his purchase however we will not be taken advantage of by his misconception of what his budget can afford.
Our Offer:
Rialta Heaven is under no obligation by law to refund any or all of his money, accepting a return or exchanging the vehicle for one he deems suitable. We have offered to A: Pay for 1/2 of the windshield replacement. B: If he has decided that he cannot afford to own or does not want the Rialta we will be happy to help him sell it on consignment here, which would include our receiving a 10% commission from the sale. He wants us to replace his Vehicle with one that is in better condition but is not willing to pay the difference. He has turned down our offer to help pay for the windshield and is adamant about a return/ refund or exchange for a better unit which neither of those options we are willing to accept ourselves.