Skip to main content

Cookies on BBB.org

We use cookies to give users the best content and online experience. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to allow us to use all cookies. Visit our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Cookie Preferences

Many websites use cookies or similar tools to store information on your browser or device. We use cookies on BBB websites to remember your preferences, improve website performance and enhance user experience, and to recommend content we believe will be most relevant to you. Most cookies collect anonymous information such as how users arrive at and use the website. Some cookies are necessary to allow the website to function properly, but you may choose to not allow other types of cookies below.

Necessary Cookies

What are necessary cookies?
These cookies are necessary for the site to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you that amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

Necessary cookies must always be enabled.

Functional Cookies

What are functional cookies?
These cookies enable the site to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly.

Performance Cookies

What are performance cookies?
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.

Marketing Cookies

What are marketing cookies?
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant content on other sites. They do not store personal information directly, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser or device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.

Find a Location

Bates RV has locations, listed below.

*This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

    Country
    Please enter a valid location.

    ComplaintsforBates RV

    Camping Trailer
    View Business profile
    View Business profile

    Need to file a complaint?

    BBB is here to help. We'll guide you through the process.

    File a Complaint

    Complaint Details

    Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.

    Filter by

    Showing all complaints

    Filter by

    Complaint Status
    Complaint Type
    • Complaint Type:
      Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      We had bought an rv and a camper from bates rv. The employees were great. Left our camper at the beginning of September to be sold on consignment. ******* got a call from owner saying he was changing his business strategy where we would pay rent and a lessor consignment fee when and if sold. He had let his employees go, who were great and really took care of us. Went onto web page and our camper was not on it and he wasnt open anymore. Had to make appt. Had camper moved to Gernzey in nokomis. When it arrived the ** gas tanks were gone, the shower hose gone, the working fireplace now doesnt work, battery, etc. When called upon, ***** said it wasnt his responsibility. We left it in his care to sell and he didnt do that and took advantage of us not being in town and stripped our camper. Now it needs **** to replace/repair. This is a 2021 camper and we left it in perfect condition. How can businesses get away with this? We are sick about this.

      Business response

      03/15/2023

      For 5 months we collected no 
      Money from them for storage 
      The unit was picked up by another rv dealer
      When we pickup a unit first thing we do is inspect unit for damage and any missing items the driver signed he picked it up (copy attached) nothing was said about missing items until it was at the other dealers lot 
      battery's go bad fireplace not working  things break a rv is a whole house going down road at up to 70mph a hurricane is 75mph
      and bouncing around like in earthquake
      also on consignment agreement where consigner signed
      #5 bates is not responsible for any loss or damage (copy attached)
      Do not know anything about missing 
      Shower hose or rv bottles we always inspect any rv when we pick up rv and transport it for damage and missing items before we leave with it
      Nothing was said to be damaged or 
      Missing until unit was at other dealers lot 
      As far as batteries batteries go bad
      As far as fireplace  not working 
      Rvs are ************ on the road
      Things break 
       
      We have been in business since
      1986 always family owned with a+
      BBBs rating

      Business response

      03/15/2023

      Attached are the rest of the contract pages

      Customer response

      03/15/2023

       
      Complaint: ********

      I am rejecting this response because:  we had bought two campers/RV from Bates.  Their employees were fantastic.  Did not deal with ***** the owner.  He agreed to take on our camper on consignment (no mention of storage fees).  We trusted them.  Then the beginning of January he called and said he was changing his business strategy.  If you paid 200/month, then when it sold you would pay him *****.  If you paid 300/month, then when it sold you would pay him *****.  When I contacted one of his employees, we learned he had let them all go.  So we began looking for someone to transport our camper.  A week later he called and said dont do anything cause someone wanted to buy it and they just needed to get a check from their insurance.  He would let me know.  So on feb. 1st, I texted him to see where we were at with the sale.  He said it fell through.  He never reached out to me to let me know.  When I Checked to see my camper on his website, it was not.  Plus he was not open now, just *******.  So how hard was he trying to sell it?  If he is thorough about inspections then he would of made sure their were no missing items from the initial inspection when it arrived.  It is like they used my camper for parts for other campers because we were out of state.

      The part that really gets me is that he keeps saying he didnt charge me for storage for 5 months.  Just found out about his change in his business in January and said he would give us time to make arrangements.  We never agreed to storagethat was not our deal.  It would not of been there that long if he would of informed me of the deal that went south.  Plus he said he contacted mr several times to reduce the price.never got any calls from them.

      Our camper never went more than a mile (down Venice avenue) to his lot.  We lived in it.  We did not travel with it because we did not have a vehicle to tow it.  When it left bates, it went down tamiami a few (maybe 4-5 miles.  It never went more than 40 or tops 45 miles per hour.  Battery I get.  The splicing, the hose, missing tanks and fireplace, I do not.

      where is the incentive to sell if you are collecting 200/300 a month with no responsibility?



      Sincerely,

      ***** And ***********************

      Business response

      03/15/2023

      the unit was picked up by another rv dealer 
      When we pickup a unit first thing we do is inspect unit for damage and any missing items the driver signed he picked it up (copy attached) nothing was said about missing items until it was at the other dealers lot 
      batterys go bad fireplace not working  things break a rv is a whole house going down road at up to 70mph a hurricane is 75mph
      and boncing around like in earthquake
      also on consignment agreement where consigner signed
      #5 bates is not responsible for any loss or damage (copy attached)
      thank you 

      For 5 months we collected no 
      Money from them for storage 
      The unit was picked up by another rv dealer
      Do not know anything about missing 
      Shower hose or rv bottles we always inspect any rv when we pick up rv and transport it for damage and missing items before we leave with it
      Nothing was said to be damaged or 
      Missing until unit was at other dealers lot 
      As far as batteries batteries go bad
      As far as fireplace  not working 
      Rvs are moving homes on the road
      Things break 
      #5 on consignment agreement states we ate not responsible 
      We have been in business since
      1986 always family owned with a+

      Customer response

      03/15/2023

       
      Complaint: ********

      I am rejecting this response because:  ***** just repeated his original response.  He did not respond.  If he inspects, then why were we not told it was missing a shower hose and gas tanks?

      Sincerely,

      ***** And ***********************

    Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

    BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.

    BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.

    When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

    BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.

    As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.