ComplaintsforHomesteader, LLC.

• Initial Complaint

  01/25/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In 11/2018 we purchased a new 2019 Homesteader Stallion horse trailer from Williams Trailer in Maine. We were assured that it was big enough to accommodate 2 drafts. Come to find out the max cargo weight is 3,161 lbs (one of our horses is 2,000). ‍Although this trailer was advertised as a "draft" trailer, it is unable to haul 2 draft horses safely. Last Summer I noticed some corrosion around the bolts & edges of the man doors. The dressing room door was the worst because the damage was hidden behind the factory installed brush box. I called the dealer that I purchased it from & they informed me that the corrosion wasn't an issue because it has a steel frame. They gave me the contact info for their rep (***** ********* at Homesteader trailers. I left message & received a return call from ***** ****** of Homesteader on 10/22/21. He said that it was out of warranty since there is only a 1 year warranty on doors. He said that he would be willing to supply the materials to fix the issue, but I would be responsible for the labor. Also, I'd need to bring it to a local dealer for an inspection & photos. Which I did on 12/10 & was informed that the windows were defective & were leaking from the outside into the inside of the door cavity. The recommendation was to have new man doors ordered. 12/24 I emailed ***** of Homesteader the findings & the photos & requested the 3 man doors. No response. Sent 2 additional emails (1/7 & 1/13 cc'd to the President). ***** responded by saying that it was out of warranty. I reminded him of our agreement during our conversation on 10/22 & he stated to have the dealer that inspected it contact him because "he only works with dealers to get issues resolved". ******* at REP emailed ***** on 1/18 & he told ******* that the trailer was outside of the warranty timeframe. I emailed ***** on 1/19, once again to remind him of our agreement regarding the materials, labor charges and the inspection. I've received no response as of 1/24/22

  Business response

  02/17/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/01/28) */ Customer purchased a trailer in November 2018. A warranty card is provided with every trailer sold specifying what is covered and for how long. In October of 2021 the customer is asking for warranty coverage for the doors of her trailer. The warranty clearly states that electrical components, lights, mechanical jacks, fiberglass, doors, sealants, seals, locks, couplers, and paint are warranted for a one year period from the date of the first retail purchase. In this case the doors would be covered until November of 2019. The customer is wanting the doors of the unit covered almost 2 years after the expiration of the warranty. She was sent to a dealer to see if the dealer could offer an alternative resolution. Consumer Response /* (3000, 8, 2022/02/01) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) On 10/22/21 I was told by ***** ****** that he would "supply the materials needed in order to fix the issues, but I would be responsible for the labor and for having a local dealer inspect the trailer". This inspection was done on 12/10/21 at ***** ******'s request. On my third attempt to email the inspection findings and photos to *****, he responded on 1/14/21 stating "Your contact at REP will need to contact me on this. I work through the dealer to get issues resolved". ******* from REP emailed ***** on 1/18/21 in order to make the request for the doors and *****'s response was that it was out of warranty. I emailed ***** to remind him once again of his promise and our agreement. Please review PDF that was attached in the original claim with all of the emails regarding this issue. Secondly, the windows are defective as pointed out by REP during the inspection that ***** ****** requested during our phone conversation on 10/22/21. The warranty card doesn't mention the length of the warranty on the windows. It's not listed under the "limited" section, so should I assume that they are held under the 3 year warranty? The trailer was purchased 11/3/2018 and if this is so, my contacting Homesteader on 10/21/21 would have the windows being within the 3 year warranty timeframe. The defective windows caused the damage to the man doors, as I previously stated. The damage that was hiding behind the factory installed brush box on the dressing room door has been going on for more than a few years. I was only made aware of smaller areas of corrosion when they were in plain sight and decided to remove the factory installed brush box in order to see if the damage was similar and it was significantly worse. I am standing firm with my complaint. Business Response /* (4000, 10, 2022/02/09) */ Although this is in no way a warranty situation, Homesteader, in a good faith effort, will provide doors for the customer in exchange for removal of negative comments across social media. REP will be contacted by the factory to inform them that the doors will be sent to them on one of their loads coming up in the near future. The customer will need to take the unit to REP so the proper paperwork can be sent for the doors. Consumer Response /* (4200, 12, 2022/02/10) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) I do find the offer acceptable for the 3 new man doors for our Stallion horse trailer (2 for the cargo area and 1 for the dressing room). However, I am not willing to drive the trailer to REP again for "the proper paperwork can be sent for the doors" (as stated in Homesteader's offer on 2/10/22). REP inspected the trailer on 12/10/21 and I assume that they can pull any information off the VIN# that is on the bill of sale that was submitted in this complaint. I am happy to send additional photos to REP upon request in order for them to get what they need to facilitate the shipment. I'm not willing to lose any more time driving the trailer back and forth at the request of Homesteader, unless of course it is to have the new doors installed. Furthermore, I will agree to remove the "negative reviews" that I placed on social media outlets ********** ********** ******** also I will drop the complaints that have been filed with the NH & ME Attorney General's offices & will cancel the interview with ******** TV Consumer Investigation Center. This will be done within 5 business days of the 3 new man doors being received by REP, inspected by me & one of their staff and installed on my trailer. Lastly, the door colors (interior and exterior) must match my trailer. Also, I will not be liable for any shipping charges.

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