Question Buying direct from PTL?

[osuallen]

I probably should have let sleeping dogs lie, but I politely expressed my frustration with the order process and was told "well, you are free to buy the part through a dealer, we only sell parts as a service to customers." We left it it that!

Hopefully, others will have a better experience with PTL than I have to date.

TJ

Wow - so much for customer service. Any idea if there is a dealer besides Newmar that will sell the part at the same price as the factory and can get it shipped quicker?

 

[NWIP]

I dealt with Noell and nothing but a good experience, this was back in November. I don’t know if COVID has had an effect.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I dealt with Noell and nothing but a good experience, this was back in November. I don’t know if COVID has had an effect.

I didn't ask specifically, @NWIP, but I'm kinda wondering if Noell was the one who left. The woman who I spoke with neither offered her name nor did she handle things in a manner that you and others have described of Noell. Maybe it was just a bad day at PTL.

With my experience with PTL, if I ever need another door part, I think I may just bite the bullet and pay Newmar's inflated price. In all my dealings with Newmar, I have always been treated well.

TJ

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

A little internet research turned up the fact that Noell Daoust no longer works at PTL. Her last day was June 25. She is now focusing on developing a photography business and working at a Mexican restaurant on the side. Don't know the reason for her departure, but by the comments on this thread, it would appear to be PTL's loss.

That may explain the change in attitude with PTL's customer service folks.

TJ

 

[BuckyII]

@TJ&LadyDi ...good digging, there are no secrets anymore!

 

[bobnjill410]

@TJ&LadyDi , Great work on your research. I also am very disappointed in your experience with them, as like others noting on this thread, I had the opposite experience. Hopefully PTL realizes they lost there most valuable employee. Get your hinge and run. bobnjill410

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Well, there has been a positive development. I just received notification from PTL that the the part has been shipped via FedEx and giving me a tracking number. Checking with FedEx, the package has been picked up and is on the way. It is scheduled for delivery on Friday, July 10.

So, it appears that someone at PTL actually did expedite the shipment. That sure beats "that's not gonna happen!" My suspicion is that the guy who took the original order was responsible for expediting it. THANK YOU!

While it was shipped FedEx Ground rather than 2nd Day as requested, three days is OK. The part was billed out at $85.09 as shown on their parts page and shipping was billed at $23 for a total of $108.09. That's still less than half of what Newmar was asking. Now, in fairness, the Newmar price does include shipping at no additional charge.

TJ

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

UPDATE!

The replacement door check arrived today and has been installed. It is nice not to have to manually control the door swing when entering and exiting the coach.

It was an easy install, once I figured out the proper part orientation. There are several possible orientations, but the photos I took before removing the broken parts helped get things oriented correctly.

So, despite some early ups-and-downs, PTL delivered the part within a week of my placing the order. And, after a few minutes of work with a Phillips screwdriver, we were back in business. Things ended well.

TJ