Camping World Settlement: Attorney General Says This is Not How Oregonians Deserve to be Treated
This is not how Oregonians deserve to be treated, said Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum when she announced a $3.5 million settlement with Camping World, a national dealer of recreational vehicles (RVs) with multiple locations throughout the state.
The settlement ends years of consumer protection investigations by the Civil Recovery Section of the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ).
Dare to Compare Advertising Campaign was Misleading
The AG said in a statement yesterday that the investigation uncovered a Camping World advertising campaign – “Dare to Compare” – at heavily discounted prices. However, during negotiations, Camping World would recoup the alleged discount by double charging consumers for freight and prep fees that had already been included in the advertised price.
“This is not how Oregonians expect or deserve to be treated!” said the Attorney General.
AG Rosenblum thanked the Civil Enforcement team at DOJ “for their focus and persistence in this investigation, and in helping to make restitution to those affected by Camping World’s practices.”
Refunds Could Apply to RVs Purchased Between 2017 and 2018
Camping World is required to pay $3.5 million to the state of which $3 million will be used to refund consumers who bought RVs from the company between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018, and who paid more than the advertised price.
Later Purchases May Also be Eligible for Refunds
Consumers who bought RVs after December 31, 2018, could also be eligible for a refund under the agreement if they paid more than the advertised price.
Those consumers should send a written complaint to Oregon DOJ within 6 months of this announcement to potentially become eligible for a refund. Consumers must include all information in their possession that shows they paid more than the advertised price.
The DOJ has ruled that Camping World cannot charge any consumer more than the advertised price of a vehicle (excluding optional goods or accessories, license and registration fees, or other taxes). The offer must be made available to all consumers, whether they are paying cash or financing the deal.
Additional protections in Settlement Ruling
The settlement agreement includes several additional protections for future customers:
- Camping World is prohibited from double-charging consumers for any goods or services already included in the MSRP, including any amount for freight and prep. Camping World must disclose these charges on a label attached to the vehicle, to ensure consumers know what they are being asked to pay.
- Camping World must use clear abbreviations in its purchase orders so that consumers can tell what they are buying. DOJ’s investigation found that Camping World would often use the term “environ” on purchase orders to describe what amounted to a limited warranty against weather damage.
- Camping World cannot make a free offer in conjunction with the purchase of a motor vehicle, unless it is offered by a manufacturer or another party that is not Camping World, including its Good Sam Club. Because Camping World owns both companies, such “free” offers can be illusory.
Consumers who have questions about this settlement or believe they may have been affected by Camping World’s actions should contact the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392.
To learn more and file a written complaint, visit https://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection/.
Sources & References
- Oregon Department of Justice press release