Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has announced a $3.5 million settlement with Camping World, a prominent RV dealer operating in Oregon. This settlement concludes an extensive consumer protection investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Recovery Section.
"The settlement orders Camping World to return $3 million in refunds to affected customers," stated AG Rosenblum. "Our investigation found that Camping World would advertise a heavily discounted 'Dare to Compare' price. During negotiations, Camping World would claw back its purported discount by double charging consumers for freight and prep charges that had already been included in the advertised price," she explained. "This is not how Oregonians expect or deserve to be treated!"
Under the agreement's terms, $3 million of the total amount will be allocated to refund certain consumers who purchased an RV from Camping World between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018, and paid more than the advertised price.
Customers who bought vehicles after December 31, 2018, may also qualify for refunds under this agreement. They must submit a written complaint to the Oregon DOJ within six months of this announcement if they believe they paid more than the advertised price. These complaints should include evidence supporting their claims.
Additionally, Camping World is prohibited from charging any consumer more than the advertised offering price of a vehicle unless it involves optional goods or accessories, license and registration fees, or other taxes. The offering price must apply equally to all consumers without regard to payment method.
The settlement introduces further protections for future customers:
Camping World cannot double-charge consumers for any good or service already included in the MSRP, such as freight and prep costs. To ensure transparency, these charges must be disclosed on a label attached to each vehicle.
Clear abbreviations are required on purchase orders so that consumers understand what they are purchasing. The DOJ's investigation revealed that Camping World often used ambiguous terms like "environ" to describe limited warranties against weather damage.
Free offers related to motor vehicle purchases can only be made if provided by manufacturers or third parties unrelated to Camping World or its Good Sam Club due to potential conflicts of interest.
Consumers with questions about this settlement or concerns regarding their experiences with Camping World's practices are encouraged to contact the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392. More information and instructions for filing written complaints can be found at https://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection/.
"I thank the Civil Enforcement team at DOJ for their focus and persistence in this investigation and in helping make restitution possible for those affected by Camping World's practices," added AG Rosenblum.