Hello! Wish I had found this forum sooner!

[REF]

Well, when/if you ever settle up with SMB West (are you still pursuing a settlement?) bring the van out to CO and have Colorado Campervan swap on one of their tops for you....(famous last words....) that’s what I did.

 

[VocalVirgo]

Thanks you guys. Yeah, I’m not going to let this taint me. The folks over at sportsmobile west really suck. I looked at some screenshots from their old website and it actually says that in all of their years of business only *2* people have been unsatisfied. They actually have a little picture there with a graphic number 2 showing that’s how many people have been unsatisfied in therir over 50 years of business. Hysterical.
But if anyone wants a top put on their existing them, their new website says that they now have immediate openings with no weights, because the Mercedes 4 x 4 chassis has been delayed. So because I had a little time on our hands I texted with one of the guys who works there and he said that there’s no issue with the Mercedes chassis coming in, it’s that their orders have been slowing down to the point where they can take a roof only job immediately. It used to be a few month waiting list for a roof only job. But apparently they have enough time on their hands now that they can take them immediately. Good. That’s what they get for being awful to their customers.

And no, they still have not sent us the document that we need for the next owner. They promised they would have it drawn up and sent to us by today, and I guess they still have three hours, but they’re not going to do it because they never do it they’re going to say or they lie about it if they say it. Wow. This is literally been the worst consumer experience I’ve ever had. A bunch of bad people are making bad decisions over there.
I’m going to have a field day posting all the video that I’ve taken.

 

[VocalVirgo]

After leaving Peter Deltoro and Jonathan Feld (Feldman?) each very nasty voicemails, Jonathan called me back and for the last 5 minutes you’ll all be happy to know that we had a calm and adult conversation about my situation and the top they put on my van. He conceded that some things were not done correctly, and I was very #SorryNotSorry for my emails and voicemails – because quite frankly, and I did make this clear to him- anyone in my situation would have behaved the same exact way, including him if the tables were turned. He kind of sort of agreed.
But you’ll be happy to know, I got the document but I have been demanding for months now. Boom. Just like that. If I choose to sell my brand new van, the full five year warranty comes with it.


If anyone has five minutes to spare and wants me to copy and paste the email I sent to the staff at Sportsmobile *after* the phone call, your wish is my command. But for now, enjoy this copy of the document, that one they say that they don’t do for anyone- ever… Except for me and the other guy on this forum that they did it for .

So finally my Sportsmobile nightmare experience has come to a close and I can finally enjoy the sh*t out of my travels. Or sell it with the full warranty .

(i’m not a troublemaker, but strangely I have enjoyed sharing this experience with you guys on this forum.)

 

[TomH-SMB]

Jonathan Feld (Feldman?

Jonathan Feld is president of SMB West and runs the operation. His father, Alan Feld, is the owner of SMB West.

I really am sorry you have had this experience....and I hope that it is or gets resolved to your satisfaction. I am not taking sides and I am not doubting your account, but I will say that having been on this board for 8 years and having read posts from hundreds of people, yours is the only situation I know of that has gone this badly. Maybe it's just the Promaster new situation. I don't know. It does surprise me, because so many of us know Alan and Jonathan personally as well as the build managers, and have had good relationships with them. And again, I very much hope you feel it is resolved or gets resolved.

 

[VocalVirgo]

Jonathan Feld is president of SMB West and runs the operation. His father, Alan Feld, is the owner of SMB West.

I really am sorry you have had this experience....and I hope that it is or gets resolved to your satisfaction. I am not taking sides and I am not doubting your account, but I will say that having been on this board for 8 years and having read posts from hundreds of people, yours is the only situation I know of that has gone this badly. Maybe it's just the Promaster new situation. I don't know. It does surprise me, because so many of us know Alan and Jonathan personally as well as the build managers, and have had good relationships with them. And again, I very much hope you feel it is resolved or gets resolved.

Thanks for the clarification on Jonathan’s last name. I blanked out there, lol.
As of today, everything has been worked out. We got the document stating the fully transferable warranty, Jonathan and I both got out our true feelings/frustrations for one another and the numerous problems I have had since the top was installed. I have always thought that “Nothing goes off without a hitch”, but my situation was quite the debacle. And honestly, I believe the physical problems I have had with the top is because mine was the first ProMaster to ever be done. The photo on their website is photoshop, to show prospective customers what the top WILL look like. After installing mine I think they became aware of a few design flaws. For example: the front part of the roof hitting and pulling the radio antenna housing out of the roof, therefore leaving a way for water to get into the ceiling of the cab, and another is the roof covers the satellite antenna making the head unit’s navigation and satellite radio useless. My problems were real, and I’m sure it’s because my van was the first ProMaster to be done, with newly designed tops having just been designed and manufactured for it. I’m sure they were as frustrated when they realized the new roofs were not quite right, as I was about my roof having so many issues. Believe me, I didn’t want to have all these problems, and I’m no drama-queen, but my situation was legitimately messed up. Again, nothing goes off without a hitch, but this was a lot to deal with given it was a brand new top install. The fact of the matter is none were ever installed before mine. They should have built one of their own first, you know, to find out exactly how it would be and get the kinks out.

After my phone call today with Jonathan, I am settled and feel that we have agreed upon, and worked things out. And they drew up the warranty document. So at this point I’m satisfied. This was long coming, but everything works as it should now. But would I do it again? Absolutely not. I have wanted a Sportsmobile since I was a kid. I was a #SuperFan. Now I have one and it’s great after a long and bumpy road. I was in no way trying to bash them, I was just keeping it 100. I am a big believer in positivity, but also a big believer in speaking up when there’s a problem- even if the speaking up is in a loud manner in order to be heard. If I learned anything from all this, it’s that things can go sideways at anytime and it shouldn’t be personal. I respect Jonathan for expressing his dislike towards me (and believe me, it was warented because I have been a very difficult unhappy customer) and I respect him for finally making things right and putting an end to this.

Hopefully I will have and enjoy my van, that we built by hand exactly how I wanted it, for a long time. And I am feeling good and relieved about the top now working correctly, even if it isn’t perfect.

I want to learn from other members, enjoy their posts and share some good stories and photos upcoming of my own.

 

[EmMay]

‘... like sands through an hour glass, so are the days of our lives...’

-cue theme music.

:b1:

 

[Rich PDX]

Hello Vocal Virgo,

I've had a 136" wheelbase Promaster with a pop top for a year and a half now. I've a few issues but nothing Sportsmobile Fresno didn't help me with via email or when I visited them.
I'm sorry to hear about you troubles.
--Rich

 

[hildems]

Our Sprinter PH top is the bane of our existence

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f11/ph-top-lube-how-do-you-do-it-17740.html

 

[achop]

My problems were real, and I’m sure it’s because my van was the first ProMaster to be done, with newly designed tops having just been designed and manufactured for it.

First ProMaster or not, it's rookie to think you can deliver customer-ready without prior staging/testing/verification of ANY new system or feature.

 

[achop]

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f11/ph-top-lube-how-do-you-do-it-17740.html

In the thread above, 86Scotty reassured electric PH-ers that manuals are clumsy too ... saying "I've been around a few manual pop-tops and you always have to climb, push, pull, get dirty, get wet, etc. to get an SMB pop top to sit centered. "

I didn't know that, and I keep feeling luckier and luckier with my year 2000. If I'm not parked off-level, my manual PH centers perfectly each time, don't even have to stuff extra canvas back under it or anything. Parked a little off-level means an extra grunt to one side (as I hang my entire body weight to get it down, tho) and occasionally requires a second try.

This nirvana may not last though if I forget to latch it again before a quick acceleration to 60-70 mph. I've forgotten to latch a total of 3 times (finally made a checklist - DOH!) but only once did it fly up at such speed, and it felt a little more bruising.

 

[VocalVirgo]

Hello Vocal Virgo,

I've had a 136" wheelbase Promaster with a pop top for a year and a half now. I've a few issues but nothing Sportsmobile Fresno didn't help me with via email or when I visited them.
I'm sorry to hear about you troubles.
--Rich

Wait- You had your 2017 ProMaster poptop for 1.5 years?? I was told mine was the first one ever done! WTF?
Did they just instal the top, or do the conversion too? And what problems have you had? Are any of them similar to mine? And agian, why did they tell me mine was the first one they installed? Mine was done in October 2017. This is so strange...

 

[Rich PDX]

Wait- You had your 2017 ProMaster poptop for 1.5 years?? I was told mine was the first one ever done! WTF?
Did they just instal the top, or do the conversion too? And what problems have you had? Are any of them similar to mine? And agian, why did they tell me mine was the first one they installed? Mine was done in October 2017. This is so strange...

Actually it's a 2016 Promaster. We took delivery of it January 2017. SMB west did the conversion.

I've had some issues and problems but nothing like yours and I feel that SMB has been helpful in solving them.

 

[MountainBikeRoamer]

VocalVirgo,

It sure does seem like a bit of mystery persists, no??
Just found this post from back in 2015, it documents Sportsmobile West building out their first ProMaster Penthouse (and high-roof) conversions.

Sooooo....yours definitely wasn't the first, if that's what they claim.
This is from May 3rd of 2015.

Sportsmobile’s New ProMaster RV
Auto Ramblings – Get Your Auto News Here! » Blog Archive » Sportsmobile’s New ProMaster RV

Addtionally, this picture of the completed Penthouse-top Promaster is on Sportsmobile's Facebook page --- dated July 20, 2015.

https://mobile.facebook.com/sportsm...741830.109567651353/10153480462411354/?type=1

"The Ram Promaster looks great with the Penthouse top! #sleeps4 #vanlife"

 

[rockymtnb]

Well, when/if you ever settle up with SMB West (are you still pursuing a settlement?) bring the van out to CO and have Colorado Campervan swap on one of their tops for you....(famous last words....) that’s what I did.

I've seen a few Promasters with Colorado Campervan tops around the Denver metro area. And we had a chance to chat with an owner parked at an Open Space trailhead last year - he seemed quite pleased with his unit, although he had CCV do the top only and the rest of the build at another shop.

I know CCV has its own history of customer service difficulties, but at least Promaster tops still seem to be an active part of their product line.

 

[VocalVirgo]

VocalVirgo,

It sure does seem like a bit of mystery persists, no??
Just found this post from back in 2015, it documents Sportsmobile West building out their first ProMaster Penthouse (and high-roof) conversions.

Sooooo....yours definitely wasn't the first, if that's what they claim.
This is from May 3rd of 2015.

Sportsmobile’s New ProMaster RV
Auto Ramblings – Get Your Auto News Here! » Blog Archive » Sportsmobile’s New ProMaster RV

Addtionally, this picture of the completed Penthouse-top Promaster is on Sportsmobile's Facebook page --- dated July 20, 2015.

https://mobile.facebook.com/sportsm...741830.109567651353/10153480462411354/?type=1

"The Ram Promaster looks great with the Penthouse top! #sleeps4 #vanlife"

I’ve seen the last picture on their website. But my salesman who’s name thankfully I have forgotten, LOL, told me that it was a photo shopped picture of what “the van would look like“. He told me mine was the first that was ever being done. Why did he say that? I wonder if that other van was done at one of the other factories and this guy just had no idea. Well, he was also the same person who told me that this new roof for this new van that they just manufactured, will give occupants 6 feet of standing height when the van was in driving mode: roof down bed in place. I found out the hard way just moments after I took delivery that he was about 5 inches incorrect. And that was my only stipulation – that my van had standing out. But whatever. I’m not going to carry on a rock hard hate for these people. I’m just going to enjoy my van, now that is completely finished and build out – and beautiful , and grind some pavement.
At this point, nothing I find out through this forum would surprise me. But I’m glad it’s here .
Thanks for the info!

 

[VocalVirgo]

Well, when/if you ever settle up with SMB West (are you still pursuing a settlement?) bring the van out to CO and have Colorado Campervan swap on one of their tops for you....(famous last words....) that’s what I did.

Yeah, I’m is settled as I’m going to be. They sent me the transfer ability of the five-year/unlimited warranty document for the next owner if I sell, and Jonathan failed and I had quite the phone call last Friday. So, sans anymore problems… I won’t have to go down to Fresno for more repairs. Everything is fixed as of now. They will hopefully send me more leak seal in the mail and then I won’t have to worry about anything if another problem arises. Actually, the boyfriend and I talked about bringing the van to CCV and seeing if they could put their top on and taking SMB’s off. But in the end we decided it would just be another $8000 wasted that we shouldn’t have to spend to correct what shouldn’t have been such a poorly implemented job in the first place. But I’ll tell you, if the top fails, especially after the warranty is up and we still own it, I would definitely go that route. If they’re able to do it, and obviously they are because you had yours done like that, if mine goes bad I would definitely have Colorado Camper Van take it off and put one of theirs on.
But for now… No more problems, no complaints.

 

[MountainBikeRoamer]

Hey VocalVirgo, glad you've concluded that Sportsmobile West finally did "right enough" by you (with the Warranty Transfer document) to finally let things rest.

(And holy crap....haha, if I ever have any kind of seemingly-unresolvable customer service issue with a business, can I hire you to go to bat for me?? )

Not to drag this though the muck any more than it surely has already ---- but just for the sake of clarification (and for others reading this post and wondering about the apparent reality of a "prototyping stage" of the ProMasters) -- those first ones were indeed done at Sportsmobile West, and from the sounds of it all the way back in late 2014. (At least according to the author of that May 2015 news posting I shared with you.)

From that article:
"Several RV outfitters have adopted the Promaster, and Sportsmobile is in the process of completing their first RV versions which will be made available to the public soon.

The trip I made in October of 2014 to Sportsmobile West was during the construction phase of the vehicle and the model I looked at was the low cut version which will have a typical electric penthouse (PH) canvas sided top designed to lift with the push of a button. I also looked at an empty hard top model that was waiting to be converted."

The in-progress penthouse-top ProMaster he photo-documented at that time looks to absolutely be the same van as the one shown completed in the SMB website photos....and that's no photoshop.

Anyway! Rock on man. You seem to be crafted from raw, concentrated perseverance!!! And we are glad to have you here.
:b5:

 

[VocalVirgo]

Hey VocalVirgo, glad you've concluded that Sportsmobile West finally did "right enough" by you (with the Warranty Transfer document) to finally let things rest.

(And holy crap....haha, if I ever have any kind of seemingly-unresolvable customer service issue with a business, can I hire you to go to bat for me?? )

Not to drag this though the muck any more than it surely has already ---- but just for the sake of clarification (and for others reading this post and wondering about the apparent reality of a "prototyping stage" of the ProMasters) -- those first ones were indeed done at Sportsmobile West, and from the sounds of it all the way back in late 2014. (At least according to the author of that May 2015 news posting I shared with you.)

From that article:
"Several RV outfitters have adopted the Promaster, and Sportsmobile is in the process of completing their first RV versions which will be made available to the public soon.

The trip I made in October of 2014 to Sportsmobile West was during the construction phase of the vehicle and the model I looked at was the low cut version which will have a typical electric penthouse (PH) canvas sided top designed to lift with the push of a button. I also looked at an empty hard top model that was waiting to be converted."

The in-progress penthouse-top ProMaster he photo-documented at that time looks to absolutely be the same van as the one shown completed in the SMB website photos....and that's no photoshop.

Anyway! Rock on man. You seem to be crafted from raw, concentrated perseverance!!! And we are glad to have you here.
:b5:

I am glad as well. I had no more time to spend fighting with them. And you definitely do not want me going to bat for you, I have a filthy aggressive mouth. It’s a talent I can only conjure up when someone is doing something really terrible or wrong, LOL. It’s a gift that only gives at the right moment… The right situation. I feel gypped. I turn into a crazy person. Like a good witch, LOL.

And yes, I totally agree with you, those in-stage photos look to be exactly the same one that is on their older version of the website. I don’t know why the salesman told me that mine would be the first one. Maybe he thought it was a selling point and I would brag about it to people, which I have… and now I feel stupid.

All I know is now I am free to enjoy my full-time travels again and be done with the one drama-monkey that was on my back. Definitely moving on…

 

[VocalVirgo]

man, what a load of crap. so sorry you are getting treated like this. total bs.

that was a good read though. you have a great sense of humor regarding a really fucted up situation. glad you arent so tainted from this ordeal that you arent getting out and enjoying your van though. campervans are great that way. help you forget all the other crummy things in your life

Yeah, I’m hitting it ruin my van experience. As a matter of fact I’m leaving in a few days for 3-4 months to tour the US.

 

[daveb-SMB]

Wonder if SMB meant yours was the first build of that year? Also I'm pretty sure that model in the Autoramblings article was their proto-type. That was a long time ago and they might have made changes throughout the years.