RV|ID uses wireless networks, the GPS satellite network, a sophisticated database and a powerful software analytics engine. A small device is installed in the RV, which determines location using GPS and then transmits the location to RV|ID’s servers and database using wireless networks. The location data is then made available to RV|ID customers through RV|ID’s web portals.

No. All you need is a computer or mobile device that has Internet access and has an up-to-date browser, including Microsoft Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari.

No. We understand that each type of customer has unique needs. Accordingly, RV|ID offers separate web portals for RV manufacturers, floorplan lenders, dealers and rental companies. Each portal contains the information, tools, alerts and features that are valuable for them.

Yes. Through our Red Lantern service, we support the marine, modular housing, heavy equipment, power sports and similar industries.

No. RV|ID goes into “sleep” mode when a RV is not running and it has an extremely low power draw (under 3mA)

A geofence is a programmed virtual perimeter around a real-world geographical location. RV|ID creates geofences around locations that meet the customers’ needs. These geofences are one of the alert triggers for the system (typically, when a RV crosses this programmed line, the system begins to accumulate data based on the parameters set for that RV).

Alerts are always available via the RV|ID web portal. In addition, users can elect to receive alerts via text message and/or e-mail.

RV|ID will not recognize whether the use of the RV is authorized or not, but if the RV is reported stolen or missing, in most cases RV|ID will be able to locate the RV.

Yes.

The Virtual Odometer calculates accumulated RV mileage through GPS. It is intended to serve as an estimate of the RV’s accumulated mileage-it is not the RV’s actual odometer reading. Due to variations in RV odometer accuracy and GPS mapping parameters, it is likely that over time there will be a growing discrepancy, perhaps substantial, between the Virtual Odometer reading and the actual RV odometer reading. Because the Virtual Odometer is independent of the RV odometer, it is a useful tool to combat odometer fraud.

Yes. RV|ID obtains retail sale date information from a number of sources, including customers who are lenders, dealers or manufacturers. In addition, RV|ID contains a tool that detects possible sales.

RV|ID has gone to great lengths to ensure that its service addresses the privacy concerns of both our customers and RV owners. Our Consumer Privacy Policy describes how personal data is collected by RV|ID and how it can be used. We also require our customers to agree to a Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Generally, use of devices that collect location data, such as cell phones, requires disclosure to the consumer. At retail sale, disclosure that an RV is equipped with RV|ID is made to the RV purchaser. Following retail sale, RV|ID customers can not view location data for the RV, except that an RV manufacturer is notified when the RV visits an authorized service facility during the warranty period. The only exception is if the RV|ID customer is a retail lender who has obtained the RV owner’s consent. In this case, and subject to the retail lender’s compliance with applicable law, the retail lender can use RV|ID to locate the RV in the event of a loan default. For rental RVs, rental fleet operators can, subject to compliance with applicable law, use RV|ID to monitor their rental RVs when they disclose their use of RV|ID to the renter.

Yes, in several ways. They are provided with a disclosure at the time of purchase or rental; a disclosure is placed in the RV’s “Important Papers” folder; and a “RV|ID-Equipped” sticker is affixed to each RV.

Use of RV|ID without consumer disclosure is expressly prohibited and is a breach of RV|ID’s Terms of Service. Some states restrict how GPS monitoring services may be used on rental RVs. A rental company is responsible for ensuring that its use of RV|ID complies with applicable law. We can tailor the Rental Portal to help ensure compliance.

No. If your term of service for a RV includes both Pre-Retail and Post-Retail coverage, RV|ID automatically disables location information for a RV as soon as it is reported as sold. If you are the RV’s manufacturer, you will, however, be notified when one of your RVs visits one of your authorized service facilities.

Yes, at any time. Once deactivated, the RV no longer sends any data to us. Of course, the purchaser will then lose the value of having the RV manufacturer know when the RV is in for service.

No. RV|ID does not have any video or audio capabilities.

Only companies that have an interest in a given RV can monitor that RV on RV|ID. This would include chassis and component manufacturers, final stage manufacturers, floorplan lenders, dealers, retail lenders, insurance companies, rental fleet operators, etc. A RV manufacturer cannot “see” RVs manufactured by other companies. RV|ID maintains all data in the strictest confidence and in full compliance with its privacy policies.

Lemon laws exist in various forms in all 50 states. There is also a federal lemon law known as the “Magnuson Moss Consumer Warranty Act.” Many people believe that lemon laws measure RV quality, and in a sense they do, but only indirectly. In reality, lemon laws measure how well a manufacturer performs warranty service during the warranty period. Essentially, lemon laws provide that if a RV spends too much time in the shop or suffers too many unsuccessful repair attempts for the same defect, then the manufacturer must repurchase or replace the RV.

Technically speaking, some state lemon laws exempt towable RVs and, in a few cases, the portions of a motorhome devoted solely to habitation. However, all states have general consumer warranty provisions that apply to all products sold with a warranty, including towable RVs and the coach-portion of motorhomes. In some states, these more general provisions are less restrictive than the actual lemon law, but in many states there is little substantive difference between the two and the remedy for breach (i.e., repurchase or replacement) can be identical.

Yes. In most states, the chassis and powertrain are subject to lemon law. This means that chassis and engine manufacturers could be required to repurchase an entire RV if chassis or engine repairs exceed lemon law thresholds.

Generally speaking, there are 3 lemon law triggers:

• A single warranty repair visit is too long.
• The cumulative total of all warranty repair visits is too long.
• Too many unsuccessful repair attempts to the same warranted defect.

If triggered, most lemon laws require the manufacturer to either repurchase or replace the RV.

In the event of a repurchase, the manufacturer must reimburse the consumer for the full retail purchase price of the RV, plus most out of pocket expenses, minus a small deduct for mileage.

In the event of a replacement, the manufacturer must replace the RV with a new RV that is substantially similar to the “lemon” RV, plus most out of pocket expenses, minus a small deduct for mileage.

In either case, the manufacturer may re-sell the old RV, but must disclose to its buyer that the RV was reacquired pursuant to consumer warranty laws. In some cases, the manufacturer is required to brand the title with a “lemon” notation.

Note: Some lemon laws (for example, California) include a potential civil penalty that requires the manufacturer to pay the customer 3 times the amount of the normal repurchase amount!

Often, manufacturers underestimate the true cost of lemon laws by looking only at attorneys fees paid to outside counsel and the cost to settle cases or pay judgments. Unfortunately, the true impact of lemon laws on the bottom line includes a number of other significant costs that greatly increase the costs of lemon laws. The full picture looks like this:

Direct Legal Expenses:

• Attorneys fees/costs paid to outside counsel
• Expert witness fees
• Settlements and judgments paid to litigation plaintiffs
• Attorneys fees to plaintiffs’ attorneys

Other Expenses:

• The cost of company resources devoted to resolving lemon law cases and claims
• The cost of company resources devoted to preventing lemon law cases and claims
• The cost of compensation (cash, products, add’l warranty) paid to consumers to prevent them from filing lemon claims against the company

Lost Sales:

• Another factor in the lemon law impact analysis is the hit to future sales. While it is impossible to gauge this loss with complete accuracy, it is fair to assume that a manufacturer will lose one retail sale for each lemon law case. The actual figure may be higher due to the fact that many RV purchase decisions are based on “word of mouth” reviews from trusted friends. Whatever the actual number, the future sale loss will come from the aggrieved customer’s migration to a competitor, his departure from the RV lifestyle, or because he dissuaded a friend from buying your product based on the bad experience. With Internet message boards, consumer reviews, and blogs more commonplace and relevant than ever, unhappy customers are increasingly more able to voice their negative messages to a very wide audience.

No. Lemon law cases typically lag sales by 2 years. That is, RVs sold in 2011 will not appear as lemon law cases until 2013. In 2009, sales of motorhomes were down about 75% over previous years and sales of towable units were down by about 50% over previous years. Thus, a manufacturer should expect that lemon law claims in 2011 will be down by about the same percentages. In addition, bankruptcies of several of the industry’s largest manufacturers essentially removed tens of thousands of RVs from the pool of RVs that would otherwise be “lemon law eligble.”

For these reasons, manufacturers should be experiencing a dramatic decrease in lemon law claims. However, this reduction is largely due to depressed sales in 2009 and the drastic reduction in the number of RVs that are “lemon law eligible.” It does not signal a shift in consumer attitudes towards lemon laws nor is it attributable to improved RV quality or customer service systems (although any such improvements have undoubtedly helped). Unfortunately, the number of lemon law cases and claims will almost certainly increase as RV sales recover.

Yes. RV|ID’s patent-pending lemon law avoidance system alerts a manufacturer’s service department when a RV spends excessive time in the shop, but before lemon law thresholds are crossed. These alerts provide manufacturers with the opportunity to expedite service visits by providing direct assistance to the dealer and by informing the dealer that time is of the essence.

Perhaps more importantly, these service alerts provide manufacturers with the opportunity to proactively contact retail owners to let them know that their manufacturer is working with the dealer, and to provide the owner with a manufacturer contact. This lets the customer know that its RV manufacturer really cares about his or her ownership experience. This alone will prevent many lemon law cases as most lawsuits result from the customer’s perception that he or she is being ignored.

By expediting service visits and, more importantly, sending the message to your customers that you really care about their ownership experience, RV|ID can drastically reduce lemon law claims against your company and bring about additional sales.

Yes. RV|ID’s patent-pending service alert system gives manufacturers the never-before-available ability to provide an unprecedented level of proactive customer service. Since the invention of the limited warranty, manufacturers have only been able to react to frustrated owners who contact the manufacturer for help. Manufacturers can now turn that tired old paradigm on its head. With RV|ID service alerts, manufacturers are now able to reach out to both RV owners and dealers PROACTIVELY when it appears that a customer is headed toward a potentially frustrating experience, but BEFORE frustration takes hold and an otherwise resolvable situation goes from bad to worse. Manufacturers that use RV|ID service to stay in front of owner frustration will be rewarded with increased customer loyalty, positive word around the campfire, and increased sales.