I just posted on your other comment about being scrubbed. I felt the need to come back to this one.
You mentioned this is a huge lifestyle change and I suspect that is causing a bit of stress for you. My pearl of wisdom is to take a deep, deep breath and relax a bit. If you have a best friend, vent... a lot. I also recommend reading Carol's Blog "Aging on Wheels" - she is a mature, single lady that tossed it all in and rolled off in a Phoenix with her faithful companion, Dawny (the blogging dog). Her trials and tribulations of the lifestyle change are on the blog. She's a great writer and I enjoy reading her adventures.
http://agingonwheels.com/ Your situation is your own. But I do have experience with lifestyle change. This RV thing was my idea. My Life Partner, John, decided to go along with me but was seriously stressed over it. It was a HUGE change and he doesn't do change well. He was at maximum stress level when we ordered the Phoenix. He was at maximum stress level getting the house and stuff prepped for our "year" on the road (a year was all he thought he could handle). He was at maximum stress level after we picked up the rig and we had to learn to deal with all sorts of things we'd never dealt with. Then he got the hang of it (quickly - thankfully the Phoenix is easy). We hit the road... and it took a few months to settle into a routine and leave the hectic treadmill pace behind but he never wants to go back (until health makes us stop driving). During those stressful times, John vented to me... a lot. He also took a whole lot of deep breaths... and it all worked out well.
A few notes in the interest of fairness to all parties:
- Pictures of builds: most of the pictures you see of build stages on this forum were taken by owners or soon-to-be-owners. They go to the factory and take them. As far as I know photos and build progress updates are not standard at any manufacturer. Perhaps Phoenix could include it as a paid option to cover the extra manpower cost.
- Build date: Phoenix buffers their build dates (like most construction type people) to allow for emergencies. It is better to promise less and deliver more. Most pending owners are THRILLED their rig is ready sooner than promised. Did your order specifically state, in writing, that you did not want the build to start until a specific date? I know you stated you wanted a later delivery date but that is different. It makes sense that if Phoenix had an opening in the assembly line, they should fill it with pending orders so that they have more openings later as new orders come in. Phoenix can have yours done and waiting while they move on to future orders. That's good business. You have to assume they built your rig according to your order. That's what you contracted them to do. You will get to check it to make sure all is well when you pick it up.
- There is a cut off for requesting changes for everyone. Phoenix says yay or nay depending on where the unit is in the line or even if they are willing to do that specific change. I can't second guess the people that have been building these things for over 30 years. They know what works and what doesn't. I asked for stuff but didn't always get it. Many of us hit that "shoot, I should have asked for this but now it's too late". However, I did get a whole lot of things I wanted and I'm happy with our rig.
- In your first posting you stated Phoenix was not responding to you but later you stated they did answer your calls and they did respond to your emails - even though they were out at shows, they responded. Please be fair on that.
- I see your question about the price of an option and that you haven't signed anything. Phoenix does many things at no cost. I don't know if this is the case for your request, but it is possible that what you asked for will be done without a change to your contract price. If you asked for something after it passed that point in the build, they can't give it to you (they do their best but there are limits). If they do it for free, you don't need to sign. If they can't do it, you don't need to sign. If you put the request for a mod in writing and they agreed to it, you can talk to them about it at pick up. They forgot to swap a cabinet door for us during the build and it was done in five minutes when we picked up the rig. They have an extensive check list with all your options and mods that they go over with you one by one at pick up to make sure it is the rig you ordered.
The tough question I need to ask is, what is it specifically that you asked that Phoenix isn't answering? Your posting does not say.
