Shoddy Binding On 2024 Whitman Coins Red Book

Above, the 2024 Red Book. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The 2024 A Guide Book of United States Coins (the Red Book) by Whitman Publishing, LLC arrived in today's mail.

I hadn't purchased one since the 1976 Bicentennial Edition.

Well, I have to say I am very disappointed in it without even reading about any coins. 

This review I posted at Amazon explains it all:

The guide book arrived, but the spine of the book was not bound onto the pages. It appeared that no glue or stitching was used on the binding. Not what one would expect for a new hardbound book. Very disappointing.

Above, after gluing the cover onto the spine. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I gave it two stars because of this. After posting my review, I noticed that other purchasers had similar problems with their book purchases.

They also pointed out whom they feel is the culprit: China. The book was made in China.

Above, "Printed In China", that should tell you something. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Larry Lucier (who was with me when I opened the shipping box) and I glued the cover onto the spine. We shouldn't have had to do this. At least the book is usable now.

Whitman Publishing had better find a book company to make their books in the U.S.

I sent Whitman a complaint message.

RV Travel Readers RV Defects and Service Issues

Above, at the Needles, California KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have to consider myself pretty lucky by buying a motorhome that has not given me any problems in the eight years I've had it. The only "defect" I had was a glued shut roof vent that was replaced under warranty by Winnebago. A dash air conditioning problem was caused by rodents.

Others haven't been so lucky and have voiced their displeasure at the RVs they bought. Some are the "usual suspects" that have been vilified over the years in various RV forums. They should be avoided if one is in the market to buy an RV.

RV Travel posted a number of emails of people who have suffered major problems with their new rigs.

They begin it with:

In this column, we summarize some of your emails and comments regarding RV service centers and repairs (we asked you to submit your stories here). We’ll tell you all: the best, the good, the bad and the ugly. At the end of this article, you’ll find a place to submit your own comments. I encourage you to do so.

Keep in mind, we typically only present one side of the story in most of these. Also, any remarks about service centers and mobile techs mentioned are the opinions of our readers and not necessarily RVtravel.com. 

This week there were a lot of messages about the RV manufacturers, poor-quality RVs and service, and a lack of documentation.

As the old saying goes, "buyer beware!"

To read the emails, go here. 

AOL: The Biggest Problems of Popular RV Brands

Above, my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R at a Payson, Arizona campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Planning on buying an RV?

If so, you may want to read an article by AOL on the biggest problems of all (or most) popular RV brands.

Winnebago, which I am an owner of a 2015 Minnie Winnie Class C, doesn't come unscathed in the article. But I must point out that any defects my RV had were minor and covered under warranty. It has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.

The first problem I had was a roof vent cover that "glued" itself shut. It was taken care of under warranty. The next one was a problem with the dash air conditioner (it's a Ford E350 Chassis). It turned out that rodents chewed some of the air conditioner's lines. Next, was another roof vent cover. It became brittle from age and weathering and broke apart. The last was a small tear in the awning fabric from rubbing against a leaning telephone pole I didn't see that got bigger. And that's it.

AOL begins their article with:

As summer nears, you probably think of campfires, s’mores, and RVing — which lets you camp and enjoy the great outdoors without having to sleep in it. Buying a poor-quality RV brand could quickly turn a trip sour, though, and Marshall Wendler, cofounder of Camp Addict, doesn’t like a beginner’s chances: “I don't have any specific input on the worst RV brand. In fact, they are the majority of RV brands out there,” Wendler says. “Throw a dart at the wall.” With advice from Wendler and other RVers who love to talk rigs, here’s what we’ve learned from the experts about brands that you should probably steer clear of if you're looking to buy or rent an RV.

To read more, go here.