Camping World, an RV dealer with multiple Oregon locations, will pay the state $3.5 million in a settlement deal, with $3 million of that going to customers who paid more than the advertised price for recreational vehicles in 2017 and 2018, according to a press release Monday from the Oregon Department of Justice.

“Our investigation found that Camping World would advertise a heavily discounted ‘Dare to Compare’ price,” said Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum in the press release. “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.”

The settlement is the end to a years-long consumer protection investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice Civil Recovery Section, the agency said in the release.

According to the DOJ, the $3 million will be used to give refunds to those who purchased an RV from Camping World between Jan. 1, 2017, and Dec. 31, 2018 and paid more than the advertised price for the vehicle.

People who bought a vehicle after Dec. 31, 2018 may also be eligible for a refund but “must submit a written complaint to Oregon DOJ within 6 months of this announcement to potentially be eligible to receive a refund,” the DOJ said.

“Consumers that submit written complaints should include any information that they have to demonstrate they paid more than the advertised price,” the press release added.

Going forward, the DOJ said, Camping World cannot charge more than the advertised price of the vehicle. That price must be available to all consumers and cannot be contingent on how the customer plans to pay.

Anyone who wants to learn more can call the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 or visit doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection.

– Lizzy Acker covers life and culture and writes the advice column Why Tho? Reach her at 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com.

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