PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – RV dealer Camping World reached a $3.5 million settlement with the Oregon Department of Justice after an investigation found the company would “claw back” its advertised discounted prices, the Oregon Attorney General’s Office announced Monday.

The settlement follows a multi-year consumer protection investigation led by the Oregon Department of Justice.

“The settlement orders Camping World to return $3 million in refunds to affected customers. Our investigation found that Camping World would advertise a heavily discounted ‘Dare to Compare’ price. 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,” Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said. “This is not how Oregonians expect or deserve to be treated!”

Under the settlement, Camping World is required to pay the state $3 million to refund customers who purchased an RV from the chain between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018, who paid more than the advertised price for an RV.

Customers who purchased an RV after Dec. 18, 2018, may also be eligible for a refund and must submit a written complaint to the Oregon DOJ within six months of this announcement to potentially receive a refund, officials said.

Under the settlement, Camping World cannot charge customers more than the advertised price of a vehicle, with the exception of optional goods or accessories, license and registration fees, or other taxes. The Oregon DOJ explained that the offering price must be available to all customers and cannot depend on whether a customer is paying with cash or financing the deal.

The settlement includes other consumer protection measures, including banning the company from double-charging customers for any goods or services already included in the MSRP, and Camping World must disclose charges on a label attached to the vehicle.

Additionally, the company must use clear abbreviations in purchase orders. This measure comes after the DOJ’s investigation found Camping World would use the term “environ” on purchase orders to describe a limited warranty for weather damage, the Oregon Attorney General’s Office explained.

Officials added that Camping World cannot make a free offer with the purchase of an RV unless it is offered by a manufacturer of another party, excluding Camping World or its Good Sam Club, “Because Camping World owns both companies, such ‘free; offers can be illusory.”

“I thank the Civil Enforcement team at DOJ for their focus and persistence in this investigation, and in helping to make restitution to those affected by Camping World’s practices,” AG Rosenblum added. 

KOIN reached out to Camping World. This story will be updated if we receive a response.