Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

My first one star review, but as you might agree after reading, it seems warranted. I purchased the Thetford Curve for our small camper in May 2013. We camped throughout the Sierras that year but, crucially, never used the Curve as we traveled with family who had a motorhome. Thus, the Curve sat anchored to the floor plate without batteries or water and was never used. In July 2014 I finally filled the Curve with fresh water, put in the six supplied AA batteries, and the prescribed amount of deodorizer in the bottom tank. It worked flawlessly and was indispensable for a man traveling with 5 and 2 1/2 year old girls. It performed without incident as we traveled from SoCal to Dinosaur National Monument and all over in between. I emptied the tank and refilled with fresh water as needed, and it was great. The trip lasted a week and after getting home, left within a week to go to Oceano Dunes where, again, the toilet was great. Got home and cleaned the tank really well, kept water in the fresh tank and it was ready to go. In April 2015 I fixed the toilet plumbing in our one bedroom house and the project went over a day. The Curve was brought in and put in the bathroom. Tried the button for the bowl water fill… nothing. Not a noise. Opened and replaced batteries. One of the Thetford supplied batteries had discolored, but there was no leakage or corrosion. Reassembled, nothing. Removed the battery pack and tested at the contacts, 9.2 volts right where it should have been on the circuit board. Tested the contacts at the connection to the pump, 9.2v for 1-2 seconds when the button was depressed (the amount of time the pump actuates to fill the bowl with a bit of water). Reassembled - nothing. Removed the pump assembly. It looks factory new with no deposits, no mineral stains, no corrosion and the impeller spins freely. It makes no sound whatsoever when the button is depressed. Reassembled and contacted Thetford. They replied quickly and informed me of the one year warranty. I explained the situation and as one would expect, it was too far out of warranty for free service. I didn't push the issue because I understand there is no way for them (or for you) to know whether or not I’m being honest. So I figured, “Meh, I’ll pay $30 for a replacement pump, not a big deal.” And here’s where the absurdity of the modern world comes in. How much might one expect the pump assembly for a $140 porta potty cost? $30? $40 $50? No no no, you think so small… $132.48 One Hundred Thirty Two Dollars and Forty Eight Cents. For a toilet that I can buy new for $140 on Amazon. So take this review for what it’s worth. You’re paying for a toilet that has no manual backup pressure system that, in my case, lasted a total of maybe 8 months and maybe 60 pump cycles and was kept indoors, clean, and cleaned out. Granted, I stored it with some water in the freshwater tank which is a no-no, but still, a complete and total failure after roughly 10 days total of usage? Maybe I’m just old fashioned, but it seems a bit wasteful to me. So consider a pressure system maybe? Something that will not rely on a microprocessor or batteries? Or end up like me, with a $140 piece of plastic and a wife and two daughters who you now have to send off to a dark pit toilet at night when camping. Caveat Emptor!