I normally do not get involved with bulletin board threads, but the banter here and at another location motivated me to respond.

Companies like Freedom Roads and LaMesaRV (9 stores) are setting the stage for getting control of the manufacturers who really want to control how we do business. As the buying power increases, so does the control of pricing and especially back-end spiffs which threaten to undermine management’s control of the sales force.

Our business is changing and those who have their finger on the pulse of our business will succeed.

One of the benefits that may be realized by Freedom Roads’ expansion is that a uniform methodology could be implemented whereby any employee could transfer to any other store and not have to “re-learn” how the alternate location conducts business. If everyone speaks the same language and universality exists at every location, upper management can more easily implement new programs as the RV marketplace matures.

Competetors can learn from these new formulations and the entire marketplace will benefit.

There is always a possibility of a cooperative of smaller dealerships forming to compete with the larger dealerships’ buying power.

The speculations are endless, but I can say with great confidence that we, as an industry, are on the verge of a boom that we have not seen since the early ’90s.

This does not mean that we don’t think FreedomRoads/Camping World can’t do the same thing, but there are those of us with different opinions who are not afraid to express them. We have given full credit to Steve Adams intelligence, financial expertise, and business acumen … he didn’t establish the AGI empire without working hard and long to establish a giant corporation in our industry. The question for all of us is whether this strategy, and company, will be good for the RV industry in the long run. The jury is still out on that and there will be many different opinions expressed on this topic as they continue to grow and expand. Only time will tell who is right, but some of us have tried to document reals statistics from publicly available reports and compare this activity to other examples in different industries that we have experienced personally and noted the results.

While it is nice to have Bank of the West (Robert) contribute to the blog, are his comments potentially slanted by the amount of business they may, or may not, enjoy with Freedom Roads/Camping World.

For the record, again, I do know, have met, and have interviewed Marcus Lemonis. He also has contributed on some of Greg’s blogs and if he felt the need to jump in on this one I’m sure he would do so. Of course he is always welcome. This intereactive exchange of industry ideas. stories, comments and even arguments is designed to stimulate more conversation, not less. I hope many of the people that view the blog, but never contribute, will now decided to join in after seeing the activity that this one has generated.

We do not dislike, nor do we disrespect, anybody that contributes to the blog. There may be sharp responses but I suspect we all have thick skin, enjoy the banter, and will continue to respect the varying viewpoints presented here.

I do not consider many of the “comments” on here as personal attacks, especially when they deal with the companies serving our industry. However, the information is accurate, is being provided by people (for and against the argument) that are actively involved in the industry, and the shared responses help us all understand and appreciate the complexities of the business dynamics that are impacting our industry today. The most talked about one is the continued expansion of FreedomRoads/Camping World and its eventual positive, or negative, impact on the rest of the industry. As we have seen here, you can make an argument on either side of that discussion speaking just for me, and not for Greg or any other contributer, I enjoy and appreciate both viewpoints and love the exchange, even if it does get testy at times.

Have you heard the expresion, “There are them that do and them that talk”? Do you, as a journalist, really understand the complexities of leading an organization as immense as Freedom Roads/Campingworld/RVs.com?

It is so easy to criticize, but if you really wish to judge, please do not make “leaps to judgement” without interviewing and researching the content that you publish as “ASSUMED” realities. Read your own article and you will know exactly what I am referring to.

Thanks for clarifying what a great speller you are. I find it amazing that both of you continue to spend your time bashing people. Seperate from you bashing Camping World and Freedom Roads, along with other companies, you make personal attacks on others. I note that business attacks on companies like Fleetwood and National in addition to others are good solid editorial comments just point out global business perspectives. Attacking people and their personal character is just not right. I dont know Marcus Lemonis like you say you do, but I am not sure I believe you do. Why would anyone talk to you after you and Greg say the things you do about them. I understand that all parties are entitled to their opinion about life but we just dont need to get personal. If you know someone well you ussualy dont bash them and if you do you wont know them for long or have conversations with them.

Even though you pointed out you have a job, like we all do, you still should spend your free time telling people positive things about others. It is a much better use of time and probably a much better thing for the industry. I have to believe that all that happens in these cases is you fuel the fire. Maybee we should call FreedomRoads and get their perspective. Do you think they would reply.

Maybee you should contact your good friend and ask him to respond if he respects you so much.

Bob and Greg, I am sure you are nice people. Most people are. Just try to be a better person or at least keep it to yourself if you dont have something good to say. It would make you feel better.

Our economy is capitalistic and based on free enterprise. If Marcus Lemonis has conceived a vision of being the Sam Walton of the RV industry, nothing can stop him.

You should recognize that Freedom Roads is a “vision” backed by a plan which is executing before our eyes.

I personally believe that the expansion of Freedom Roads and the unification of its buying power is going to do good things to our industry. Not a subject that I would discuss in a public forum.

If you are worried about competing at the “price level” then you do not understand the dynamics of selling big ticket items.

I am the top salesman (companywide) at LaMesa RV. I have written a book “Power Selling for RV Professionals” and I constantly sell to customers who were quoted lower prices elswhere. A big ticket item will never be sold as a discount priced commodity. There is a methodology that is powerfully persuasive and the growth of Freedom Roads has no impact on your ability to profit in the coming times.

In the end you might be able to hold a higher gross because there may be fewer desparate small shops selling at shallow margins over pure.

The competitive strategy I am suggesting for RV dealers is to differentiate themselves by selling brands OTHER THAN the brands sold through Camping World/Freedom Roads.

And, yes, I work in the industry every day. I have owned an RV dealership AND I talk to dealers and customers for a good portion of my day.

I agree that competition is great for customers. But, continuing the blind compliance with the norm is just foolish.

Purchasing and selling the same old products as every other dealer (ie-Camping World) is not competing for the sake of customers. It is lazy business that many like to attempt to disguise as competing.

Your comments and personal attack on Greg and me are unwarranted - but since you asked:

1. Yes, I have a job, in a different industry, and do quite well at it.

2. I am also the former editor of RV News magazine and have been writing, speaking, and consulting in the RV industry since 1996.

3. YOUR employer has had me as a featured speaker at your annual dealer meetings in the past and my presentations and industry knowledge were well received by YOUR customers.

4. I have also done stories on your chairman, your top executives, and your company in the RV trade press.

5. Contrary to your opinion, I actually do know what is going on in YOUR business, and in this industry. I have been an active RVer for over thirty years. I actually buy these products, use them, and understand them.

6. I have met, interviewed and reported on Camping World and FreedomRoads executives. In fact I just spoke to Marcus Lemonis a few weeks ago and we have respect for each others differing viewpoints on the topics we have discussed in this thread.

7. I’m not going to repeat what we have all contributed here, but there is an economics lesson in there .. see if you can find it.

8. That should do it … oh yes, I have to leave now, I’m late for my spelling, grammar, punctuation, and writing class!