Comments on: Why The Doom and Gloom? http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/ Welcome to RV Weekly where the editor of RV Trade Digest will be updating you on the latest news, trends, and products important to the RV industry. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:49:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Phyllis Thompson http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3941 Phyllis Thompson Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:46:22 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3941 I agree this is an industry that is both seasonal and cyclic. This year will improve in sales as it progresses; however, at this time with the fluctuating weather in our area and our finance companies tightening their belts, we are having to press hard for every sale and they are not coming easy by any means. I agree this is an industry that is both seasonal and cyclic. This year will improve in sales as it progresses; however, at this time with the fluctuating weather in our area and our finance companies tightening their belts, we are having to press hard for every sale and they are not coming easy by any means.

]]> By: Ray Sayer http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3893 Ray Sayer Tue, 04 Mar 2008 01:08:15 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3893 Mark Feb. 29 Vote republican? Who do you think got us into our present fix? Our country needs change, not more problems. Mark Feb. 29
Vote republican?

Who do you think got us into our present fix?

Our country needs change, not more problems.

]]> By: Rvdixie http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3892 Rvdixie Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:19:59 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3892 To follow up on what Mark said and he may not even realize what he said. We have found that the dealers who take one brand and not a candy store to the shows all seem to do much better. It appears the customers are far less confused and easier to control. To follow up on what Mark said and he may not even realize what he said. We have found that the dealers who take one brand and not a candy store to the shows all seem to do much better. It appears the customers are far less confused and easier to control.

]]> By: Mark http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3879 Mark Sat, 01 Mar 2008 02:54:14 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3879 We, too (like Tim Wegge) came out of the Milwaukee RV Show with big results!! The weather actually forced the show to close on Sunday, but that doom and gloom forecast seemed to bring people in on Saturday evening in droves. We bought more space (dealers were scaling back this year and we took advantage of the extra available space), took only one manufacturer (13 pieces) and just had an exceptional show!! A very unique feature this year is a zero turn down on financed deals!! I have never experienced a 100% show closing rate in our 40 years of selling RV's. We followed up that show with an invitation only free food and casino night in our shop and had just under 1000 people come through on Saturday night!! Our public Open House is coming up in two weeks and we are really optimistic that the momentum will carry through and into the Spring. After this terribly slow winter, I'm almost giddy with optimism. Hope it's not a false prelude. Vote Republican, everyone, our industry needs it!! We, too (like Tim Wegge) came out of the Milwaukee RV Show with big results!! The weather actually forced the show to close on Sunday, but that doom and gloom forecast seemed to bring people in on Saturday evening in droves.

We bought more space (dealers were scaling back this year and we took advantage of the extra available space), took only one manufacturer (13 pieces) and just had an exceptional show!!

A very unique feature this year is a zero turn down on financed deals!! I have never experienced a 100% show closing rate in our 40 years of selling RV’s.

We followed up that show with an invitation only free food and casino night in our shop and had just under 1000 people come through on Saturday night!!

Our public Open House is coming up in two weeks and we are really optimistic that the momentum will carry through and into the Spring.

After this terribly slow winter, I’m almost giddy with optimism. Hope it’s not a false prelude.

Vote Republican, everyone, our industry needs it!!

]]> By: Don McNamara http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3878 Don McNamara Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:56:47 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3878 We operate 3 locations in Florida. Ormond Beach, Melbourne and Winter Garden. Traffic has been pretty decent of late, but many one-leggers and many with uncertain attitudes. Service departments are very busy along with Accessories stores. Rental department has also been very good. Just came out of a small show for region 4 of the Florida RV Trade Association held in Deland. Lots of people, not enough sales people. Sold 12 at the show with a pretty good mix of sales. Expect good residual sales for the near term. Keep the faith. We operate 3 locations in Florida. Ormond Beach, Melbourne and Winter Garden. Traffic has been pretty decent of late, but many one-leggers and many with uncertain attitudes. Service departments are very busy along with Accessories stores. Rental department has also been very good. Just came out of a small show for region 4 of the Florida RV Trade Association held in Deland. Lots of people, not enough sales people. Sold 12 at the show with a pretty good mix of sales. Expect good residual sales for the near term. Keep the faith.

]]> By: Keith LaCanfora http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3874 Keith LaCanfora Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:53:00 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3874 Why Doom? Winnebago lay's off 225, Coachmen called December a "Train Wreck", Fleetwood has closed how many plants? Fleetwood lays off 20 white collar from it's Rv operation, Newmar lays off 118, Monaco lays off 200, Travel supreme ? Open ? Closed ? Most of Elkhart is on 3-4 day weeks. How many vendors are making profits? If you are any of these associate's that felt the sting of unemployment you would know why the gloom. So who get's fat ? Yes there is an upside, give it away for cost and keep the lights on. Pray you survive. Why Doom?
Winnebago lay’s off 225, Coachmen called December a “Train Wreck”, Fleetwood has closed how many plants?
Fleetwood lays off 20 white collar from it’s Rv operation,
Newmar lays off 118, Monaco lays off 200, Travel supreme ? Open ? Closed ? Most of Elkhart is on 3-4 day weeks. How many vendors are making profits? If you are
any of these associate’s that felt the sting of unemployment you would know why the gloom. So who get’s fat ? Yes there is an upside, give it away for cost and keep the lights on. Pray you survive.

]]> By: NeVelle http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3873 NeVelle Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:21:32 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3873 I've seen worse conditions than we have right now even though it's not as good as we all would like. I have seen times in the 70's and 80's that we may not have a customer walk thru the door for a week at a time and we would nearly kiss the feet of the first customer that walked in. It's times like this that makes us be real sales people and actually have to work every customer to make a living. You are in control of your own destiny- keep focused and stay positive! I’ve seen worse conditions than we have right now even though it’s not as good as we all would like. I have seen times in the 70’s and 80’s that we may not have a customer walk thru the door for a week at a time and we would nearly kiss the feet of the first customer that walked in. It’s times like this that makes us be real sales people and actually have to work every customer to make a living.
You are in control of your own destiny- keep focused and stay positive!

]]> By: Gary Morris http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3872 Gary Morris Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:46:48 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3872 Having been in the business since the 70's I've seen the boom years, an the slow years,this business is cyclic,the current market is not nearly as bad as the media portrays it, customer confidence will rebound, and the good times will roll again. we just came off a slow Jan, but Feb is back to normal, and with low interest rates and exceptance of higher fuel cost, I beleive we will have an excellent year,just keep that right mental attitude,and don"t watch the news. Having been in the business since the 70’s I’ve seen the boom years, an the slow years,this business is cyclic,the current market is not nearly as bad as the media portrays it, customer confidence will rebound, and the good times will roll again. we just came off a slow Jan, but Feb is back to normal, and with low interest rates and exceptance of higher fuel cost, I beleive we will have an excellent year,just keep that right mental attitude,and don”t watch the news.

]]> By: tim wegge http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3870 tim wegge Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:34:12 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3870 we just completed back to back shows. one in Milwaukee and this past weekend at our lot. show attendance in mlwaukee was good until a sunday storm rolled through but traffic at our lot show, with the weather cooperating, was well attended and between the two shows and a couple days after we've sold 80 pieces. keep in mind this is Wisconsin and we're coming off one of the coldest snowiest winters in the past 2 decades. we are optimistic and the attitude in our store is enthusiastic and upbeat. the more good sales news we spread around the better our industry will fair so let's hear more from you dealers that have had good shows like we just had. we just completed back to back shows. one in Milwaukee and this past weekend at our lot. show attendance in mlwaukee was good until a sunday storm rolled through but traffic at our lot show, with the weather cooperating, was well attended and between the two shows and a couple days after we’ve sold 80 pieces. keep in mind this is Wisconsin and we’re coming off one of the coldest snowiest winters in the past 2 decades. we are optimistic and the attitude in our store is enthusiastic and upbeat. the more good sales news we spread around the better our industry will fair so let’s hear more from you dealers that have had good shows like we just had.

]]> By: Mike Martinkus http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3869 Mike Martinkus Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:23:56 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2008/02/28/why-the-doom-and-gloom/#comment-3869 Atlanta area high line store This past November and December we saw a 20% increase in sales over previous Nov./Dec. This Feb. looks like we will end with about a 50% increase over Feb '07 but it is still not what I would call "robust" Customers trust in media truthfulness about anything seems to decrease exponentially the neared we get to election day. I believe a surge is coming - probably by the end of this year. Till then ,it's survival mode. If some big energy company would make a substantial commitment to a Hydrogen supply system, an auto manufacturer would surely follow with an announcement that they would begin work on a hydrogen powered vehicle and just the news of this would cause the price of oil to plummet. Bada Bing! Atlanta area high line store
This past November and December we saw a 20% increase in sales over previous Nov./Dec.
This Feb. looks like we will end with about a 50% increase over Feb ‘07 but it is still not what I would call “robust”
Customers trust in media truthfulness about anything seems to decrease exponentially the neared we get to election day. I believe a surge is coming - probably by the end of this year. Till then ,it’s survival mode.
If some big energy company would make a substantial commitment to a Hydrogen supply system, an auto manufacturer would surely follow with an announcement that they would begin work on a hydrogen powered vehicle and just the news of this would cause the price of oil to plummet.
Bada Bing!

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