Green Products
The country, as well as the industry, has seen a great advancement of green products entering the market.
Solar panels, lighter-weight trailers and eco-friendly products are appearing more frequently in the RV industry.
I am curious if RV consumers are asking for more green products or if it is just a trend dealers have to follow to remain competitive?
Are dealers altering sales training tactics or stocking levels to accommodate for green products? Or are green products too expensive in comparison to existing products?
I would like to get a discussion going about green products and their impact on the industry.
April 15th, 2009 at 9:17 am
I too would have to say I have not had anyone ask about the “Greeness” of our industry. I am 31 y.o. Business Manager and have been raised in the industry and have never had a customer get out of their Escalade or Suburban and ask what on the lot is made of recycled material or anything “Green” in the 14 years I have worked here. I do believe we should be mindful or way we build RVs, but; we have to maintain a level of efficiency and value that you can sell. I think of the car industry has proven that the hybrid and eco friendly cars just have not met expectations and are not profitable to produce. Change is tough, especially when it is not as profitable during a stuggling time.
April 14th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I work 12 to 15 rallies and shows a year and have presented my inside and outside cleaning seminars to thousands of RVers over the years. I cannot tell you the number of people who return to my booth a year later to thank me for getting them off their toxic cleaners and cleaning “Mary’s way” as they put it. Their health has greatly improved and many have been able to come off their medications.
If they aren’t asking about green options it is only because they have never been informed or simply don’t know to ask. My job is to educate them. The small confines of an RV means that the toxic effects of things like formaldehyde in paneling, chemicals in carpeting, glue and cleaning products are multiplied.
Many of these chemicals linger for years and off gas into extremely dangerous chemicals - sodium dioxin is but one of them. It is more commonly called Agent Orange and one of the most toxic chemicals known to man.
In all due respect Norm, living a sustainable life is not a liberal agenda. The toxic chemicals used to make products for any industry whether it’s an RV, car, home or whatever cause a long list of serious health issues like cancer, arthritis, dementia, bone weakness, eye problems - they are too many to list.
Please for the sake of your customers, join the liberals and get informed. What you don’t know is killing you - literally. Mary Findley author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Cleaning” and owner of Mary Moppins.
April 14th, 2009 at 11:03 am
I am a salesman at a dealer in South Carolina and although my customers don’t ask for green, once I bring up the green qualities of an RV or mention the green aftermarket products we offer, their level of interest increases. So, I agree that I too don’t have customers asking me for the green products, but it certainly is a good selling point.
April 13th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
I agree 100% with every word Norm says.
With that being said, I’m also seeing the light that if our industry does not want to go the route of the dinosaur, then we have to change our marketing and mindset to appease the upcoming younger generations.
The Libs have pounded this agenda into the fabric of their lives and we cannot ignore it. I’m perfectly willing to be a hypocrite if it means survival of our industry!!
Two observations though; polar bears are very good swimmers and it sure was a damn cold winter!!
April 13th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I am a sales rep for Forest River & beside solar panels,I have never had one person ask about being green or having green products. I work at least 15 RV Shows a year & talk to 100’s of consumers & not has one every mention or cares about a product being green.Stop pushing a liberal agenda.