65ShelbyCobra wrote: Sure is a shame.....let me explain. A couple years ago when my wife and I were searching for a TT, we went to Hawleys here in Raleigh and found one we liked. We put in a reasonable, written and signed offer (20% off of list). The offer was turned down. No problem...we looked elsewhere and found a TT we liked better at Bill Plemmons RV in Raleigh. We put in the same 20% offer and actually ended up with 23% off and a hitch thrown in. Fast forward to present. Camping World has purchased Hawleys and they are now in the process of changing over the store (I drive by it every day). Last month, the RV show was here in Raleigh. My wife and I attended the show this year and last year. This year you could tell there was a noticeable difference in the show but, we couldn't figure out why. At the show, there were many less campgrounds represented and only 3 or 4 dealers present. Disappointing to say the least. Sure wish I could get my 10 bucks back.
My Bullet Premier 31 BH is now 2 years old and obviously out of warranty. I had a problem with it that stemmed from the warranty period and took it in to Plemmons RV. I just returned from the dealer and it is going to be covered under the expired warranty. While I was there, I asked the service manager why they weren't at the RV show this year and explained to him my disappointment with this year's show. He explained to me about Camping World buying Good Sam and also Hawleys RV here in Raleigh. With Camping World the sponsor of the show, there were many dealers that weren't invited to the show. Regional campground representatives didn't participate because of their disappointment with Camping World. He continued by saying that people from Camping World have been calling him AND his employees to try and get them to quit Plemmons RV and be employed by Camping World elsewhere. There was one more thing that he mentioned. A while back (month or two), Plemmons was having a huge advertised sale. Camping World had a billboard truck with Ice Cream truck music blaring across the street from Plemmons advertising that they would beat prices.
When I left the dealer today, there is a billboard probably 2 hundred feet from the dealer with a Camping World ad on it stating "We will beat this dealers pricing anytime"
I realize that advertising and being competitive with your competitors is part of the game but, this seems to be taking it too far and seems a bit dirty to me. Let your product, prices and customer service speak for themselves. That's how you win in this game.
Last week I filled out the Good Sam survey that was emailed to me not knowing all this was going on. Had I known, I would have answered some questions differently.
You can count on me not shopping at Camping World anymore or renewing my Good Sam membership.
Steve Plemmons, you have a customer for life!
Sorry for the rant...back to your regularly scheduled forum...
Camping World serves a purpose as being sort of like the Walmart of camping.
Me, I would rather make an RV purchase from a business that was NOT Walmart like.
Note.... I used Walmart as an analogy only, I am a Walmart shopper when I need little bargains.
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65ShelbyCobra wrote: Last month, the RV show was here in Raleigh. My wife and I attended the show this year and last year. This year you could tell there was a noticeable difference in the show but, we couldn't figure out why. At the show, there were many less campgrounds represented and only 3 or 4 dealers present. Disappointing to say the least. Sure wish I could get my 10 bucks back.
A while back (month or two), Plemmons was having a huge advertised sale. Camping World had a billboard truck with Ice Cream truck music blaring across the street from Plemmons advertising that they would beat prices.
When I left the dealer today, there is a billboard probably 2 hundred feet from the dealer with a Camping World ad on it stating "We will beat this dealers pricing anytime"...
the info given above is accurate .... we live in the Raleigh area and have seen it .... we have friends in the local GoodSam camping club .... based on the above, they have disassociated themselves from GoodSam and are now a private club
I went to gboro for both shows this year the first one was a CW sponsored event I think and the second one was not. I feel I got my $10 worth both times. Whats the big deal its $10 if thats a dealbreaker than stay home I bought more than $200 dollars worth of stuff at each show and it was all discounted 30-40% so I figure I still got my moneys worth. SMILE life is to short to be upset over such small things.
wills250psd
mlemonis wrote: I have to tell you that I am dissapointed at the misrepresentations on this thread
Shelby, your facts are flawed. I know exactly what the facts are and would be willing to discuss with you.
If anyone would like to talk about this with me personally then email me with your name and number
ML
Mr. Lemonis, why are you unable to share the facts with us here? I think everyone should be able to understand them equally.
Look, I understand about advertising and competition in the business world. I get it.
To me, it almost seems a bit like dirty politics...
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I am perplexed at this thread. Unfortunately, this wouldn't be the first time I heard a competitor provide erroneous information about another company. Saying CW bought all the space at a show or is preventing another company from participating doesn't make good business sense. The financial expense would be very large, the additional sales would be negligible, and the public opinion of the shows in the future would be damaged.
If I wanted to go see one dealers inventory I would go to their lot, and save the $10. I suspect we have a few businesses who made a decision not to attend a show and they are trying to blame a competitor for the decision they made. I suspect the dealer who didn't attend simply couldn't justify the expense.
I am not going to waste my time answering questions that simply are not true. I know that you are attempting to hold court but Ice Cream trucks? Really?
It sounds to me that you have gotten better service and pricing from another dealer and I wish you the best of luck. As all of you can tell if you read my posts throughout this forum, when we make a mistake or mistreat someone we make it right. When we deal with childish accusations we would prefer to cancel your membership for you. I pride myself on how we run our 2 billion dollar business.
Please forward me your membership number and I will make sure we get it canceled in the morning.
Good luck to you. Again, if anyone else has specific examples of our behavior being dishonest I would like to know about it because I wont allow it to happen.
mlemonis wrote: I have to tell you that I am dissapointed at the misrepresentations on this thread
Shelby, your facts are flawed. I know exactly what the facts are and would be willing to discuss with you.
If anyone would like to talk about this with me personally then email me with your name and number
ML
Marcus,
I am impressed (as I'm sure most members here are) with your participation here on the forum, as well as the participation of many of your management team. It speaks to your sincerity in improving the member/customer experience with GS/CW. I can think of no other high profile retail business on the planet where the highest level of management has engaged the customer as you have and that is truly impressive.
That being said, the facts you speak of above are what they are. What should matter more to CW/GS is perception. All the facts in the world don't amount to a hill of beans if the perception of the folks you are trying to reach is at odds with the facts.
Steve
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