willoughby
Southern California
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Joined: 08/13/2007
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I read the thread (that is now closed???) concerning Camping World and their "possible" bankruptcy filing.
I don't like what I see, even though "insiders" are saying no problems. I called the local Camping World Service Department in Valencia about fixing my toyhauler brakes two weeks ago (I'm talking JUST brake pads!!).
The tech guy told me don't bring it in because they dont stock many parts anymore and it would take over two weeks to get it repaired. He told me to take it to another RV company if i wanted it fixed sooner.
I thanked the guy for his honesty and my impression from him (even though he didnt say it) was problems ahead (cutting back parts inventory is a common means of cutting overhead). I dont want to see anyone go out of business, but like our car companies, if you cant adapt, you have no place in this tough economy.
I know Camping World has done a lot for this industry, but also feel they have lost touch with their customers. I have a membership their, but will not renew again. I feel their prices ( at least in California) are overpriced (except on some items to get you in) and I can get better elsewhere without having to pay a "fee" each year.
If they are to survive, I really feel they need to get rid of their yearly membership dues (like some others have) or do like the supermarkets did (a club card without fees to get better savings). They also need to get better pricing and get back to basics.
Like getting rid of their RV sales department (which must be a huge financial drain) and get back to better and more products, better, competetive prices and more "parts" for the common Rver.
Also, their "on-line" service needs to get rid of the shipping fees and offer as much as possible for "free shipping" (not just on select items). The local CW store is only about 15 mins away, but I will get my RV stuff from other on-line RV services that dont reem me for taxes AND shipping fees too and I can get it in 2-3 days (it is worth the wait to save quite a bit). Heck, I get tires and rims, that are already mounted for my OHV's for free shipping AND they have the BEST prices overall!! So, it can be done on bulky items too.
With the size of the company and the amount of stores that they have, they should have better purchasing powers to get better deals so they can pass them along to the consumer.
Again, this is just my opinion and have NO facts to support it, just my gut instincts (I felt WW was going out of business many, many months before they did and warned others, even though the owner himself was saying never). I am just a consumer that is offering what "I" would need to return to your stores again in the future instead of going elsewhere, like I do.
* This post was
edited 09/22/09 11:28pm by willoughby *
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Greentow
Dover, DE 19904
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Joined: 12/09/2002
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Unfortunately, good common sense and the business world often don't fit in the same basket. I do agree with your statements, in total.
I'd like the opportunity to get the CEO and the Board and explain the facts of life to them, from the guy that makes 50 or less a year, 2/3 kids, and trying to do right by his family. As the old saying goes, "Give me 10 minutes with the door shut".
Lee
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2002
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The other side of the coin…
If that is how you feel then you shouldn’t go there, and if you really felt that way why call them in the first place…
I don’t pretend to know what their buying power or their cost of doing business is, that is why they don’t ask me what the prices should be…
I think they have to many stores and I liked it better when they were all stand alone stores and they did have better prices before opening so many stores (and buying power???)… I think getting into the dealerships was a wrong move, at least the timing wasn’t so good, but in the end they may prove me wrong about that…
Like every store I go to some of their prices are higher and some are lower… I have never been overcharged because I know what I am buying is worth, and often I think is worth a little more to see it, feel it, buy and return it on my schedule not that of UPS…
What I liked about CW is the variety all under one roof, I don’t think I ever saw them as the dollar store for RV’ers…
I have weighed the good against the bad and the next time I am near a CW, you may just find me there… I have had some good deals and some good service there…
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
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bigeking
Arlington, Texas
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Everyone has the right to shop wherever they want, so if you do not like a place then do not shop there. All of us like to save money, but convenience, the ability to see and touch, and dealing with a live person means a lot. I personally dislike Walmart. I can go down to my local hardware store, get the part, go back home and fix the problem, and all of this before I can even find the part and get back up to the register at Walmart! Then if I am really lucky there will be more than one of the fifty registers open, but God forbid if you happen to get an item without a bar code on it!! Besides if I want to go for a hike, I would rather be outside with a view and wildlife!! Soooooo as they say, to each his own!
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Roadpilot
Lakes Region of New Hampshire
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I like Camping World. I understand that having real inventory (as opposed to drop shipping from a factory) costs some money. But I'm willing to a little more to see it and get it right away. They can't help taxes, but it wouldn't surprise me to see the states start to tax internet sales.
On the other hand, our local CW has a ton of RV's in inventory. The store inventory pales in comparison to the dollars tied up on the lot. I would hate to see them sacrifice store inventory to pay for the big dog outside.
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beemerphile1
I'm only 54, I'm not a
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Joined: 04/20/2007
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The facts are that most any business has to grow in order to survive.
The problem that Affinity Group and many other companies are experiencing is that the slow down has caused them to have difficulties servicing their debt. That debt was incurred by an aggressive growth policy which required lots of borrowed money.
I handle my personal finances on a cash basis. If I don't have the money, I don't spend it. That is probably the same thing your granny taught you.
These companies that have extended themselves in order to buy up other businesses and expand are now finding that maybe it is better to be smaller and liquid than big and in debt. When sales slow and cash flow decreases they can't pay their debt. Same as if you lose your job and then can't pay your mortgage. These companies, which includes most all RV related businesses, are scrambling to rid themselves of unprofitable divisions and turn assets into cash simply in order to survive.
I wish them success. Some of the divisions of Affinity Group have been very beneficial to those of us that are RVers. Some of those divisions were started more as a service to RVers rather than a purely profit motivation. I believe this forum would be one of those, also the Good Sam club. They have been swallowed up by Affinity Group which is primarily a profit driven corporation. If one of the dominoes falls, they are likely to all fall.
Tim (in NE Ohio)
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dblr
Newark De
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I had a dealer tell me @ the Hershey show that Camping World filed bankruptcy. I don't know how true that is but what about the dealers that are attached to Camping World stores would they be included also?. If so I feel bad for he people that were buying and ordering units at the show. I saw that Camping World had a few different dealers there.
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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Joined: 08/23/2005
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I agree with JJ's thought. I like the one stop shopping Camping World provides. Comparing CW pricing to internet pricing is apples to oranges. Being able to see and touch an item has an added cost. CW prices are comparable to my local dealer. My local dealer and CW are both more expensive than the big box guys on comparable items. However for just RV parts they both win on selection.
There are no CW's in my area. I buy from them on line when need be. For the most part they always have what I need.
CW's biggest mistake was getting into RV sales at the wrong time. The last couple of years have not been kind to RV dealers and manufacturers. I hope they survive. Believe it or not we need there presence within the RV industry.
While not perfect this forum is a product of Affinity's influence within the RV biz. Look around no other RV forum compares.
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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They are all trying to survive. Last week and needed a part for my MH. The on-site RV repairman went to 3 RV dealerships that specialize in stocking just about every part you would need and all 3 said they have eliminated stocking parts for RV's. I had to order it from the maufacturer. Lot of money is tied up in inventory. Heck if dropping the inventory helps save their business so be it. I'd rather see them do this and come out a winner at the end and the RV dealeship still be there. My local RV dealership sent back every A they had on their lot when this all started going down and he is still in business.
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2002
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dblr wrote:I had a dealer tell me @ the Hershey show that Camping World filed bankruptcy.
I haven't found such a filing...
from the horses mouth
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