Dear editor:
We really look forward to your stories and updates every day. We saw in our current issue of RV Living magazine that Lazydays RV is buying up many small independent RV dealers across the country. Are they becoming the new Camping World with the lessening quality of reputable, dependable, non-high-pressure sales and service dealers? Thanks for all you and your staff do for everyone. —Brian and Robynn Jasper
Dear Brian and Robynn,
Yes, we have watched Lazydays as it has gradually expanded from its once single dealership near Tampa, Florida. Some other regional dealers like Campers Inn in the East are also acquiring other dealerships and adding them to their own networks.
Some of this expansion, we believe, is to stay competitive with Camping World, which has aggressively swallowed up dealers across the country and is far from finished with its current 160 locations. Camping World’s reputation for its sales and service is far from stellar. So, frankly, we think Lazydays’ expansion and others are probably overall a good thing and will hopefully keep Camping World from dominating the market.
Yes, we’re sorry to see the small dealerships go. We do believe, though, that those that offer great sales and customer service can still prosper even with the competition from the chain-dealerships.
##RVT970
My experience with Lazy Days is an example. My A/C needed a run/start capacitor. A simple install. I went to Camping World, their solution ‘just purchase a new A/C.’ Later, in Tucson, while at Lazy Days, went to their parts dept and inquired about the same part. Tech looked up part number, checked their inventory, and said wait a few minutes while I go and get it. Twenty minutes later, we had a running A/C in hot Tucson, for very little cost and effort.
Lazy Days =$50, Camping World = $1000. You do the math.
Hopefully, this will be the ‘service model’ for all their locations. They could conceivably kick CW’s butt! Of course, parts availability will be the issue, but I liked this story.
What happened to mail box #2?