mspect
El Paso, Texas
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Joined: 12/09/2007
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I am wondering if GoodSam Club or magazine should have a column each month, dealing with closures and probable closures of Manufactures and Dealers. A RV is a large investment and the warranties are very important. I hear of people every day that have no warranty on their rig and have to pay cash for the repair work. We almost bought a National RV, but decided not to because of the economy, not because we new they were going under. We are how on a pension and would have had a problem if a major issue had come up. I like the magazine,but would like a little more up close and personal articles to deal with these times.
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JudoJeff
Southwick, MA
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Joined: 08/06/2008
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Good idea! I doubt they could print "probable" closures. Actual ones would be of value.
Maybe a list of places to go for service would be of more value. If the manufacturer closed, I'd want to know which service centers are available near me.
I've always felt the magazines and clubs were in bed with the RV makers who advertise. What's your impression?
K1BE Jeff
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cm
Dillon, CO USA
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Joined: 08/01/2002
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Most magazines have a two to three month lead time. So something that is happening now in October you will not read about until December or January.
As as far as possible closures. These are called rumors. Companies usually do not announce in advance they are closing. Recent examples are Weekend Warrior and Teton Homes. Plus if the possible closing someone wrote about did not happen and they suffer a loss in business due to the rumor the magazine or business spreading the rumor could possibly be faced with a law suit.
One person mentioned about a dealer that closed suddenly. He went by the dealer one week and everything looked normal. The next week he went to stop there and the dealership was closed and all the inventory was gone. Just a bare lot.
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John S.
Northern Virginia
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Joined: 03/22/2002
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That would be the kiss of death to those manufacturers. I know people posted on this board that National was going down. I was one of them and people said I did it because I did not like the company. I do not and did nto have an ax to grind but wanted people to know before going in and buying yes. Now I know there are other companies in big trouble too but the public nature of which I will not disclose until then can not roll the debt over. I want them to survive and will not start a rumor about a company. It really does not matter if a dealer closes as there will be new places to get stuff fixed. I will just point to Travel Supreme. People who worked on them opened their own shop to service them. I know that you do not have factory support but most things can be fixed. It will just cost you. Now if you look at the sales for the month last month being down 60 plus percent you have to figure anybody that does not have enough cash to survive the next year is going to close. Not pretty but there is no money to borrow and that will take a number of months to work out and if they are in a cash crunch the lenders are going to get in fast while there is still value in the inventory. Oh well, enough doom and gloom but when we emerge from this downturn the RV market will look much different. It already is different now.
John
2001 42' Foretravel U320
2007 Bornfree 24 Painted
2001 Jeep Wrangler
2007 Burgman 650 Executive
Susie and Dolly (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels)
Dolly now in our hearts and thoughts 8-27-05
Doodle a Black and Tan Cavalier
Lolly a Ruby Cavalier
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Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
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Joined: 01/29/2007
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I like your idea! Maybe you could write to one of the magazines and see what they think!
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar
Life is short, why not spend it in an RV!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
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bobsallyh
Livingston, Tx.
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Joined: 01/08/2004
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First off, Good Sam and the parent company Affinity are in bed, so to speak with dealers and manufactures. The other thing is, like other posters have said, the lead time for magazines is way out. Shoot some of them would already be auctioned off before you recieved the magazine. I would suggest that from time to time check out this web site www.rvinews.com And by all means don't believe a salesman pitch. You all know the saying, "if a salesman's lips are moving" and you know the rest!
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ol Bombero-JC
USA
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Joined: 06/24/2004
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Just check with "John S." !
~
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1492
Virginia, USA
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Joined: 04/08/2005
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I think the most timely source of info. is still the net. You may want to routinely check RV Industry News. They've been the first to report several key closures and bankruptcies of RV manufacturers and dealers, including Alfa Leisure. I believe they get much of their exclusive info. from tips they receive from industry insiders. 
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