Since we had other business in the area, we decided to accept Camping World's invitation to visit their big shindig with manufacturer's reps and free hot dogs. We looked at many of the units they had available, and talked to one salesman and one manufacturer's rep. They didn't know that we have been looking and learning for two years now. They found that out later.
Since we're interested in diesel pusher motor homes, we started there. We were allowed to look without any sales people with us, although they were available should we have needed one. Nothing really caught our eyes, so we moved on to the free hot dogs and a search for the one item we needed. Got the hot dogs, but not the IR thermometer. Then we moved to the towables, and that's where the fun started.
A salesman happened to be right at the entrance to that area, and he greeted us. We told him we were looking for full-time coaches, and he mentioned two brands. There were several examples of each available, so we started at one end and worked our way to the other. We went through one brand, but discovered that all of the exampes of the other brand were locked. He quickly took care of that problem. One of the trailers looked like it might suit us (except for the price), so I went to look at the weight sticker on the left front corner. He told me that I shouldn't pay any attention to that sticker, because it just had "axle weights and stuff like that" on it. He then pointed to a yellow laminated tag on the propane tank cover that said the empty weight of the trailer was ____ pounds. "That's the number you need." By then I had gotten the gross weight from the sticker, subtracted the empty weight, and then subtracted the weight of the fresh water capacity. When I mentioned that the trailer had _____ pounds of carrying capacity his jaw about hit the pavement. He was pretty young, so I don't know if it was the fact that I did all that math in my head or whether it was because I knew how to crunch the numbers, but he was pretty shocked.
Then, as we talked a bit more, he called the manufacturer's rep over. That even younger guy quickly took us over to the 5th wheels and tried to convince us that they were rated for use down to 0 degrees, whereas the TT was only rated down to 32. When I again looked at the weight sticker and calculated the carrying capacity the rep said that that trailer could easily be pulled by a 3/4 ton truck. 15,000 pounds? Maybe, but it would be marginal. Neither man was able to accurately tell me the size of the steel frame on that 5'er. They thought it was a 10" tall I-beam about 6" wide.
The lessons? Do your homework about weights before you go to a sales lot. Don't believe what the sales people say. Their job is to get your signature on the sales contract. If the coach you buy turns out to not be suitable for you, well, too bad for you.
This isn't meant to be a bash of Camping World, but a real-world example of what happens to those who venture into an unfamiliar environment without adequate preparation. Obviously a salesman can't be expected to know all of the construction details of every coach on his lot, but a manufacturer's rep should know his own company's lines. I'm far from an expert, but I got the feeling that I knew at least as much as those two men did. Of course, my reasons for learning are quite a bit different than theirs. My wife and I will have to live full-time with the decision we make. They only have to know a little bit more than the average customer to get that person to sign on the line.
bjoyce said
03:28 AM Oct 14, 2012
I once had a factory rep tell me full timers only needed 1,000lbs of carrying capacity. A salesperson insisted we needed the built-in one cylinder water filter when we had a portable two cylinder system. Another kept trying to hook us on aluminum wheels and mirrors, a very expensive option. Very educational.
Terry and Jo said
03:53 AM Oct 14, 2012
Many moons ago, when we first moved to the Oklahoma City area, I worked for a few months as a car salesman. And yes, some of those were used cars. However, I was fortunate to work with some folks that had knowledge and no inclination to try to "snow" the customer.
Later, I worked as an assistant manager and as a manager for a "major electronics retail chain" and taught all my people to be sure and ask questions of the customers and try to match a product to their actual needs. By doing that, one has a lot fewer returns and gains a lot more respect from the public.
I had a Dodge salesman try to tell me that their 4500 series truck was "top of the line" across the board. I asked for the GCVW on the 4500 series and it fell well short of what the Ford F450 could tow. When I told him that, he tried to scare me away from Ford by telling me about YouTube videos showing the "regen" process blowing fire out of the tailpipe. Heh. I told him if he had to use a YouTube video to sell his Dodge, he was not a very good salesman. That must have been a blow for him because his office had all kinds of sales awards scattered around. I've always wondered if those awards were really his.
With all that said, when shopping for anything, and especially for high-dollar items, if the sales personnel don't try to find out what YOU need or want, find another salesman or another dealer.
Good job, David. I would have loved to have seen that Camping World experience.
Since we had other business in the area, we decided to accept Camping World's invitation to visit their big shindig with manufacturer's reps and free hot dogs. We looked at many of the units they had available, and talked to one salesman and one manufacturer's rep. They didn't know that we have been looking and learning for two years now. They found that out later.
Since we're interested in diesel pusher motor homes, we started there. We were allowed to look without any sales people with us, although they were available should we have needed one. Nothing really caught our eyes, so we moved on to the free hot dogs and a search for the one item we needed. Got the hot dogs, but not the IR thermometer. Then we moved to the towables, and that's where the fun started.
A salesman happened to be right at the entrance to that area, and he greeted us. We told him we were looking for full-time coaches, and he mentioned two brands. There were several examples of each available, so we started at one end and worked our way to the other. We went through one brand, but discovered that all of the exampes of the other brand were locked. He quickly took care of that problem. One of the trailers looked like it might suit us (except for the price), so I went to look at the weight sticker on the left front corner. He told me that I shouldn't pay any attention to that sticker, because it just had "axle weights and stuff like that" on it. He then pointed to a yellow laminated tag on the propane tank cover that said the empty weight of the trailer was ____ pounds. "That's the number you need." By then I had gotten the gross weight from the sticker, subtracted the empty weight, and then subtracted the weight of the fresh water capacity. When I mentioned that the trailer had _____ pounds of carrying capacity his jaw about hit the pavement. He was pretty young, so I don't know if it was the fact that I did all that math in my head or whether it was because I knew how to crunch the numbers, but he was pretty shocked.
Then, as we talked a bit more, he called the manufacturer's rep over. That even younger guy quickly took us over to the 5th wheels and tried to convince us that they were rated for use down to 0 degrees, whereas the TT was only rated down to 32. When I again looked at the weight sticker and calculated the carrying capacity the rep said that that trailer could easily be pulled by a 3/4 ton truck. 15,000 pounds? Maybe, but it would be marginal. Neither man was able to accurately tell me the size of the steel frame on that 5'er. They thought it was a 10" tall I-beam about 6" wide.
The lessons? Do your homework about weights before you go to a sales lot. Don't believe what the sales people say. Their job is to get your signature on the sales contract. If the coach you buy turns out to not be suitable for you, well, too bad for you.
This isn't meant to be a bash of Camping World, but a real-world example of what happens to those who venture into an unfamiliar environment without adequate preparation. Obviously a salesman can't be expected to know all of the construction details of every coach on his lot, but a manufacturer's rep should know his own company's lines. I'm far from an expert, but I got the feeling that I knew at least as much as those two men did. Of course, my reasons for learning are quite a bit different than theirs. My wife and I will have to live full-time with the decision we make. They only have to know a little bit more than the average customer to get that person to sign on the line.
Many moons ago, when we first moved to the Oklahoma City area, I worked for a few months as a car salesman. And yes, some of those were used cars. However, I was fortunate to work with some folks that had knowledge and no inclination to try to "snow" the customer.
Later, I worked as an assistant manager and as a manager for a "major electronics retail chain" and taught all my people to be sure and ask questions of the customers and try to match a product to their actual needs. By doing that, one has a lot fewer returns and gains a lot more respect from the public.
I had a Dodge salesman try to tell me that their 4500 series truck was "top of the line" across the board. I asked for the GCVW on the 4500 series and it fell well short of what the Ford F450 could tow. When I told him that, he tried to scare me away from Ford by telling me about YouTube videos showing the "regen" process blowing fire out of the tailpipe. Heh. I told him if he had to use a YouTube video to sell his Dodge, he was not a very good salesman. That must have been a blow for him because his office had all kinds of sales awards scattered around. I've always wondered if those awards were really his.
With all that said, when shopping for anything, and especially for high-dollar items, if the sales personnel don't try to find out what YOU need or want, find another salesman or another dealer.
Good job, David. I would have loved to have seen that Camping World experience.
Terry