Us out West
Reno
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Joined: 12/13/2011
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We are not new and are buying a new 5th wheel after the first of the year. We have been doing our due diligence in our search for the RV that not only fits our needs/wants but has the quality to go with that.
Now I use to sell RV's back in Green Bay, retiring in 2006, so I do have some knowledge but technology changes and improvements made.
We have visited dealers in San Diego, Sacramento and here in Nevada and we have yet to have a salesman give us a product presentation on their product....none. They do all the greeting stuff and then take us out on their lot unlock a unit and all they say is "isn't this nice". I want to know more about the unit and why we should buy it!!
I want a product presentation!!
Anyone else seeing this?
2012 Jayco Pinnacle 36KPTS
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2009 Silverado 3500HD CC, LB, DRW, 4x4, Dura-Max 6.6/Allison
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Oasisbob
Portland Oregon 97266
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Joined: 11/18/2001
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Sure I see this every time I go to the RV show. I know enough about the RV industry to know where to look inside a unit for sloppy craftsmanship and materials. Unless someone knows of a really knowledgable sales person you really need to do your own research. True quality is illussive at best in the RV industry.
Oasis Bob
Wonderful wife & 4 Really Fun kids
2008 KIA Sedona 3.8L 24 valve V-6
2001 Bantam Trail Lite B-19
HAPPY TRAILS
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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I guess that is the difference between a good salesperson and what you have found. The good person studies the brochures, knows that the Teton has the 12" tall frame rails, and that their RV has this feature, or is lighter weight, or something.
So many just say "This is a pretty color" and really have no idea about how many Btu's the air conditioner is, or what size propane tanks it has, or how many batteries. Amperage of the converter is important to me, because I dry camp, and would like a 60 amp to avoid running the generator long hours to recharge.
One post that I read back in 2004 was about "The strangest thing a salesman has said" Or Salesman Fib. They where stopping by a RV lot on the way home from dinner, looking into one RV, and sat at the couch, with the windows open, they could hear the salesman in the 30' travel trailer next door "Of course your Explorer can tow this, I see it has the optional V8!" They tried to control their laughter and left the place.
Fred.
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PyrateSilly
Home
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Joined: 06/10/2011
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We have seen this not only looking at RV's but also for toads. You would not believe all the cr** that we heard from every dealer's manufacturer. I think in about 3 months looking almost every weekend that I can count on one hand how many even had an idea of what 4 down towable was.
Thom, Gascap and Christine having fun in a 1993 Monaco Crown Royale 40ft 300hp RV.
Our blogged repairs and travels
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danoren
Where ever I Camp
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Joined: 06/17/2004
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After choosing you RV try to go to a Factory visit,this will give you a good idea about the material,way it is built and the service.
F-350 ,2006,XLT,SD,LB,EC,6.0LT,Auto,SRW.
5W Cruiser 2006 CF29CK Crossroad
RVing 4-5 months every summer since 2002.
P.A,Good Sam,TomTom GO720
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turninghawk
Orlando, FL
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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In 1982 when I first started in the automobile business, I worked for a dealership that carried 7 lines of cars, everything from Nissan to Mercedes-Benz.
I was determined that I would learn everything I could about every line. Having been a car buff since I was about 7 years old, I found this an easy and enjoyable task.
I never met a customer that knew more (or even as much) as I did about any vehicle we sold. I even studied the competitors cars and tried to learn as much as I could about their offerings.
I sold for exactly 36 months before the dealership promoted me. There were a total of 12 salespeople, and I received the Salesman of the Month award 34 out of the 36 months I was selling.
Two reasons for that. First, follow-up -- very important. And secondly, product knowledge. It made a BIG difference.
Buyers WANT salespeople to know their products, and know them well. It doesn't take much, and those that aren't lazy can easily accomplish this task. I'm living proof of the importance of 'knowing your stuff'............
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I am still wayne_tw
everywhere
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Joined: 06/18/2009
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Most RV customers are only interested in the floor plan and colors. A salesperson who would go into depth about anything else would probably scare off a potential buyer!
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retiredtraveler
Woodstock Il --- GO HIKING!!!!
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Joined: 08/16/2002
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I always think about this issue for cars too. I cannot believe that salespeople don't take the time to learn where the basic engine parts are. They can't even point out where one changes the oil (it's often difficult to find the dipstick).
Not seeming to know anything much about the product they are selling, or some of the competition, always makes purchasing a car or RV unpleasant for me. All they do is get the paperwork.
It's just so incomprehensible to me that people who are in the business, and spend all day at a facility, don't know the products they are selling, or even standard terms (as another poster mentioned, 4-down). I'm only a pup owner, but I read towing threads and have a basic, read-only understanding of issues and terms.
Last time I went to dealer, they didn't know that a hybrid camper was a camper with a tent end.
Pup: 2007 Jayco 1206 w/slide-out + shower
surge brakes, 54w solar panel
TV: 2005 Nissan Xterra 4X4, manual trans
25 years tent camping, 4000+ miles of hiking, lots of biking
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dbates
Marion, Indiana
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Joined: 02/05/2006
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Good luck on finding a "salesperson" that knows the product they are trying to sell, especially in the RV & computer industry. My son talked with a Dell company salesperson and they assured him that Dell could provide what he needed. When they ordered it the tech people advised it was never available.
My grandson went to work for sales company and their head salesman told him if he didn’t know the answer to a customer’s question lie. He took the high road by studying the product, didn’t lie and within two months was outselling the head salesman.
Dave
Plus New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island & Nova Scotia
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rjf7g
Virginia
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Joined: 01/18/2007
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I may have one of the only knowledgeable and honest dealers out there. Check out http://www.grandviewtrailersales.com. He builds a great relationship with his factory reps and his customers and if you happen to throw a question at him he can't answer, he will find someone who can!
He custom ordered a trailer for me and had to check with the factory rep on some of my specific questions. In some cases, the factory didn't provide him all of the information he needed to guide my option selection - he had no way of knowing I couldn't replace the front bunk room with a queen room (an advertised option) AND upgrade my hot water heater to 10 gallons (also an advertised option). His factory rep called him and he called me.
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1992 Fleetwood Tioga Montara Special 27 Class C (for sale)
2006 Palomino Puma 27FQ Bunkhouse
2007 Gulfstream Innsbruck 36FRS Park Trailer
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