We wen't out of our way today to hit up the camping world in fort worth so we could dump our black tank as we destroyed our hose, figured we'd buy one and dump it there. We showed up and they were so interested in selling RV's, they literally had EVERY SINGLE rv spot blocked with new units. We were unable to park at camping world, had to go about 2500 feet away at another store. Once we were in, they told us they had so much inventory they had to block the spaces, and they had to block the dump station and were unable to make room for us to dump. I'd suggest that if anyone needs to stop at a camping world, they don't do it at this one. And if camping world cares about existing customers, not just new ones, they should REALLY find a way to make parking happen. I have better access at walmart than I do at most camping worlds.

Dealers and manufacturers are using their lots to store all that unsold inventory.New dealer lots all across the nation including northern kalifornia and Reno Nevada are full of new unsold inventory and have been for years. I see their lots every day as I drive around the city. My experience is customer service has been okay but not great. I did not care for retail store sales force attitude in San Marcos store in 2003 and I am no longer a member, but I did buy a TT from them with no problems or last-minute tricky gimmicks such as bait and switch that another nearby RV dealer pulled on me.

I find it interesting that RV dealer lots are jam-packed, over-full of new units, yet Thor 'claims' they have so many back orders they may not be able to fill them until 2023. Oh, really?As Paul Harvey used to say, I'd like to hear "the rest of the story" . . . i.e. the truth.

Seems the only lots around here that are full are the Camping World lots. I wonder how much stock Camping World owns of the big three manufacturers.

A smaller private dealer near me is over full with trailers and motorhomes. Stopped to look at a few. 95% of them are repo's they got at auctions. Most only 1-2 years old.:E

RetiredRealtorRick wrote:I find it interesting that RV dealer lots are jam-packed, over-full of new units, yet Thor 'claims' they have so many back orders they may not be able to fill them until 2023. Oh, really?As Paul Harvey used to say, I'd like to hear "the rest of the story" . . . i.e. the truth.For what it's worth, the only thing they had were relatively cheaper models. I saw a single class C, and a single class A, both used. It looks like perhaps they're gearing up for spring and all the new entry-level campers. I was in Class A that's only 34 feet long and literally wasn't able to enter the parking lot whatsoever. I think I'm more annoyed that I wasn't able to use the dump station. THat's one of the perks they list with good sam and I was driving around with a pretty full blank tank. It was pretty frustrating.

Camping world in Fort Worth is dumb | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

winnietrey
Explorer
Jan 15, 2022
Seeking Alpha (which is website stock analysis place) states 79% of CW's revenue comes from selling new and used rv's

They closed locations that did not sell rv's. And it appears they continue to make boat loads of money. So not sure it is a flawed business model.

I hear what you are saying though, and I agree, but seems like the parts thing is just kind of an add on to help generate RV sales from what I can gather
yillb
Explorer
Jan 15, 2022
winnietrey wrote:
Hmm let's see $25 sewer hose vs new RV for 100k. Yep, they must be dumb as a sack of rocks to go after the new RV sale vs that $25 sewer hose.

I spent 500 dollars that day, and camping world is generally more expensive, but the selection is higher. Also, they make considerably more money on the back end and in parts and accessories than new sales. Camping world is like a gas station, they sell lots of gas, but they make money when people come inside and buy drinks and snacks.

Even if they didn't, it's still a flawed business model. Without repeat customers they have no real income. If they didn't want repeat customers, they wouldn't have giant service, parts, and retail stores. So I'm gonna have to disagree with your logic there.
NamMedevac_70
Explorer II
Jan 15, 2022
winnietrey wrote:
Hmm let's see $25 sewer hose vs new RV for 100k. Yep, they must be dumb as a sack of rocks to go after the new RV sale vs that $25 sewer hose.

The end justifies the means and to hell with customer
winnietrey
Explorer
Jan 14, 2022
Hmm let's see $25 sewer hose vs new RV for 100k. Yep, they must be dumb as a sack of rocks to go after the new RV sale vs that $25 sewer hose.
yillb
Explorer
Jan 14, 2022
ford truck guy wrote:
My experience with the 3 Camping Worlds ( all East Coast ) that I have been in over the past few years is that they ALL have tried to gear up the inventory ( smaller, entry level ) and all available spots were full with something.... Doesn't make it a bad thing.. Just adding to their bottom line

I mean, it is a bad thing. The entire ideology of the business model is to be friendly to rvers. Preventing them from even coming to your stores seems a bit backward.
BB_TX
Nomad
Jan 14, 2022
Recently drove from north of Dallas to Fredericksburg, TX in the hill country and back, over 300 miles each way, and passed a lot of RV dealers. And every one looked packed to the brim of new RVs of all types and sizes. What ever shortage there might have been, is there no longer, at least in Texas.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Jan 14, 2022
My experience with the 3 Camping Worlds ( all East Coast ) that I have been in over the past few years is that they ALL have tried to gear up the inventory ( smaller, entry level ) and all available spots were full with something.... Doesn't make it a bad thing.. Just adding to their bottom line
yillb
Explorer
Jan 14, 2022
RetiredRealtorRick wrote:
I find it interesting that RV dealer lots are jam-packed, over-full of new units, yet Thor 'claims' they have so many back orders they may not be able to fill them until 2023. Oh, really?

As Paul Harvey used to say, I'd like to hear "the rest of the story" . . . i.e. the truth.

For what it's worth, the only thing they had were relatively cheaper models. I saw a single class C, and a single class A, both used.

It looks like perhaps they're gearing up for spring and all the new entry-level campers.

I was in Class A that's only 34 feet long and literally wasn't able to enter the parking lot whatsoever. I think I'm more annoyed that I wasn't able to use the dump station. THat's one of the perks they list with good sam and I was driving around with a pretty full blank tank. It was pretty frustrating.
jetboater454
Explorer
Jan 14, 2022
A smaller private dealer near me is over full with trailers and motorhomes. Stopped to look at a few. 95% of them are repo's they got at auctions. Most only 1-2 years old.:E
schlep1967
Nomad
Jan 14, 2022
Seems the only lots around here that are full are the Camping World lots. I wonder how much stock Camping World owns of the big three manufacturers.