Any Winnebago factory workers lurking?
I just had an interesting dialogue with one of my blog followers (era70x.com) concerning their recently ordered 2016 Winnebago ERA 70X. You can read it in the comments at: http://era70x.com/2015/07...
Forum Discussion
Winnebago management is not the problem. The consumer needs to own this issue.
I used to travel to the large RV shows in Europe wanting what I thought were better built and more technically advanced RVs. I also went on RV forums complaining about American RV quality control. I have come to the conclusion that the problem primarily is the Consumer / Purchaser.
Simply put.... These products are too complicated of a transaction for most purchasers to handle. In many respects, RVs are far more complicated than the purchase of a home. Any of us get what we deserve when we treat a RV purchase in the same manner we would purchase a consumer product at Walmart.
THE PRODUCT
1) RV manufacturers (most) know what motivates the sell of these products (paint / flash / the dream of RVing)
2) RV manufacture is still a small lot craftsman style effort with tons of complexity not approaching the QA/Testing performed in the automotive industry for volume vehicles and it shows in the build quality
3) Coaches are heavily dependent on third-party suppliers for most of the house components - selections being driven primarily by price. Therefore the selection of parts suppliers based primarily on low defect rates would dramatically improve the ownership experience.
THE TRANSACTION
1) Most consumers let the RV seller drive the terms of the purchase (which favors the seller) and extend trust where it has not been verified or earned
2) Most consumers DO NOT hire / involve RV experts to do the independent checks necessary to protect the consumer against poor workmanship / misrepresentation BEFORE taking delivery.
3) Impulse RV buying by consumers keeps the industry alive but saddles consumers with debt for making the wrong purchase for their needs
4) With depreciation rates so high, the consumer needs to make sure the transaction minimizes financial risk exposure. A defect-ridden RV will be traded faster and put in the used market faster to unsuspecting purchasers.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
What motivation does a seller have to provide a problem-free new RV to a consumer if they know 90% of the purchasers will take delivery of their RV and provide the purchasing funds knowing these problems exist? The bar has sunk too low for the consumer. I would like to see a percentage of the purchase funds withheld at the PDI stage if the RV has clear problems that should have been caught during manufacture QA.
My time has a cost and is not free. Having to bring my RV back for PDI corrections adds to the final purchase price of the RV.
No one can afford to give away hard earned money to someone who has not fairly earned your business. Below is an example of an RV buyer who was determined to not to get shafted on a new Class A RV purchase greater than $400K. He knew his rights and the story is insightful. Upon full review of the story, he was quite justified in taking the position he took regarding the purchase.
http://www.outsideourbubble.com/winnebago-no-sale-of-special-ordered-coach-lack-of-build-quality
Even more disturbing was the statement that possible employees of the RV manufacturer appeared to read his blog posts about the issue and individuals within the company (IP addresses traced) posted negative replies (not identifying their relationship with the employer).
http://rvdailyreport.com/opinion/companies-ignore-customer-concerns-at-their-own-peril/
Very concerned and disappointed. I would like to know more about this unfortunate incident.
I used to travel to the large RV shows in Europe wanting what I thought were better built and more technically advanced RVs. I also went on RV forums complaining about American RV quality control. I have come to the conclusion that the problem primarily is the Consumer / Purchaser.
Simply put.... These products are too complicated of a transaction for most purchasers to handle. In many respects, RVs are far more complicated than the purchase of a home. Any of us get what we deserve when we treat a RV purchase in the same manner we would purchase a consumer product at Walmart.
THE PRODUCT
1) RV manufacturers (most) know what motivates the sell of these products (paint / flash / the dream of RVing)
2) RV manufacture is still a small lot craftsman style effort with tons of complexity not approaching the QA/Testing performed in the automotive industry for volume vehicles and it shows in the build quality
3) Coaches are heavily dependent on third-party suppliers for most of the house components - selections being driven primarily by price. Therefore the selection of parts suppliers based primarily on low defect rates would dramatically improve the ownership experience.
THE TRANSACTION
1) Most consumers let the RV seller drive the terms of the purchase (which favors the seller) and extend trust where it has not been verified or earned
2) Most consumers DO NOT hire / involve RV experts to do the independent checks necessary to protect the consumer against poor workmanship / misrepresentation BEFORE taking delivery.
3) Impulse RV buying by consumers keeps the industry alive but saddles consumers with debt for making the wrong purchase for their needs
4) With depreciation rates so high, the consumer needs to make sure the transaction minimizes financial risk exposure. A defect-ridden RV will be traded faster and put in the used market faster to unsuspecting purchasers.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
- Negotiated purchase price should be as close to the wholesale value of the RV and what the insurer will pay-out should your RV be totaled the moment you drive off the lot
- Work with a legal advisor to review the purchase agreement and add the necessary addendums (purchase terms) to protect you from fraud before signing
- Do not accept product defects as a normal part of the purchasing experience (i.e. do not take delivery until all PDI items are corrected and validated). When I purchased my custom home, I hired an independent inspector to check at specific build stages, take photographs, and report issues to me.). This was built into the contract with the homebuilder and issues were resolved BEFORE CLOSING not after.
- Don't sign any contract before someone else (independent of the seller) reviews it and explains the terms / risks
- Make all deposits returnable (fully or partially) under specific mutually agreeable terms that protect you from poor workmanship /deception.
What motivation does a seller have to provide a problem-free new RV to a consumer if they know 90% of the purchasers will take delivery of their RV and provide the purchasing funds knowing these problems exist? The bar has sunk too low for the consumer. I would like to see a percentage of the purchase funds withheld at the PDI stage if the RV has clear problems that should have been caught during manufacture QA.
My time has a cost and is not free. Having to bring my RV back for PDI corrections adds to the final purchase price of the RV.
No one can afford to give away hard earned money to someone who has not fairly earned your business. Below is an example of an RV buyer who was determined to not to get shafted on a new Class A RV purchase greater than $400K. He knew his rights and the story is insightful. Upon full review of the story, he was quite justified in taking the position he took regarding the purchase.
http://www.outsideourbubble.com/winnebago-no-sale-of-special-ordered-coach-lack-of-build-quality
Even more disturbing was the statement that possible employees of the RV manufacturer appeared to read his blog posts about the issue and individuals within the company (IP addresses traced) posted negative replies (not identifying their relationship with the employer).
http://rvdailyreport.com/opinion/companies-ignore-customer-concerns-at-their-own-peril/
Very concerned and disappointed. I would like to know more about this unfortunate incident.
