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4X4Dodger's avatar
4X4Dodger
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2015

Camping World Visits 4 stores in 3 states

During the trip I just finished with my 30ft TT from Minot ND to AZ and back I had the opportunity to stop at 4 different Camping World stores in 3 different states. I thought my experience might be helpful to some others (what stores to avoid or to use) or just amusing.

In terms of service the store near Flagstaff was the winner with attentive and helpful folks who actually knew something. (I bought a new generator and new propane hoses at this store)

The Big Loser was the store in Golden Colorado where I bought a "Jack E Up" where the very snippish and unhelpful worker argued with me about the name of the product, clearly didnt want to help (she was busy stocking shelves)and then couldnt find the product. Standing in the area where the product should have been she continued to argue with me and tell me I had the name wrong until I reached up over her head and plucked the item from the shelf, showing her the name.

The store in Colorado Springs was a case study in how NOT to treat customers. Gobs of staff hanging around all hunched over computer terminals or paperwork and no one to help you find something or answer a question. When you did get someones attention you got a blank look and the attitude "...dont bother me I'm doing important Paperwork" (purchased a generator cover and a bit for my portable drill to raise my stabilizers)

The Tuscon store on S. Palo Verde road has NO Parking for RV's of any size! What genius at GSE approved this site? There may have been parking in the rear but the gates are closed on weekends. When asked about it the young man helping me said "I just work inside and hear every day how our parking lot Sucks"

The BEST CW I have encountered was in Chicago area where the staff was excellent, helpful and friendly. (but not on this trip)

CW I feel is very like the rest of the Good Sam Enterprises conglomerate. Service is uneven, haphazard, ranges from very good to terrible and the only constant is that you will be endlessly harassed at checkout to renew, subscribe, sign-up etc before you are checked out. The very first word out of an employees mouth when confronted by a customer with an issue should be "I am Sorry" then "Let me try to help you with that" Not snippish remarks, argument, bad attitude and "Oh poor me I hear that everyday" complaints.

Sam Walton in his autobiography said and here I paraphrase....: "never let the process interfere with helping the customer" GSE needs to take this attitude to heart and put it into action.
  • Corporate culture and employee attitude all start with the owner/corporate management!
  • Thanks for posting. We've been the the Colorado Springs store and agree with your assessment. Flagstaff as well. When we're at our home base we sometimes shop at the Henderson NV store and they are generally pretty good and know where things are. The service people there are also knowledgeable.
  • obgraham wrote:
    So what you all are saying, is CW varies -- just like every other chain enterprise.

    Recently similar chain experiences: WalMart, Best Western, Applebees, Chilis, Safeway, SubWay, Delta/United/Alaska/American/AirCanada/Lufthansa. Etc ad infinitum!


    Exactly. There is just no way that ANY large retailer can promise absolute perfect customer service. I can go into any of the above mentioned stores and find one or more employees that have some sort of negative attitude.

    Camping World customer service is dependent upon the individual store's Manager to train, supervise, and insure that all his/her's employees provide good customer service. It is the manager's of these stores, that do not provide good customer service, that need to be replaced. I suspect that writing to the CW CEO "may" help if enough negative reports are received on a particular manager.

    I can truthfully say that in the many, many times I have visited a CW store, I have never received poor customer service nor have I encountered an employee that did not provide me with prompt and courteous attention. If ever I do, I will immediately ask to see the manager and report that person. If the manager does not act upon my complaint, I will write to the CEO.

    Just my thoughts on the subject..

    Ron
  • So what you all are saying, is CW varies -- just like every other chain enterprise.

    Recently similar chain experiences: WalMart, Best Western, Applebees, Chilis, Safeway, SubWay, Delta/United/Alaska/American/AirCanada/Lufthansa. Etc ad infinitum!
  • Interesting, thanks for posting.

    Visiting multiple CW stores around the nation, to buy stuff, I found major inconsistencies between some stores. Some great, some just good, some bad.
  • AdirondackJack wrote:
    ... 2 major things stand in the way - the staff can quickly take the fun out of the visit and the high prices make it a place to window shop and then purchase elsewhere.


    X2, its a great place to see and touch the various items, then shop elsewhere. When I enter I have my phone out and at the ready to take pictures and Google Goggle the bar codes. Amazon and Tweeties usually get an online visit shortly after a stop at CW.
  • Thanks for sharing your observations. We couldn't agree with you more. CW "could" be a fun place to visit and a great source for all the stuff we think we need - but 2 major things stand in the way - the staff can quickly take the fun out of the visit and the high prices make it a place to window shop and then purchase elsewhere.
  • I can tell you that before GoodSam (AGI) bought Camping World our experience with them as 100% positive.
    Our experience since then has been, less then that, far less. To the point today where we don't even bother.
    Our closest CW has a lot that was sized about right for the store, enough parking for rigs in the service and for rigs of customers.
    Then they added rentals and sales....
    I noted this week, as I drove by without stopping, that the lot was nearly full before opening, with no customers in the lot. Just service, sales and rental.
  • The CW 5 miles from my home has been a pleasure to frequent since it opened.
  • Very interesting feedback and I thank you for posting it.
    Until CW gets a new leader, this kind of customer support will continue.

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