Iowa RV dealer blasts Camping World tactics

In many businesses, there are "salespeople", and there's "Closers". Closers are the ones who use the high-pressure tactics to bamboozle you into signing something you might regret later - but don't have the courage to confront the closer again. I'm sure CW uses Closers, as do other dealers (or they'll import some for special sales).

As others have said - be well-prepared; don't be afraid to take time to mull things over or even think about for a few days. Always ask for the out-the-door price. And if you feel like you're being pressured, simply leave - it's perfectly fine to say "I'm not comfortable with the way this purchase is going".

Ages ago, I was being pressured by a radio salesman. He was offering me something that I had NO interest in, but he was trying every trick in the book. Finally, I burst out laughing, and said "You know, Mr X - I've read all those same selling-techniques books. I recognize what you are doing, but I can assure you that my "no" means "no" and pressuring me won't change my mind"

I watched the video over the course of a few sittings. I couldn't care less about the quality and production of the video, nor am I more or less inclined to purchase an RV at either of the places mentioned, but the point of the video is well understood and has value. Whether its predatory or fraud or illegal in any way, never in the history of mankind has a civil government been able to legislate morality. Therefore, you need videos and testimony like this for the awareness of a topic that often times is misunderstood. Yes, "buyer beware" but in the myriad of legal lingo involved in lending deals, the buyer needs to know what to be aware of.

I have personally entered into similar lending contracts before, but was fully aware of the details. I don't recall if the video adequately described the contract, but I believe the essence is that you are agreeing to pay the full purchase price plus the interest over the course of the loan. In other words, its a type of early payoff penalty. I wouldn't enter into a long term contract like this, but if the term was short and the rate was better, then it might be worth the risk...especially if you have zero intent to pay it off early. I think such loans are better for certain business purchases rather than personal, long term hobby purchases. I've always looked at the 15 year RV loan program as something that would outlive the useful life of the unit itself.

gmcsmoke wrote:
lol at that video, some high school drama class must be proud of their writing.

quick search on camping world's site found 4,469 new and used campers below $15k and 3,300 new campers below $15k. I guess they do keep some in stock after all. if you're going to bash a company at least try to do it right.

LOL all you want, those are called leaders.
The oldest ad gimmick in the book with the intent to get you on the lot to bend you over in person.

Just like the big picture of the F150 on half a page of your local rag placed by the Ford dealer showing $25K as the price. Note the specific stock number, as it was sold about the time the paper hit the press. They do however have several for $50K they would love to show you.

Ralph Cramden wrote:

gmcsmoke wrote:
lol at that video, some high school drama class must be proud of their writing.

quick search on camping world's site found 4,469 new and used campers below $15k and 3,300 new campers below $15k. I guess they do keep some in stock after all. if you're going to bash a company at least try to do it right.

LOL all you want, those are called leaders.
The oldest ad gimmick in the book with the intent to get you on the lot to bend you over in person.

Just like the big picture of the F150 on half a page of your local rag placed by the Ford dealer showing $25K as the price. Note the specific stock number, as it was sold about the time the paper hit the press. They do however have several for $50K they would love to show you.

so this 1996 thor will jump from $9,995 to $25k as soon as I walk on the lot.

Or this 2017 forest river pup up will jump from $7k to $25k as soon as I show up?

get real, cheap hack ad by another dealer to smear camping world. nothing more.

gmcsmoke wrote:

Ralph Cramden wrote:

gmcsmoke wrote:
lol at that video, some high school drama class must be proud of their writing.

quick search on camping world's site found 4,469 new and used campers below $15k and 3,300 new campers below $15k. I guess they do keep some in stock after all. if you're going to bash a company at least try to do it right.

LOL all you want, those are called leaders.
The oldest ad gimmick in the book with the intent to get you on the lot to bend you over in person.

Just like the big picture of the F150 on half a page of your local rag placed by the Ford dealer showing $25K as the price. Note the specific stock number, as it was sold about the time the paper hit the press. They do however have several for $50K they would love to show you.

so this 1996 thor will jump from $9,995 to $25k as soon as I walk on the lot.

Or this 2017 forest river pup up will jump from $7k to $25k as soon as I show up?

get real, cheap hack ad by another dealer to smear camping world. nothing more.

25K? Now who is spewing the drama?

Funny how you have to click on and input your info to "unlock internet pricing" and "confirm availibilty". I bet dollars to donuts that $7K on that popup would be 9K+ by the time CW is done adding in all their fees and charges. I have had the personal pleasure of attending the Camping World, waste your time, hide the weenie, shell game RV purchase dance.

In my opinion, virtually 100 percent of the people buying a RV from a dealer have, in some time in their life (probably multiple times) purchased a car or truck from a dealer.

So, in all likelihood, the RV purchase would not represent the first time they have been exposed to similar tactics.

So, not saying the tactics are right, but if the purchasers are 'had' by tactics such as doc fee uppers (clearly disclosed), delivery charge adders (clearly disclosed) and dealer prep adders (also clearly disclosed), then something is seriously wrong.

I think the whole video was staged. I would bet even money the 'actor' worked for the rival dealership, went and got the 'offer', and came back and collaborated on the video.

I don't agree with the tactics, but logically, an RV purchase would not be most peoples first major purchase.


Mike

Its called system selling and it works. It is an orchestrated dance to make you feel a certain way and sign on the bottom line. It is why the car salesman has to go into the windowed office and argue with the sales manager about your deal. All choreographed right down to how long they make you wait. Might be why buying a vehicle is almost as traumatic as a divorce.

Ralph Cramden wrote:

gmcsmoke wrote:
lol at that video, some high school drama class must be proud of their writing.

quick search on camping world's site found 4,469 new and used campers below $15k and 3,300 new campers below $15k. I guess they do keep some in stock after all. if you're going to bash a company at least try to do it right.

LOL all you want, those are called leaders.
The oldest ad gimmick in the book with the intent to get you on the lot to bend you over in person.

Just like the big picture of the F150 on half a page of your local rag placed by the Ford dealer showing $25K as the price. Note the specific stock number, as it was sold about the time the paper hit the press. They do however have several for $50K they would love to show you.

I agree those are "leaders", which are generally legal. Nothing wrong with leaders. Many years ago we used leaders in the auto accessory shops I worked in. The purpose was to get you in the store to buy the leader, (which we had plenty in stock and made no money on), in the hope we could sell you something we did make money on. The purpose of the leader was to get you in the store.

However, the requirement with "leaders" in virturally every state is that unit must be for sale (even if you only have one), and you must be able to buy it for the advertised price. What's going on here is the leader is available, but you can't buy it for that price.

Years ago I worked with a guy who sold cars. He said if anyone ever sold the leader for the price advertised, you would be fired. Probably the same policy with CW but that won't happen because the sales manager would have to approve the sale first.

Ralph Cramden wrote:


25K? Now who is spewing the drama?

did you watch the video? go to 3:30, "I wanted at $16k trailer like the one in the ad"...."oh, we don't have any of those only trailers starting at $25k....."and no used trailers."

remember folks we want you a customer for life

Personally I don't do spend my money on businesses like CW or Starbucks that the CEO tells customers who they disagree politically with to take there business elsewhere. That is exactly what I do.