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Steelhog
Explorer
Nov 23, 2013

New Lance Dealer in Huntsvlle Alabama

About a month ago I noticed a single Lance TC on the Bankston lot on Jordan Lane/Hwy 53. Now there are several more. I have not done a lot of business with these folks but them seem to enjoy a good reputation and have always had whatever goodies I needed at the time.

I will say that I try to do as much business with them as possible as they REALLY helped our family with a family health crisis. My wife's aunt had gone to Houston for a heart valve replacement and though the surgery was successful she had complications with some other organs. After nearly a month the doctors (and the aunt) concluded that it was a losing battle and she had a matter of hours or days. My wife's aunt was adamant about not dying in Texas and wanted to see her house and puppy one last time. She was not able to travel by plane or in a car and needed a constant O2 supply. My wife told me it was now or never, so on that Thursday night I called Bankston looking for a class C rental as we needed a large side entry door. The rental manager had already left for the day but the guy who answered the phone said he would get working on it. (turned out to be Mr. Bankston himself answering the phone at 6PM)!! The next morning at 7:30 their rental manager called to let me know a unit was en-route to Huntsville from Nashville for pickup that morning in Huntsville. I drove solo to Houston and picked up Aunt Willie Jean, my wife, sister-in-law and a nurse practitioner friend who had been at her bedside in Houston for a month and we high-tailed it for Alabama. By 6AM Sunday morning Aunt Willie was in her own bed in Greensboro, AL, her puppy dog in her lap and surrounded by friends and family and happy as a clam. Two hours later she decided to take a "nap" and passed away on her own terms. Don't know how this affects buying a TC but God bless folks like Bankston who went above and beyond.
  • sleepy wrote:


    When the price is to cheap we pat ourselves on our back. Then get upset when they don't have the resources to solve our campers problems.

    I should be able to get the best dang service available out there because I know I paid top dollar from my eastern dealer. But then I bought a great TC from pretty nice people and so far I havent needed anything done.
  • BradW wrote:
    I happened to drive by Bankstons yesterday and saw a used Snow River TC in their lot (along with several new Lance TC's). Not sure what model Snow River it was.


    I saw that camper last week when I stopped in. I think it said something like 9.6 on the back but I'm not positive.
  • Good to read this post.... I'll have another reason to go to Huntsville.

    I don't mind paying a fair price.... I want them to be around for a long time.

    When the price is to cheap we pat ourselves on our back. Then get upset when they don't have the resources to solve our campers problems.

    Can you imagine if your boss negotiated your paycheck down every payday? Would you take 10% less... maybe even 15%

    Something to think about....

    -----------------

    And Brad... I think one of the reasons that TC Dealers in the east fail is their high volume mindset in selling trailers where the profit is based on the number of units sold.

    Truck campers are pretty rare east of the Missippi...the dealers sell far fewer TC's... possibly not enough to keep a TC only dealership open.

    The floor plan is a factor too.
  • I happened to drive by Bankstons yesterday and saw a used Snow River TC in their lot (along with several new Lance TC's). Not sure what model Snow River it was.
  • They also have Livin Lite. I do recommend shopping around. While we do buy some items from this dealer, they are high on camper prices and do not negotiate as low as other dealers.
    I am not saying they are not a good dealership, just that their prices are higher on campers.
  • I saw that Bankston is now a Lance dealer. That is great news if it lasts. Seems like there has been a constant turnover of Lance dealers in the southeast since we bought our Lance in Atlanta many years ago.

    Bankston is a big outfit who has been around a very long time. I have no doubt if they fully commit to being a truck camper dealer, they can make a success of it. The southeast needs a BIG high volume Lance dealer. But, if Bankston looks at Lance TC's as just another RV brand, they will fail. They need someone on their staff who fully embraces the TC concept and completely understands all the unique issues involved in hauling around a 4,000 or 5,000 lb high CG RV in the bed of a pickup truck.

    Brad
  • That's quite a heart touching story. Great to hear that your wife's aunt got to have her last wish. I would have no problems giving all my future business to a dealership like that. Its also good to see another TC dealer in the east.