Why don't dealers want to order for customer request??

[LetsRV]

Looking to downsize. Have been RVing for approx. 20 years. Pretty sure I know what I want.

Currently have a motorhome but we have decided (after lots of soul searching) that we would like to downsize. Have decided on a Class C. Even narrowed it down to two: Winnebago Access 26QP and/or Four Winds 26a. These units offer what we need (just the two of us) inside and very reasonable storage outside.

Now all of that said, the one deal killer is that we want a front entertainment center (not the cab over bed). We realize dealers don't order them this way as most buyers are young families wanting the sleeping space. At least that's what they keep telling us.

We have talked with three dealers in our area: 1. After visiting the lot and explaining what we want. Sent me an email for the unit on the lot. Responded that we were not interested in that unit but would be interested in ordering. Asked what pricing difference we might expect between two different units if we factory ordered. Never got an answer the email.
2. Showed no interest after we said we didn't want anything on the lot but would not be against ordering one and waiting for it.
3. Camping World, gave us a brochure for the Itasca (said it's just like the Winnebago) and a build sheet to fill out. Got home and found the brochure to be 2013 and so was the build sheet.

Really, it's this difficult to buy what you want ????

[Old-Biscuit]

Winnebago.........Phone: (641)-585-3535

Thor Motor Coach (Four Winds).......General Sales Inquiries (800) 860-5658


Call MFG. direct and inquire.

[Ductape_Dave]

Contact Nexus RV they will build it the way you want! No middle men dealers to hassle with, you deal directly with the factory owners.

[Dog_Folks]

Trackrig offers some good suggestions.

There must be a valid reason, as during the 60's, it was very easy to order a car with just the features you wanted.

Try that today. Most car dealers will laugh at you, before they tell you "No way, no how,ain't going to happen." .

[hilcntry]

Greetings!

At this time of the year, manufacturers would prefer that their
dealer's sell what's on the lot. Buying a new car in August is
the same deal. Manufacturers have probably stopped building "2014"
and making 2015's that have a standard floor plan that they know
will appeal to the average buyer. If you want something that might
be considered out of the ordinary, talk to them during the Winter.

Tom

[Trackrig]

Probably for several reasons:
1. They spend a lot of time chasing these requests for people just kicking tires.
2. People changing their orders due to what different options cost - more time spent communicating with the factory.
3. People who do order getting upset with late deliveries either due to factory problems or trying to get the RV delivered to the final location.
4. The ordered unit arrives with something not ordered, the wrong color on something, or without some option requested - a lot more time spent trying to correct it with the factory.
5. People wanting to know if the factory will do something custom for them - a lot more time spent talking to the factory.
6. And the retail store may discourage a salesman from trying to order something because the customer invariably calls in with questions when the salesman is off or on vacation and no one else knows what's going on because the salesman has been handling everything - then the customer is upset because they can't get answers.
7. If you don't take the special order after its been made, how likely are they to sell it the way you ordered it? They may have to discount it and loose money on it?
8. And there's probably other reasons.

These are the same reasons why a lot of house builders quit building spec houses - it's too much hassle dealing with the customers. It's easier to just build a house and put it on the market when it's finished.

Bill