Why Go To RV Shows?

[oneolddog]

Just curious if there was something that I am missing as I'd like to know why people attend RV shows? The shows put on up in the Vancouver area have all the major brands represented but they basically all come from only two different dealerships. They charge something like $8.00 to get in and there are huge line-ups just to get into the building. Huge crowds so you have to wait to enter rigs etc.

Why not just wait a week and show up at the dealerships one Monday morning? No one in site and you can tour the same rigs that were at the show for free. The sales people usually grab you a free coffee to boot.

Drew

[Dale_Traveling]

I shop for what my next rig will look like when I buy used in two years or so.

[kab449]

I went to the Hershey, PA show this year to talk college football with Bob Tiffin. There is something reassuring about being able to talk about any problems you may have with your motorhome with the man at the top.

[_Sea_Of_No_Care]

You're not missing anything, going to the RV Show is a choice. If you don't like the way the show is run in your area don't go. We choose to go each year in Feb. because we have cold snowy winters in our area and instead of sitting in the house and watching it get dark at 5pm on a Thursday we choose to go to the RV show and look around and then go to one of our favorite restaurants near there for dinner. To us it's a fun night out and worth the $8.00 and the crowds. Just something to do. Life is full of choices, to each there own. We'll be skipping it this season as finally we are taking off for 7 months and no snow. I can't wait!!

[wski]

Attended the Emerald coast RV show in Ft Walton beach this weekend and had the opportunity to compare different makes/models/brands and talk directly to factory reps. I found this interesting, but I didn't appreciate the high pressure sales pitches. Although there were some deals to be had, we decided to wait and shop around a bit more.

[Pop-Pop_C]

Why does the DW. go shopping for SHOES or even CLOTHES?????!
To see what is out there! Maybe it will or won't fit. Still cheap entertainment!
And good exercise!! Up! Down! Up! Down!!!!
Also usually in the AC!

[wa8yxm]

Two answers:
Sometimes you find not so much the dealers selling new Motor Homes and trailers (Though the other reason is to salivate over said products)

But I go for the "Accessories" sometimes I can find stuff at a rally or RV show I can not find in the stores.. It is a chance to visit many accessory dealers as well as many dealers and I may well save more than 8.00 in gas by visiting 20 stores in one building. Alas, last time I tried that I did not have much luck.

[milkman41]

Just went to Pomona show and had a conversation with salesman. he let me know that Hershey and Pomona are the only two manufacturer show-that is the dealers don't have to pay for overhead, inventory etc. could mean $8k per coach more wiggle room than other shows that are put on by dealers.

also, being able to compare rvs, go back and forth, is very helpful.

[the_silverback]

I seldom go. I get more info from the net. Like here!!!

[pugslyyy]

It's worth the $8 (or whatever) to me - all the brands are conveniently assembled under one roof.

Even though I'm not in the market for an RV I always get something useful out of looking around at everything.

[ScottG]

I always suggest prospective newb RVers go to a show so they can see the most possible types and floorplans in one place.

[KarenS144]

We think it's fun! Not so sure it'd be as much fun if we had to battle the crowds like the OP. We tend to go during the week & fairly early in the day which eliminates those that are still working and the school aged group.

[NoVa_RT]

The Washington, DC show - actually held in Virginia, near Dulles Airport - has a lot more dealers than the OP experienced in Vancouver. It's an opportunity to see a lot of RVs in a few hours. Maybe you can do most of your research online, but some like to look, even if not interested in buying that model or class, or already bought and aren't in the market at the moment. It's cheap entertainment, and the Virginia State Parks give out a brochure with a half-price camping coupon, which pretty much recoups the admission fee for the show.

[edsland]

We go to the Rosemont rv show near Chicago. It's so big no lines except for Airstream, I go up and down so many stairs my knees are sore but it's fun. Plus it's in February when there isn't much going on rv wise in the northern states. ??

[Old-Biscuit]

Same reason I go to car shows, gun shows, swap meets, garage sales, craft shows etc.

TO LOOK.

[dougrainer]

"MOST" RV shows, at least the ones in DFW Texas area, you can look at most of the various Makes and Models at one site. How much Gas and money and time would you spend trying to drive to all the various dealerships in your area? Our Dealership as well as others, the PRICES at the show are usually lower to help spur sales. Our dealership will honor the show prices at least 2 weeks after the show for people that wanted to think about it. We do NOT force or make a potential customer feel that if they do not purchase right then, they are out of luck. Some dealers do not do that, but most will allow time to think and then purchase. There are also lower financing that is offered by various lenders at the shows to help the dealers spur sales. There are also "deals" and options that are included at the Show if purchased during the show. It costs a lot on Money for a dealer to invest in a show, so they have to do something to get the sales. The OEM's do not fully sponsor the shows. They contribute, but the dealer has to spend thousands of dollars in moving and set up and display's and then take down and moving the units back to the dealership. Funny thing is, in Texas, You CANNOT sell Autos at Auto shows. But you CAN sell RV's at RV shows. Doug