Camping World Summerfield, FL

[TugCE]

My Buddy(He's been a Full Timer for 6 years) and I made a trip to our local Camping world to look for some RV Parts today. Well, to our surprise it looks like more of a Gander Mountain store with all of the Fishing Poles and other "outdoor" equipment.

I had to go to the Front Desk and ask where to find the RV parts that I was looking for, I was told "in back by the service counter" by the person that finally answered her call over the radio.

When checking out with 1 of the 3 or 4 items that I was looking for, I commented to the cashier about my dissatisfaction with the changes. She called the Manager over and I told him that I was disappointed with the changes and that I had only found 1 or the 3 or 4 items that I had come in to purchase. His reply was to ask several times for me to tell him WHAT I was looking for as NOTHING has changed and everything is still there. Both my friend and I were both taken back by the attitude and were very surprised and both felt that he was questioning us as if we were lying.

After this manager walked away, two different Camping World workers told us that he was from Gander Mountain did not like anyone that did not like the changes. They went on to say that they have been told to PUSH the Gander items and that they have been hearing a lot of the same complains that we had since the changes had gone into effect.

My days of going to CW and walking around looking at the merchandise and usually purchasing more than several things that I had not realized that I needed until I saw them are over as most of those little things are gone. Now, if you want to shop for your Pet (which I have done there) or out fit yourself for a fishing trip then CW is the place for you. If you are traveling and want to stop in looking for some "RV" things maybe you'll find it maybe not.

[Good_Sam_Care_T]

Hello TugCE,

Thank you for your time and sharing your experience at Camping World. I apologize for the lack of RV merchandise available and the manner in which the manager spoke to you and your friend. Please provide the location you are referring to and your contact number in a private message. I will share your concerns with the leadership team.

Thank you,
Ella
Good Sam Care Team

[DutchmenSport]

May I ask the OP what items you were specifically looking for that the Camping World did not have?

And if the manager said nothing changed, then why didn't you ask him to find those items for you?

[2012Coleman]

I get what the OP is talking about. I also like to browse the RV parts section just to see whats new and improved. It's a no-brainer that some or most of the items can be purchased online for less money, but sometimes I'll pay their price because I'm there, it's in my hand, and I can have it right now.

OP - there is a General RV store in Dover - about 1.5 hours from you - the one close to me has what CW used to have. A big selection of RV stuff. Maybe give that a shot.

[Ralph_Cramden]

tenspeedret360 wrote:
amazon has everything CW used to.

And always has. If not someone else does online. The bonus is you do not have to stand in line for 20 minutes while the cashier signs or attempts to sign the 5 people in front of you up for clubs, mailing lists, and other BS.

[tenspeedret360]

I normally avoid chiming in on CW threads, but this hit a nerve...I had the identical experience about 3 weeks ago, at CW Roanoke....me being a nascar fan, ive always wanted to stop in on my way to Martinsville, but never did.

First off, I walked in to an entirely gutted building, except for the welcome desk, in front of what used to be CW.I asked the lonely woman sitting there, since I had never been to that locatiom before, 'Is this camping world?' and was informed they moved across the street to the Gander building. Went across the street, and just like the OP, was incredibly disappointed. They had very little RV 'stuff', and none (that I could find) of the knik-knak stuff, that you just pick up....and what they did have was buried in the corner.

My nearest CW is about an hour away, and I will go there in a pinch if I need something that my local mom and pop rv store doesn't have and cant get. I guess the days of stick and brick shopping is ending, and amazon has everything CW used to.

[rockhillmanor]

That's interesting because when they bought and closed out all the Gander Mt stores. Ocala store was on list of closed then not?

Could be why Summerfield CW turned into Gander?

In this same area there is a mixup of who what where with all the sporting stores. Dicks is supposed to close, Cabelas bought out by Bass Pro. Or something like that.

Dicks stopped selling certain rifles and are quoted on destroying these rifles......I.E. they will now be closing their doors. Not such a good move on their part.

Soon we will not be able to pick up RV products anywhere at home base or on the road. 😞

[lap527]

We stopped there several months ago and wasn't impressed. Maybe us or maybe not...

[Lwiddis]

Oh stop it! CW or any retailer is going to stock what it believes will sell while keeping the staples in a place that makes you walk by the big ticket, high profit items. Your local hardware store, food market, shoe store, Walmart isn’t different. Ever notice that sugar is on the bottom shelf while all the high priced sugar substitutes are at eye level?