Camping World Take-Over of RV Sales Here??

[CrusinSusan]

What happened to the rv sales link here? It seems to lead only to camping world now. I haven't check that link in years, but now that I have, I have to say that's a monopoly that retracts from the free-exchange of information.

I emailed about this last week, and received what I'm sure was an automated response, but haven't *really* gotten an answer, so I'm asking here.

What happened to individuals (and other dealers, for that matter) being able to list their rigs here?

[CrusinSusan]

I signed on here in 2005; and prior to that I lurked for a long time. During both "lurking" and up to 2008 (when I finally bought my RV), I searched here for rigs and found people and dealers from all over the country in the standard "RV Sales" link that was/is here. My guess is that by opening up advertising to individuals and dealers, this site was built.

Just sorry to see it be gobbled up. Next thing you know, Google will buy Good Sam.

[beemerphile1]

There used to be a free classified section. I posted a few ads but had zero replies. There were very few ads posted. I believe it died due to lack of interest.

[Jim_Shoe]

I've never seen any commercial web site that supplies links to their competitors. And for free.

[Highway_4x4]

It's the golden rule. Them that have the gold, make the rules. The best way to beat the competition is to own them. Yes, I understand that having a "for sale by owner" or other for sale parts of this forum would crush Camping worlds ability to stay in business.

[wny_pat1]

whistlebritches wrote:
It does appear that the Affinity Group wants to dominate the rv industry, i.e. Good Sams, Camping World, this site, buying lots of rv dealers, Motorhome and Trailer Life magazine, Woodalls, etc. I think the first person was right, this is getting to be a monopoly.

It's nothing new. All been under the same roof for a very long time. but I doubt it will become a monopoly. And remember that RV.net isn't the only game in town!!! There are many other non-affiliated RV forums out there!
The RV Forum Community
iRV2 Forums
Fiberglass RV forums
and then there are the many club sponsored forums - FMCA, Escapees, and many others, and them many of the owner group forums that are extremely active.

[whistlebritches]

It does appear that the Affinity Group wants to dominate the rv industry, i.e. Good Sams, Camping World, this site, buying lots of rv dealers, Motorhome and Trailer Life magazine, Woodalls, etc. I think the first person was right, this is getting to be a monopoly.

[fla-gypsy]

It's their site

[BurbMan]

BurbMan wrote:
One thing sorely absent from this site is a for sale/trade section for members here to garage sale stuff that they have grown out of of or no longer fits their new rig.

A few years back there was a brief experiment with that kind of a section on the site, and I happened to connect with another member that was selling a pair of CIPA extendable tow mirrors that fit my truck, power and heated. He was selling because he bought a new truck that came with factory tow mirrors, and he took these off before he traded his truck in. I got a $400 set of mirrors for $200, and in turn sold my McKesh mirrors to a couple from TX that had just bought their first trailer.

Other good examples are TT accessories like hitches for folks that move on to a 5er, and 5er accessories for folks that buy a MH, etc.

CW thinks that these kinds of sales take away from their business, but honestly, not everybody has the $$ to buy everything new all the time. A buy/sell/trade forum for members is complimentary to the CW business, not competitive, but nobody at Affinity wants to believe that. I gave up stuffing the suggestion box with that idea...

Not sure how that happened LOL

[BurbMan]

One thing sorely absent from this site is a for sale/trade section for members here to garage sale stuff that they have grown out of of or no longer fits their new rig.

A few years back there was a brief experiment with that kind of a section on the site, and I happened to connect with another member that was selling a pair of CIPA extendable tow mirrors that fit my truck, power and heated. He was selling because he bought a new truck that came with factory tow mirrors, and he took these off before he traded his truck in. I got a $400 set of mirrors for $200, and in turn sold my McKesh mirrors to a couple from TX that had just bought their first trailer.

Other good examples are TT accessories like hitches for folks that move on to a 5er, and 5er accessories for folks that buy a MH, etc

CW thinks that these kinds of sales take away from their business, but honestly, not everybody has the $$ to buy everything new all the time. A buy/sell/trade forum for members is complimentary to the CW business, not competitive, but nobody at Affinity wants to believe that. I gave up stuffing the suggestion box with that idea...

[JJBIRISH]

I can’t even imagine thinking that a Camping World RV sales site would be expected to host another dealers web sales… I thought it was initially set up as a sales outlet for RV.net members personal RV”S… I am certain that would have been hard to police…

I am thinking they did the best thing with it…

[Francesca_Knowl]

Where ya been cruisin', Susan? :B

I've been a member for a couple of years, (and a lurker for long before that)...and I didn't know there ever HAD BEEN a "for sale" part of the site!

[DianneOK]

If I recall correctly, that sight was part of the "Blog" ....kind of an experiment. It did not last long, refining the site was a priority. Progress.

Good Sam did not "take over"...it has always been part of the "family"...consolidation........

[CrusinSusan]

But this was not always so....back in 08 when I was shopping around, the sales listing site was wide open.

So when did all others have to take a hike? ie: when did good sam either take over or shut others out?

[wbwood]

DutchmenSport wrote:
Camping world, Good Sam, Trailer Life magazine own this forum web site. Need any more be said?

You forgot to mention motorhome magazine and woodalls as well.