Pay for RV Show?

[dcmac214]

Is paying to get into an RV show a common thing now?
Been several years since we've even thought about going to an RV show. Thought we'd go to the trailer-oriented show up in OKC mid-February. The couple years before we got our RV (09) we went to several shows and only remember having to pay for one of them (think it was Ft Worth). What I find especially "interesting" in having to pay is that this OKC show is a few local dealers only (plus all the flea market type vendors that always show up at any show).

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I like RV shows because my local dealers lock all their RVs and I need a salesperson to go along with me if I am at their lot. At RV shows you can look, poke, compare, ask questions, measure, etc. One of the things I discovered at the last RV show we attended, was that some manufacturers were making it mighty difficult to winterize their motorhomes (as a Michigan resident, this is critical stuff). We were specifically looking at smaller Class c's. It was also astounding that several salespersons had no clue what I was asking about.....

[Blazing_Zippers]

Well, in Spokane, WA. the show charges about $8.00. On opening day, the senior rate is a buck off--WhooHoo!! The show is a chance to compare units without a sales person always up your skirt trying to get your money. If you have a question or wish to pull out your wallet, there is always a person ready to relieve you of funds. It's nice to see brand "A", then check out how it might compare to brand "K" and so on. Also, how floor plans would fit your needs without traveling miles to do so at dealerships.
I figure I didn't need to visit the Farm & Tractor show this year as I don't need a combine or satellite images of a grain field. Never have. Probably never will--but the option was there.
Finally, $8.00 a person is cheaper then a movie that features "actors" that swear at us because we don't see their way in the real world. Now that's my opinion and may not coincide with yours, but we can all share a beverage and a smile. See you at the show!

[bpounds]

camperdave wrote:
I went to a 'show' when I was looking this last summer. $10 parking plus $10 entrance fee at the fairgrounds. It was basically a few local dealers that came out and set up a bunch of RV's. Is that what a show typically is?...

I'm sure it depends greatly on what the market will bear in a geo-area. But that does sound like the scam shows that I referred to above. Those few dealers might have actually all shared ownership.

This is what last years big show looked like here in So Cal. I didn't get to make it this year.

CARV show layout

[camperdave]

I went to a 'show' when I was looking this last summer. $10 parking plus $10 entrance fee at the fairgrounds. It was basically a few local dealers that came out and set up a bunch of RV's. Is that what a show typically is? I was disappointed, I for some reason thought there'd be more of an aftermarket presence talking about new and cool stuff.

Instead it was all new (well, one dealer brought around 5 used units) rigs no different than I could see on a dealers lot. Disappointing, but now I know.

[Ralph_Cramden]

Walaby wrote:


I chuckle at the idea of asking a dealer/salesman for refund of entry fees if I purchase something. So, Im gonna spend 20K or so, on an RV, but Im gonna ask dealer to reimburse me $20 bucks?

Mike

LOL.....I've belonged to social clubs where when they raised the price of beer a nickel a bottle, you would have thought they raised it $20 by the amount of whining.

No shortage of cheapskates anywhere in the world. Ask anyone who works for tips.

[JesLookin]

We went to RV show yesterday in Green Bay. Admission was free with a donation of nonperishable food for the local feed pantry. Normal admission is $9. We did have to pay to park $7 in Lambeau Field parking lot.

[1968mooney]

monkey44 wrote:
Well, we gotta add that we don't mind paying for entertainment - like demolition derby, or a rodeo.

But kinda think not when paying admission so some dealer can try to sell me something. That's why the dealers bring RV's, to sell RV's. Lots of tire-kickers show up, but that happens at the home RV lot too. So, I'd bet any dealer charged a fee to visit the dealer lot, would not have many visitors.

A top nitch salesman can often sell to a tire-kicker. Not all but certainly some. That's his job, sell an RV to a customer, whether he/she want it or not.

If you want to sell us something, don't charge me to see it. JMHO -



The internet is free, that where we search for what we like. THEN, go to see that at the seller lot. And above, right, the RV's show become like concessionairs, the dealers pay a fee to be there, the customers pay a fee to get in, and for parking ... the venue wins the bucks.

So you are saying all RV Shows that charge admission are ripoffs. Since you are a intelligant person, why don't you just stay away from all shows that charge admission? If enough people feel as you do, RV Shows will be a thing of the past and you will win.

[Walaby]

I've never been approached by a salesman at a RV show. They are usually tied up with folks that actually seek them out to discuss and possibly purchase. I don't have a problem paying a few bucks for an afternoon of entertainment and window shopping RV's. Only venue I know of that you can get a look at a lot of different brands and models. Dealer stock is generally limited, at least where Im at.

I chuckle at the idea of asking a dealer/salesman for refund of entry fees if I purchase something. So, Im gonna spend 20K or so, on an RV, but Im gonna ask dealer to reimburse me $20 bucks?

Mike

[monkey44]

Well, we gotta add that we don't mind paying for entertainment - like demolition derby, or a rodeo.

But kinda think not when paying admission so some dealer can try to sell me something. That's why the dealers bring RV's, to sell RV's. Lots of tire-kickers show up, but that happens at the home RV lot too. So, I'd bet any dealer charged a fee to visit the dealer lot, would not have many visitors.

A top nitch salesman can often sell to a tire-kicker. Not all but certainly some. That's his job, sell an RV to a customer, whether he/she want it or not.

If you want to sell us something, don't charge me to see it. JMHO -

The internet is free, that where we search for what we like. THEN, go to see that at the seller lot. And above, right, the RV's show become like concessionairs, the dealers pay a fee to be there, the customers pay a fee to get in, and for parking ... the venue wins the bucks.

[fj12ryder]

Lantley wrote:

dryfly wrote:
Basically, the customer "pays" to be a customer.

Most of those customers have no intention of buying anything so in effect they are just loiterers.
However they can contribute to their own entertainment and RV curiosity by paying an admission fee for the privilege checking out the RV's.
If they want free parking and no admission fee you can simply drive around to the various dealerships and create your own personal day of RV entertainment.

Very well said, and what I was thinking also. We have no intention to buy anything, just look to see if there's anything new and consider an afternoon's entertainment.

[bukhrn]

We've Always paid in Richmond,(about $9 or 10 I think) but usually get a small discount with GS membership.

[1968mooney]

Simple, if you don't want to pay, don't go. You will not be missed.

[Lantley]

dryfly wrote:
Basically, the customer "pays" to be a customer.

Most of those customers have no intention of buying anything so in effect they are just loiterers.
However they can contribute to their own entertainment and RV curiosity by paying an admission fee for the privilege checking out the RV's.
If they want free parking and no admission fee you can simply drive around to the various dealerships and create your own personal day of RV entertainment.

[dryfly]

Basically, the customer "pays" to be a customer.