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02-14-2014, 06:42 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,773
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Camping World in my city?
"Lexington, KY opening in late 2014" (March issue of Motorhome Magazine). From recent history, I assume this means Affinity Group Inc. (Camping World) is in the process of purchasing one of the two existing dealerships here. The one I have frequented for the past several decades for parts & service claims to be the largest one in the state and the other is right across the highway. I'm not a Camping Word hater, and have shopped for items in their stores when on the road. However, I am concerned from the many posts here describing what happens when they purchase an independent dealer. Assuming they purchase the larger dealer I frequent, I wonder what will be become of the excellent service and great small parts selection I have become used to. Does anyone have any experience with Camping World purchasing a local dealership in their area?
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George Schweikle Lexington, KY
2005 Safari (Monaco)Trek 28RB2, Workhorse W20, 8.1, Allison 1000 5 spd, UltraPower engine & tranny, Track bars & sway bars, KONI FSD, FMCA 190830, Safari Int'l. chapter. 1999 Safari Trek 2830, 1995 Safari Trek 2430, 1983 Winnebago Chieftain, 1976 Midas Mini
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02-14-2014, 08:27 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Stone Mountain, GA
Posts: 959
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We used to have a Camping Time RV, which was the closest RV parts, sales, and service place near me, in Snellville GA. A few years ago they became a Camping World and within a year they moved it 100 miles down I-75 to Byron GA. I now use Apalachee RV in Auburn GA (about 30 miles away). I get some parts from Peco Trailer sales in Tucker GA (about 3 miles from home).
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Ken, Judy, and the Angels--2005 Fleetwood Southwind--2008 Cargo Trailer--2003 EZGO Golf Cart
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02-15-2014, 09:39 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 13,599
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Hi George Schweikle,
Gut feel says you have nothing to worry about. Based on what you mentioned, CW will have a "business relationship" with the current dealer. CW uses their name. They will take control of the retail store, making it like all their other stores. CW will operate the sales and service. However, behind the scenes they may own nothing but the retail store inventory. The original dealer continues to purchase units (from CW). The profits are shared between CW and the original dealer.
Publically, this looks like CW bought out the original dealer. Behind the scenes, the original dealer remains a silent partner, mainly on the $s side of the business. If CW and the original dealer ever part ways (which has happened), CW just packs up their retail store inventory and leaves. The original dealer continues on, business as usual. The original dealer re-erects their signage and all is back to pre-CW days.
This is how CW has been able to expand so rapidly without going broke financing the expansion. I'm not saying all CW expansions are handled like this, but some have been and are handled this way.
__________________
Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910 + GMC ENVOY XUV 37K lbs Moving Down The Road
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
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02-15-2014, 09:46 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 13,599
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Hi Retired and Happy,
I know Peco! I have friends a couple of miles away from Peco and visit them when I can. Peco has a small store, but they always seem to have what I need. It's a small world.
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Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910 + GMC ENVOY XUV 37K lbs Moving Down The Road
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
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02-15-2014, 11:16 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Appalachian Campers Coastal Campers Carolina Campers
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,828
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Camping world purchased a local dealer near Raleigh, NC. They are in the process of expanding the store and service departments. It's a win for that area.
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Brenda and Frank, FTers, Zebulon, NC
Raisin our mixed hound and BooBoo our cat.
2004 Itasca Suncruiser
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02-15-2014, 01:30 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 8,638
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Retired and Happy
We used to have a Camping Time RV, which was the closest RV parts, sales, and service place near me, in Snellville GA. A few years ago they became a Camping World and within a year they moved it 100 miles down I-75 to Byron GA. I now use Apalachee RV in Auburn GA (about 30 miles away). I get some parts from Peco Trailer sales in Tucker GA (about 3 miles from home).
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Same thing here camping world bought camping time in oakwood georgia went down hill. They lost most of their good techs to RV world in Buford Georgia.
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2007 Fleetwood Revolution LE 40V
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02-15-2014, 01:47 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Pond Piggies Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NE. Ohio USA
Posts: 5,972
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They did that here in Northern Ohio (Sirpilla RV) now they moved 20 miles further south.
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02-15-2014, 02:37 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Smyrna
Posts: 323
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I would expect the good tech's to be the first to go. IF, and I expect it is a big if, CW will pay a competitive wage it may be OK. I'll bet with in a year the top tech's will move on. All about money with CW.
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"Life is a Journey. Enjoy the Ride"
2004 Winnebago Journey 39K w/ 330 Cummins on a Workhorse Chasis (rare but no problems yet).
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02-15-2014, 04:27 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 13,599
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Hi slick60,
Movement of the techs is very unique to each situation. In eastern Tennessee, when CW move from I40 to some forsaken remote location south of Knoxville, some very good techs made the move from another local dealer to the CW facility. It just depends on each situation.
__________________
Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910 + GMC ENVOY XUV 37K lbs Moving Down The Road
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
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02-15-2014, 05:52 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central, Ohio
Posts: 512
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Superslif
They did that here in Northern Ohio (Sirpilla RV) now they moved 20 miles further south.
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Where did they move Camping World (Spirilla) to?
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2006 Discovery 39L-2008 Honda CRV
Bud, Sharon, Cody (Grandson) Sophie, Attack Trained Cockapoo
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02-15-2014, 06:21 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: The Bluegrass State
Posts: 8,882
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Hi George. I really hate to see Camping World come in and buy either of the dealers. I shop mostly at Northside and I have always enjoyed their small town friendliness and I was pleasantly surprised when Northside enlarged their sales lot. If Camping World buys them I can see only bad things happening.
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Good Luck, Be Safe and Above All, Don't Forget To Have Fun
Pete
Central Kentucky
2006 Fleetwood Discovery 35H, 2014 Honda CR-V, M&G Engineering Braking System
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02-15-2014, 06:35 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Pond Piggies Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NE. Ohio USA
Posts: 5,972
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Quote:
Where did they move Camping World (Spirilla) to?
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The good old Spirilla's RV used to be well north of Akron in Hudson. When they opened their new location it's now south of Akron. More freeway exposure...that was years ago. CW before they bought out Spirilla's RV was located in Brunswick about 25 miles NW. of Spirilla's RV, for awhile they sold RV's there too. But that closed down. Not sure how long ago it closed. Never got a good vib there...Got the feeling they wanted to sell the higher profit RV's. Even now at last months Cleveland RV show they picked up the Aerolite line, and I was told they wouldn't carry any hybrids Aerolite offered.
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02-15-2014, 07:36 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central, Ohio
Posts: 512
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Superslif
The good old Spirilla's RV used to be well north of Akron in Hudson. When they opened their new location it's now south of Akron. More freeway exposure...that was years ago. CW before they bought out Spirilla's RV was located in Brunswick about 25 miles NW. of Spirilla's RV, for awhile they sold RV's there too. But that closed down. Not sure how long ago it closed. Never got a good vib there...Got the feeling they wanted to sell the higher profit RV's. Even now at last months Cleveland RV show they picked up the Aerolite line, and I was told they wouldn't carry any hybrids Aerolite offered.
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Thanks I have been to both of those places. I thought you ment Spirillas had moved recently. I liked the Brunswick store much better.
__________________
2006 Discovery 39L-2008 Honda CRV
Bud, Sharon, Cody (Grandson) Sophie, Attack Trained Cockapoo
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