Did Camping World Wake-up

read & learn · 10-17-2009, 08:11 AM

Justed stopped at Camping World West of Flagstaff, AZ and was I surprised. Store was fully stocked. Had a question about hitch for Service Manager and not only did he explain to me what I felt was a problem, he showed me that it was not and how much flex should be in my hitch.
I hope this is a new outlook on their part that the customer comes first.

Theberrys · 10-17-2009, 08:35 AM

I'm pretty sure that store just opened. So all bets are off for a company wide policy change.

Dick

Rick Long · 10-17-2009, 08:59 AM

The Camping World here in Vegas has really great employee's.. friendly, helpful. The thing I really have a problem with is their prices.. I can beat them everywhere. Their ON-LINE sales are a joke... by the time you add the freight it's more than in the store!!

Plus... you can't go to the store and get the on-line sale price!

Wasted advertising dollars..

Jim Stewart · 10-17-2009, 02:25 PM

Yup, it's one of those profit scams, yeah that's it, profit scams!

mrschwarz · 10-17-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Stewart

Yup, it's one of those profit scams, yeah that's it, profit scams!

Da bastids!

chasfm11 · 10-18-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Stewart

Yup, it's one of those profit scams, yeah that's it, profit scams!

Perhaps I'm in a very small minority, but I'm willing to pay more for good service. Like everyone else, I treat some things like commodities. Unless it has a service component, I buy based on price and availability. In some cases, I'll make the decision based on store loyalty. I avoid, at all costs, places that treat me in a shabby manner, regardless of how good their price is.

IMHO, much of what Camping World does is more service oriented than commodity driven. It is important to me that they have a selection of sewer hoses, not just one, and I'll buy from the store where I can pick the one that best suits my needs.

A part of service orientation is knowledge of products and, at the very least, where to find them. If employees don't even know their own store layout and, if they are out of stock on something that I want, how to help me understand my choices including how long I might have to wait to get it, that is lousy service - and I've gotten that from them quite often. When I special order something from them and pay in advance, I expect them to let me know about status changes on that item. A large part of Camping World's business is installing the products that they offer and that is where they really fall apart, IMHO. I've had several experiences with them in this area and only one of them was acceptable. They won't get another opportunity from me. They have turned many of the products that they handle into commodities for me since they proved to me that the quality of their service during the installation isn't worth anything. I'd just as soon do it myself. If it gets messed up, at least I can blame myself, not the employee who had been with CW less than two weeks and about which I lodged a complain as soon as he started the work.

In contrast, let me offer this. IMHO, Apple offers some great products. The iPod, the iPod, the Mac are all quality, well thought out and, for the most part, very well supported. People pay more for them. Profit should be driven by giving people quality products and services at a reasonable price. When a business doesn't value the service that it provides, noone else will either. Profit "scams" come when what is offered turns out to be a lot less value than what was represented. Apple charges a lot of money for its products, but I don't consider them to have scammed me. I often marvel at the elegance of the design and durability of the iPod (I have a Classic 80G) and don't believe that I was scammed. Service can be provided in much the same way.

I'll believe that they have "woken up" at the corporate level when there are signs in more than one location of consistent, customer oriented practices.

mythplaced · 10-18-2009, 10:16 AM

The only reason I buy anything from CW is because they are 15 miles fromthe home base, and they usually stock most everything I need in a hurry....like when my TST sensor fell apart.

If I don't "need it NOW" I buy on line...I'm a frugal bastich!

EngineerMike · 10-18-2009, 01:11 PM

Any retail outfit is in the service business, i.e. the service of having stuff available in a store, and the service of knowledge about the stuff they sell.

I like CW for the selection and ready availability of what's in the store. If its online, I can do better money and delivery wise somewhere else, i.e. their online service sucks. As to knowledge at the counter, every trailer parts & service place I've ever been in has been more knowledgeable.

As to non-stocked items CW can order, that's a waste also. I tried to get an HWH solenoid valve there recently. I could order it direct from HWH for less and in less time. And CW stocked almost zero even tho they are listed as an HWH service location. Can't do service without parts.

Batman_777 · 10-20-2009, 11:17 AM

Very Good experience with Camping World, Albuquerque, NM (West I-40)

Camping World is taking the leadership over all competition

HD4Mark · 10-20-2009, 01:05 PM

I just ordered a couple of things from CW. A new cover and tire covers. The cover is mail order only so picking it up at the local store wouldn't work. I do get to pay NY state tax though. So the site says 1/2 off shipping over $99, but wait the cover is flat rate so you don't get 1/2 off! Where does it say that? Ummm they don't know. The shipping for the cover that I imagine is heavy wasn't bad but it would be nice to see a disclaimer in the 1/2 off add.

Both items say "in stock" yet two days later I get an email that the cover is back ordered. Not in a rush but again it would have been nice to know.

I did search online for the items plus a water filter I will be needing and for the most part the prices were the best or competitive. Rejoining "Presidents Club" save enough on the cover to pay for itself and I got a $10 off coupon toward the filter.

JC2 · 10-20-2009, 01:29 PM

I have found that in most cases, prices, product availabity, shipping, product quality and customer service are much better at PPL RV Parts and Accessories for Sale and one of the sponsors of this forum RVUpGrades RVUpgradeStore.com - Specializing in quality camper parts and RV parts and supplies.

wa8yxm · 10-20-2009, 04:58 PM

Camping world is a large company.. Laws of chance say you are going to find an exceptional one here and there.

Same is true of what used to be called Radio Shack.. Sometimes you find a sales clerk who actually DOES know what the heck he's talking about (I should know)

Even schools are that way.. Where I used to live is one of the worst school districts in the state (I think the worst) overall, but 1: It is the largest and 2: There are a couple of schools in the system that are rated 1 and 2 or very close to it.

That said.. It is nice to hear a GOOD report from time to time. I know they got to be out there but usually happy folks don't post

So thanks for posting.

D in Davie · 10-20-2009, 07:48 PM

I have always had a good experience with CW and will continue to go there when I need to. The CW in New Hampshire did an oil change for me last fall that may not have been the cheapest I could have found but it included a safety inspection and tire pressure check that I found value in. I agree with chasfm11, but if I had to look for a criticism it would be that I usually spend more than I wanted to because they have a lot under one roof and they do have helpful people who are likely to be my age and can relate to me and not just sell to me. But thats just me.
Denis