How do you feel about the RV shows?

[puttin]

Just went to the Pleasanton, Ca. one yesterday. I thought it was a total waste. Tons of cheap trailers with only a few motor homes of poor construction made by almost everyone. What does everyone else think?

[Mr_D]

I've pretty much given up on them. Last one I went to didn't have any high end MH's. The highest they had was one Entegra Cornerstone and one Newmar London Aire (both of which are good rigs BTW) but neither one of which matched my older Country Coach. But what I really was looking for was venders with accessories and not pots and pans or jerkey.

[TonyDi]

I've found that the smaller shows are a waste of time. On the other hand, the large shows like Hershey and Tampa are fun. Lots to see and tons of vendors with interesting products. Plus they draw dealers that want to showcase everything.

[Waiter21]

Went to the LaMesa one at State Farm stadium in Phoenix. Ate a couple free hot dogs, looked at a lot of MHs. Didn't see any Southwinds, but some Bounders. Prices were about $130k.

We didn't really like any of the floor plans so we'll keep our good ole 1999 Southwind for 5 or 10 more years.. :-)

[marjoa]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

I've pretty much given up on them.

But what I really was looking for was venders with accessories and not pots and pans or jerkey.

Exactly our thoughts.

If you want to see a huge selection of MH's you should go here:
https://www.mhsrv.com/

They're gigantic like everything in Texas, have great CS, and are family owned.

If you want to look at a large selection of nice used MH's go here:
https://www.motorhomesoftexas.com/

[TriMoot]

Well I'm heading to two of them here in Spokane in the next two weeks.

Today there's one that's downtown (Free!) and has limited space so I don't think they'll be a ton of Class A's, (just checked, only 18) plus I've already been to three of the bigger dealerships and haven't seen "the one" yet, so unless they brought in some new/used stuff, don't think they'll be any 'magic' for us.

We always go, just for the fun of seeing the new rigs and perhaps some of the accessories and maybe drool a little bit, but we usually have fun.

The next weeks show ($10) is out at the fairgrounds and is MUCH bigger, but again, unless they're bringing in new rigs, I think we've seen most of the ones we were interested in...but we'll still go.

[Rolling Ragu]

I haven't gotten anything out of them, and can't understand why they cost money to attend? I wish I could sell tickets for potential customers to see my product.

[Bobby F]

From the viewpoint of someone who hadn't seen where the industry is today - whose exposure to RV's consisted primarily of units pre-2000 - I went to several RV shows and got my money's worth. Very worthwhile for someone looking for an introduction or re-introduction to the industry.

So, perhaps the people here - experienced owners - aren't really the prime target market for shows?

[TriMoot]

Originally Posted by marjoa

...
If you want to look at a large selection of nice used MH's go here:
https://www.motorhomesoftexas.com/

sigh...I go here WAY TOO MUCH!

So much in fact, I had to go buy a waterproof keyboard...

Since we're kinda/sorta in the market to buy...my thinking is to just use our current rig for the first year of retirement, and then maybe do a drive-by on our way from Spokane to Florida just to 'see' what might fit our budget...so far..not much! But WOW! I do like the rigs they have...and..maybe I'm wrong..but it seems like motorhomesoftexas cleans up and fixes any issues those rigs have so you know you're buying a solid rig...is that true, or are they the same as most dealerships?

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Originally Posted by Rolling Ragu

I haven't gotten anything out of them, and can't understand why they cost money to attend? I wish I could sell tickets for potential customers to see my product.

Shows are typically put on by a "producer", not an individual dealer or manufacturer (although there are those, too), and that producer has expenses: advertising, renting the venue and all the charges that come with it like electricity, water, sewer, compressed air, natural gas, layout and setup labor, box office charges, parking, storage and drayage, clean up and restoration of the venue to move-in condition, insurance, bonding, etc.


Once the producer knows what it will cost to put on the show they will set ticket prices and determine what to charge dealers and other exhibitors for their space.


You seem to feel that a dealer just shows up and someone rolls up the door to let them drive in. There's are more to it than that, and all of those things cost *someone*a bunch of money. You can pay for admission or the dealer can shoulder 100% of the expense and pass it along in EVERY purchase from their shop.


There is a current thread about this elsewhere on iRV2...

[momdoc]

Nope not my cup of tea. Very crowded, filled with trailers and few motorhomes.
I will stick to large dealers and large rallies (like the FMCA inter national ones they have twice a year.

[TriMoot]

Originally Posted by Solo_RV_Guy

...

There is a current thread about this elsewhere on iRV2...

Here you go:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f64/quest...er-475157.html

[Dutch Star Don]

I think you have to look at who is sponsoring the show. Here in California, there are a couple of RV dealers that claim they're having a big RV Show and drag out their one or two lines of RV's and call it a show.

I'm a gadget guy, so I like shows with a lot of products. Even though Quartzsite has been hit and miss over the years, as the economy improves, more vendors start hitting the road.

I find some of the best places for viewing new RVs and products have been the FMCA Rallies, especially the larger ones.

[NLOVNIT]

Originally Posted by TonyDi

I've found that the smaller shows are a waste of time. On the other hand, the large shows like Hershey and Tampa are fun. Lots to see and tons of vendors with interesting products. Plus they draw dealers that want to showcase everything.

I feel the large shows are the best place to compare because the dealers have brought enough inventory of the same model lineup & across model lineups. Small shows, you're lucky if there's 1 or 2 of just a single model to see.

Lori-