Camping World Shenanigans - scam?

[dwilli1]

I love Camping World if for nothing other than their website lists SO many campers. You really get to see things with the "walkthroughs" and videos. But I use them a little like I use Tirerack.com...great for research but probably not where I'm buying. I loved 1 rep when looking for my last one but the one I wanted was in Las Vegas and I wasn't willing for fork over $8k to get it shipped to me. I think they use an algorithm similar to what Amazon uses, for pricing because I've seen them change every time I clicked on a particular one.

They're also nice where some allow overnight parking for free, some with electric hookups...all free.

[PhilFromMaine]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

And if you don't like the tactic, or the price, guess what.... You can move on!

Yes, and you can spread the word to other would be buyers to watch their backs when dealing with certain dealerships.

CW is high pressure sales the minute you walk in. I was at the one in Orlando once and that ended it. As I mentioned before, my daughter was definitely shocked by her experience after the sale at a local CW.

[PhilFromMaine]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

Ummm..

If you visit a SALES yard/department ..... don't get offended if they try and sell you something. They and their children gotta eat.


If you want education... join a RV school or something.


Camping world is no different than any other business... they provide you one stop locations BUT each department in the store has goals they must meet.
If the sales people don't sell then that department may just close then all you're left with is a service shop.

Tried being a salesman once ... It was too hard for me!

Totally disagree! There are good sales teams and then there are high pressure, strongarmed sales teams. Fortunately, most buyers can tell the difference after a minute or two. I feel for salespeople just trying to feed their children, but I don't want them fed at my expense.

In my experience it is the salesperson who is professional, knows his product, and cares about his client's long term satisfaction that in the end makes the most money.

[TowPro]

they have in inventory, and the camper you want to see, so if they are being idiots about it go waist their time and use the showroom as an RV SHOW type setting. Then once you know what you want, find a respectful RV dealer to deal with.

[SailorSam20500]

For me, I was reading one of the RV blog sites and saw that a CW specialty was pushing sales based on low monthly payments. They got the low payment by setting the loan term to 20-30 years. So it would take 10-20 years before you weren't "underwater" on the loan...
Ended up at a small local dealership that gave us a fair price. Unfortunately, they've gone out of business.

[MGD1961]

There are a hand full of old sayings that come in to play here. One is because you can afford to buy it doesn’t mean you can afford to own it.

There are big box and Mom and Pops dealers all over. There are some of each who are crooks and some as honest as a nun. That leads to the second saying. Buyer beware.

And another saying. Don’t buy the first one you see.

Here’s another. A fool and his money are soon parted. I don’t think it really matters where you buy or under what terms. If it’s something you want and can afford then live your best life!!!

[KB1]

Best way to tell if a CW salesperson is lying? His lips are moving.

[MGD1961]

Originally Posted by KB1

Best way to tell if a CW salesperson is lying? His lips are moving.

I think that’s just unfair and untrue.

I work in a corporate company location where we try to sell stuff every day. A different product but not such a different company model.

The company stance is not to lie to customers and I can’t believe that camping world’s intention is to do so either. Granted, if their sales department works on commission then that is there first mistake but, you can not convince me that they have gotten where they are by intentionally lying to their customers. If we lie we get fired. I can’t believe they are any different. Don’t attribute to malice what can be explained by ignorance.

If you are well educated and know what you want the high pressure salesman is nothing to fear.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Please share how to seek out these 'good' dealers!! And why do you automatically assume EVERY CW is scum of the earth?
I have found CW no different than any other dealer I have talked to when it comes to buying an RV from them. If anybody lets any dealer talk them into a bad deal, it is their own fault. And I have never known any dealer to refuse to let a buyer pay too much for anything
Would I use CW for service? Nope, but then I never use any dealer for service of any kind.

First of all, I never even mentioned Camping World. Second, glad we’re not kin if you wouldn’t warn me about dealers that are pushy and/or use scams and gimmicks. Third, you clearly haven’t found a good dealer because I most certainly know of dealers that wont take advantage of their customers even when it is “low hanging fruit.” And finally, you come to CWs defense because not EVERY CW is bad, but you finish by stereotyping that all dealer service is bad.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

First of all, I never even mentioned Camping World. Second, glad we’re not kin if you wouldn’t warn me about dealers that are pushy and/or use scams and gimmicks. Third, you clearly haven’t found a good dealer because I most certainly know of dealers that wont take advantage of their customers even when it is “low hanging fruit.” And finally, you come to CWs defense because not EVERY CW is bad, but you finish by stereotyping that all dealer service is bad.

Feel better now? You might need some more coffee

[GolfingDave]

Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine

There are good sales teams and then there are high pressure, strongarmed sales teams. I feel for salespeople just trying to feed their children, but I don't want them fed at my expense.

In my experience it is the salesperson who is professional, knows his product, and cares about his client's long term satisfaction that in the end makes the most money.

Yep. Every salesman knows every person is not buying.

I know with the two Camping Worlds I was with a sales person they pushed me off to their managers even though I said I am in the looking staged only.

And then as others have said, too many emails from them afterwards. I finally said I bought elsewhere even though I hadn't.

[GolfingDave]

Originally Posted by wmtire

This reminds me of when Best Buy got caught for having two different websites for pricing, depending on if you were in store or not.

https://www.techdirt.com/2007/03/02/...your-best-buy/

Walmart does this but they do say on their website that the price may be different in the store.

I was buying an Instant Pot a while back that happened to be on sale. Since I was going past the store anyway I stopped in(I don't make useless trips for things that can wait). I think there was a $15 difference in price. Had my phone with me and double checked, definitely two prices.

So when I got home I bought it using my laptop(no financials done on my phone) for the reduced price and free delivery. Got it the next day. I don't understand the free delivery as I think I have bought a few things from them online for no delivery charge. Not a member of anything either. Not via a commercial carrier either, dropped with by folks in cars.

[MGD1961]

Originally Posted by GolfingDave

Walmart does this but they do say on their website that the price may be different in the store.

I was buying an Instant Pot a while back that happened to be on sale. Since I was going past the store anyway I stopped in(I don't make useless trips for things that can wait). I think there was a $15 difference in price. Had my phone with me and double checked, definitely two prices.

So when I got home I bought it using my laptop(no financials done on my phone) for the reduced price and free delivery. Got it the next day. I don't understand the free delivery as I think I have bought a few things from them online for no delivery charge. Not a member of anything either. Not via a commercial carrier either, dropped with by folks in cars.

Depends on your zip code for the free shipping thing. If you are located close enough to a distribution warehouse they will have independent contractors pick up a car load of orders and deliver them. Walmart figures it’s cheaper to do that than ship it to a store and pay someone to stock it on a shelf with all the brick and mortar overhead. Thus the lower price.

My son in law used to work at a Walmart warehouse where after his shift he would make deliveries as a contractor in his private vehicle

[GolfingDave]

Originally Posted by MGD1961

My son in law used to work at a Walmart warehouse where after his shift he would make deliveries as a contractor in his private vehicle

That makes sense. Not close to a distribution center so most likely do the same at some store locations. I forgot they deliver food too now if not mistaken.

[jimmoore13]

There is a phenomenon in air travel...much the same. Use your favorite travel site to shop around a bit well in advance, then leave without making a purchase. When you return, the price is higher. The sites know you by your IP address.

If the sales person honors the $10K price, great. If not, you know what to do.
When it comes to closing the deal, watch out for the MANY PACKS the back office will try to add.

Better still, bring your own financing.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Feel better now? You might need some more coffee

Nice deflection with the old ad hominem. Considered politics?

[RangeMaggotBob]

Originally Posted by jeeplj8

The whole thing feels very scammy to me. I have never worked with Camping World before. Are they always like this?

Yes. Yes they are.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

I'd be very careful. What you see on the web might not be what they have in stock. If you read the fine print, it says We have made every effort to ensure accuracy in the information provided. Specifications, equipment, technical data, photographs and illustrations are based on information available at time of posting and are subject to change without notice.

It's buyer beware no matter what dealership you are buying from. Don't let them pressure into a decision you may regret.

Actually, that's not a dealer caveat emptor. That's from Forest River. It allows them to make mid-year changes, often based on parts availability.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by GolfingDave

Walmart does this but they do say on their website that the price may be different in the store.

I was buying an Instant Pot a while back that happened to be on sale. Since I was going past the store anyway I stopped in(I don't make useless trips for things that can wait). I think there was a $15 difference in price. Had my phone with me and double checked, definitely two prices.

So when I got home I bought it using my laptop(no financials done on my phone) for the reduced price and free delivery. Got it the next day. I don't understand the free delivery as I think I have bought a few things from them online for no delivery charge. Not a member of anything either. Not via a commercial carrier either, dropped with by folks in cars.

Advance Auto!! The store clerks freely admit that the web prices are lower.
I always buy auto parts online, even if it means using my phone to buy online for in-store pickup--even if I'm standing in the store.

[dwilli1]

Originally Posted by GolfingDave

Walmart does this but they do say on their website that the price may be different in the store.

I was buying an Instant Pot a while back that happened to be on sale. Since I was going past the store anyway I stopped in(I don't make useless trips for things that can wait). I think there was a $15 difference in price. Had my phone with me and double checked, definitely two prices.

So when I got home I bought it using my laptop(no financials done on my phone) for the reduced price and free delivery. Got it the next day. I don't understand the free delivery as I think I have bought a few things from them online for no delivery charge. Not a member of anything either. Not via a commercial carrier either, dropped with by folks in cars.

Walmart where I live (NE PA) you pay for most shipping unless you hit $35, then it's free. Some items don't ship from Walmart though; they ship from another vendor and sometimes THAT'S free. If price is close to Amazon i'd prefer Walmart because they ship by FedEx which comes to my house. Amazon in my area contracts with the Post Office where I have to go pick it up if it's too big for my rural mailbox.