RV IMAGAZ by ZAGAMI

In Gaylord's memory - let's do the right thing here!

zagami@tiac.net — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:30:00 GMT

When Gaylord Maxwell passed away last year, many feared that his “Life on Wheels” program would also disappear from the RV landscape because the family shut it down. Gaylord’s belief in educating the RV enthusiast led to this great learning experience that many RVers looked forward to each year.

Well guess what, the tradition will live on at the PRVCA show this year as Walter Cannon and the great team at RVSEF will launch a new consumer education program titled: RVSEF Lifestyle, Education & Safety clinic. Let’s make sure Gaylord’s legacy lives on in this new program and let’s have the entire industry support it.

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Is Paul Eskritt a genius? He may just be with his tough decision this week to exit the travel trailer business!

zagami@tiac.net — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:50:00 GMT

Armchair quarterbacking is something we all love to do, even more so when it is a well known person's decision that we might be questioning. I'm sure many people looked twice at the Fleetwood announcement and wondered why they didn't jettison motorhomes instead of their trailer business. Let me state right up front; I really don't know Paul that well although I have met him on a few occasions and I don't own any Fleetwood stock! I do like his decision though and it is a gutsy one.

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Small is big once again, and may lead the industry out of the recession . . . . .

zagami@tiac.net — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:09:00 GMT

With many of our larger manufacturers and dealers struggling under the weight of the recession and the problems it has brought with it; there is still a lot of good news out there but it always seems to get buried under all the negative stuff!

It was very refreshing to hear a great RV story during a dinner meeting following the R.I. RV show last Friday evening. So here's a feel good story for you and I'll bet you have a few of your own and hope you will tell us abut them in your responses to this posting.

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What a difference a year makes . . . . .

zagami@tiac.net — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:13:00 GMT

As I wonder what the rest of this year has to offer us, given the depressing news of the president signing the so-called stimulus package today - I think back to where we (the RV industry) were just a year ago, and look at where we are now. It is simply unbelievable and many of us struggle to figure out how we got here and what we are going to do to get out of this mess.

We do know this; it has turned the entire industry upside down. Pop-up are hot and makers of luxury busses can no longer sell that many believe are the ultimate RV. What is going on here?

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Why did we build the RV/MH Hall of Fame if we are not going to use it?

zagami@tiac.net — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:15:00 GMT

Why did the RV industry let the President of the United States coml the way to Elkhart and then let him do his town meeting in the high school gym and not the Hall of Fame? Is there that little creativing and PR savvy in the industry to blow a great opportunity to showcase the very reason he went to Elkhart - to highlight the damage being done to the RV industry by today's economy!

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Rome Revisited - Vespasian would have enjoyed Marcus Gladiatorious . . . . .

zagami@tiac.net — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 03:43:00 GMT

Somewhere between 70 and 72 AD Vespasian began construction on the Roman Colesseum, just down the street from the Roman Forum. According to Wikipedia, construction was completed by Titus in 80 AD. In its heyday, 80,000 people would watch as the Romans threw their enemies to the lions. In fact, history tells us that over 500,000 people and over one million wild animals were killed during gladiatorial contests and public spectacles! Does this remind you of anything similar in the RV industry today?

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Reasons for optimism are all around you – just watch the news!

zagami@tiac.net — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:48:00 GMT

It’s been a long time since the frustration level of the American worker and taxpayer has been at the boiling point they are now approaching. Consumers feel helpless against the ineptness and stupidity of our elected officials and corporate executives. They are losing their homes, their jobs, and question if there is anything that can bring happiness back into their lives.

And that is where the RV industry comes into sharp focus. We have the solution to their woes and we have products that will make them feel good, spend quality time with their families, and take their minds off all this nonsense around them! Sell them sanity soon – please!

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If you make quality products - and can sell value - then you must read this!

zagami@tiac.net — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 02:11:00 GMT

Many manufacturers dance to their own version of the Limbo that originated in the Caribbean. The object of the dance is to slither under an ever decreasing bar to see how low you can go. The RV version has manufacturers taking things out of their products, lessening their real value, and beating up on every supplier to get a lower price. Are you playing this game or do you have enough confidence in your product to build it to your customer's expectations and not try to mimic what competitors may be doing to respond to current market challenges?

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If you can't sell value, don't bother reading this one!

zagami@tiac.net — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:59:00 GMT

Can you imagine selling a hitch that cost several thousand dollars in today's economy? It can be done, but you have to do your homework and really understand the difference between this product and what the industry has come to accept from underpowered trucks, dangerous hitches and the reluctance of dealers to fully explain towing capabilities, weight issues, and the dangers that exist when consumers are not made aware of potential problems. This is a topic that needs to be discussed, but many dealers tell me they fight inaccuracies presented by other dealers and if they tell the truth, the customer believes the bad guy. What do you say?

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Raise the Flag .... oops, make that Flagg!

zagami@tiac.net — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:10:00 GMT

Much has been written about the need for dealers to embrace the Internet and become proficient with Web 2.0 technologies to service their prospects and customers and grow their business. Despite the industry's current economic challenges, this is a story of two companies that get it. Not only do they get it, they have mastered it.

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