Guest Blog

The battle lost, CalARVC vows to win the war against certain chemicals in RV deodorants

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:47:00 GMT

It is with great disappointment that we report Governors Schwarzenegger’s veto of AB 1824 last week. With only three nay votes in the entire legislature, we had hoped that the governor would see the truly bi-partisan support of the bill.

While being a pro-environmental issue, this was also a pro small business issue. We thought the combination of these two items, along with our members’ letter writing campaign, would convince the governor to sign the bill. However, the governor, backing his Green Chemistry Initiative Program, chose to veto the bill.

So, what’s next politically? Our government affairs committee will be reviewing our next strategic steps in September. RVIA, FMCA and the major chemical companies have offered to meet and find mutually beneficial solutions. While chemical based treatment products are a major problem for septic and small municipal treatment facilities, it is not the only challenge facing campground operators in regards to wastewater output.

Perhaps the combined efforts of everyone in the industry can find ways to work together. And even though the campground industry is a relatively small piece of this great industry, without successful campgrounds, all other parts of the industry will suffer.

Arlington: ARVC faces unnecessary challenges

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:19:00 GMT

It greatly saddens me to know that Linda Profaiser's time with ARVC is ending with so many unnecessary challenges. Linda and the ARVC Executive Committee are working so hard to maintain great benefits for the members while also facing the transition to a new office, while dealing with a smaller staff and while working to increase membership.

From my perspective things aren't looking good, but all leaders know it's times like this which provide a brilliant opportunity to re-evaluate, reform, regroup, and redefine. I have no doubt ARVC will come out stronger and will last another 50 years.

What was once formed has since been transformed several times, and with proper management now this transformation will be grand -- and it won't be the last one in our history.

Poor phone skills cost campgrounds plenty

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:07:00 GMT

By Verna Wiseman
CalARVC Communications Director

We recently received a frustrated e-mail from our press release writer, Jeffrey Crider. This is what he had to say:

I just called an RV park. They indicate on their voicemail that their office is only open from 8 a.m. 'til noon. They kindly direct people to their website. Can you believe this?

I wonder how much business they're losing. I know if I were trying to book a reservation, I'd skip them and call someone else. I can't believe how pervasive the phone problems are in this industry. I make a lot of calls to campgrounds -- every day, practically -- at this this time of year.

I would say probably 25 percent of the time I get a voicemail. Another 25 to 50 percent of the time I get someone who should never be allowed near a phone -- either because they don't have the personality for it or they lack proper training. That leaves 25 percent who answer the phone and are professional, courteous, and sound eager for business.

Headline Grabbing

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:02:00 GMT

By Mike Martinkus

I saw a recent article on "RV Business" [aka "Lemonis Leak"] about Camping World pulling BP products off their shelves and couldn't help but wonder just what headline grabber Camping World ownership would come up with next.

This BP thing is a mess to be sure. We all know that. But, other than having their personal news source make Lemonis and Camping World out to be the champions of Mother Earth, what exactly will be gained from pulling BP's product off the shelf?

Your Internet marketing plan must incorporate social media

Thu, 13 May 2010 17:28:00 GMT

A total of 80 percent of automotive/RV customers are using the Internet when making a purchase decision; therefore, it is imperative to have the proper tools in place online, especially in the social media arena.

Content is the key to social media & effective relationship selling. It’s meant not only to educate and inform, but also to capture your audience and hold their attention. I have been in the online marketing arena, to include social networking, for over 16 years and I find that without it, your business will most definitely suffer.

Customers prefer a user experience that will address their immediate needs, and with the Internet, along with online social media, we are able to reach our customers more effectively in real-time, and in the convenience of their own homes.

Branding your RV dealership

Mon, 10 May 2010 14:41:00 GMT

As the battle for RV buyers increases, it’s important to spend time investing in researching, defining, and building your brand. A strong brand is one of your most valuable assets. A good brand will confirm your credibility, motivate your buyers, and create loyalty.

Your brand resides within the hearts and minds of consumers. When people hear or see your name, they unlock a set of impressions and beliefs that comprise your brand.

Sell RV parts and accessories on your website

Mon, 03 May 2010 16:37:00 GMT

We get the question a lot -- How can I sell my RV parts and accessories on our website?

Of course the answer is as simple or complex as you want to make it.

I remember back in 2007 when I purchased my first RV. I even purchased from a dealership who was using our RV website design service doing my best to support our clients. Believe it or not at the time of sale I wasn't even offered any accessories. I had spent time looking online and knew of at least 5 different goodies that I wanted. Now, they probably had their reasons for not offering, but I can't imagine I'm the only one who wants goodies with their RV.

What if when you listed your inventory on your website you could also list a few popular accessories to add-on or accessorize their RV. What if you could even allow your website shopper to choose from those accessories and get a complete quote on the RV and accessories? Be it a solar panel, step rugs, assist handle, hitch, bug screen, or slide toppers. I've seen this in action on a dealer's site and it works. It's simple. Just give folks the opportunity and you'll be surprised.

NFIB: Congress not doing enough to stimulate jobs growth

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:32:00 GMT

While we appreciate the focus on jobs, the officials in Washington don’t seem to understand that small businesses only create jobs if they have customers and the cost of a new job is affordable and predictable. So we continue to deliver the message: If what you’re going to do doesn’t help the nation’s best job creators -- specifically imposing new employer healthcare mandates and tax increases -- then don’t do it!

The jobs bill before Congress does contain a couple of tax proposals that could provide some benefits to some small business owners, but we think they’re in no way a major incentive for businesses to hire new workers.

Why owner-funded financing works, when outside financing doesn't

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:14:00 GMT

What happened to outside finance? That is a question that still gets raised, even today at industry meetings everywhere. At the Manufactured Housing Institute winter meeting, you could hear the anger in a voice as that question was raised yet again.

The reason for the losses is both complex and simple at the same time. Making and servicing these types of loans is complex if it is going to be done right. Very few people involved in finance have the right industry knowledge to make and service these loans properly, and very few people with the industry knowledge have the right finance knowledge and expertise to cross over into lending.

The lack of knowledge on the part of most lenders created the perfect opportunity for industry people to take advantage of the situation, and many did. Unrestrained greed caused the losses.

Owner funded financing works because it is unlikely that anyone would knowingly structure a deal to take advantage of themselves. The only hitch is learning how the other side of the operation needs to work. Once a captive finance operation is properly structured and run as a finance operation, there is no limit to what can be accomplished.

How excited are your customers to see you?

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:26:00 GMT

Though they've been online for years, the idea of widgets as marketing tools is a relatively new concept. Downloadable, web-based applications are free to the consumer and inexpensive to distribute (no more costly to produce than an online display ad).

And since they carry an ad message wherever they go, widgets allow marketers to actively engage consumers who already have interest in their brand.

LaBella: Go RVing has RV industry back in the saddle again

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:25:00 GMT

What a difference a year makes! This year -- our industry’s Centennial year -- is off to a strong start with much promising news indicating that the RV market is indeed on the road to recovery. This has sparked a contagious sense of optimism about our future that lies in stark contrast to the doubt and fear of early 2009.

Importantly, stories about the RV industry’s turnaround are appearing in the national media, with The Wall Street Journal, ABC News, Chicago Tribune, Detroit News, Fox Business Network and the Associated Press all reporting on the upturn in RV sales.

This coverage echoes themes and storylines promoted by RVIA in our outreach to the media – that the industry is a leading economic indicator with rising shipments boding well for the general economy, that RVing has remained popular with Americans throughout the economic downturn, and that RVing offers great value. These are all very powerful messages for potential buyers to hear as we approach the important spring and summer selling season.

Our new Go RVing television ads are set to the classic Western tune of “Back in the Saddle Again.” It is a song of friendship, community and enjoying the great outdoors -- perfect for promoting RVing. It is also a very fitting theme song for our industry because as 2010 begins we are saddling up once again, ready to ride toward better days and a brighter future.

Holcomb: Is your website providing usability and ease-of-access customers demand?

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:18:00 GMT

Two consecutive studies on consumer "touch points" done by DoubleClick ROI have found that Internet users cite websites above all other factors as having an influence on their purchase decisions. Of the website types mentioned, consumers are most likely to turn to corporate websites to gather information during the purchase process.

Usability and ease of access to relevant information are vital influencers on the purchase decision. One should remember that a website is not a catalog. The easier it is to find the information they seek, the easier it is for a consumer to act on it.

Are local RV shows and indication of an improved local economy

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:52:00 GMT

According to show promoters, local RV shows attendance numbers have increased significantly from 2009. Is it possible that the improved attendance at local RV shows is an indication of an improving local economy?

Did RV sales follow the RV show attendance trends? According to Randy Giancola of Clem’s RV & Trailer Sales in Ellwood City, they did. Giancola reported sales were up about 45 percent! His response was, “Yes, sales are following the attendance trends and I’d say that this is truly a great sign for our local economy!”

Gianola also reported that they were seeing good results from the free camping offer that resulted from the Western PCOA Campgrounds teaming up with RV dealerships. In addition, the PRVCA said that member RV dealers were in general reporting an increase in sales, but they did not have any specific percentages available at this time.

Tim Chilson, PCOA Region 1 Director and owner of Brookdale Family Campground, in Meadville, Penn., noted, "I would tend to think that is positive for the industry and the local economy. In addition, travelers and RVers bring tourism dollars into our communities. So if these trends continue they could transcend our industry and flow into other businesses within our communities as well. That would be good for both our local economies and Pennsylvania in general.”

NFIB: The state of small business is not good

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:36:00 GMT

Seventy-five percent of small business owners think that now is not a good time to expand their business. And when asked what is the most important reason influencing their plans for expansion, political climate ranks second with only economic conditions receiving more votes.

Uncertainty is the enemy of economic growth. If the administration and Congress truly want to help put small businesses, they should alleviate small business owners’ fears over taxes as well as job-threatening cap-and-trade and card-check legislation, which should be eliminated from Washington’s domestic agenda.

Only by creating a climate in which entrepreneurs have confidence in our country’s direction will we be able to turn this economy back down the path to growth and prosperity.

Schmarder: Do full-time RVers get any respect?

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:30:00 GMT

It rankles me when I read stories in the media about us . . . missives to park owners to beware…our kind (I think they mean those of us that stay in parks seasonally) might not mix well with travelers and could taint their businesses, school districts that might have to absorb a child that does not . . . gasp . . . live in a stick home (property taxes are built into our site fees), or political groups that try to amend our rights as US citizens to vote.

You, me, everyone chooses their own life adventures -- raising children, developing big careers, experiencing other cultures. Just like any of the remarkable folks listed in the opening paragraph, we young fulltime RVers ask the same questions: Who says that we must live by what today’s culture tells us is good and right and who exactly decides good and right anyways?