The Daily Job Of An RV Sales And Service Manager

To survive as an RV sales and service manager you have to know how to handle both people and machines. You are part salesperson and part mechanic.

The Winona Daily News features a profile of Doug Breza, an RV sales and service manager at Breezee's RV Center in Homer, Minnesota.

Unlike car sales, an RV salesperson is selling a house on wheels. That means you have to know an RV inside and out, from the handling the steering system to dealing with plumbing issues. The customers range from veteran RVers to first time buyers.

The story explores how Breza found a job in the RV industry and what opportunities are available for those who want to work in the business.

Source: Winona Daily News

Pilgrim RV increases production and gains new dealers

RV manufacturer Pilgrim International recently announced they are increasing production of their recreational vehicles.

According to a press release from Pilgrim...

"Pilgrim's production has increased by 55% since January of 2008.
Retail and dealer procurement of the higher quality, light weight travel
trailers, with the all composite floor system has forced us to raise
production. We are ever so grateful for the 16% increase in employment
opportunities it has created for our Northeast Indiana community," said
Dave Hoefer, Sr., Chairman of Pilgrim International.

While economic uncertainty and rising gas prices have hurt RV sales, Pilgrim has bucked the trend. Pilgrim also partnered with 45 new dealers since December 2007.

How does Pilgrim manage to stay successful in rough times?

"The new Pilgrim trailers have been very well received by our sales
staff, service department and most importantly, our customers," commented
Loren Baidas, VP of General RV Center."Pilgrim's new lightweight trailers have a luxurious look on the inside and outside. They also provide the customer with a quality, accessory rich, lightweight product they could not find before in the market place. Because of this, our Pilgrim sales here at General RV Center are up over 200%. Keeping up with the changing state of the market, and answering the evolving needs of its customers, Pilgrim is quickly becoming the leader in the RV industry."

Pilgrim recently introduced a new composite RV exterior and upgraded their website to offer customers an interactive way to choose an RV interior.

Source: Pilgrim International Inc.

RESOURCES

• Pilgrim International Home Page
• Pilgrim RVs on RV Trader Online

The RV Spy Guys break into the Monaco Coach's RV plant...or do they?

Who are The RV Spy Guys?

If you watch their video on YouTube, they are Ed and Bill: two middle-aged guys breaking into a Monaco Coach Corporation to check out new RVs and reveal them to the world.

But what sort of spies would have their own web page sharing their videos?

According The Register Guard, The RV Spy Guys are really a clever marketing campaign to promote Monaco RVs.

Just a reminder, do not attempt to break into an RV plant on your own. Leave it to the marketing professionals.

Source: The Register Guard, and The RV Spy Guys

New York RV retailer mixes fun with business

Can singing karaoke help motivate members of a sales team to sell more RVs? At Alpin Haus, a recreation retailer in Amsterdam, New York, employees late for company meetings better be ready to grab the microphone.

TimesUnion.com features a profile of the unusual management style of Andy Heck, who traded working as an accountant at Ernst and Young to enter the family business of selling RVs, snowmobiles, and other recreational equipment.

Heck has his own way of motivating his staff, from custom football jerseys to company-wide meetings involving all employees.

Mixing fun with the serious business of RV sales seems to be paying off. According to TimesUnion.com...

The son of company founder Albert "Bud" Heck has been instrumental in building the business from one very large showroom on Route 30 to four showrooms around the region. In the 15 years he has been at the company, annual sales have increased from $20 million to $80 million, about 85 percent of which is from RV sales.

Gas prices not hurting RV sales

The Northwest Mississippi Daily Journal features a story on the 23rd annual Mississippi Boat, Camper and RV Sale. According to the article, sales of RVs have been brisk despite concerns over fuel costs.

RV buyers who are concerned about fuel costs might be buying smaller campers, but are still determined to hit the road. Rebates and financing by dealers are also helping sales.

According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, more RVs were shipped in the first nine months of 2006 than any year since 1974, an increase of 8% in 2006 over the first nine months of the previous year.