BB Does it again, shooting themselves in the foot

[erniecarpet@...]

I heard Bleakley is not a dealer anymore? Ernie-83pt40 in texas


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[p_a_lazar]

BREAKING NEWS
Blue Bird Offers Factory-Direct Sales
RV Business
Friday, May 5, 2006

Blue Bird Coachworks, a division of Blue Bird Corp., recently
announced that it is offering limited factory-direct distribution for
its 450 LXi motorcoach, beginning this month.

According to a press release, the decision to add a factory-direct
distribution channel is part of the Fort Valley, Ga., company's
broader efforts to offer its high-end Class A coach at the most
competitive price.

"The efficiency of factory-direct sales will allow Blue Bird to offer
our customers the finest motorcoach with the best service at the most
attractive price," said Fred VanDenBerg, Blue Bird Coachworks'
director of motorcoach sales and marketing.

The factory-direct distribution program supplements existing LXi coach
sales and service currently provided by Blue Bird's dealer network,
which includes: Holland Motor Homes in Holland, Mich., and San Diego,
Calif.; Motor Home Specialists of Alvarado, Texas; and Parliament
Coach Corp. of Clearwater, Fla.

Bluebird said the 450 LXi coach will maintain a competitive price
structure with the company's distributors and the factory-direct sales
program.

[erniecarpet@...]

This is really a major turn of events. It will be interesting to see how
this all comes about. Ernie-83pt40 in Texas, making plans to go to Montana


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Tom Warner]

Ernie it appears now that my previous information was correct, and
Bleakley is no longer a BB dealer. Bluebird is going to try what
Newell tried and nearly forced them to go bankrupt by selling factory
direct. You cant do thqat in todays very competitive environment.
Factory direct just doesnt work for high end motorhomes!!! This is
just one more indication that BB management hasn't a clue on how to
run the company. John Bleakley was a superb dealer and apparently saw
the handwriting on the wall. Why any dealer would tolerate the
company selling direct to the customer is just crazy????? The
factories biggest failure was to not have a good dealer network, and
to lay off their oldest employees to reduce their overhead.

If the other Bluebird school bus distributers is as good as mine is
here in NY, then there are virtually hundreds of places to repair
BB.......if the factory only took advantage of it. Sorry Ernie but
this is a sad day for all of us. Its only a matter of time now until
BB stops manufacturing motorhome. In fact they are losing sales all
over the US in school bus contracts also. Both Thomas and
International are kicking their tails now. Once again BB rearranged
the way they respond to request for quotes and they are no longer
competitive. I am truly sorry Ernie but I forsaw this 5 years ago
when I toured the factory and talked to many employees, then reported
what I saw on the old BB forum only to get attacked by people, for
running down a good company. Strange that reporting what you see and
your opinion as a result of that is misconstrued as running down a product.
Tom Warner
Vernon Center,NY
1985 PT 40







At 02:21 PM 5/8/2006, you wrote:
>I heard Bleakley is not a dealer anymore? Ernie-83pt40 in texas
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
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[Scott]

Hey Paul, the subject line is so on the mark. We chose not to sell
Foutain offshore boats for the exact same reason. Factory selling out
the back door. Given the quality control "issues" that some have
experienced taking it to the factory for warranty items may not be
convienient.

If I lived in Mich or Fla and I purchased a coach at the factory,
because of price, timing, selection etc and I needed warranty I guess
I would have to take it to Ft Valley rather to Holland or Unadilla.
Holland MAY fix it but ONLY AFTER THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE TAKEN CARE
OF..can you say step to the back of the line...business is business...

""Bluebird said the 450 LXi coach will maintain a competitive price
structure with the company's distributors and the factory-direct sales
program."" I THOUGHT PRICE FIXING WAS ILLEGAL?? hmmmm

Desperate people do desperate things!!!!

ERNIE..YOU ARE CORRECT BLEAKLEY HAS CANCELLED THEIR FRANCHISE
AGREEMENT. They have 7 new coaches in stock, and will continue to
sell and service used BlueBirds.

Scott B
86FC35
SC


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "p_a_lazar"
wrote:
>
> BREAKING NEWS
> Blue Bird Offers Factory-Direct Sales
> RV Business
> Friday, May 5, 2006
>
> Blue Bird Coachworks, a division of Blue Bird Corp., recently
> announced that it is offering limited factory-direct distribution
for
> its 450 LXi motorcoach, beginning this month.
>
> According to a press release, the decision to add a factory-direct
> distribution channel is part of the Fort Valley, Ga., company's
> broader efforts to offer its high-end Class A coach at the most
> competitive price.
>
> "The efficiency of factory-direct sales will allow Blue Bird to
offer
> our customers the finest motorcoach with the best service at the
most
> attractive price," said Fred VanDenBerg, Blue Bird Coachworks'
> director of motorcoach sales and marketing.
>
> The factory-direct distribution program supplements existing LXi
coach
> sales and service currently provided by Blue Bird's dealer network,
> which includes: Holland Motor Homes in Holland, Mich., and San
Diego,
> Calif.; Motor Home Specialists of Alvarado, Texas; and Parliament
> Coach Corp. of Clearwater, Fla.
>
> Bluebird said the 450 LXi coach will maintain a competitive price
> structure with the company's distributors and the factory-direct
sales
> program.
>

[erniecarpet@...]

In a message dated 5/8/2006 6:06:46 PM Central Daylight Time,
spambate@... writes:

http://www.rvbusiness.com



well,- could not sign into that as I don't qualify. Thanks, anyway. erniie


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[erniecarpet@...]

Thanks Curt- that site already had my cookies, so I tried- but don't
qualify. Wonder why no posting on Bluebird site? Ernie-83pt40 inn Texas


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Ernest Ekberg]

-Paul, can you direct us to the website that has this news release? I
went to Blubird's website and saw nothing updated since April.
Thanks, Ernie-83pt40 in Texas
>
> BREAKING NEWS
> Blue Bird Offers Factory-Direct Sales
> RV Business
> Friday, May 5, 2006
>
> Blue Bird Coachworks, a division of Blue Bird Corp., recently
> announced that it is offering limited factory-direct distribution
for
> its 450 LXi motorcoach, beginning this month.
>
> According to a press release, the decision to add a factory-direct
> distribution channel is part of the Fort Valley, Ga., company's
> broader efforts to offer its high-end Class A coach at the most
> competitive price.
>
> "The efficiency of factory-direct sales will allow Blue Bird to
offer
> our customers the finest motorcoach with the best service at the
most
> attractive price," said Fred VanDenBerg, Blue Bird Coachworks'
> director of motorcoach sales and marketing.
>
> The factory-direct distribution program supplements existing LXi
coach
> sales and service currently provided by Blue Bird's dealer network,
> which includes: Holland Motor Homes in Holland, Mich., and San
Diego,
> Calif.; Motor Home Specialists of Alvarado, Texas; and Parliament
> Coach Corp. of Clearwater, Fla.
>
> Bluebird said the 450 LXi coach will maintain a competitive price
> structure with the company's distributors and the factory-direct
sales
> program.
>

[p_a_lazar]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ernest Ekberg"
wrote:
>
> -Paul, can you direct us to the website that has this news release? I
> went to Blubird's website and saw nothing updated since April.
> Thanks, Ernie-83pt40 in Texas

http://www.rvbusiness.com

Paul
97wb43

[Tom Warner]

Ernie it is on breaking news at http://www.rvbusiness.com/

But it gets better. It appears that Bluebird did not shoot
themselves in the foot ..........they aimed higher. They will also
sell their commuter coach factory direct.
http://www.blue-bird.com/distributors.ph...pe=express


The Express Commuter Coach is sold factory-direct. For more
information on this product, please contact:
Buddy Cox

Director, Coach Sales
One Wanderlodge Way
Fort Valley, GA 31030
coach@...

Appears management did not listen to the small group of owners that
were assembled to give them some insight to what people want.

Tom Warner
Vernon Center,NY
1985 PT 40



At 06:26 PM 5/8/2006, you wrote:
>-Paul, can you direct us to the website that has this news release? I
>went to Blubird's website and saw nothing updated since April.
>Thanks, Ernie-83pt40 in Texas
> >
> > BREAKING NEWS
> > Blue Bird Offers Factory-Direct Sales
> > RV Business
> > Friday, May 5, 2006
> >
> > Blue Bird Coachworks, a division of Blue Bird Corp., recently
> > announced that it is offering limited factory-direct distribution
>for
> > its 450 LXi motorcoach, beginning this month.
> >
> > According to a press release, the decision to add a factory-direct
> > distribution channel is part of the Fort Valley, Ga., company's
> > broader efforts to offer its high-end Class A coach at the most
> > competitive price.
> >
> > "The efficiency of factory-direct sales will allow Blue Bird to
>offer
> > our customers the finest motorcoach with the best service at the
>most
> > attractive price," said Fred VanDenBerg, Blue Bird Coachworks'
> > director of motorcoach sales and marketing.
> >
> > The factory-direct distribution program supplements existing LXi
>coach
> > sales and service currently provided by Blue Bird's dealer network,
> > which includes: Holland Motor Homes in Holland, Mich., and San
>Diego,
> > Calif.; Motor Home Specialists of Alvarado, Texas; and Parliament
> > Coach Corp. of Clearwater, Fla.
> >
> > Bluebird said the 450 LXi coach will maintain a competitive price
> > structure with the company's distributors and the factory-direct
>sales
> > program.
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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