BB Direct Sales info

[ronmarabito2002]

All:

I heard from Fred VanDenBerg this morning, quickly after
requesting the factory thinking on Direct Sales. Here is directly
what Fred had to say:

"Our dealers find no fault in the Limited Factory Direct Sales effort.
Thereis no downside for any dealer. The dealer regions is protected,
his prospects are protected. Ltd. Factory Direct only increases the
possibility of more products being sold, and that's good for everyone."

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
Currently in Capitol Reef NP, Utah



-----Original Message---

[Tom Warner]

Ron if there is no downside to any dealer then does that mean that
the factory will not discount the coaches below what the dealers are
selling them for? If this is the case then how can they possibly
lower the price to be competitive in todays market like the
announcement indicated? Here is what the factory announced. ""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." Does this
mean that each dealer will have a certain area in which the factory
will not sell coaches direct?

It appears that at least one dealer , John Bleakley, does not like
the program since they are no longer a dealer. This has got to be a
very bad sign for Bluebird. Time will tell.

Tom Warner
Vernon Center,NY
1985 PT 40


At 09:01 AM 5/9/2006, you wrote:
>All:
>
> I heard from Fred VanDenBerg this morning, quickly after
>requesting the factory thinking on Direct Sales. Here is directly
>what Fred had to say:
>
>"Our dealers find no fault in the Limited Factory Direct Sales effort.
>Thereis no downside for any dealer. The dealer regions is protected,
>his prospects are protected. Ltd. Factory Direct only increases the
>possibility of more products being sold, and that's good for everyone."
>
>R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
>Currently in Capitol Reef NP, Utah
>
>
>
>-----Original Message---
>
>
>
>
>
>SPONSORED LINKS
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[David Brady]

Simple, weeks ago when the factory was negotiating selling direct
with the dealers, they extended the dealers additional price breaks,
which the factory can now make up for by selling direct. Therefor,
we benefit by getting the "finest motorcoach at the most attractive
price".

David Brady,
'02 LXi

Tom Warner wrote:
> Ron if there is no downside to any dealer then does that mean that
> the factory will not discount the coaches below what the dealers are
> selling them for? If this is the case then how can they possibly
> lower the price to be competitive in todays market like the
> announcement indicated? Here is what the factory announced. ""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." Does this
> mean that each dealer will have a certain area in which the factory
> will not sell coaches direct?
>
> It appears that at least one dealer , John Bleakley, does not like
> the program since they are no longer a dealer. This has got to be a
> very bad sign for Bluebird. Time will tell.
>
> Tom Warner
> Vernon Center,NY
> 1985 PT 40
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

[George Lowry]

Bleakley is not the only dealer to abandon Wanderlodge. I know of at least
two other dealers that have dropped them in the last few years. That,
coupled with their wholesale firing of some of the best people does not bode
well for the longevity of the company.

Rexhall went to direct sales and they are suffering. I think that people
might be saving their $$$$ to pay for fuel and buying the less expensive
coaches. The next few years will be interesting.

George Lowry
'06 Alpine Apex - Formerly '95 WBDA 4203
Spearfish, SD Now in Kuna, ID with the grandkids.

-----Original Message-----
From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Tom Warner
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 7:51 AM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] BB Direct Sales info


Ron if there is no downside to any dealer then does that mean that
the factory will not discount the coaches below what the dealers are
selling them for? If this is the case then how can they possibly
lower the price to be competitive in todays market like the
announcement indicated? Here is what the factory announced. ""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." Does this
mean that each dealer will have a certain area in which the factory
will not sell coaches direct?

It appears that at least one dealer , John Bleakley, does not like
the program since they are no longer a dealer. This has got to be a
very bad sign for Bluebird. Time will tell.

Tom Warner
Vernon Center,NY
1985 PT 40


At 09:01 AM 5/9/2006, you wrote:
>All:
>
> I heard from Fred VanDenBerg this morning, quickly after
>requesting the factory thinking on Direct Sales. Here is directly
>what Fred had to say:
>
>"Our dealers find no fault in the Limited Factory Direct Sales effort.
>Thereis no downside for any dealer. The dealer regions is protected,
>his prospects are protected. Ltd. Factory Direct only increases the
>possibility of more products being sold, and that's good for everyone."
>
>R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
>Currently in Capitol Reef NP, Utah
>
>
>
>-----Original Message---
>
>
>
>
>
>SPONSORED LINKS
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[Tom Warner]

David would you care to explain this again, " they extended the
dealers additional price breaks " ???

If the factory sells to the dealers via "additional price breaks"
isn't that actually lowering the suggested list price? And how is the
factory going to make additional money this way? One of the problems
today is that the retail price of Motorhomes is so cloaked in mumbo
jumbo. "Suggested list price" really doesnt mean anything anymore.

There is tremendous overhead connected with designing, manufacturing,
selling , and stock piling parts to support the high end
motorhomes. I have seen the decline of the parts department over
the last 4 years. The technical staff has been reduced from 4-5 to
Bennie Collier alone. Parts about the same and it is difficult to get
parts for BB now no matter what the year.

With this in mind does anyone else see something that I dont see that
will pull Bluebird out of this nose dive? I honestly want to see them
succeed and continue producting good coaches but?

Tom Warner
Vernon Center,NY
1985 PT 40





At 02:29 PM 5/9/2006, you wrote:
>Simple, weeks ago when the factory was negotiating selling direct
>with the dealers, they extended the dealers additional price breaks,
>which the factory can now make up for by selling direct. Therefor,
>we benefit by getting the "finest motorcoach at the most attractive
>price".
>
>David Brady,
>'02 LXi
>
>Tom Warner wrote:
> > Ron if there is no downside to any dealer then does that mean that
> > the factory will not discount the coaches below what the dealers are
> > selling them for? If this is the case then how can they possibly
> > lower the price to be competitive in todays market like the
> > announcement indicated? Here is what the factory announced. ""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." Does this
> > mean that each dealer will have a certain area in which the factory
> > will not sell coaches direct?
> >
> > It appears that at least one dealer , John Bleakley, does not like
> > the program since they are no longer a dealer. This has got to be a
> > very bad sign for Bluebird. Time will tell.
> >
> > Tom Warner
> > Vernon Center,NY
> > 1985 PT 40
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>SPONSORED LINKS
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[David Brady]

I want to see them succeed too Tom. I test drove the 450 the
other day and it is a great coach. Should appeal to a wide audience.
We'll have to wait and see.

David Brady
'02 LXi, Smokey
Va

Tom Warner wrote:
> With this in mind does anyone else see something that I dont see that
> will pull Bluebird out of this nose dive? I honestly want to see them
> succeed and continue producting good coaches but?
>
> Tom Warner
> Vernon Center,NY
> 1985 PT 40
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

[Stephen Birtles]

they are called factory dealer incentives or rebates
otherwise known as a spiff
Car companies do it all the time for their dealers
Have you ever tried to figure out the real price of a car




--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner wrote:
>
> David would you care to explain this again, " they extended the
> dealers additional price breaks " ???
>
> If the factory sells to the dealers via "additional price breaks"
> isn't that actually lowering the suggested list price? And how is the
> factory going to make additional money this way? One of the problems
> today is that the retail price of Motorhomes is so cloaked in mumbo
> jumbo. "Suggested list price" really doesnt mean anything anymore.
>
> There is tremendous overhead connected with designing, manufacturing,
> selling , and stock piling parts to support the high end
> motorhomes. I have seen the decline of the parts department over
> the last 4 years. The technical staff has been reduced from 4-5 to
> Bennie Collier alone. Parts about the same and it is difficult to get
> parts for BB now no matter what the year.
>
> With this in mind does anyone else see something that I dont see that
> will pull Bluebird out of this nose dive? I honestly want to see them
> succeed and continue producting good coaches but?
>
> Tom Warner
> Vernon Center,NY
> 1985 PT 40
>
>
>
>
>
> At 02:29 PM 5/9/2006, you wrote:
> >Simple, weeks ago when the factory was negotiating selling direct
> >with the dealers, they extended the dealers additional price breaks,
> >which the factory can now make up for by selling direct. Therefor,
> >we benefit by getting the "finest motorcoach at the most attractive
> >price".
> >
> >David Brady,
> >'02 LXi
> >
> >Tom Warner wrote:
> > > Ron if there is no downside to any dealer then does that mean that
> > > the factory will not discount the coaches below what the dealers are
> > > selling them for? If this is the case then how can they possibly
> > > lower the price to be competitive in todays market like the
> > > announcement indicated? Here is what the factory announced. ""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." Does this
> > > mean that each dealer will have a certain area in which the factory
> > > will not sell coaches direct?
> > >
> > > It appears that at least one dealer , John Bleakley, does not like
> > > the program since they are no longer a dealer. This has got to be a
> > > very bad sign for Bluebird. Time will tell.
> > >
> > > Tom Warner
> > > Vernon Center,NY
> > > 1985 PT 40
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >SPONSORED LINKS
>
><http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Recr...;vehi\
cles&w2=Recreational+vehicle+financing&w3=Recreational+vehicle+repair&w4=Recreat\
ional+vehicle+rental&w5=Recreational+vehicle+camper&w6=Recreational+vehicle+rate\
&c=6&s=193&.sig=_jXmbh7qWHD7DSskzUir3w>Recreational

> >vehicles
>
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onal+vehicles&w2=Recreational+vehicle+financing&w3=Recreational+vehicle+repair&w\
4=Recreational+vehicle+rental&w5=Recreational+vehicle+camper&w6=Recreational+veh\
icle+rate&c=6&s=193&.sig=f_xgT1AKZsKXD6CT0_3nwg>Recreational

> >vehicle financing
>
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e+rate&c=6&s=193&.sig=0EDYS_wXU1aorG4893QXpQ>Recreational

> >vehicle repair
>
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e+rate&c=6&s=193&.sig=LNSmSf785IF1UlbWHRIOLA>Recreational

> >vehicle rental
>
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> >vehicle rate
> >
> >
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on the web.
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> >
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odgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

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>

[ronmarabito2002]

Perhaps there is some limits set between the factory and dealers that
gives protection to the dealers. Since we are not privy to their
agreement, we can only speculate.

If it is not fair, then the dealers will all drop out and maybe that
is the strategy. Newell functions quite well without dealers, but
they produce custom coaches and only 33 coaches per year. Newell also
controls their used coach market and pricing quite well, since they
accept all trade-ins for their following to move up to newer models.
They do a thorough inspection and repair before putting them back on
the market with a warranty.

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner wrote:
>
> Ron if there is no downside to any dealer then does that mean that
> the factory will not discount the coaches below what the dealers are
> selling them for? If this is the case then how can they possibly
> lower the price to be competitive in todays market like the
> announcement indicated? Here is what the factory announced. ""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." Does this
> mean that each dealer will have a certain area in which the factory
> will not sell coaches direct?
>
> It appears that at least one dealer , John Bleakley, does not like
> the program since they are no longer a dealer. This has got to be a
> very bad sign for Bluebird. Time will tell.
>
> Tom Warner
> Vernon Center,NY
> 1985 PT 40
>
>
> At 09:01 AM 5/9/2006, you wrote:
> >All:
> >
> > I heard from Fred VanDenBerg this morning, quickly after
> >requesting the factory thinking on Direct Sales. Here is directly
> >what Fred had to say:
> >
> >"Our dealers find no fault in the Limited Factory Direct Sales effort.
> >Thereis no downside for any dealer. The dealer regions is protected,
> >his prospects are protected. Ltd. Factory Direct only increases the
> >possibility of more products being sold, and that's good for everyone."
> >
> >R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
> >Currently in Capitol Reef NP, Utah
> >
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message---
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >SPONSORED LINKS
>
><http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Recr...;vehi\
cles&w2=Recreational+vehicle+financing&w3=Recreational+vehicle+repair&w4=Recreat\
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> >vehicles
>
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>
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[Tom Warner]

David you have a 2002 LXI , its a beautiful coach and complicated
from the aspect of the many redundant systems and lots of work to
keep it running at its peak. The engine and transmission should be no
problem since it is used by many other over the road trucks and
buses. But honestly how many repair facilities have you been able to
find that can work on the rest of the coach, and that you have
confidence in? The M450 is many levels above the LXI when it comes
to finding a repair shop that can keep one running, with multiplexed
wiring and manabloc plumbing. Open the panels up and look at the
wiring and relays and most mechanics will scratch their heads and
button everything back up. What I am saying is that there are now
many many nice coaches out there, a condition that did not exist when
Bluebird was in its prime. Anyone can design and build a beautiful
motorhome now but the real problem is keeping it repaired. Buy one
here in New York state and who is going to repair it?

Tom Warner
Vernon Center,NY
1985 PT 40


. know At 05:53 PM 5/9/2006, you wrote:
>I want to see them succeed too Tom. I test drove the 450 the
>other day and it is a great coach. Should appeal to a wide audience.
>We'll have to wait and see.
>
>David Brady
>'02 LXi, Smokey
>Va
>
>Tom Warner wrote:
> > With this in mind does anyone else see something that I dont see that
> > will pull Bluebird out of this nose dive? I honestly want to see them
> > succeed and continue producting good coaches but?
> >
> > Tom Warner
> > Vernon Center,NY
> > 1985 PT 40
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
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[ronmarabito2002]

I don't think we are helping BB by constantly critcizing their every
move. What we need to be doing is suggesting ways for them to
succeed. I'd be glad to pass on whatever information that would be
positive. Surely among all our talents and knowledge, we could
assist. That frankly, what was what Fred wanted when he first asked
us to move forward together.

I'm not an automotive sales expert, but I know their are a few here on
the forum. If they have a better answer, then let's here it. Tom,
you always have a comment, so how about a positive one that would be
usefull. It is easy to be critical, but difficult to lead the way.

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner wrote:
>
> David would you care to explain this again, " they extended the
> dealers additional price breaks " ???
>
> If the factory sells to the dealers via "additional price breaks"
> isn't that actually lowering the suggested list price? And how is the
> factory going to make additional money this way? One of the problems
> today is that the retail price of Motorhomes is so cloaked in mumbo
> jumbo. "Suggested list price" really doesnt mean anything anymore.
>
> There is tremendous overhead connected with designing, manufacturing,
> selling , and stock piling parts to support the high end
> motorhomes. I have seen the decline of the parts department over
> the last 4 years. The technical staff has been reduced from 4-5 to
> Bennie Collier alone. Parts about the same and it is difficult to get
> parts for BB now no matter what the year.
>
> With this in mind does anyone else see something that I dont see that
> will pull Bluebird out of this nose dive? I honestly want to see them
> succeed and continue producting good coaches but?
>
> Tom Warner
> Vernon Center,NY
> 1985 PT 40
>
>
>
>
>
> At 02:29 PM 5/9/2006, you wrote:
> >Simple, weeks ago when the factory was negotiating selling direct
> >with the dealers, they extended the dealers additional price breaks,
> >which the factory can now make up for by selling direct. Therefor,
> >we benefit by getting the "finest motorcoach at the most attractive
> >price".
> >
> >David Brady,
> >'02 LXi
> >
> >Tom Warner wrote:
> > > Ron if there is no downside to any dealer then does that mean that
> > > the factory will not discount the coaches below what the dealers are
> > > selling them for? If this is the case then how can they possibly
> > > lower the price to be competitive in todays market like the
> > > announcement indicated? Here is what the factory announced. ""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." Does this
> > > mean that each dealer will have a certain area in which the factory
> > > will not sell coaches direct?
> > >
> > > It appears that at least one dealer , John Bleakley, does not like
> > > the program since they are no longer a dealer. This has got to be a
> > > very bad sign for Bluebird. Time will tell.
> > >
> > > Tom Warner
> > > Vernon Center,NY
> > > 1985 PT 40
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
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