Buying Our Second Redwood

[Bill36re]

Our 2012 Redwood RE36 was looking a bit long in the tooth at
18 months (not really) so it was time to start looking for our next rig. Being
in the Palm Springs area, there were only two Redwood dealers nearby, both
being Southwest Coaches in Indio and in Corona, California.



I first visited the Indio location on two occasions during Southwest Coaches
advertised business hours only to find the place deserted. I got lucky on visit
#3 and was told, “Yeah we take off to run errands and move rigs around sometimes.” </span>Anyway, I found a 2013 36RL I liked and
wanted to make a deal. I was told that “only the owner makes deals and he’s
only at the lot a couple of hours each day, but I’ll try to text him and get
back to you.”



A day later I got my numbers and without any haggling on my part I agreed to a
purchase. I gave them a $3K credit card deposit, but I woke up the next morning
with buyers regret and called to cancel the deal. </span>Something was bothering me.



I went back a few more times and looked at other units including
some new DRV Mobile Suites, but didn’t like the bathroom layouts. A week later
Southwest gets in another new 36RL that I liked much better than the first
(king bed). I tell Jim, my assigned salesperson (being generous here) that I’ll
take the unit if I can basically get the same deal as the previous unit. And
based on me backing out previously, I told him I’d bring a check for payment in
full later that day when I had the official numbers from the owner.



I was told the owner could not be reached until later in the
day, but Jim promised to call me later. There was no call back so I left a
voice mail with him later that afternoon. No call the next day either. Almost
two days later I sent the owner, Steve Banas an email saying “I’m still waiting
to buy your unit and bring you money and what’s up?” </span>Steve apologized and promised to get back to
me with a deal first thing the next day.



OK, two days later now and no contact from Steve the owner or Jim the
salesperson. </span>As a long time business
owner I’m feeling kind of confused as to why they are in business. I didn’t
haggle on price, I don’t need financing and I have a clean as new ’12 Redwood
trade that they were going to make pretty good coin on.



All I can do at this point is guess that they sold the unit to
someone else who was agreed to pay a higher price then they offered me, and
they were embarrassed to tell me the truth.
</span>Funny thing is, if they would have been straight with me and simply
communicated that, I would have been fine with ordering a new unit from the factory
through them, a bit disappointed yes, but I would have gone forward. Now I’m
thinking they likely did me a big favor. If they can’t call me back about
buying a Redwood what happenings when I call about service or parts?



So, Southwest Coaches is off my Christmas card list. My other choices within 400
miles seem to be Toscono RV in Los Banos, CA and LazyDays in Tucson. I’m
interested in feedback on these two dealerships. I’m also trying my best not to
be negative on the forum, but frankly dealers like this continue to give the RV
industry a bad reputation. Any feedback is appreciated.</span></span>

[TXRVProfessor&LadyE]

Cant help you with feedback on the two you specified...however, we have 8 dealerships in Texas, Explore USA RV Supercenters located in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and San Antonio area. If you are coming this way....I can connect you. They will take your business for sure.

[TXRVProfessor&LadyE]

Bill36RE: Here is the name of the Sales Manager of the Boerne, TX store: Ken Aplet (830)-981-5618 who knows...there may be some great compensation for coming so far. Doesn't hurt to ask.

Lady E Cooper

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by Bill36re

Our 2012 Redwood RE36 was looking a bit long in the tooth at
18 months (not really) so it was time to start looking for our next rig. Being
in the Palm Springs area, there were only two Redwood dealers nearby, both
being Southwest Coaches in Indio and in Corona, California.



I first visited the Indio location on two occasions during Southwest Coaches
advertised business hours only to find the place deserted. I got lucky on visit
#3 and was told, “Yeah we take off to run errands and move rigs around sometimes.” </span>Anyway, I found a 2013 36RL I liked and
wanted to make a deal. I was told that “only the owner makes deals and he’s
only at the lot a couple of hours each day, but I’ll try to text him and get
back to you.”



A day later I got my numbers and without any haggling on my part I agreed to a
purchase. I gave them a $3K credit card deposit, but I woke up the next morning
with buyers regret and called to cancel the deal. </span>Something was bothering me.



I went back a few more times and looked at other units including
some new DRV Mobile Suites, but didn’t like the bathroom layouts. A week later
Southwest gets in another new 36RL that I liked much better than the first
(king bed). I tell Jim, my assigned salesperson (being generous here) that I’ll
take the unit if I can basically get the same deal as the previous unit. And
based on me backing out previously, I told him I’d bring a check for payment in
full later that day when I had the official numbers from the owner.



I was told the owner could not be reached until later in the
day, but Jim promised to call me later. There was no call back so I left a
voice mail with him later that afternoon. No call the next day either. Almost
two days later I sent the owner, Steve Banas an email saying “I’m still waiting
to buy your unit and bring you money and what’s up?” </span>Steve apologized and promised to get back to
me with a deal first thing the next day.



OK, two days later now and no contact from Steve the owner or Jim the
salesperson. </span>As a long time business
owner I’m feeling kind of confused as to why they are in business. I didn’t
haggle on price, I don’t need financing and I have a clean as new ’12 Redwood
trade that they were going to make pretty good coin on.



All I can do at this point is guess that they sold the unit to
someone else who was agreed to pay a higher price then they offered me, and
they were embarrassed to tell me the truth.
</span>Funny thing is, if they would have been straight with me and simply
communicated that, I would have been fine with ordering a new unit from the factory
through them, a bit disappointed yes, but I would have gone forward. Now I’m
thinking they likely did me a big favor. If they can’t call me back about
buying a Redwood what happenings when I call about service or parts?



So, Southwest Coaches is off my Christmas card list. My other choices within 400
miles seem to be Toscono RV in Los Banos, CA and LazyDays in Tucson. I’m
interested in feedback on these two dealerships. I’m also trying my best not to
be negative on the forum, but frankly dealers like this continue to give the RV
industry a bad reputation. Any feedback is appreciated.</span></span>

Bill,

Sorry I can't help on this one but it sounds like you made the right decision.

[5th_Time]

What an amazing story. A dealer couldn't write a better sales scenario for himself. I don't get it...

[spindrift]

What's sooooo crazy is that this experience isn't an isolated case. It's amazing how some folks stay in business.

[Beechguyjim]

The dealer I bought my first trailer from has a sister store on the South side of St Louis that sells RW one guy owns them both the store on the north side where I got my Eagle from would not allow my salesman to sell me a RW and the Sales manager at the RW store would never call back or get me info when I called him and ask him to find out Soo I bought it somewhere else when I went to the north dealer to pick up a part they owed me my salesman asked if I was going to get a RW I told him what happen and that I was on my way to pick up my New RW the next week and he walked away cussing

[jlandon13399]

Bill,



I purchased my 2012 RW34SK from Laxy Days in Tucson. They gave me a great deal, have an RV park in their facility, and offer great sevice. My salesman Ron Hendrickson transfered to the acquisition department so I can't give you another name but I am sure Ron can hook you up with someone.

[sinder]

I purchased my unit at Tuscano's in Los Banos. Service has been good. I'm taking my unit down there this coming Monday so I hoping to receive the same good level of support. BTW Tuscano's in is the number 1 selling Airstream dealer in the US so they do have a large service department. I've heard from others on the forum over the past year that Tuscono's may not have the lowest price, but I was willing to forgo the rock bottom best dealer price for a dealer I felt had great service department.