DRV changes for 2021

[porkchop]

DRV has announced a host of changes for new rigs going forward. These include new paint schemes, fabric choices, wood colors and front & rear cap changes. Also new standards and option choices.

By and large the changes are good. However they are more limited. Good/bad? You will have to decide for yourself. I personally do not like the exterior color choices, but my wife does.

Anyway, we just sent the down payment check for our 7th DRV. It should be ready to pick up early May.

I made a spec sheet of our wants and sent it to 7 different dealers for pricing. The usual Big ones and some very small dealers. The response was mystifying and informative, but that's a different post for a different time. I can now say that I know ,for a fact, what the dealers pay the factory for the units. You would be amazed. I also understand business and that a profit is essential to keeping the doors open and have no problem with it at all.

The pricing between the 2 main dealers was astounding, as was the response. I was really surprised at what was attempted to pass off as MSRP. A full swing of over $37,500. That's just one of the ways they can lie to you. Retail pricing had an even bigger range.

Anyway, half way thru it all was when the factory made their announcement and everything to that point was mostly for nothing. Started over except this time with only 3 dealers. One of them chose not to even respond. I was not surprised as it was already apparent they would not be competitive. Suited me just fine.

So we ended up placing the order with Karen @ Rvs for less in Tennessee. WOW. Talk about someone who is all about customer service!! Her very first response was on a Saturday after normal hours when she was ill. She then led us thru the process of what was and wasn't now possible. Several times Butch chimed in with tech or mechanical explanations. These people really understand their products and the RV lifestyle. They do have a good rep for their PDI and I'm confident that will happen to our satisfaction.

Spent some time on the phone with the factory reps, Kevin and Oscar. Were both very helpful as was the new factory manager. Believe it if you want but I'm convinced they all want to produce a product that they all can be proud of and have nothing but happy customers. Sometimes the weakest link in the chain fails though. One guy on the production line having a bad day is all it takes. I have always employed many people and know that the most expensive thing you have on a job is an unhappy, or just defective, employee. But it happens. The guy running the caulking gun doing a crappy job for 3 or 4 days can drastically affect your company image. What happens next in the process is what matters. Fix the problems or ignore them. DRV has always shown us their willingness to fix them. That's why this is #7.

Bill