The Lazy Days experience is one that should be studied at Business Schools. They are the world’s largest RV dealer and over 1.2M people visit the “SuperCenter” every year. They draw them in with free breakfast and free lunch. The cafeteria is conveniently located just steps away from their huge lot with over 1500 RV’s, all open for exploring independently or with your salesperson. The employees are all trained continually in customer service skills and the sales people actually have 1 hour of required training every day. They get their training from 8-9 while the customers munch out on the free breakfast.
On our first day, we wandered the huge lots of the Lazy Days ‘showroom’, walking in and out of the open RV’s We had done a bit of homework and had some idea of the floor plans and models that we were most interested in (which helped focus our efforts and saved a bit on our feet).
On Day 2, we finally caved and got a salesperson to take us around. They have over 150 golf carts that take you around the site. Since it covers 150 acres, eventually you have to cave into the sales experience. Jon (pronounced “Jan”) looked a bit like Jim Belushi and hadn’t quite mastered listening skills. He was more interested in letting us know how much he knew about motorhomes than really understanding our needs. But, he did point us in the right direction – and did a fairly good job of “up-sizing” us in the first day. We looked at Fleetwoods, Beavers and finally the American Coach line. John fell in love with the quality of the American Coach products and it became our benchmark.
By Day 3, we were already narrowing down our choices – it was either going to be the American Tradition or we were going to have to move to another dealership to look at Newmar coaches. Jon took us out for a test drive of both the American and Beaver. As we were wandering around the site on our own, we happened into a couple who owned a Heritage (the top of the American line- 45’ and a tag axle). They were having a mural painted on the back of their coach. Gerry and Sandy, from Indiana, were a charming couple and Gerry adopted John and spent some time sharing his experiences over 15 years of RV’ing. By this time, we were becoming American Coach converts.We let Jon know that we were interested in the Tradition and wanted to take a look at all that they had available. As he was showing us the available models, we realized that he didn’t have the model we wanted in stock and there was not one coming in. He astutely took us up to the “pre-enjoyed” models and showed us a 2001 American Eagle (the top of the line in the 40’ models). We fell in love with the coach. It was immaculate- hard to believe that it had 30,000 miles on it.
The following morning, we took Gerry and Sandy for a look-see to get their opinion on the coach. They checked it out inside and out and declared it a “gem”. So, we got a few tips on negotiating and headed to Jon’s office. John handled the negotiation with lots of back and forth between Gerry and me. After getting his sales manager involved (what else is new?), we finally came to terms on a price with trade. We took a walk through the coach and Jon put together the PDI sheet which detailed all the changes that we needed. First of all, the mural on the back (a “Precious Moments” scene with two little angels” needed to be removed. Then, the carpeting needed to be replaced and a small desk needed to be built. While we were walking through, we kept adding other things (moving all the electronics including the XM and Sirius radios, satellites,etc. And, Jon kept adding them to the PDI. Later we found out that this little paper defines everything that they will do without charge.Once the walk through was done, they started the whirlwind cycle of finance, insurance, and benefits. They offer everything- financing, extended warranty, insurance, roadside assistance- a one-stop shop. They handle the tag and titling. In addition, they have a huge list of “benefits” that you get for buying from Lazy Days (membership in camping clubs, Flying J fuel discounts, Camping World President’s Club, and for those buying high end coaches, the “Crown Club”).
We ended the day exhausted (not a Lazy Day). The next day was a whirlwind of finance (actually handing over the check) and getting a sense of the next step, plus a few free seminars. The following day, we had “Driving School”, a free seminar offered to anyone. It was a 2 hour seminar by a great instructor, Barney Alexander. He walked through the nuances of driving a big rig. After the classroom part, the class divided into 2 and we got actual driving experience in a new 40’ Class A. The driving portion was done in the “Crown Club” area of the lot, filled with the most expensive coaches. The course was about a mile of sharp turns and challenging maneuvers.
The next week was a blur of seminars (microwave/convection cooking, FT basics, propane), picking out new carpeting and trying to follow the progress of the coach through the various departments. They originally targeted a January 14th date for delivery. First, they painted over the mural As we watched the next crew spend two full days just transferring over the electronics, we knew that our stay was going to be a bit longer. We learned that a daily stop for a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts was a good way to win over the guys and I became known as the ‘donut fairy’. We also made friends with the head of the chassis department, Shannon Gano.
It finally made it to cabinetry on the 14th for the carpet replacement and built-in’s. Every day we made a stop to check in on the progress. In between, we went to the big State Fair RV Show. We also spent a lot of time with Gerry and Sandy, our new friends from Indiana. They took us to a great strawberry shortcake place (a huge bowl filled with shortcake, fresh strawberries and whipped cream for $2). The next night, we took them to the Olive Garden.
With a big rig, we started to think seriously about towing vs driving behind the coach. We spent some time driving around looking at the most popular tow vehicles and decided that we wanted something that was practical, but fun to drive (ie turbo). As we headed to Lazy Days for another progress check, we drove past a white VW turbo diesel with a "For Sale" sign in the window. John stopped the car, talked to the guy who threw us the keys and told us to take it out for test drive. John was in love- it was fast and tight and the price was right. My hesitation was the 5 speed transmission. But, again, we headed to Gerry and Sandy’s and had him take a look at the car (he is a classic car collector and she insures the cars). He gave it a thumbs up and John was negotiating with our new friend, Charlie, from Arkansas. He got the car and the tow hitch for $12K.
Now, we not only had the new coach, but a matching tow car. I spent the day trying to get tags, insurance and my Florida Drivers License and get a cashiers check to pay Charlie. Charlie is a bit of a character.
Finally, it was time for “Delivery”. In the morning, you take your trade to the delivery area, turn in the keys and manuals and they take you to a delivery site. They place the two vehicles with facing doors so you can move your stuff from one coach to the other. While you’re on the site, they do a walk-though. Shannon took care of us and spent about 4 hours walking through everything on the Eagle. Then we were ready for our first night. It was heaven- a real home. Although we were sad to see the Minnie Winnie go, it was so wonderful to be in something that really felt like home.
On the 22nd of January, we were finally ready to roll out of Lazy Days (after 21 days, it was beginning to feel like home). We hitched up the VW and John headed down the road- all 60’ of him. I followed in the Saab. He did a yeoman’s job and only had a bit of scare heading down Highway 44 in construction as Mija needed to get out to pee, the brakes were making weird noises and his walkie-talkie battery was dying. We finally made it to Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park and Ampitheater. Gerry and Sandy were there to welcome us and guide John into the site. We went out to Margaritaville and had a great dinner.
The next day, Gerry did a complete walk-though of the coach, using my notes from our walk-through with Shannon. He had a lot of good tips and filled in the gaps. Mom and E.D. came over to check out the new coach and the 6 of us went to dinner at Dan’s Clam Shack.
We ended the day exhausted (not a Lazy Day). The next day was a whirlwind of finance (actually handing over the check) and getting a sense of the next step, plus a few free seminars. The following day, we had “Driving School”, a free seminar offered to anyone. It was a 2 hour seminar by a great instructor, Barney Alexander. He walked through the nuances of driving a big rig. After the classroom part, the class divided into 2 and we got actual driving experience in a new 40’ Class A. The driving portion was done in the “Crown Club” area of the lot, filled with the most expensive coaches. The course was about a mile of sharp turns and challenging maneuvers.
The next week was a blur of seminars (microwave/convection cooking, FT basics, propane), picking out new carpeting and trying to follow the progress of the coach through the various departments. They originally targeted a January 14th date for delivery. First, they painted over the mural As we watched the next crew spend two full days just transferring over the electronics, we knew that our stay was going to be a bit longer. We learned that a daily stop for a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts was a good way to win over the guys and I became known as the ‘donut fairy’. We also made friends with the head of the chassis department, Shannon Gano.It finally made it to cabinetry on the 14th for the carpet replacement and built-in’s. Every day we made a stop to check in on the progress. In between, we went to the big State Fair RV Show. We also spent a lot of time with Gerry and Sandy, our new friends from Indiana. They took us to a great strawberry shortcake place (a huge bowl filled with shortcake, fresh strawberries and whipped cream for $2). The next night, we took them to the Olive Garden.
With a big rig, we started to think seriously about towing vs driving behind the coach. We spent some time driving around looking at the most popular tow vehicles and decided that we wanted something that was practical, but fun to drive (ie turbo). As we headed to Lazy Days for another progress check, we drove past a white VW turbo diesel with a "For Sale" sign in the window. John stopped the car, talked to the guy who threw us the keys and told us to take it out for test drive. John was in love- it was fast and tight and the price was right. My hesitation was the 5 speed transmission. But, again, we headed to Gerry and Sandy’s and had him take a look at the car (he is a classic car collector and she insures the cars). He gave it a thumbs up and John was negotiating with our new friend, Charlie, from Arkansas. He got the car and the tow hitch for $12K.Now, we not only had the new coach, but a matching tow car. I spent the day trying to get tags, insurance and my Florida Drivers License and get a cashiers check to pay Charlie. Charlie is a bit of a character.
Finally, it was time for “Delivery”. In the morning, you take your trade to the delivery area, turn in the keys and manuals and they take you to a delivery site. They place the two vehicles with facing doors so you can move your stuff from one coach to the other. While you’re on the site, they do a walk-though. Shannon took care of us and spent about 4 hours walking through everything on the Eagle. Then we were ready for our first night. It was heaven- a real home. Although we were sad to see the Minnie Winnie go, it was so wonderful to be in something that really felt like home.
On the 22nd of January, we were finally ready to roll out of Lazy Days (after 21 days, it was beginning to feel like home). We hitched up the VW and John headed down the road- all 60’ of him. I followed in the Saab. He did a yeoman’s job and only had a bit of scare heading down Highway 44 in construction as Mija needed to get out to pee, the brakes were making weird noises and his walkie-talkie battery was dying. We finally made it to Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park and Ampitheater. Gerry and Sandy were there to welcome us and guide John into the site. We went out to Margaritaville and had a great dinner.
The next day, Gerry did a complete walk-though of the coach, using my notes from our walk-through with Shannon. He had a lot of good tips and filled in the gaps. Mom and E.D. came over to check out the new coach and the 6 of us went to dinner at Dan’s Clam Shack.
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