Well, you raise a great point. The manufacturers are not necessarily in a position to support the dealers; Alfa, Country Coach, and National, none of which is necessarily a grub in the RV world, are basically gone.

My best guess is that the RV dealers are stuck with the floorplans - but those whose floorplan is through the manufacturer may have some leverage. But that would count for nil if the manufacturer hasn't the resources to support the downturn.

Seriously, I think we'll see many more bankruptcies of dealers and manufacturers in the near future. At the very least, the offerings of products will be trimmed way back, and again we'll see the Eternal Struggle of Quality and Value vs. Price.

Update-what-ain't-much-of-an-update:

eBay sales of motorhomes (I follow only the diesels) has continued the pattern of four weeks ago. About one coach a day sells with a reserve, and of those, the reserve was either reasonably low, or the seller scrunched it down as the end approached. Those without reserve have all sold, and some for quite decent (high) prices.

I don't know if it's a psychological barrier for bidders to deal with a reserve, or whether reserves are just too unreasonable.

Anyway, that's what I've seen - in summary, no change for the past month.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
I don't know if it's a psychological barrier for bidders to deal with a reserve, or whether reserves are just too unreasonable.

I can only speak for myself, but when I see a reserve, I think the seller really isn't serious about selling. I feel a low starting price and a higher reserve are contradictory and inherently manipulative or perhaps even dishonest.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
I don't know if it's a psychological barrier for bidders to deal with a reserve, or whether reserves are just too unreasonable.

quote:

Originally posted by bill h:
I can only speak for myself, but when I see a reserve, I think the seller really isn't serious about selling.

If they want to put a reserve in, they should...

1) List it in the ad.
-- or --
2) List it for the min price they are willing to take.

I can see the value in a reserve, if you owe $5,000 on something, and you sell it for $4,000 on Ebay, you'll still have to pay the bank the difference before you'll get a lien release.

My feeling on a reserve? I usually don't bid on it. I have the feeling that it would usually be a waste of time.

quote:

Originally posted by bill h:
I can only speak for myself, but when I see a reserve, I think the seller really isn't serious about selling. I feel a low starting price and a higher reserve are contradictory and inherently manipulative or perhaps even dishonest.

It's one of the ways that eBay works, and one of the ways they make money. The only person that suffers in those situations is the seller, because they're out the listing fees and their item still didn't sell! It is frustrating to witness though, especially if you are a bidder trying to make a fair bid. Although those situations can often be a potential for the high bidder to contact the seller afterwards and make an even better deal.

It's been 7 weeks since last report, but nothing has really changed: eBay sales with no reserve tend to reach conclusion; those with reserves or very high initial bids get no action.

As far as I can tell, only 5 diesels have actually sold in the past 7 days...

Recall that I'm following only diesel motorhomes and Class B+ (Roadtrek/Pleasureway, etc.)

You talk about prices crashing, just look at Newbie's post. 11G for a 98 29' Regal. What a steal!!
Jim