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| TO GMC OR NOT TO GMC [message #61324] |
Fri, 23 October 2009 14:45  |
Michael Bozardt
Messages: 367
Registered: January 2007
Location: College Station, Texas
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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To the question of promoting the GMC motorhome-
The GMC community is divided. Some don't like Cinnabar, we never see their rep at a convention. The service/parts companies, Jim Bounds, Jim Kanomata, Golby, Alex Sirum, Cinnabar, Leigh Harrison,et al do not have a common connection and are "competing" for the GMC dollar-though not really a competition since they are distributed throughout the country except for those in Florida. I would like to see them work together for mutual benefit to produce more new parts. I would also like to see the parts suppliers show up at GMCMI conventions. These opportunities are more of a meet and greet event than making money on parts(ask me how I know that). But part availability is essential to reviving the GMC M/H perception of one of the best RVs ever made-which it is(I have had 5 SOBs incl. two turbo diesels). Potential buyers need to know that.
Club Membership: Most of my customers do not belong to FMCA or GMCMI-a fact which surprised me. Of supposedly 7000 GMCs operational, less than 1500 owners belong to the GMCMI. Some younger folks say there is nothing to do for kids. There are a couple of under 10 Pinebox derby racers that would dispute that.
While I love the seminars at the conventions, there are probably others who could care less-they want to DO something, go sightseeing in the area maybe via bus tours, do something that involves driving the GMC-how about a caravan through the local area of the conventions for exposure. How about inviting local inhabitants to come visit us on one or two days at the convention-exposure. Many people like to go motor home lookin' even though they may not be able to buy but if we are in Pueblo, Colorado, why not invite the public to come see us, ask questions, tour the coaches-exposure. We will be in Montgomery, Texas in the Spring of 2010. People from Conroe and even Houston would come out if invited.
(There was a lot of interest at PPL Motorhomes recently when they had a GMC M/H for sale. The coach had its good and bad points and sold for less than the owner wanted, but lots of folks looked at it, many, I am sure because they had never seen one-exposure.)
On the web, we read how one GMC club had publically displayed some of their nicer GMCs with great success and interest. Some of the malls in Houston have large, now mostly vacant parking lots. Sometimes the new RV dealers will display their coaches there. We could do that as well-exposure.
Where can I test drive or buy one? Like the GMC net or forum, there could be a web site where any owner could advertise their GMC M/H for sale-nothing else-just a "craigslist" for GMCs, no parts, accessories, etc. The site must have a manager, like Patrick is to the net, with ads deleted after 30-45 days automatically-and the site is free depending on donations to survive. Some of the guys who "live" on the net could do this.
The Market: The industry is hurting now-badly, many manufacturers having gone out of business. Many motorhomes are dirt cheap compared to their original selling prices. Look at PPL Motorhomes, one of the largest sellers of used RVs. They work via consignment-not owning the inventory and charge 10% of the selling price. At times, recently, their 15 acre site has been virtually overrun with RVs for sale. So it is not a good time to sell a GMC, especially with so much competition from dealers and individuals who need to unload their RV. Promoting anything right now looks dubious.
The GMC Motorhome: Many have spoken up as to how great the GMC M/H really is, and I agree. When I drive this coach, I just marvel at the smooth ride, the view-best in the industry-and the great engineering that went into it. In 1969 we landed on the moon and in 1973 we had the GMC M/H-just as the gas crisis hit. But the engineering is super. It is more akin to the antique aircraft industry than the RV folks. Maybe that is why we are thought of as a "cult". With so much coming from China these days, the GMC is a good "made in America" product.
It is so old: Not a valid argument. Drive by any RV dealer or repair shop and look at what is there. Most are modern RVs. They have the same type of issues we GMCers do except they have slides that don't work.
More later, as I have already taken up too much space and your time. Thx for reading this....Michael at GEMRECS
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| Re: [GMCnet] TO GMC OR NOT TO GMC [message #61365 is a reply to message #61324] |
Fri, 23 October 2009 18:20  |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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On Oct 23, 2009, at 1:45 PM, Michael Bozardt wrote:
> How about inviting local inhabitants to come visit us on one or two
> days at the convention-exposure. Many people like to go motor home
> lookin' even though they may not be able to buy but if we are in
> Pueblo, Colorado, why not invite the public to come see us, ask
> questions, tour the coaches-exposure. We will be in Montgomery,
> Texas in the Spring of 2010. People from Conroe and even Houston
> would come out if invited.
Michael
GMCMI does this. I would say that 8 of the last 10 conventions had
the local people invited in for an Open House. In fact, I think that
Ray did the same for Pueblo but none of the local press, TV or radio
responded with any interest.
At some of our conventions we have had TV coverage and have been on
the local news in the evening. Where people have come in there has
been a lot of interest. I recall at Sioux Falls, SD two of the GMCs
for sale there were sold to local people that came in to look around.
So, it is being done but it has had a wide range of interest depending
upon the location.
At Pueblo, they have one or two rallies of motorhomes per week
throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall so I suspect that is the reason
that they was no local response.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
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| Re: [GMCnet] TO GMC OR NOT TO GMC [message #61389 is a reply to message #61365] |
Fri, 23 October 2009 20:09 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| emerystora wrote on Fri, 23 October 2009 16:20 |
GMCMI does this. I would say that 8 of the last 10 conventions had the local people invited in for an Open House. In fact, I think that Ray did the same for Pueblo but none of the local press, TV or radio responded with any interest. ...
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Today there are other ways to get the word out. (like I really need to tell you about the net!)
Post in the "Events" section of Craig's list, a post in the RV section would be good also. There are also other events sites in most cities. "Something like: "Come and see the different GMC's and talk to real GMC owners...." With a good GMC write up and nice pictures. It may not reach as many people, but it might reach a more targeted population.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: TO GMC OR NOT TO GMC [message #61433 is a reply to message #61324] |
Sat, 24 October 2009 09:32 |
WayneB
Messages: 233
Registered: July 2008
Location: Ontario, Canada
Karma: 0
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All this "talk" of promoting the GMC Motorhome is a double edged sword.
If the Motorhomes became more popular , obviously demand would increase and the price of buying one would go up (good If you are selling, bad If you are buying).
However, they need to be relitively affordable to make them attractive to younger people who will then have the incentive to buy the ones in poorer shape and fix them up.
Over time as they become rarer I think the price of ones in good condition will stay stable and even increase regardless of what owners do to promote them.
I think a good looking GMC Motorhome does a great job of promoting itself, so maybe the key is just that we all do our best to keep our rigs in good as shape as possible?
1976 23' GMCII By Explorer
[Updated on: Sat, 24 October 2009 18:54] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: TO GMC OR NOT TO GMC [message #61473 is a reply to message #61433] |
Sat, 24 October 2009 15:07 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I think a good looking GMC Motorhome does a great job of promoting itself, so maybe the key is just that we all do are best to keeping our rigs in good as shape as possible?
______________________________________________________
I agree with this statement.
When we all were introduced to the GMC, at least for me, it was in the 70's, I saw them brand new in the show room, driving down the street. All shiney and smiley people riding in them.
Later, we see them in the campgrounds and the owners are still smiling with a 10 year old coach, in nice condition, original or not. And I tend to beleive none are absolutely original as PO's like to at their touches.
Now, The Autumn of the GMC's life is upon us.
Coachs are found, having been sitting for years. Some are absolutely original, maybe not impressive to todays standard, but at one time, it was considered beautiful.
We are finding basket cases where someone takes on the challenge to rebuild the interior ending up with a truly beautiful coach.
Some of the "modernized" coaches are even nicer than when GMC built them in the 70's.
This is what the people are seeing, old and newly "reborn" coaches.
If exposure is going to help keep the GMC on the road, the history will certainly be part of the formula. There are folks that like to buy cheap and build it strong, there are those that like to by a nice motor home and just add their touches. and there are people that are anywhere in between.
Today's market, economy, is straining any family and ANY motor home is just not of big interest. TODAY'S EXPOSURE must be subtle and invite folks to see what they are. They will remember this. And if we succeed at really exciting their minds, they will look them up again when times get better.
For those that want a great motor home right now, lets invite them to the ralley's. Let them see what a GMC is all about and if they like one that is for sale, they can buy it on the spot. If not, there are plenty on the web to look at. I always like to show folks the old brochures, new when the GMC was produced. They look new and shiny and just the way GMC wanted them to look for sales impact. And isn't that what you are looking for?
The Best Exposure, other than the brochures of the past, are the Owners very own GMC's. The Stories of how nice the motor home is, how it rides, how it fits in to their camping plans, it all comes together and people do enjoy to hear a good story.
It is all in how you look at getting the message out there.
As I mentioned before, Gatsbys' CRUISER  has been attracting a crowd at the mechanics parking lot for weeks now, and I have not been there to pull them in, it does it on its own.
Just think how much farther the experience will go with just a little help from the owners.......
GIMMIC
Ok, so you think we need more than just a lot of owners telling of breaking speed records and movie fame, all in a GMC?
Perhaps a way to develop some charity money with the GMC family, club, group, tied into the donation speech.
-- " we are the Mauraders, a GMC motor home group that has been working to help the CHILDREN'S FUND to help keep Kids free from Illness. " --
-- " As members of the Mauraders, a GMC motor home group, we hand over this play yard swing set to help these kids build their strength back and live a healthy life. " ---
And DON'T forget to offer the milk and cookies or ICE CREAM back at the GMC motorhomes in the parking lot for your viewing pleasure. lolololol
Anything that can be charitable or positive with the GMC Motor Home name on it can only be helpful.
Can always donate scarfs and hats ( with the GMC logo ) to charity. No immediate return but think of all who may see this?
Just thoughts, but I guess its time to go.....
Gatsbys' CRUISER
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
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[Updated on: Sat, 24 October 2009 16:48] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] TO GMC OR NOT TO GMC [message #61480 is a reply to message #61365] |
Sat, 24 October 2009 16:17 |
Bmac91724
Messages: 35
Registered: August 2009
Location: Covina CA
Karma: 0
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| emerystora wrote on Fri, 23 October 2009 16:20 |
GMCMI does this. I would say that 8 of the last 10 conventions had the local people invited in for an Open House. In fact, I think that Ray did the same for Pueblo but none of the local press, TV or radio responded with any interest.
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We've always found the local news folk aren't looking for any new work. Our trick was take a couple of them to lunch feed em a couple of drinks put a prewritten article and a few photos in their hand and you'd get coverage.
As far as GMC vs. SOB - I too saw the GMC's when they were new. My parents were looking at them but decided to buy a larger box shaped motorhome for all the storage. I had that motorhome for awhile and then went to the other end of the spectrum with a Blue Bird Wanderlodge. Now we've got to the 23' GMC for the quicky weekend trips and the Wanderlodge for the long cross country cruise.
Brett Mac Donald
1974 23' Canyon Lands
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