Recreation USA Launches 'Sunday Service' Calls to Campgrounds
17 January 2001
Recreation USA Launches 'Sunday Service' Calls to Campgrounds
Dealership Introduces First-of-its-Kind Repair Program as
Next Step in its Nationwide Service Initiative
TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 17 Need a replacement bulb for the left
turn signal of your fifth wheel, but hate the thought of finding a dealer,
scheduling a service appointment and sitting for hours in a waiting room as
the repair is done?
Recreation USA's Goodwill Sunday Service can help -- and best of all, a
technician will come right to your door.
Recreation USA, which is the tradename for Holiday RV Superstores, Inc.
, is testing a pilot service program in six select campgrounds
throughout Florida as the first major initiative in the rollout of its
branded, coast-to-coast service program for recreational vehicles. The
Company made the announcement on the first day of the Tampa Super Show, one of
the largest RV sales events in the country and the official kick-off to the
Florida selling season.
Technicians from five Florida dealerships have begun visiting key
campgrounds each Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in order to diagnose and repair
minor RV problems -- most of the time free of charge. Technicians will
schedule service appointments on the spot for RV owners whose vehicles require
larger or more complicated repairs. In addition, owners who scheduled through
Goodwill Sunday Service will receive a discount on parts or service redeemable
at any of Recreation USA's 14 nationwide dealerships.
"We see a significant opportunity to distinguish Recreation USA by
providing consistent, dependable, top-quality service on a nationwide basis --
something that no other RV dealership can offer," said Ronald G. Huneycutt,
president and CEO. "Service continues to top the list of complaints among RV
owners, which signals that the time is ripe for innovation in this area.
"We are demonstrating our commitment to address this critical need through
our Goodwill Sunday Service program. This on-site program, which is the first
of its kind in the industry, offers an 'out-of-the-box' solution to a problem
area that has long been overlooked."
Goodwill Sunday Service is currently being test marketed at the following
locations:
* Encore Campground in Ocala North
* Springs RV Resort in Ocala South
* Cloverleaf Resort in Inverness
* Macdill Air Force Campground and Spanish Main Campground in Tampa
* Thousand Trails Resort in Clermont
Recreation USA plans to begin service at a campground near Ft. Myers in
January.
If successful, Recreation USA plans to expand its Goodwill Sunday Service
concept to campgrounds near its dealerships in California, New Mexico and
other states over the next 12 months.
Goodwill Sunday Service marks the first major program introduction under
Recreation USA's branded service program. The Company plans to unveil
additional key components in its nationwide quest to become the pre-eminent RV
and marine retailer.
Recreation USA technicians have already done a host of minor repairs as
part of the program, with the most common requests being repairs to hot water
heaters and furnaces, as well as sealing windows and fixing bathroom fixtures.
Technician Carl Wynne from Recreation USA's store in Ocala North said that RV
owners have been delighted with the door-to-door service -- and pleased at the
general absence of a price tag.
"People tell me they love the convenience of Goodwill Sunday Service,"
said Wynne, a four-year veteran at Recreation USA. "RVers know when I'm
coming and they will flag me down when I drive through the campground to
repair minor problems.
"But we occasionally get to handle more critical issues, too. Recently, a
couple was away from their motorhome for a few days and the neighbors
suspected they had a gas leak. They alerted me to the problem and I was able
to turn off the gas, then fix the problem when they returned.
"They were thrilled -- and I was pleased that Recreation USA was in the
right place at the right time. When it comes right down to it, that's what
good customer service is all about."
Ocala North Service Manager Bill Wright said that he has heard many
positive comments about Goodwill Sunday Service and technicians such as Carl
Wynne. Customers have told him that this is the first time they can remember
a company willing to go above and beyond the call of duty.
"At Recreation USA, we recognize that good customer service is critical to
our success," said Jim Teeter, director of operations for Recreation USA. "We
strive to identify the needs of our customers and then design creative ways to
meet those needs. We want to be top-of-mind with our customers when it comes
to sales and service, whether they are traveling in Florida or California --
or points between."
With the additions of Emerald Coast and Village RV, Recreation USA will
operate 19 dealerships in Alabama, California, Florida, Kentucky, New Mexico,
South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Recreation USA, the nation's only
publicly traded national retailer, sells, services and finances more than 60
RV and 10 boat brands. The Company also markets its offerings through its
Internet site at http://www.RecUSA.com .