Porters RV News in Coos Bay, OR
PORTER'S RVS RECEIVES U.S.C.A. AWARD
I am pleased to announce that Porter's RV has been selected for the 2011 Best of Coos Bay Award in the Recreational Vehicle Dealers category by the US Commerce Association (USCA).
I'm sure that your selection as a 2011 Award Winner is a reflection of the hard work of not only yourself, but of many people that have supported your business and contributed to the subsequent success of your organization. Congratulations on your selection to such an elite group of small businesses.
The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Road to Recovery
The World Newspaper: 06-19-2010
If there is any indication that the economy is picking back up, it's this: People are buying RVs again.
The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association forecasts that some 230,300 units will be shipped to retailers this year. That's an estimated 39 percent increase over 2009.
Locally, RV dealers are seeing sales climb -- reflecting a national expectation that more people will hit the road this summer.
The motor home and travel trailer industry all but stopped manufacturing in recent years. Gas was costly. Banks weren't lending. Consumers weren't spending.
Oregon's RV sector was hit hard. Manufacturers in Coburg and Junction City filed for Chapter 11 last year and laid off thousands of employees.
But dealers are now confidently restocking inventories, saying the worst is in the rearview mirror.
'Our industry is optimistic right now in terms of the future," said Darin Porter of Porter's RV in Coos Bay. Without disclosing sales figures, he said business is up from this time last year.
Gib's RV in Coos Bay is rolling, too.
'The economy is starting to make that turn," said owner Bill Leslie.
Lindsay Hargett, sales representative for Guaranty RV Super Centers puts it this way: 'We had the recession before the recession and we're the first to come out of the recession."
Hargett was one of several RV salesmen at The Mill Casino-Hotel & RV Park's RV Jamboree.
Guaranty has sold hundreds of RVs so far during its three-month tour around the state, he said. It's the kind of sales performance reminiscent of 2004.
Big, gas-guzzling motor homes are turning around slowly. But travel trailers are quickly pulling the industry out of the ditch.
According to RVIA, about 24,600 units were delivered to retailers in April, up 2.5 percent over March and 85 percent over that same time last year. Of those deliveries, 22,000 were towables.
'I think that has to do with finances," Porter said.
A new motor home typically costs $60,000 to $100,000, while the price tag on a new travel trailer is around $15,000 to $30,000.
'The majority of customers already have a tow vehicle," Porter added. 'They already have that part of the equation."
Leslie offered this observation: 'I think the positive part is people might not be 100 percent confident, but they're turning a corner. They're beginning to dabble again."
Gib's stopped selling new motor homes in 2007.
Both dealerships say used motor homes are still viable.
'There has always been a good market for used," Leslie said. 'Always will be."
RVs and retirees
RVs have always been strongly associated with retirees, and that's still the case. This market is growing every year, and the industry expects to grow along with it, Porter said.
Leslie, however, is seeing more younger customers buying trailers -- a trend partly driven by the poor economy. Some customers, he said, plan to make RVs their full-time homes.
'They're lowering expenses to get them through the storm," Leslie said.
He estimates about 20 percent of his customers are seeking frugal living arrangements.
In many cases, making payments on a trailer is cheaper than paying rent, and it's certainly cheaper than a mortgage. Renting a space costs only $200 to $300 a month. They won't have to pay property taxes, either.
Home on the road
While RV sales are improving, RV park managers report mixed booking rates.
'There's definitely been a downturn in the past two years," said Patrick Conlon, owner of Kelley's RV Park on Cape Arago Highway.
He hasn't seen a noticeable improvement in the travel climate so far this year, but he isn't exactly in the vacation business, either. Many of his tenants are permanent, he said.
But he is getting a lot of calls for Fourth of July reservations for the spaces he has available, if that's any indication, he said.
Bob Truppa, a manager at Midway RV Park, said bookings are down slightly compared with last year. The 57-space park had seen consistently solid bookings in years past.
'If we had 100 spots, we could have rented them all," he said. 'This year, I shouldn't have five (spaces) opening tomorrow, but I do."
He expects things will heat up in July, August and September.
RV park occupancy rates at The Mill Hotel-Casino are strong so far this year. The first five months of 2010 are up more than 5 percent compared with the same period last year, said spokesman Ray Doering.
'The fact we went up 5 percent shows an interest in RV travel and interest in our park," Doering said.
2009-Porter's R.V.s has announced the joining of Twitter. If you like to Twitter then look for us at PortersRV on twitter.com. We are glad to join the "Twitter Family," says Darin Porter. It is fun for our customers to follow our company and become not only part of the Twitter family, but also part of the Porter's R.V.s family.
PASSPORT ULTRA-LITES
2009-Porter's R.Vs. recently announced the addition of Passport Ultra-Lite travel trailers by Keystone RV. Passport has quickly become one of the best selling ultra-lites in the nation and has set many sales records nation wide.
"We are very pleased to continue our relationship with Keystone RV and the new Passport brand," stated Darin Porter of Porter's R.V.s. "This product will offer the best in luxury as well as the engineering and design needed to allow our customer's to tow with their smaller vehicles."
Built with the finest quality products available in the industry, the Passport by Keystone is engineered to allow most half-ton vehicles to tow with ease. Porter's R.V.'s was established in 1966 and is still family owned and operated. Located in Coos Bay, OR. www.portersrv.com 1-800-746-2366.
PORTER'S R.V.'S INTRODUCES THE FASTEST GROWING 5TH WHEEL LINE IN THE NATION!
(2007) Porter's R.V.s and Heartland Recreational Vehicles, L.L.C. are proud to introduce Bighorn and Big Country Luxury 5th Wheels to the Oregon Coast. Darin Porter of Porter's R.V.s states, "Our dealership is very proud to be the new dealer representative for Bighorn and Big Country Luxury 5th Wheels. This is the fastest growing brand in America and we feel very fortunate to have been selected to offer such quality products. I would like to extend an invitation to visit our dealership and view these exciting new products."
Heartland RV, headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, has established an excellent reputation for quality products. With over 125 years of management experience in the R.V. industry, Heartland has come together with one goal in mind: build the best 5th wheels in the business. Beyond that, Heartland has a proprietary philosophy about customer service: "Treat every customer as part of the family."
Porter's R.V.s has been serving the Oregon Coast since 1966 and would like to invite customers in to view these exciting new products. Located at 971 S. Broadway (Hwy. 101) in Coos Bay, Oregon. www.portersrv.com 1-800-746-2366.
PORTER'S R.V.'S EARNS 7TH CONSECUTIVE CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE AWARD FROM WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES
(2007) Porter's R.V.s, Coos Bay, OR, has been recognized as a 2007 Circle of Excellence Award by Winnebago Industries, Inc. To be honored as a Circle of Excellence dealer, Porter's R.V.s excelled in customer satisfaction during and after the purchase.
Winnebago Industries established the industry's first dealer excellence program in order to recognize select dealers for excellence in customer satisfaction. At Winnebago Industries' annual Dealer Days event in Las Vegas, NV, only a few select dealers were honored with the Circle of Excellence award in recognition of their excellence in customer satisfaction as it relates to the customers' sales and service experience with the dealership.
"We are exceptionally proud of Porter's R.V.s who has demonstrated excellence in achieving satisfaction with their customers, said Winnebago Industries' Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Roger Martin. "We are honored to receive this prestigious award," said Darin Porter of Porter's R.V.s. "We would like to thank Winnebago Industries, our valued customers and our dedicated employees who make it all possible."
Circle of Excellence scoring is determined by rating dealers in four categories: the Purchase and Delivery Satisfaction Study, which is direct feedback after the purchase of a motor home; the Customer Satisfaction Study, a survey sent to the customer six months after their purchase; a Sales and Marketing Assessment that looks at a dealership's sales, market share, stocking levels and participation in product training, Dealers Days and Winnebago Itasca Travelers Club; and Service Parts Assessment that evaluates a dealership's warranty, service training and certified technicians, and traveling customer care.
Porter's R.V.s has been family owned and operated for over 40 years and carries a full line of RVs, travel trailer and fifth wheels. In addition, Porter's R.V.s offers a parts and service facility at their Oregon dealership. Visit Porter's R.V.s on the web at www.portersrv.com or give us a call at 800-746-2366 or 541-269-5121. Porter's R.V.s, 971 S Broadway (Hwy. 101), Coos Bay, OR 97420.
Porter’s R.V.s Wins Prestigious Customer Service Award
Coos Bay, OR.- Fleetwood Enterprises, has just named Porter’s R.V.s as winner of the 2007 Fleetwood R.V. Circle of Excellence Customer Satisfaction Award.
This prestigious award recognizes a commitment to customer satisfaction by Porter’s R.V.s, whose superior performance has resulted in an outstanding Customer Satisfaction Rating for the 2007 model year. Darin Porter of Porter’s R.V.s stated: “We are honored to be the recipient of this year’s award. I would first and foremost like to thank our valuable customers. In addition, I would like to recognize our employees who work hard throughout the year taking care of all our customer’s needs.” Porter’s R.V.s, located at 971 S. Broadway (Hwy. 101), Coos Bay, has been in business since 1966 and has been a Fleetwood dealer for 16 years.
Successful dealers, such as Porter’s R.V.s, have helped Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. remain one of the leading R.V. manufacturers in the world for over 50 years. Since 1950, Fleetwood R.V. has provided high-quality recreational vehicles to families across the United States and Canada.
Porter’s R.V.s can be contacted at 1-800-746-2366 or on the web at www.portersrv.com.
RV industry revs up after deep recession