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Yes sadly, I have to agree things may be going south over there at PC. 


Case in point; I was in communication with Kermit to find a solution for my peeling fake leather on some of my seats.  He wanted a photo of them. i sent him the required photo's.  No have not heard from him since, after numerous email attempts.

So believe things are not going well there. Very sad, as I cannot show my coach off to perspective shoppers as am embarrassed by the fake leather problems.  But maybe, the new owners don't really care  about future sales. This would be sad, and not good for us owners.

Denny, and Barb

I must say this forum played a huge part in convincing me to buy a new 2016 Phoenix.  The positive comments from various PC owners and the overall upbeat nature and willingness to share ideas and provide help when requested gave me a level of confidence I didn’t find on some other RV forums.  I subsequently found first hand the prompt, skilled, and courteous service from Kermit and his team which was often mentioned on this forum was for real. 

Perhaps I have missed an official announcement either on this forum or on the internet from the new owners.  Had it not been for sharing the sale info provided at the Oregon Rally myself and many others would be completely unaware that company had been sold.

I don’t know if the new owners ever monitor this site but if so the unknowing of what direction the new company is going and the uncertainty of future after purchase support of their products would make me less confident in purchasing a PC today.  If the deal was indeed closed in early to mid summer I would think that is more than ample time to provide some official clairity from Phoenix.  As we all know unknowing and negative speculation can often unfairly paint a picture that may turn costly to a companies success. 

I post this not to be negative to the new owners but to provide them one persons perspective on communication or lack there of and hopefully provide them some useful feed back.

I must say this forum played a huge part in convincing me to buy a new 2016 Phoenix.  The positive comments from various PC owners and the overall upbeat nature and willingness to share ideas and provide help when requested gave me a level of confidence I didn’t find on some other RV forums.  I subsequently found first hand the prompt, skilled, and courteous service from Kermit and his team which was often mentioned on this forum was for real.  

Perhaps I have missed an official announcement either on this forum or on the internet from the new owners.  Had it not been for sharing the sale info provided at the Oregon Rally myself and many others would be completely unaware that company had been sold.

I don’t know if the new owners ever monitor this site but if so the unknowing of what direction the new company is going and the uncertainty of future after purchase support of their products would make me less confident in purchasing a PC today.  If the deal was indeed closed in early to mid summer I would think that is more than ample time to provide some official clairity from Phoenix.  As we all know unknowing and negative speculation can often unfairly paint a picture that may turn costly to a companies success.  

I post this not to be negative to the new owners but to provide them one persons perspective on communication or lack there of and hopefully provide them some useful feed back.

fandj,

I completely agree with you.  It would be great if the new ownership of one or two fellows or investment group, would make an announcement on this forum with detailed plans to ease the minds of current and future owners.

At the same time, I am reminded how so many privately owned companies close up instead of sell-off/pass-on when the owner wants to retire or in the case with Born Free, the owner passed away and the heirs didn't want to bother finding a new owner.  So the company is gone.  My first motor home was a Mirage, a mini version of a Coach House, seamless body but built on a mini pickup chassis.  The owner walked away instead of selling off when he wanted out.  It is so much better to have the current scenario for Phoenix USA, for it's current PC owners and the people who work at Phoenix, and it's suppliers.  I hope Kermit got what he wanted and can retire comfortably.

FWIW, we bought a 1984 Mirage in the fall of 1983.  It was built on a 1983 Toyota chassis.  The company shut down 2.5 years later in 1986, and we sold that motor home in 2007 to buy our PC.  We owned it for 21 years after the company closed up.  I was uncomfortable for a few years but eventually adapted to running solo.

We attended the 2017 Hershey show and placed an order for a 2552.  Imagine my surprise on returning home to check the forum to see that PC had been sold.  Nothing was mentioned at the show of the sale.  I do agree that the new owners should release some statement on their intent to ease everyone's concern.  Having seen several buyouts the question becomes, how do the employees feel?  It could lead to better positions for the current employees as they are the knowledge based on building PC's if the owners want to make the company stronger.  My wife and I are taking a trip to the plant this weekend, maybe we can get a sense of how things are going.

At the same time, I am reminded how so many privately owned companies close up instead of sell-off/pass-on when the owner wants to retire or in the case with Born Free, the owner passed away and the heirs didn't want to bother finding a new owner.  

Actually the heirs sold the company (Born Free) to a "group of investors" and within about 9 mos. the company closed.

Quote from: ron.dittmer on October 04, 2017, 04:53:16 am

At the same time, I am reminded how so many privately owned companies close up instead of sell-off/pass-on when the owner wants to retire or in the case with Born Free, the owner passed away and the heirs didn't want to bother finding a new owner.  

Actually the heirs sold the company (Born Free) to a "group of investors" and within about 9 mos. the company closed.

Really!  I did not know that.  Hopefully Phoenix won't follow suit.

Please let  us know what you find at the factory. We are scheduled to pickup our 2552 in a few weeks. The communication from them has noticeably dropped off the past few weeks.

Thanks, John

Will do.  I just called the factory and was reassured that the company is not going away.  The company was sold to two gentlemen (mentioned in an early part of this thread) and they have hired and engineer to replace Kermit and one other person.  Kermit was handling two jobs.  So I'm going to keep the faith and look forward to our delivery early next year.

We were at the factory last week to take a look at the 3100 that came back from Hershey. We made 2 prior trips to the factory in the last year (met with Kermit once and with Earl once) to see production, get questions answered, etc, but we've never gotten to see a finished 3100 in the flesh. That is the model we are ordering next spring. We met with one of the new execs (not an owner). He was very informative, helpful, and pleasant. He showed us the 3100, answered our questions, and if he didn't know the answer, he found out for us. We talked to a couple employees who were helpful and upbeat. This 3rd visit was no different from the prior 2, in terms of atmosphere. In fact, this visit seemed to indicate more things going on and more people doing things, more units, more activity. Several units were going out the door (picked up by new owners). We spoke to a couple who was there to get an issue resolved on their 2016 PC, and they were positive about the company. We got to drive the 3100 and we were not rushed at all. It was our 3rd visit and it was a great one. It made us feel good about our decision to place our order next spring. So, not sure if this will help, but just thought we'd share. We are very positive! 

When we stopped at the factory enroute back to PA from Sisters, OR, things were humming. There were six used units with "sold" signs on them,, a lady from Kansas was picking up her new unit. Another 2552 was picked during the night we were there. (Yes, the plug in is still hanging on the fence) My trade in 2351 was sitting in the lot with a sold sign on it.  There were 19 Ford chassis in the rear, most I have ever seen.  No MB chassis. Earl told me they had sold nine units at the Hershey show, most ever.  Don't see any problems.

Very glad to hear the upbeat reports from recent visitors to the factory.  We are among the nine people who ordered a new PC (a 2552 with no slide) at last month's Hershey show, and I had been a bit discouraged at the thought that the excellent service and support received by so many forum members in the past might be changing.  Then I got a phone call from Earl yesterday following up on a detail on our order. He was on top of the situation and as positive as ever, as was the buyer he conferred with during the call, whom I heard off-mic. So, like most forum members, I'm hoping for the best.

John

Kermit was handling two jobs.

Just Two???   

Well think about it, its really 4 to 1.  Two new owners and 2 new positions.  That's what we know, may be more!   

I have been on many forums about sailboats, particularly when companies reorganize, are sold.  I think it behoves us all to refrain from speculating about the PC future based upon individual anecdotal experience. 

I have been on many forums about sailboats, particularly when companies reorganize, are sold.  I think it behoves us all to refrain from speculating about the PC future based upon individual anecdotal experience. 

Yup!