Changes to Online Pricing

I am sure one of the driving reasons to not post prices is to force the potential shopper to engage with a sales person at PC.  Like others that is one huge reason I liked the factory direct model because you do not have to "nickel and dime" with a sales person like purchasing a car and sales person having to check with his/her sales manager.  My bet is PC is looking at getting back into the dealer game and do not want to advertise what costs might be?  Unit output is the name of the game and getting units out the door and onto dealer lots sure ups the unit numbers.

  I remember Earl telling me that you could not save a coach configuration and go back and edit it later, you had to start all over again.  I might have that wrong but I do know the system they were using was not very user friendly.

This is correct. I learned about it when Earl was upset I didn't get back to him the same day on a build list as it turned out he couldn't save it and would have to re-enter it manually the next day.

The process burned me as on the final agreed to change to something mid-list I failed to review the whole build list again, just checking the one last item I asked to be changed. Turned out that my request for slider windows (the last item on the list) had been dropped and so the coach was built with the standard windows.

It has always been hard for me to picture a system where you couldn't keep a current copy of a build list that's being reviewed/negotiated. I mentioned this and the problem it caused me to Jim Byrnes at the Rally.

I suspect buying a motorhome is the second largest purchase most buyers will make with their home being the first largest. 

Isn't it a shame that pricing is like buying a pizza?   What coupon do you have today?  It is not just Phoenix but he whole industry apparently.  No wonder people look on average for such a long time before committing to buy.   

Paul

I am hoping that this is a temporary change implemented prior to a new new pricing system. MSRP is really not the important number to me, what you will actually sell it for is the number I want. Negotiation and price haggling is the old way of doing business and not the way of the future. Inflated "suggested retail price" followed by huge discounts doesn't fool an educated consumer. I like the stores, vehicle dealerships, and businesses where the price you see posted is the price you pay.
I agree 100% that the pricing structure for building a new Phoenix should be posted on the website, if that doesn't occur, time will prove it to be a huge mistake. It is a boom time for the rv industry but that will change, when it does the companies with sound business practices and quality products will be the ones that survive.

All of the RV's, campers, etc. I have owned or used over the years were always from previous owners. When the wife and I decided in 2015 to go new for once we could have found a RV similar to the PC 2910 that would have worked for us at a much less expensive price and much closer to home. We spent a year searching and comparing B+ units in the 30 ft range and always came back to the PC because we could alter the options online and get an estimate of what it would cost and make comparisons. I didn't expect a quoted price because I realized everything fluctuated but getting close was good enough. The BIGGEST factor in choosing the 2910T over others, even though we spent about 25K more, was the transparency in the on-line pricing and the video's. When Earl or Kyle put out a floor model that was close to what we wanted I didn't hesitate to call and reserve it sight unseen other than the pictures and pricing posted online. I didn't have the confidence to do that with any other manufacturer or dealer. Our area is surrounded with RV dealerships and getting the runaround from salesmen really put us off. Since buying out PC I have directed several people to their web page because of the configurable pricing options options and helpful videos. If this isn't temporary I do believe they have taken a step backwards.

George S.

That is one configuration. I recall going back and forth clicking full body paint vs lower body, basic cabinets vs cherry and so on. Did we need that surround sound system... No. Did we want it... Yes. Just picking which model we wanted had me running all kinds of comparisons. So back and forth I went with numbers until we were satisfied. THEN we went to the sales rep. Thank goodness we had done the upfront work and were somewhat committed to the Phoenix because the old rep (gone just after we purchased) was unresponsive on the phone and email, unhelpful once I finally got him on the phone, and downright rude when we got to the factory to discuss the purchase. We love our Phoenix but the only part of the sales experience that was good was being able to plan out our rig ahead of time with the "pricing tool". I know Earl is nothing like that but there is a limit to the number of inquiries that he'll be able to handle in a timely manner, especially during shows. Slow responses will turn off customers.

If the purpose of the change is to capture potential customer data for follow up (when the sales team isn't slammed), I suggest putting the pricing back the way it was and offering an opt-in to give contact info to get a full color brochure mailed out. We picked up our brochure at a show and it was seriously tattered by the time we were ready to buy. I'm computer savvy and know it is online but I still like to hold that paper while I'm thinking and planning. I carry brochures and potential buyers are always excited to get one. Many people would be willing to give info to get that brochure. If Phoenix goes this route, I further suggest a guarantee that personal information will not be shared, sold, or otherwise distributed and will be used in house by Phoenix only.

There can be an optional SHORT survey asking interest level, do you want contact, etc. With promise of no hard sales pitches - " we are here to help you plan YOUR perfect motorhome" or RV or some such. Because THAT'S what they do so well.

I do wonder if part of the reason for the change is that Phoenix has always maintained low website costs, and now they digress further.  I think their website uses much of their paper brochure which has been used since 2015.  If they can afford it, they should increase their budget to maintain it better.  Their website is a critical promotional tool considering PCs can't be found at dealers.  Adding back in the pricing tool makes the website extremely informative for people who want to take next steps.

It seems Phoenix set up their website for a maintenance-free arrangement.

Here is the answer from Jim Byrnes.

.  As you noticed the pricing tool is down on the website, but this isn't permanent and it isn't a new strategic direction.  We are simply making some changes/updates to the site.  We know that this is a valuable tool to our perspective customers and forum members and we hope to have this back up and running soon.  Thanks for your patience and as I said I really appreciate you reaching out.

All the best!

Jim

Here is the answer from Jim Byrnes.

Quote

.  As you noticed the pricing tool is down on the website, but this isn't permanent and it isn't a new strategic direction.  We are simply making some changes/updates to the site.  We know that this is a valuable tool to our perspective customers and forum members and we hope to have this back up and running soon.  Thanks for your patience and as I said I really appreciate you reaching out.

All the best!

Jim

That is good to hear.  I will be waiting until their website is up and running properly until I refer people to it again.

Maybe it will be an amazing, modern, new site!!

Perhaps Jim would be open to some input from PC owners before making changes.  Since the web site is being upgraded why not create chat sessions and bounce around ideas.  That way this online pricing change and the associated sour taste can be avoided.

Ron

Bouncing ideas, feedback and input are all good, however, it doesn't guarantee that everyone will be happy. Just check our forum posts. I doubt if there is one topic we all agree on so it's guaranteed that someone will feel they weren't listened to. I once took over a position from someone that felt his way was the only way. He liked to "suggest" how things should be done. I chose not to follow his advice once and he became extremely upset and told me "When I make a suggestion, I expect it to be followed!" That's not a suggestion, that's a command.

Actually I thought the current website was quite good before the pricing tool when down.  As with all things, there was room for improvement.  You can never get an interactive website perfect for everyone and keep it that way without throwing more money at it.
 I thought the pricing feature was one of a kind in the RV industry.  I never stumbled on another RV website with such a pricing feature.  I don't think it was ever meant for placing orders because there is no provision to make special deviations.

Back in 2007 in the days of a dealer network and before the interactive website, I worked out the details making my own work order (a simple Word document) with our model 2350, our options, our deviations and MRSP total.  I got MSRP pricing from a paper packet pricing sheet and maintained the bottom line as we changed our mind on things before placing our order.  When it came time to place our order, I told the dealer to use my document to fill in his build sheet.  Then I approved it before he handed it off to Phoenix.  I highly recommend doing that to assure you get everything you expect.

The MSRP discount calculation was very simple then.  The PC dealer I worked with told me to take the total MSRP and divide it by 1.3, then minus $800 (an additional dealer discount), then subtract dealer prep since I was picking up the rig at the factory.  It was very easy managing costs calculating it myself.

I have MSRP price sheets for 2008 & 2010 and sales brochures since 2007 in soft copy form if anyone is interested.  Phoenix updated their sales brochure every few years.  They would skip at least one year, sometimes two.  The current sales brochure dates back to 2015.  Request what interests you via a private message and BE SURE to include your email address.

The nice thing about new owners is PC has a future. A friend didn't buy a PC because he was afraid it would become an orphan. Born Free, Chinook, and Big foot, quality builders, are gone. If PC raises prices like the Airstream Interstate, that would hurt. The competitive price is what sold me, without the on line pricing I may not have made that call to Earl.

  Lynn

Quote from: donc13 on January 29, 2018, 09:30:38 am

As of now... It appears selling price is 74% of list price.  No idea if you can negotiate further.

Thanks for sharing that.  That data should be posted clearly so people would not be deterred by posted MSRP pricing alone.

It is Ron... MSRP and selling price.   EVERY new unit in inventory has their "window sticker" they are posted (even sold PC's on their inventory page have one).