Escapes in Lake Havasu City Az ?

[Greg A]

Not familiar with how the law works, but if a US physical shop/dealer shows and sells a trailer does that not get into gray area of receiving any exchange rate on that order even if the trailer still is picked up in Sumas after import?
The Phoenix dealer that had the US Trillium rep deal who we had come out to Quartzsite years back, wasn’t able to get exchange rate on orders even though they were being built, if I remember correctly, in Canada by the van conversion outfit.
Maybe someone with a legal background knows how that would work.

[gbaglo]

I don't think the law ( other than the law of supply and demand ) has anything to do with the exchange rate. That rate is not set by the government although policies can influence it.
The US agency would simply market trailers listed in US dollars.

[Marry]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

We'll be busy here, correcting the misinformation.....

Which will take the uniqueness of ETI, selling directly to costumers, away.
This direct contact between the manufacturer and their client made ETI stand out from all the rest.
Really hoping Reace and Tammy will chime in to give clarity here.

[davidmurphy02]

There are undoubtedly a few people who pass on getting an Escape because they find the process of ordering it, waiting, and going to Canada to pick it up daunting. Having one or more points in the U.S. that handle that process, or perhaps even have a few stock models for sale, might generate a few additional sales. Not everyone wants to customize things.

I don't see this as a big change for ETI, perhaps just an additional small sales channel that might make a few incremental sales for them, while their core business of building to order remains the same.

[GregandTeresa]

Considering that we paid around $3000 for delivery, for us they could raise the price on these stock models enough for the middle man to make a profit, and we could still come out either ahead or at least even.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by GregandTeresa

Considering that we paid around $3000 for delivery, for us they could raise the price on these stock models enough for the middle man to make a profit, and we could still come out either ahead or at least even.

That was cheap, their website quotes $3 a mile or $9,000 for 3000 miles, even at Canadian, that will still cost you close to $6500

[GregandTeresa]

At the time of our delivery, the charge was $2 per mile. So even more room for savings now

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by GregandTeresa

At the time of our delivery, the charge was $2 per mile. So even more room for savings now

The trailers are still going to have to be transported to the dealer so I don't see savings. You pay a transport fee and dealer prep etc. when you buy a car. All are ways the dealer uses to make a profit.

[Donna D.]

Laudy there's so much speculation going on. Perhaps ETI will wholesale to dealers, so a transport fee, dealer mark up would be less than you're expect. Too, ETI was sold to a company with a large dealer network in the USA. They're not new to this. Perhaps the factory will starting building 5 spec trailers (for dealers) for every ONE that's custom built? Or... maybe the entire custom built market will go away... honestly we don't know now do we...

[stratos175]

Yes I would agree lots of speculation here. If this happens and you already have an Escape then I think it just went up in value. The question would be do they still plan to sell direct as well? If they do both and the consumer has two choices of how they buy then I think that's good. Time will tell I guess but they definitely need one in the SE and heck I might be interested in selling them .

Enjoy the journey.

Steve

[Oldtimer]

Another concern with US dealers is how will it affect options and special requests. Will the dealer be able to install solar, outside showers, extra hatches and so on

[Jim Bennett]

This fellow should do good with all the business planning he is getting done here.

[gbaglo]

From ETI web site, Our Story:
2006 - Building customer centric relationships

In 2006 we tried to sell through Dealers. The challenge was customer relationship, we felt the key was understanding our customers and building products that fully satisfied their needs. We struggled with the lack of interaction with our customers. It did not allow us to follow our business model. So we closed down for six months, worked on the design and introduction of our Escape 5.0 fifth-wheel, and returned to direct sales.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

From ETI web site, Our Story:
2006 - Building customer centric relationships

In 2006 we tried to sell through Dealers. The challenge was customer relationship, we felt the key was understanding our customers and building products that fully satisfied their needs. We struggled with the lack of interaction with our customers. It did not allow us to follow our business model. So we closed down for six months, worked on the design and introduction of our Escape 5.0 fifth-wheel, and returned to direct sales.

But that was when the company was owned by two people. That no longer applies. ETI is now part of the same company that owns Northern Lite, which is also a Canadian company: https://northern-lite.com/find-a-dealer/

[Seneca]

Interesting. I probably would not have bought an Escape if I had to go through a dealer. But, perhaps ETI would capture customers through a dealership network that otherwise get away.

Whatever, the additional distribution cost will have to be packed in the price somehow, and that'll increase the resale value of my unit, so I suppose I should applaud the move, unless, of course, it tanks the whole enterprise.

Bottom line . . . as a current owner not particularly interested in unloading his unit, it's not my concern.

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by Seneca

Interesting. ......
Bottom line . . . as a current owner not particularly interested in unloading his unit, it's not my concern.

True that!

Meanwhile, we're just sitting outside our 2015 17A, ,.

[Jake930]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

This imagine this would add price increases, but maybe for many still worth it.

When there’s a middleman, there’s always a price increase. I don’t imagine it will be small either. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

[CWagner]

We live a very long way from Chilliwack.

If there was a closer dealer where we could look at, and compare, all the different models, especially with the rumors of new floor plans, sit down with a knowledgable , factory trained, salesperson, review options then place our order through them, we would be interested.

They could always have three prices. We pick it up in BC, or at the dealer, or have it delivered to our front door.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by CWagner

We live a very long way from Chilliwack.

If there was a closer dealer where we could look at, and compare, all the different models, especially with the rumors of new floor plans, sit down with a knowledgable , factory trained, salesperson, review options then place our order through them, we would be interested.

They could always have three prices. We pick it up in BC, or at the dealer, or have it delivered to our front door.

This is correct, an informed buyer is a good buyer.

[Marry]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

This is correct, an informed buyer is a good buyer.

Right. So glad we got all the help from all these helpful knowledgeable Escape owners here on the forum. They all were a real help.
Salespersons in general might be knowledgeable about what they are selling, but do not always have only the interest of the buyer in mind.
The best advice always comes from one who lived it him/herself.
That is what I call honest advice.
The first salesperson I will trust still needs to be born