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What RV Industry Leaders Say About Lazydays
Twenty-fifth anniversaries are always special, and it should be no different for Lazydays. RV News thought it would be interesting to see what other industry executives had to say about this milestone for Don Wallace and the employees who have worked so hard to create an outstanding RV dealership. It wasn't surprising to see how similar their views were of the Lazydays experience, as highlighted in our feature article and their personal experiences in working with this dealership. Bruce Hertzke "As one of only six dealers who have received Winnebago Industries' prestigious Circle of Excellence award since the award's inception in 1986, Lazydays has proven they have a strong commitment to the RV industry and the retail customer. Winnebago's Circle of Excellence award is given to exceptional dealers annually in recognition of their excellence in buyer satisfaction, product presentation, facility, as well as for excellence in service, warranty, and parts support. Lazydays has proven to be a valued partner for Winnebago Industries since 1983 and we congratulate them for serving the RV industry for 25 years." Andrew Taitz "Lazydays was one of Workhorse Custom Chassis' early supporters. Long before Workhorse had brand recognition and market velocity, we had the common philosophy of "building customers for life." Nobody executes that strategy better than Don. The minute customers walk through the doors at Lazydays, they are made to feel special, whether they are there for service, to purchase a new motorhome or maybe they are there for a free lunch! It's no wonder that Lazydays is so successful, their customers are more than just satisfied, they are raving fans." Glenn Kummer "Ever since they pulled their first Prowlers out of our Hancock plant, Lazydays has succeeded in providing tremendous value, customer satisfaction and service to each and every RVer who walks on their lot." Nelson W. Potter "Don Wallace is a man who backs his vision with his actions. Visiting Lazydays is such an experience for RVers, they could charge admission. Lazydays has set the bar in the industry and continues to raise it. Congratulations on 25 outstanding years!" Carl Betcher "Year after year, Lazydays continues to be the #1 selling RV dealer in the world. On behalf of Fleetwood RV, I would like to thank Don Wallace and his entire organization for 25 years of exceptional performance and customer service. We look forward to the next 25!" John Sztykiel "One of the things that has been really important to me has been Lazydays' commitment to training. I see that as the foundation for their success. Their employees are very focused on the customer they know the product and are able to be of great service to people interested in buying RV's." Bob Tiffin "This is a class outfit to do business with, and an easy company to do business with. They know how to get along with the customer, manufacturers and their employees. You see the same folks (employees) there every year. That speaks volumes for any business, especially an RV business. Some sales people have sold to three generations of folks. I spent two days on the sales lot in January and enjoyed what they were doing. I presented them with the plaque as the #1 Allegro dealer this year. I was able to address their sales team, 125-130 people, and they are focused on what they are doing. I'm just so proud to be a member of their team, I cherish the relationship." Don Fults "Most people don't understand the magnitude of what they do everyday. Their in-depth philosophy about this business is fantastic. The word "partner" really means something to them. Don Wallace pulled off a vision and continues to put money back into the business. We were a hobby industry and Lazydays showed everyone how to turn the corner and make it a real business. Don Wallace has proven that people will pay to be associated with a winner. The people who work at Lazydays have to put in extra effort if they want to stay there. When you work with winners, you'll be a winner. We'll go where Lazydays needs us to go. They challenge us. The response from Lazydays is invaluable, so is their depth of knowledge. Country Coach would not be where it is today without Lazydays. You can't buy respect, Don Wallace has earned it. They know how to evaluate their business and where they are going." Peter Recchio "What makes Lazydays so very special is that of all the dealerships in the USA, nobody has combined strategy and systems to the degree that Mr. Wallace has. They use this strategy and systems approach to propel their growth with quality products, people, customers and service. Mr. Wallace is the driving force to make sure that strategy and systems work. Customer service is paid attention to every day. Sales training is paid attention to every day. You really can't understand Lazydays unless you are an integral part of it. It's not just RV's on the lot ... it's the strategy behind a powerful system. Manufacturer's grow with Lazydays. We could not have enjoyed the success we have known over the past fifteen years without our relationship with Lazydays. We also thought it might be interesting to get a quotation from someone who had worked for Don Wallace and Lazydays." Jim Calderbank "Working for Don Wallace and Lazydays makes you learn so much about our industry, that I often have felt every decision maker in the manufacturing end of the business should work there for a year to understand our customer. Shows don't come close to the learning process you experience taking a customer through a Lazyday's presentation. Interviews and presentations lasting a half-day or longer are not uncommon. Lazydays listens and understands what each customer's motivation is for investing in our lifestyle. Don's understanding of the RV customer's need for quality, functionality, and especially to feel important, are so ingrained by training and environment, that you never lose that connection with each customer. And this is one reason, in our current market, he continues to do well and set sales records. Manufacturers will listen to Don Wallace. He stresses the importance of quality over cost-cutting and functionality over production cut-backs, both are sure fire ways to losing market share and money. I believe Don Wallace is one of the smartest men I have met in the RV industry. He has the vision our industry needs and the ability and drive to implement it. Exceeding the customer's expectations is the only way to success. Ask Don if this is true. Better yet, ask a customer. Don Wallace already knows the answer, and is successfully implementing it."
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