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Would You Buy Sight Unseen?
9/01/2012 12:10:41 p.m.
I recently received a letter from Roland and Regina Wagner. This adventurous pair were the very first people to buy a KEA from me. Based in Germany, they holidayed here in 1987 and became so hooked on Australia that they returned virtually every year during the 90’s (our economy could do with a few more tourists like that!). But that wasn’t enough for them - they contacted us in 2002 enquiring about long-term rentals. Well, to cut a long story short, they ended up buying a brand new KEA 4 berth motorhome – and they bought it via email!
It may seem unbelievable that people would spend tens of thousands of dollars on something they haven’t even seen, but it’s becoming quite common. Research published by website getprice.com.au earlier this year found that more Australians are shopping online than ever before, and the RV industry appears to be following this trend. At KEA our reputation as a top supplier of new and used RVs has meant that we are selling more and more campervans and motorhomes to people who have not driven, or even seen, the vehicle. Many of these buyers are from overseas, or live in remote rural locations where they can’t easily pop in to the nearest sales centre and take one for a spin. The system works just fine for us and our customers – they put a deposit down “subject to inspection and road test”, and we (and our vehicles) have never failed to meet their expectations.
The wonders of technology certainly help. RV websites these days feature floorplans, internal photographs and even videos of the vehicles, as well as detailed information about vehicle specifications and inclusions. So you’re pretty well covered if you’re buying ‘sight unseen’ from a reputable dealer who’s been around for a while. But a word of warning – be careful! If you are considering buying this way, make sure the vendor is a licensed motor vehicle dealer. They should send you an invoice for your deposit and give you a receipt. Make sure the purchase is subject to you being satisfied with an inspection and test drive of the vehicle. And if you have any doubts – don’t do it!
Speaking of buying online - at the time of writing, we’re coming up to Christmas and a debate is raging in the office here about this very issue. Some of our ladies (who I will politely describe as ‘dedicated shoppers’) feel it’s just not in the Christmas spirit to order gifts on a computer. Apparently the parking issues, checkout queues and piped Christmas carols (why do retail managers not realize that Snoopy’s Christmas loses its cuteness after the 10th time you hear it?) is all part of the fun. Call me a Scrooge, but I’ll stick to my current plan of ordering online from the comfort of my lounge room.
Our Marketing Manager, Lynn Briggs, has taken online buying to a whole new level. She buys anything and everything she can online – including groceries, clothes and even (for a reason she has not yet explained to me) a very impressive-looking massage table. Lynn is leaving KEA this month, after almost 5 years with the company – she’s moving home to New Zealand to be closer to her family. It’s been a pleasure working with her over the years – she’s responsible for all the KEA advertising you see around the place – and I wish her all the best.
I’d be interested to hear your stories of anything unusual that you’ve bought ‘sight unseen’, or any unsavoury (or especially good) online RV purchase stories. Please send these to me at normanroe@keacampers.com – I’ll be sure to mention your stories in future issues of the Wanderer.
And in case you’re wondering - Roland and Regina’s motorhome (fondly named “Winnie”) is still going strong. Look out for them when you’re on the road – they’ve seen more parts of Australia than most locals I know!
Safe travels,
Norman
It may seem unbelievable that people would spend tens of thousands of dollars on something they haven’t even seen, but it’s becoming quite common. Research published by website getprice.com.au earlier this year found that more Australians are shopping online than ever before, and the RV industry appears to be following this trend. At KEA our reputation as a top supplier of new and used RVs has meant that we are selling more and more campervans and motorhomes to people who have not driven, or even seen, the vehicle. Many of these buyers are from overseas, or live in remote rural locations where they can’t easily pop in to the nearest sales centre and take one for a spin. The system works just fine for us and our customers – they put a deposit down “subject to inspection and road test”, and we (and our vehicles) have never failed to meet their expectations.
The wonders of technology certainly help. RV websites these days feature floorplans, internal photographs and even videos of the vehicles, as well as detailed information about vehicle specifications and inclusions. So you’re pretty well covered if you’re buying ‘sight unseen’ from a reputable dealer who’s been around for a while. But a word of warning – be careful! If you are considering buying this way, make sure the vendor is a licensed motor vehicle dealer. They should send you an invoice for your deposit and give you a receipt. Make sure the purchase is subject to you being satisfied with an inspection and test drive of the vehicle. And if you have any doubts – don’t do it!
Speaking of buying online - at the time of writing, we’re coming up to Christmas and a debate is raging in the office here about this very issue. Some of our ladies (who I will politely describe as ‘dedicated shoppers’) feel it’s just not in the Christmas spirit to order gifts on a computer. Apparently the parking issues, checkout queues and piped Christmas carols (why do retail managers not realize that Snoopy’s Christmas loses its cuteness after the 10th time you hear it?) is all part of the fun. Call me a Scrooge, but I’ll stick to my current plan of ordering online from the comfort of my lounge room.
Our Marketing Manager, Lynn Briggs, has taken online buying to a whole new level. She buys anything and everything she can online – including groceries, clothes and even (for a reason she has not yet explained to me) a very impressive-looking massage table. Lynn is leaving KEA this month, after almost 5 years with the company – she’s moving home to New Zealand to be closer to her family. It’s been a pleasure working with her over the years – she’s responsible for all the KEA advertising you see around the place – and I wish her all the best.
I’d be interested to hear your stories of anything unusual that you’ve bought ‘sight unseen’, or any unsavoury (or especially good) online RV purchase stories. Please send these to me at normanroe@keacampers.com – I’ll be sure to mention your stories in future issues of the Wanderer.
And in case you’re wondering - Roland and Regina’s motorhome (fondly named “Winnie”) is still going strong. Look out for them when you’re on the road – they’ve seen more parts of Australia than most locals I know!
Safe travels,
Norman