Posted 2008-12-07 3:06 PM (#95874) Subject: American Spirit
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Kentucky
I find it very interesting that American Spirit is now selling direct to the public (via ebay auction) and offering full warranty on these sales. Where does that leave the dealers that have product on their lots that have been loyal to this manufacturer? I think this is a tell tale sign of bad things to come for American Spirit Manufacturing.
Posted 2008-12-07 4:43 PM (#95875 - in reply to #95874) Subject: RE: American Spirit
Veteran
Posts: 188 Location: Kinston, NC
There are a few of these ads listing 'americanspiritmfg' as the seller and 'direct from manufacturer'. There may be some reason they are selling these trailers direct from manufacturer but it will probably damage their relationship with dealers going forward. Its tough right now for manufacturers and many are going to extreme lengths to survive.
Posted 2008-12-08 9:02 AM (#95899 - in reply to #95875) Subject: American Spirit
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Kentucky
Seems that it is just as tough or tougher for the dealers in these troubled times. Manufacturers should be finding ways to help their loyal dealers stay in business and hope that if the tide changes that their support will reflect well to new potential dealers. As a "dealer" (if I were) why would I want to do warranty work on a trailer that the manufacturer sold to someone that lives 20 miles from my store through an ebay purchase?
This is posted at their website / Home page: To ensure that each customer receives quality service, American Spirit sells only through authorized dealers, we do not sell factory direct.
Posted 2008-12-08 3:20 PM (#95920 - in reply to #95899) Subject: RE: American Spirit
Veteran
Posts: 188 Location: Kinston, NC
I totally agree that it is hard on dealers as well and manufacturers should look out for their dealers. A manufacturer should be blasted by the dealer network for selling direct.
As far as warranty or service work, I will work on anything, doesn't matter what brand or where the customer purchased it.
On American Spirit, there may be more going on here. A quick look at their dealer list reveals limited inventory with lots of 07 and 08 models. On HTW, there are 4 pages of trailers with only 3 - 2009 models. Without spurring the ol' rumor monger, is the company simply liquidating unsold inventory? I have no clue. Maybe someone with more info can shed some light on the situation.
Posted 2008-12-09 8:22 AM (#95935 - in reply to #95920) Subject: RE: American Spirit
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Kentucky
Seems to me that they have not only reversed their slogan from their OWN website but are doing it in such a way as to totally cut out existing dealers. Unsold inventory, older models...regardless, why not discount them or make a deal with an existing dealer to take these models and get them sold. I think there is much more going on here than meets the eye. As for warranty work, isn't it like an insurance claim? Don't you, as the dealer/shop doing the work, have to get approval from the manufacturer for work to be done? Do you then get reimbursed from said manufacturer? If they are going out of business....and I'm not saying they are, but looks to be a possibility...then how are you going to get reimbursed? And if I buy the trailer on ebay...how will I ever get work done on it if there is no factory? A good deal isn't always exactly what it seems and buyers need to beware of the selling that is done on ebay such as this. Ask more questions and check the answers carefully is my motto these days.
Posted 2008-12-10 5:08 PM (#95982 - in reply to #95874) Subject: RE: American Spirit
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
Has anyone checked to see if it really is the manufacturer selling theses trailers and not someone just listing it that way? If it is the manufacturer I would think they would have more than just 4 trailers to list.
Posted 2008-12-11 9:44 AM (#95996 - in reply to #95982) Subject: RE: American Spirit
Regular
Posts: 99
Hi I checked it says on the auction page Seller: Americanspiritmfg Member since Nov-11-08 in the United states.Location:Syracuse Indiana. In the last week or so they have run eleven trailers across the auction, 3 or 4 at a time. It also says in the body of the Vehicle Description "Up for auction direct from the Manufacturer". It does not look to me like they are trying to hide anything from anyone.
Posted 2008-12-11 10:34 AM (#96004 - in reply to #95874) Subject: RE: American Spirit
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
The way things have been lately... It's sink, swim or drown... Looks to me like they are trying to keep on swimming. If their dealers can't move the trailers then it looks to me like it's up to the Mfg. to sell them, auction them, give them away or whatever. Looking at them sitting on a sales lot don't pay any bills. Good luck to American Spirit.
Posted 2008-12-13 9:51 AM (#96068 - in reply to #96004) Subject: RE: American Spirit
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Kentucky
Maybe they are just "trying" to pay the bills...but that statement just confirms that it is a smelly situation. Things are slow with all dealers but I don't see other manufacturers selling product on ebay?! Or craigslist! Seems that if they are cutting out their dealers for whatever reasons that as a dealer I would be checking into buy-back laws. Some states do have these laws and for good reason I would think. I've seen other dealers selling on ebay and assume it's used product that just isn't moving off their lots so they give it the old "what the heck" try and see if they can reach another market. Must work for some, as there have been plenty of trailers listed over the past year.
Posted 2008-12-22 11:08 AM (#96380 - in reply to #96374) Subject: RE: American Spirit
Regular
Posts: 99
Sorry about that last one- I called American Spirit only to find a recording saying they have closed down from December 22 until March 2 2009. There is no number to call if you are having a problem or even if you wanted to buy one of these trailers they have for sale on the internet. Sounds like your on your own if you need something from these guys.
Posted 2008-12-22 8:45 PM (#96391 - in reply to #96380) Subject: RE: American Spirit
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Kentucky
And what should that tell not only the "buying" public but more so the DEALERS! You are all alone...they are going to close and you will be the last to know. I think that any self-respecting dealer would now be looking into getting them to take (buy) back their outstanding inventory before they file Chapter 11 (or whatever it is called)... Don't be naive and don't be caught with your pants down. How can you sell product when there is NO manufacturer? You will now have nothing to offer your potential customer. Sell something that you have on your lot that you know will still be in business in 2009! It is happening all over the country in so many different ways, we shouldn't be ostriches (sp?)...we need to be aware and to notify our fellow consumers before more harm is done. I believe in looking out for each other. Nothing that has been brought up in this particular blog has been rumor or innuendo...all can be proven by just looking on the American Spirit website, checking both ebay and craigslist as well as their own "pronouncement" on their own voicemail at the office main number. WAKE UP PEOPLE!
American Spirit
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