New color

[Dave&Ginny]

Here is a picture of the new paint scheme for the Redwoods

[jlandon13399]

I like the new colors. Should cut down on the heat build up in the front closet.

[SueMar]

Have heard there is a new "decor" and natural cherry cabinets in place of stained. Are pictures of those avilable as well? RW really does itself a disservice by not upating its websiteand brochures to reflect these additional options and all the available add-ons. If I hadn't been following this forum and actively visiting dealers' websites and visiting multiple dealers to see what they had on the lot, I would have had NO IDEA!!! This is major marketing "oversight" on their part!

[jlandon13399]

I agree. You can't even download a brochure on line. Since they are paart of Thor/Crossroads the marketing department should standardize on borchure formats and then change the copy to suite the different brands.

[par]

I am not an owner, but soon to be, if I were not a member of this forum I would not have known about these changes. I agree Redwood needs to up their game. I started looking at their Web site a year ago and the only change I have seen is a new floor plan with TBD on all the specs.

[SueMar]

You CAN download a brochure by gooing to the RW website, clicking on "products", then "Redwood" and the next menu allows you to download a brochure. That said, last time I checked, neither the website itself, nor the online brochure has been updated in a VERY long time (no mention last I checked, of quartz countertop, new cabinet color, new interior color scheme or outside paint color, etc). My unit (off the line late Sept, delivered 1st week of Oct) came through (totally unexpectedly) with the new quartz countertops, new carpet and new flooring. The factory rep said the brochures would be updated in the new version coming out at the end of Oct -- don't know what the dealers have, but, as I said, last time I checked, the one available online hadNOT been updated. THe brochure and the sheet for choosing options for a factory ordered unit have NEVER shown ALL the available options. I also noticed from the forum that some new units are coming through with a vanity/sink in the bedroom in place of part of the dresser. Again, these seem to be being made without notice to the buyer ("the manufacturer reserves the right to change the design . . .") but it seems to me that the least they could do is to notify buyers that what their specially ordered unitwill not be what they thought they would be getting. I got the quartz countertops, new carpet and new flooring without notcie. These were welcome updates. BUT had my unit come through with a sink in the bedroom, I would have been VERY upset. A little communication (in all these areas) would be a VERY welcome improvement. Again, RW is doing itself a MAJOR disservice by not taking the time to take care of these updates!!!!!

[Beechguyjim]

I like my paint job with the Black on top of the nose if it showed up with all that gold on the nose I think I would not have taken it

[Dave&Ginny]

SurMar, your problem is with the dealership not the factory. The dealers know of the upgrades and improvments being done. Thankfully Redwood isn't waiting for a new model year to improve their product like the car companies do.

[SueMar]

Dave:

Thank you for that info. However, I was in direct contact with the factory rep in addition to the dealer. Is all this kind of info a secret that you only learn if you specifically ask?

[Dave&Ginny]

I had frustrations when I ordered my trailer last February but I assumed my frustrations were because Redwood was a new product. Keep in mind that Redwood is a newer product and unlike the other manufactures they're upgrading and correcting the units in real time instead of waiting for the next calender year.

The disadvantage of doing business like this is that keeping the correct information going out to the sales people is difficult. The advantage to all of us is that we end up with better units. I wish the car companies did this but now we know the down side of doing business like this.

In my business (publishing/marketing) I see businesses all the time that are good at what they do but not good in getting the correct information out. For example a home builder might build beautiful quality homes but he doesn't know how to do marketing. Unfortunately I believe Redwood falls into this category. But I still believe a great deal in the Redwood company, in fact this morning I started working a deal on a new BR and trading in my RL.

[5th_Time]

I believe in Redwood too.Good company. But it is a real "head-scratcher" why a company that depends on it's distinctions over the competition has sucha neglectful marketing effort. A prime example is the fact that several people are actually in possession of the new KB model - but the website still shows "To Be Determined" in everyspec. That's lame. Perhaps marketing should go out in the holding lot and measure one. New paintjobs, new interiors, new options- no updates. In these days of digital brochures and PDF downloads, how much can it cost to keep updating and improvingyour brochure?? Plus, as you know, this has been going on for a long time...



Also, the MSRP Order Sheetis not widely distributed or downloadable - but is the most important document you can have when ordering a new unit! It shows the list price of each unit and each option - so that you have a basis for negotiating. I didn't even know the form existed untilAndy emailed me one. No dealer will offer one to youbecause the dealers don't want you to know that Redwood creditsthe pricey "Redwood Parks" and "Full Time Living" Option Packagesback in fullat the bottom of the MSRP sheet. These "packages" are not so much "option packages" as they are "additional features" becausetheyare includedwitheach model. They do however make negotiating and orderingless straightforward and provide an additional opportunity for the dealer to "white out" thosecredits to unsuspecting buyers during the order process - so beware! The MSRP Order Sheetshould be included in every brochure downloaded or mailed out. I'm wondering how much revenue Redwood hasn't madebecause people who ordered didn't know that many of the option(s) were even offered?During the order process, I was amazed howI had to educate many of the dealer's "Redwood Specialists"- who seemeduncomfortable that I was working off the MSRP Order sheet.



It's in Redwood's best interest to list and update all of the available options and to continue to create additionaloptions like Satellite dishes, 17.5" wheels, H-rated tires, 8,000lb axles, etc. because, from the units I have seen, most of us who orderedboughtalmost every option made available. Right now, the same list of options and features fromthe 2011 brochure are listed on the "current" brochure - while there have been two new model years with a host of changes. Plus, there are a lot of special "undocumented" options (like windows) that if you want them, you have to know who to ask - and thatmeans bypassing anuninformed or uninterested dealer so you can speak directly to the factory rep. On the other hand, Redwood deserves kudos for being the type of manufacturerthat will even discuss modifications that you would like to incorporate. Amazing... That, in itself, is a major distinction.



As far as mid-year model changesgo, it's amazing that some equipment,floorplans and interiors are changed and shipped out(even on special-ordered units) without notifications to the owners or even photos on the website. Even with their disclaimer, I take SueMar's point about having your unit arrive withoutthe exact interior that you contracted for - and perhapsother "surprises" as well. As he stated, not everyone sees thecabinet changes and/or the vanity in the RL's bedroom as an improvement. Can you imagine ordering a new car and having it arrive with a differentinterior thanwaspictured oryou weren't notified about? I've actually never heard of another RV manufacturer doing this, but then again, I'm not an expert on this industry. Just my opinion...Edited by: 5th_Time

[Dave&Ginny]

Well said Mike

[Grandpa]

Good marketing produces a good consumer image! The lack ofability to keep up with or stay ahead of product changes on the web site and printed brochures will hurt Redwood. The product is in demand at this point, don't blow it!

[Tobys Home]

Mike you hit the nail on the head!

[Campers]

Hey Mike! Send that post to Andy. He just might like to hear this info. I know he is busy, but he is the Sales Manager and maybe just a little reality check helps. Oh yeh well said.

[BradPAjax]

I agree with what has been stated as well, however, my wife did not like the unit with the sink in the bedroom. If our unit had been delivered that way without my knowledge, I would not have accepted it.

[SueMar]

I sent copies of the posts to Andy. The next day, I got this response from Tom Montague. Again, RW is responsive, awareand trying to improve. They're a new entity and evolving all the time.



Suzanne - thanks for your insight and concerns for the website and our updates. We hear you loud and clear. I can tell you we are already working on a fix. The Redwood 2.0 website will be launching the first week of January. The new website will allow us to make updates, change informations and add pictures all in-house on a daily basis if needed. The current website was designed by an outside company who charges us a small fortune to make adjustments. Since we are so close to the launch date fo the new site - we purposely didn't the existing site since it will no longer be in service.



I know this doesn't help in the short term but I wanted to make sure you were aware for the future. Redwood RV and the Marketing Dept. is doing all it can to make sure you have the tools to successfully sell our product.



Thansk for all your hard work.



Tom Montague

GM

CrossRoads RV and Redwood RV

574 226 3926

[Dave&Ginny]

That's GREAT news

[jlandon13399]

This is good news. It is another example of Redwood understanding the issues and then responding to current and future customers.

[Enroute]

That is great news indeed! Tom M. is the main reason I bought my Redwood over the Big Sky that I had planned on purchasing this spring. He spent a great deal of time with me at the Chicago RV show in February and answered all of my many, many questions. He also took a few notes on a few ideas/suggestions I recommended. Redwood truly seems to be a company that is focused/driven by the customer.