Vacation Campers

[Big Nath]

I heard that Vacation campers closed its doors this week. Sadly another Aussie owned business closes it's doors. My thoughts for those affected.

[scarps]

That's a shame if correct. Great product and people.

[KingBilly]

That is a shame.  A quality Aussie product.

KB

[ScottT]

I heard that Vacation campers closed its doors this week. Sadly another Aussie owned business closes it's doors. My thoughts for those affected.

A real shame, competing with imports has obviously taken its toll.

Scott

[MarkVS]

I spoke to Paulene and Theo at a recent show....They said they were doing it hard..people aren't spending and those that are, are buying the cheaper import models or the very expensive ones.
Because they sit in the middle, they were missing out badly.

I had a look at Modcon website recently, and noticed that they appear to be getting into a partnership with another manufacturer...I think to offer a new 'cheaper' model.

Its not an easy time for small businesses, especially those that are a 'discretionary' expenditure.


MarkVS

[02-SR5]

A real shame, competing with imports has obviously taken its toll.

Scott

It does suck that another Australian company has gone tits up.

I don't want to turn this into import v Aussie made, but not a lot of mortgage paying families can afford a camper above 10k.

Is there a true 100% Australian Made offroad camper, including tent ant trailer that is good quality, under 10k?

[D4D]

Is there a true 100% Australian Made offroad camper, including tent ant trailer that is good quality, under 10k?

$8500 for a base Customline offroad http://customline.com.au/cms-models/deluxe-off-road.phps

[kiwi_camper]

We own an Eco VC trailer and still have a lot of stuff we want to go back to Theo and Pauline to do. We recently had the boat rack put on the CT and Pauline and Theo told us that they were in the process of moving to a smaller warehouse, as business had dropped off. I hope that is what has happened and not that they are shutting down (although we were worried at the time this may be the case). I guess we will give them a ring tomorrow to see what is happening. It would be a huge shame if VC go under as they make awesome camper trailers and are a great company to deal with. We have been nothing but happy with our purchase and dealings with Pauline and Theo, an honest and hard working couple. Fingers crossed it is just a rumor.

[MarkVS]

We own an Eco VC trailer and still have a lot of stuff we want to go back to Theo and Pauline to do. We recently had the boat rack put on the CT and Pauline and Theo told us that they were in the process of moving to a smaller warehouse, as business had dropped off. I hope that is what has happened and not that they are shutting down (although we were worried at the time this may be the case). I guess we will give them a ring tomorrow to see what is happening. It would be a huge shame if VC go under as they make awesome camper trailers and are a great company to deal with. We have been nothing but happy with our purchase and dealings with Pauline and Theo, an honest and hard working couple. Fingers crossed it is just a rumor.

I agree..I get a little worried until these sorts of things are confirmed...I tried calling today and also sent Pauline a facebook message just to check..I haven't heard as yet.

I'll post if I hear anyhting.

MarkVS

[CampAround]

Sad if true. Our vc is very well made. Luckily I purchased most of the ad ons I wanted earlier this year. Some very intuitive designs. 

[Barry G]

I was speaking a couple of days ago with an established CT retailer who had several CTs at the Sandown show.  He said that he wasn't aware of anyone who sold a single unit.  He said that people just aren't buying at the moment.
This bloke has been in the industry long term and is in a position to ride out the trough.  Unfortunately this isn't the case for all. 

[Brutus]

I was speaking a couple of days ago with an established CT retailer who had several CTs at the Sandown show.  He said that he wasn't aware of anyone who sold a single unit.  He said that people just aren't buying at the moment.
This bloke has been in the industry long term and is in a position to ride out the trough.  Unfortunately this isn't the case for all.

Got a mate who works in a marine business and sales have been down more this winter than previous years. Many are looking but not driving the hand into the wallet. Still when you look at other sectors (real estate etc) nobody is spending.

I see this getting tougher soon as when people are confident enough to start spending again they will be faced with spending $20k+ for an Aussie made CT <$15k on imported product. It's not getting any easier I am afraid

[Homer_Jay]

Not only will they be competing against the import market, but an ever growing secondhand market.

Same thing that has happened in the marine industry, there is such a flood of good second nah boats driving the prices down, less people need to buy new.

With the popularity of camer trailers in the last 5 years, I suspect the same will happen. There will be many who will be selling because of lack of use, and many upgrading to a caravan or something. I think it's going to be hard for any manufacturer unless they can offer something new or different to drive people to buy new (and not run of the mill import).

Anyway, everyone is doing it tough.

[ScottT]

$8500 for a base Customline offroad http://customline.com.au/cms-models/deluxe-off-road.phps

Awesome value and will last 15 years plus. And the great thing is you can adapt it overtime to suit your camping needs.

Coffs Canvas is another worth looking at. We seriously looked at these guys prior to buying our Customline 2nd hand. They were under $10K aswell and were very agreeable with what we wanted.

Why didn't we go with them ? Didn't want to travel to Coffs

Scott

http://coffscanvas.com.au/outback-off-road-camper/outback-deluxe-off-road/

[MarkVS]

Just spoke to Theo, owner of vacation campers.
He confirmed they have closed the doors for the moment....apparently they ran out of cash, and have no more personal resources to put into the business.

They are waiting to see what happens over the next few weeks to see if they will re-open.

Basically, the slow market, along with having to compete with cheaper imports, have forced them to close.

Sadly, a poor sign of the current environment.

MarkVS

[Bird]

Basically, the slow market, along with having to compete with cheaper imports, have forced them to close.
Sadly, a poor sign of the current environment.

sad but this is only the tip of the iceberg for the next decade I feel in all industries that are left.

[xcvator]

I was speaking a couple of days ago with an established CT retailer who had several CTs at the Sandown show.  He said that he wasn't aware of anyone who sold a single unit.  He said that people just aren't buying at the moment.
This bloke has been in the industry long term and is in a position to ride out the trough.  Unfortunately this isn't the case for all. 

I spoke to Jim at Outbackcampers on Monday and they sold 4  units and were waiting confirmation for a couple of others so go figure 

[rossow]

Just spoke to Theo, owner of vacation campers.
He confirmed they have closed the doors for the moment....apparently they ran out of cash, and have no more personal resources to put into the business.

They are waiting to see what happens over the next few weeks to see if they will re-open.

Basically, the slow market, along with having to compete with cheaper imports, have forced them to close.

Sadly, a poor sign of the current environment.

MarkVS

Ah crap!  Not good news.  I hope for Theo and Pauline and all the workers sake they get more work.  They are a great bunch to deal with.

[CampAround]

Sad news. It's easy to see why people are attracted to the imported units though.

[kiwi_camper]

We will try and put some work their way but what they really need is more people buying their CT's. I just hope they don't have to on sell their company, because it won't be the same. Theo and Pauline are very passionate about camper trailers and it isn't about the big sell for them. We have to do more to support small business owners, especially when times get tough.

[D4D]

I spoke to Jim at Outbackcampers on Monday and they sold 4  units and were waiting confirmation for a couple of others so go figure 

How do they cover the costs of exhibiting if they only sell 4?

[Big Nath]

How do they cover the costs of exhibiting if they only sell 4?

That's the thing, it is sustainable short term. 1 or 2 shows only.

[Tadpole383]

wow, that sucks.  4 years of researching campers and we were about 3 months from ordering ours, second hand hear we go I guess

[Shutterbug]

He confirmed they have closed the doors for the moment....apparently they ran out of cash, and have no more personal resources to put into the business.

They are waiting to see what happens over the next few weeks to see if they will re-open.

Basically, the slow market, along with having to compete with cheaper imports, have forced them to close.

Sadly, a poor sign of the current environment.

MarkVS

I also spoke to Theo late last week and it's pretty much as MarkVS has stated. He did say though that they will be continuing with some of the canvas side and trailer maintenance but not building whole trailers. They aren't the only manufacturer around struggling with the same issues.

I'm not just saying this because I own one of their trailers but they have come up with some really good ideas over the years and it would be a pity to see this innovation disappear.

Sad news. It's easy to see why people are attracted to the imported units though.

With cost of living and time pressures for many people the cheaper end of the market is attractive. You've only got to look at the car manufacturing industry in Australia. Ford are closing and they've just announced that FPV will be no more. Here in Adelaide Holden is getting closer to closing. They're are a few reasons for this but basically they're just not selling enough cars. The market wants smaller more economical cars and at the moment most of these are made overseas.

[Jeepers Creepers]

If you were getting a new CT built in this market, it would be $500.00 deposit and the balance on pick-up of a finished product.

The days of progress payments is long gone, as so is the CT builder in too many cases now.