Vince has resigned from LD.........last day is a week from Friday.....going to miss that guy!!!!!
Bill
[edited topic title to be more descriptive - Michelle]
Too bad!
What?!?!?!?!
How did you hear about this?
I need to send him an email. :-(
"Vince has resigned from LD..."
Please tell me this is not true, that I am having a bad dream! Bummer, they are going to be looking far and hard to find a person as highly liked and as competent as Vince. :o :-[
Resigned as in quit or did he retire?
If the latter, congratulations.
If the former, that doesn't bode well.
Vince is too young to retire, based on my in person meetings. Whatever the reason behind his departure, this is a loss for all of us customers.
NOOOOOO!
It’s not April so this just breaks my heart. I’ve had nothing but pleasant visits with Vince.
He has always been a great advocate for us LD owners.
Kent
Bill, how did you find this out? Factory visit? Whatever motivated this, loss of a core employee, particularly in a company as small as LD, is disturbing.
Wow, how long has he been with LD?
He WILL be missed. Sad, nothing is forever.
Bob
Hi All,
As a nearing retirement baby boomer and RV newbie researching Class C's, I first bought and studied the RV Consumer Group's motor home ratings package. Lazy Daze quickly rose into the top three on my short list of new coaches due further research. I then joined this forum to learn more. I started reading LD owner's posts. I became concerned reading the peeling/cracking paint posts primarily how such is considered a "cosmetic" issue by LD. I look at it this way. LD coaches are mobile advertising billboards for them, rolling around the country being seen by hundreds, possibly tens of thousands of people in a single coach's lifetime. For LD to be satisfied with their newer coaches looking like those in the posted photos did not endear me to them or earn my trust. Instead, it left me wondering what other flaws are lurking under newer LD coaches.
As further affirmation of my concerns, today I read beloved LD guru Vince is resigning from LD employment unexpectedly. Hmm.
Sadly, yet thankfully, I've concluded it best to cross Lazy Daze off my short list before I pluck down $100,000+ of my hard earned money.
My concerns are my opinions.
In no way am I trying to insult, upset or harm any Lazy Daze motor coach owner.
He’s not retiring.
FYI, as noted in the first post, I edited the topic title. It's best to be descriptive with these since it helps folks know what the topic is about and will help future searches.
FYI, as noted in the first post, I edited the topic title. It's best to be descriptive with these since it helps folks know what the topic is about and will help future searches.
Yikes, sorry.....lesson learned :)
Hi All,
As a nearing retirement baby boomer and RV newbie researching Class C's, I first bought and studied the RV Consumer Group's motor home ratings package. Lazy Daze quickly rose into the top three on my short list of new coaches due further research. I then joined this forum to learn more. I started reading LD owner's posts. I became concerned reading the peeling/cracking paint posts primarily how such is considered a "cosmetic" issue by LD. I look at it this way. LD coaches are mobile advertising billboards for them, rolling around the country being seen by hundreds, possibly tens of thousands of people in a single coach's lifetime. For LD to be satisfied with their newer coaches looking like those in the posted photos did not endear me to them or earn my trust. Instead, it left me wondering what other flaws are lurking under newer LD coaches.
As further affirmation of my concerns, today I read beloved LD guru Vince is resigning from LD employment unexpectedly. Hmm.
Sadly, yet thankfully, I've concluded it best to cross Lazy Daze off my short list before I pluck down $100,000+ of my hard earned money.
My concerns are my opinions.
In no way am I trying to insult, upset or harm any Lazy Daze motor coach owner.
While I agree with you on the paint issue, I’m not quite ready to abandon ship. I don’t know the reason why Vince left but sometimes change is good for an organization, sometimes not. I’m taking a wait and see stance for now.
While I agree with you on the paint issue, I’m not quite ready to abandon ship. I don’t know the reason why Vince left but sometimes change is good for an organization, sometimes not. I’m taking a wait and see stance for now.
I completely agree!!! His decision had nothing to do with any of these issues and attaching one to another is baseless.
Unemployment is at record low levels, and good skilled workers in the trades are particularly hard to find. I've read survey after survey from small business owners in trade related industries and finding skilled workers in by far the #1 hardest problem they face right now.
In other words, skilled valued employees, especially those who can work well with customers, have a lot of offers and a lot of options. There is quite a bit of job hopping going on right now.
I share everyone's disappointment, but it could be more of a statement on the economy than a sign of impending doom at the mothership.
Rich
'03 MB in NC
In other words, skilled valued employees, especially those who can work well with customers, have a lot of offers and a lot of options. There is quite a bit of job hopping going on right now.
Rich,
I fully agree with your assessment of the current economic boom in job opportunities. During a similar economic boom in the 80's I changed jobs 5 times and more than doubled my salary in doing so. Vince will be missed and I wish him well in what ever he does going forward. If as speculated, his motivation is economic or career advancement, then more power to him.
- John
While never meeting Vince and being a new owner, I have only heard good things about his talents at LZ. With his skillset, he may have simply been offered a better gig with better pay/benefits. Being a small company, I can't imagine LD's salary can compete with bigger companies. I'm sure he is simply doing what is best for himself and his family. I should would love to have his contact though if I ever had a question. I'm sure many of us would! I'm happy to know his talents were involved in the building of my new to me 2008.
"... skilled valued employees, especially those who can work well with customers, have a lot ...of options."
It would seem to me that Steve should recognize the above fact and do his damnedness to retain a valued employee, or does it go deeper than that? ::)
It's all speculation but it would be nice if he were opening a shop just to repair LDs.
Jim
It's all speculation but it would be nice if he were opening a shop just to repair LDs.
Jim
Another former LD person, Tim Pease (he sold us our first LD in 2002) left LD about 2007 and opened his own repair shop called Extra Mile RV. But I think he has moved on to something else.
Another former LD person, Tim Pease (he sold us our first LD in 2002) left LD about 2007 and opened his own repair shop called Extra Mile RV. But I think he has moved on to something else.
Is that when Vince was hired?
"Tim Pease (he sold us our first LD in 2002) left LD about 2007."
When I took delivery of my LD in October 2004 Tim Pease was no longer affiliated with the company. I believe he had already formed his own company (Extra Mile) by that time. He did an install of the Surge Protector for me at the Pomona KOA and other work still later right here in front of my house. ;)
As a nearing retirement baby boomer and RV newbie researching Class C's, I first bought and studied the RV Consumer Group's motor home ratings package. Lazy Daze quickly rose into the top three on my short list of new coaches due further research. I then joined this forum to learn more. I started reading LD owner's posts. I became concerned reading the peeling/cracking paint posts primarily how such is considered a "cosmetic" issue by LD. I look at it this way. LD coaches are mobile advertising billboards for them, rolling around the country being seen by hundreds, possibly tens of thousands of people in a single coach's lifetime. For LD to be satisfied with their newer coaches looking like those in the posted photos did not endear me to them or earn my trust. Instead, it left me wondering what other flaws are lurking under newer LD coaches.
You will likely be disappointed with other brands even more, then. Might there be a cosmetic issue with the paint? Perhaps (although I have not noticed an overwhelming number of reports). On the other hand, the lists of issues with other brands approach legendary status.
I don't say this as a LDO forum member; I say this as an avid RVer since 2000 who stays up with the industry on a daily basis.
I have never met Vince either but my understanding is that he is the service manager. Does he also manage production on new builds?
Very sad to hear this news as I live close to the factory and have dealt with Vince numerous times. He was honest, transparent and professional in his work. He will be missed for sure and we will likely never know the reason for his leaving, but I wish him well as do all the others that have met him directly and indirectly.
Gary
Mojopar, no RV is perfect, but, IMO, Lazy Dazes are a good bit closer to that state than any other class C (and a lot of other class whatevers). Each of us makes choices, even those of spending well $100k and ending up with an overweight, poorly designed, engineered, and constructed POC that needs repairs and do-overs right off the line - *if* the manufacturer and dealer support the product they make and sell.
YMMV.
I will miss Vince, who’s been great to work with on many occasions. I wish him well.
That said, there have been many changes at LD since we first went there in 2003 and shortly thereafter bought our coach. Paul and Ed and others gone, Steve assuming full control, others arriving, growth and downsizing, design changes. To me it still remains fundamentally the same product and company.
We have a service appointment in December. Though it may go differently than with Vince I suspect it will go fine. Most of those involved in building and maintaining these coaches remain. And whatever the shortcomings of this small organization I much prefer it to some bureaucratized behemoth designed to avoid accountability for its doubtless greater shortcomings. And I like that the company and its products have a strong and recognizable character in an industry plagued by mindless conformity and mediocrity.
Do you think LD has a big farewell party for him, or ......?
Do you think LD has a big farewell party for him, or ......?
Doubt it....doesn’t seem that kind of environment IMO
I suspect Vince simply received an offer he couldn't refuse from somewhere in the industry - possibly an rv repair shop. There is likely a good replacement somewhere in the ranks of LD even though the choices are limited. Judging by what rv repair shops charge, there has to be money being made by that industry IF they can find good people. Frank
I'm sure that each person working there has people to cover for them when they are absent for whatever reason. I've always talked with Todd Miller recently when I've visited. So I'm sure someone is waiting in the wings to take over for Vince when he leaves. A good company always has backups.
I personally wouldn't want to work at a place that had a specific time of year that vacations were required, and the corollary that vacations weren't allowed other times of the year. Sometimes you just have to get away! RonB
"I've always talked with Todd Miller..."
It has always been my understanding that Todd was the 'Sales' guy and general liaison/customer relations man (read Desk Jockey). He may be good at what he does, I've never spoken to him, but he cannot hold a candle to Vince when it comes down to service and maintenance! ::)
I did see a post earlier (from April I think) saying Todd told someone that Lazy Daze has " 19 employees. I don't know if he counted only production employees or included office personnel as well."
Not clear how many might be working in the service dept.
I did see a post earlier (from April I think) saying Todd told someone that Lazy Daze has " 19 employees. I don't know if he counted only production employees or included office personnel as well."
Make that 18. ;)
He's always been helpful over the phone.
He'll be missed.
I really find great comfort in knowing that Vince has been there to answer my calls and provide invaluable feedback, service and repair of our ‘15 RB.
If indeed, the rumors of his departure are true (has anyone else called him/LD to confirm this), I would not hesitate to either buy a New Lazy Daze or take our rig into the Mothership for service on any of its systems.
In another thread here, a LD seller said that a potential buyer backed out of purchasing their LD. One reason stated was that Vince was no longer going to be at LD to provide service in the future.
While this statement is testimony to Vince’s great reputation, I, personally, would not let his departure sway me from purchasing either a New LD or a previously owned rig, especially a 2017 rig.
LD is going to carry on. They’ve been carrying on for decades and while Vince has stepped in at some point in the past to fill someone else’s shoes as much as we all admire his dedication and caring work ethic, his shoes are undoubtedly not too big to be filled.
Thanks Vince.
Kent
With Vince reportedly leaving, I'm trying to figure out which stage I'm in and I think it's Anger:
Cycle of Acceptance - Tool/Concept/Definition (http://www.thwink.org/sustain/glossary/CycleOfAcceptance.htm)
Amended
No politics, please.
I’m following this thread with interest and I’ve had a few nice interactions with Vince, and he will be missed. He was knowledgeable and he cared, which made all of the difference. Now I’m going to be a little controversial, ( no politics!). I’m watching a lot of You tube videos and have been physically looking at other models of RV, thinking about what I might get in the future. I would disagree with Terry that the market is stagnant and mediocre. I would say that in the last year, there have been big advances, changes in design, which I think have been fueled surprisingly by the vanlife people. Now you are seeing a lot more smaller units, class b and c, incorporating more solar, more lithium batteries, running air con on lithium, better water heaters, all season units, and design wise, a recognition that there are few who want to crawl up into the overcab area and also want a comfortable space to sit and better storage. I really don’t think it’s enough anymore to rely on quality build without incorporating the design changes that people are demanding these days.
I agree with Alphpup, mostly. It has been reported (I have not fact checked)that the fastest growing segment of the RV lifestyle is single women. I looked at lots of types and models. None compare to the peace of mind that I have with my 2005 LD. Being a newbie last fall I received tons of help from this forum and the folks at Quartzsite. My rig takes care of me. Up hills, down hills, it is such a solid piece of equipment. I have driven lots of big rigs to sports cars. My LD is a tank! Also the interior is "comfy". Knock on wood, but everything just works, every time. I understand the attraction of bells and whistles, give me reputation of quality and dependability.
I should also mention that I didn't know much about LD's when I started my search. I was not looking for any particular brand. I drug my poor sister all over, (Sacramento-5pm rush, she said she would not take me there again-ever)thinking this might be the one I drove home. When I walked into my LD, I knew. When the seller spent a day going through all the systems and put in $50 worth of fuel for my trip home telling me his wife couldn't come to say goodbye because she was too sad, I knew that LD folks might be a bit kooky...Now I am one:)
After being off line for a week I see this.....
Let me say ... It takes a whole set of different skill sets to built a machine as complex as a RV. No one person is responsible except the owner. The owner determines the value and quality of the product. I didn't know anyone personally when I purchased the LD. I still have no qualms recommening a LD.
As much as we would all like to believe we are not replaceable we all are. In fact the person replacing us my be a whole lot better.
Glen
"I would say that in the last year, there have been big advances, changes in design..."
Yes, and many of the new features are welcome. But what I don't see are big advances in quality. Most affordable RVs, and even quite a few expensive ones, are still plagued by design and workmanship flaws. (My Airstream is a good example.) Lazy Dazes aren't perfect, and they are not up to date in some ways, but they rank above most of their competitors in quality.