| Dear
Dan:
I read with interest and enjoyment your editorial in the August, 2000 RV
News, and I am looking further to the future recollections of past memories; many of
which we all share.
Memory is lapsing, however, and I feel it must be jogged.
You state that the primary purpose of the formation of TCA was to sue
RVIA for restraint of trade; but then you say "...we didn't have to file the
lawsuit." Here's the jog:
TCA did file the suit in the Federal Court of Southern District of
California. It caused much consternation at RVIA, especially since it touched on a 'per
se' violation of the anti-trust laws and RVIA's counsel was advising that a judgement to
that effect be expected.
I argued that case before the Court and was granted a dismissal! - -
much to the amazement of RVIA's local anti-trust counsel and the consternation of TCA.
Remember? - - you were there!
Jerry
Jerome C. Loftus, P.C.
Attorney at Law
Warrenton, Virginia
Dear Jerry:
You are absolutely correct.
I apologize for taking literary license - in a space-saving effort -
and I certainly recognize it was only your arguments and presentation that swayed the
Court, giving RVIA the unexpected decision it received.
However, the net result of the original litigation was that RVIA did
exactly what the suit was aimed at accomplishing - that being to give non-RVIA members the
opportunity to exhibit at the Dodger Stadium Show - which at that time was the largest
public RV show in the country.
Even though the suit was dismissed, I believe RVIA recognized that it
would not stand up to appeal, and they changed their rules, thus allowing non-members,
both manufacturers and suppliers the opportunity to exhibit at both the Dodger Show and at
the National RV Trade Show in Louisville.
RVIA's decision was the correct one. The whole RV industry won, and
neither TCA nor RVIA had to waste more of their members money through further litigation.
Dan Holt
Publisher, RV News
Dear Dan:
I just received my August issue of RV News magazine and was
delighted to learn that this is your 25th Anniversary Issue.
U.S. Catalytic Corporation has been an advertiser in RV News
magazine since you began this publication. We are proud to be associated with your
magazine. We appreciate your independent stand on many controversial issues with our
industry. This takes courage as well as insight.
Next year will be my 40th year in the RV industry. During my many years
in the industry, I have had the pleasure of seeing it grow to become a major USA economic
force. It is my belief that this industry is still in its infancy and during the next 25
years, when the "Baby Boomers" mature, we will see a doubling or tripling of our
industry.
Wishing you and your excellent staff many more years of contributions to
the RV industry we both serve.
Arthur Mindle
President
U.S. Catalytic Corporation
Napa, California
Dear Don:
Nice job on the September issue of RV News.
Good information, great training materials, i.e. "Before I Take
Delivery..." And very intuitive and challenging recognition that dealers are a
critical element in our industry's success.
Thanks for your continuing contributions.
Jim Fogdall
Ace Fogdall RV
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Dear Don:
I am not a RV dealer but rather a boat dealer. Having two retail stores
in Missouri we had tried the Tracker/Fleetwood fiasco at our smaller store in Jefferson
City basically as a favor to Tracker Marine. While I never thought it would work there
were two bright spots in the process. #1, I attended your industry's show in Louisville,
and #2, I started receiving your magazine.
The experience at your show was great because I garnered a lot of ideas
for displays at our St. Louis boat show, which we usually display between 45 - 50 units.
Your magazine is also quite refreshing. I don't know if you have had the
opportunity to read one of the boating industry's mags but they will get your into a very
foul mood despite what kind of a day/month/year you have had. Your Editorial this
month (September, 2000) is a prime example of what would never happen in one of our
magazines. You have taken news of down shipments and made them look great when you compare
'98 ... and then you explain the real world ... fluctuation is real, not just myth.
It also seems that your industry works together. Your advertising
campaign is something our industry talks about (and) is trying to imitate with little
success and is angering more people than it could ever make happy. While I certainly don't
know the importance of some of your industry's leaders names, ours is mostly comprised of
failed boat dealers who are now trying to tell others how to run our business.
Keep up the great work. Maybe try our industry; you can't have much less
info than the people who are now publishing.
John Arado
The Fishing Hole
St. Louis, Missouri
P.S. Hope I don't lose my subscription.
Dear John:
Thank you for your thoughtful message about RV News, the September
editorial and our industry.
This is one of the nicest comments I have ever received about an
editorial and I want you to know I really appreciate it.
And to make sure you continue to receive RV News, at least once a
year send in a renewal request. The form is always in the magazine.
As far as looking at the Boating industry, I suspect we had better
stay with the industry we know.
Thanks again.
Don Magary
Editor
RV News |
