Interesting Change in the Wind Reported, at the Melbourne Caravan Show ...

Submitted: Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 00:50
ThreadID: 123470 Views:5891 Replies:6 FollowUps:6
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Now I was not there, but this is reported to me from many reliable sources, to quote just a couple of the many:

Matthew got back today, to do some artwork for a cover on our DVD, although he needs as rest and will not be back on deck until the 10th.. Any way his comment: "For the first time, we were not telling people how good our vans were... Instead people were coming up telling us how Bushtracker was the best! The Rolls Royce of Caravans, they were praising the Bushtracker more than any other Show we have been to. It was a more than welcome change of attitude from the Public in the last 10 years"

And here is a comment, cut and paste, typical of the response I have been getting by email to Bushtracker: "BTW, your vans were far better than any other van at the caravan show in Melbourne last week. My wife won't settle for anything less now !"

It is an interesting change, we have arrived at the Top (where we always knew we were.... ) But now it seems that the Public perception is there, caught up, and widespread...

Not bragging, just reporting on a change of attitude of the Public.. I thought maybe you would like to know.

Kind Regards to all, Ranger
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Reply By: schommys - Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 03:22

Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 03:22
Spoken by a man who is very proud of his product. Anyway, I already knew that, why do you think I bought one?
AL.
AnswerID: 571023

Follow Up By: Noosa Fox - Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 03:58

Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 03:58
We knew it 6 years ago, and nothing has changed. We only had a look in about 4 other brand vans that were a bit different, but as we new what BT are all about we only spoke with the crew and didn't go inside, leaving that to the others that haven't got one.

Brian
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Follow Up By: Bushtucker Man - Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 09:23

Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 09:23
I am another who has known this for 6 years & thats why we bought our 1st one, now going for number 2 & finding it hard having to wait until the end of the year.
I keep reminding myself that all good things come to those that wait.
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Reply By: Gus507001 - Saturday, Apr 07, 2007 at 02:37

Saturday, Apr 07, 2007 at 02:37
Interesting comment Steven, you make a fine caravan along with several other manufacturers but I do recall my late mum saying something along the lines of "self praise being no recommendation." I accept that you may prefer the saying "don't hide your light under a bushel" but it can get pretty glary in here some days.
Gus
AnswerID: 571024

Follow Up By: Bushtracker - Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 at 17:20

Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 at 17:20
Gus,
One of two things is very apparent:

Either you have not been around to see how the vans are built, (because if you had you would know how silly your comment is.) There is no second place to how we do things, and instead of making remote armchair warrior comments like that, get up off your seat and go see how they are built and you will see that we do not HAVE any real competitors.... We DO have the best interior finish, the best engineering, the best equipment, and all you have to do is go see how the others are built and you will see that for yourself if you know what you are looking at...

Or: You are plant on this Forum from one of the other mobs... And need all the luck you can get... In either case, so you don't look silly, you should see how the vans are built before you go off on such a tangent. If this response is taken negatively by you, you need to proceed no further, because with a bad attitude we would not build you a van anyway.

Sincerely, lone Ranger...
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Reply By: Gus507001 - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 07:20

Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 07:20
Hmmmmmmmm

Steven did you perhaps have too much chocolate over Easter or are the hemorrhoids playing up a bit. Just to set some of your assumptions straight, whether they be apparent to you and others or not, let me reply to the opinions expressed in your note.

I have been, with my wife, to your factory on two occasions when we were researching new vans. The first time was to your old factory when we met yourself and from memory your very pleasant dog. You gave us a tour of your manufacturing facilities and an in-depth discussion on how you build your vans. When we were looking for our second van a younger chap showed us around and he was both very pleasant and knowledgeable, I do recall you flapping about a bit in the background but we didn't speak with you on that second visit but we did get the full tour again.

As I said, you make a fine van and we were impressed, with a few misgivings, with your set-up but unfortunately not impressed enough to place you on our short list of two bespoke manufacturers, neither for our first van nor the second one.

So I guess that deals with your first paragraphs reference to "have not been around to see how the vans are built", "making remote armchair warrior comments" & "get up off your seat and go see how they are built" and I suppose that what we are left with from your post is your opinion on certain things.

Now Steven, you are as entitled to your opinion as much as any of us are, unfortunately for you, you are not more entitled than the rest of us. Whether you like it or not other people have the right to obtain, express and maintain their opinions, just like you, even (gasp!) if they differ to yours. It really just means that they think differently to you and they aren't automatically in error just because they don't agree with what you think. For the sake of harmony you should, if I may so suggest, try and refrain from publicly denigrating people who hold such opposing views, you could find that it antagonises some, fortunately not me.

As I said Steven, you make a fine van but only in your opinion is it peerless. In actual fact we chose another manufacturer on two occassions and not because of cost.

Of course your response wasn't taken negatively by me, I've learnt at my age to accept that everyone doesn't have to go along with what I say or love how I say it. All I suggested in my original post was that perhaps you could take the self-adulation down a notch or two, I find it can get a bit overpowering sometimes.

I must mention that your comment "because with a bad attitude we would not build you a van anyway" does seem a little childish, almost like "I'll take my bat and ball and go home if you won't play my way". Rest assured Steven if we ever decide to give you another chance we will still contact you but I would caution against staying home and waiting for our call.

Again, thanks for an interesting message, it tells me a great deal about you.

Gus
self-praise is no recommendation............
AnswerID: 571025

Reply By: Bushtracker Buck & Babe - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 20:29

Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 20:29
Don't do it Steve! Don't respond to this posting. You (and the owners of BT's) know what you do well and please just leave it at that. You don't need to spend your day thinking about these comments. Obviously Gus is happy with his choice and should be allowed to have made it.

You will have other customers and comments to think about.

Angie
AnswerID: 571026

Follow Up By: Mobi Condo - Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 at 04:36

Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 at 04:36
Well said - We will second that!
Cheers - Ian & Sally
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Follow Up By: Bushtracker - Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 at 19:37

Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 at 19:37
Hello Angie, this is Matt in the office. Steve is actually out of town at a Reining horse event until Monday. I agree, not worth responding. Although one has to wonder what off-road caravan is better then a Bushtracker, I want one (or maybe two) as well ;-)

Cheers, Matt
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Reply By: Downunder - Saturday, Apr 14, 2007 at 05:05

Saturday, Apr 14, 2007 at 05:05
I gotta say Steve that in my opinion Gus said nothing wrong in either of his 2 posts and he was definately on the money with the "self adulation" remark.

Like many others I view your often unprovoked attacks on people as unnecessary
and certainly not what most would think of as approriate from a company director and respected caravan builder.

You have a right to express your opinion and you do but it is high time you respected the rights of others to have theirs without ridicule or suspicion of being a "red under the bed"

Steve, for everyone's benefit take the advice that has been given on this sort of thing before and this site will be a whole lot better for it as will people's opinion of you
Keep up the good work and support for your customers that you do better than anyone.
For the record I have no idea who Gus is.
Regards, Bill
AnswerID: 571027

Follow Up By: Croozer - Saturday, Apr 14, 2007 at 05:36

Saturday, Apr 14, 2007 at 05:36
I agree with Bill's comments 100%. Would have liked to have posted same several times in the past, but for some stupid reason, have always felt just that little bit intimidated!

Cheers, Rod.
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Reply By: CD & JW - Saturday, Apr 14, 2007 at 06:09

Saturday, Apr 14, 2007 at 06:09
Enough said guys,
Steve's heart is in the right place.
Careful you don't fall into the same trap as Steve sometimes does in his enthusiasm for his excellent product.
Life teaches us "everyone" thinks their own baby is the sweetest, and if you really do have a beauty, weeeeell.

The Forum administrators have the authority to step in and will do so as you may have noticed in the past.

Angies comment goes for us all on an open forum.
Keep it nice -
stick to what each of us does best, and ignore the rest.

CD&JW
AnswerID: 571028

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