Fun Time RV Closing Shocks RV Industry
May 7, 2010 by Steve Bibler 29 Comments
Aerial view of Fun Time RV in Cleburne, Texas
The Thursday (May 6) closing of Fun Time RV in Cleburne, Texas, the state’s leading towable RV dealer since 1987 and a perennially strong player on a national scale, comes as no surprise to industry insiders, but still has left the state’s RV industry reeling.
The closing occurred after several lenders reportedly pulled their floorplan financing from the 26-year-old dealership owned by Sam Kidd. The doors were locked and security guards posted at the dealership, located in suburban Fort Worth.
“They just completely dominated the market; they were the absolute gorilla for the industry in Texas, “ said Clark McEwen, executive director of the Texas RV Association.
The dealership was the nation’s No. 1 single-lot RV dealership in 2009, selling 1,606 units, according to Statistical Surveys Inc. (SSI)
SSI President Tom Walworth said he was shocked to learn of Fun Time’s closing.
He called Kidd “a unique and hard-working individual” and “an innovator in the industry.”
Kidd took a hands-on approach to his RV dealership and found ways to make the units he retailed unique, by adding flat screen TVs, outside security cameras, more residential-style and other gadgets, Walworth noted.
“Sam put stuff in nobody else could have in their trailer or motorhome. He did a great job with that kind of stuff,” Walworth said.
“When they were blowing and going, Sam was involved with the interiors, did a great job staging the units on his lot. He had neat stuff in his showroom,” he added.
“It’s been kind of a tough last 24 hours for me,” Doug “Kojak” Kacsir, former general manager of Fun Time RV and current general manager of McClain’s RV in nearby Fort Worth, told RVBUSINESS.com. “Sam invented the travel trailer business in Texas. He ran four massive showrooms and had one of the more impressive facilities you’ll find anywhere.”
The dealership’s management, which had been known to inventory 3,000 RVs in expansive sales lots and in four inside showrooms covering 85,000 square feet, hoped to do $100 million in new and used RVs this year, according to its website. In its day, Fun Time was noted for its dinosaur display, valued at $25,000, and its 3,000-gallon fish tank
“With the amount of business they were doing, you would think they could float the boat and come out of it but it just didn’t happen,” added Kacsir. “No one in our industry should be saying this will be a good thing. If they think it will help the other dealers in the area, they’re sadly mistaken.”
Kacsir said Fun Time, which had 120 employees as recently as a year ago but had reduced staffing to about 50 at the time of its closure, was three times larger than the next largest towable dealer in the state. “It was never out of the top 3 in the nation in towable sales while I worked there,” he said. “There were $44 million in trailers on the lot when I left a year ago. I think there was just under $10 million when they shut it down. The unit sales are there. I just think they were too far deep in the well to get out. I am surprised they lasted this long. I was mega-stressed when I left. I could see what was happening.”
The closing is as much a function of the current state of the RV industry as it is a result of Kidd’s recent illness, Kacsir theorized, adding that Kidd, who once ran stores in Fort Worth and Denton but closed them in recent years to concentrate on Cleburne, used to put in 18-hour days on a regular basis. “If Sam were 100% healthy, this wouldn’t have happened.”
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You bet this is a big deal. I just bought a trailer there on Sunday, and of course they have deposited my deposit check. I certainly hope that the sales staff were dealing in good faith, and knew nothing. Now the question is, where do I get in line to get my little bit of money back? So sad for the industry, for the local economy, and for the indivdual consumer.
A.Jay—Do you have your trailer yet? We were in a similar situation as our trailer was there for repiar–Luckily we were able to get our trailer this morning just by luck. I wish you all the best of luck with this. I truely hate this.
I happened to be part of the staff that you speak of and I can assure you that we were working in good faith. As for the General and Sales Managers, I can not speak for them, but I can speculate they knew for a while this was going to occur. We had put in almost a week worth of work only to have the gates locked on us and told to go home without our last week’s pay. This line that you question is going to be a long one, believe me.
Don’t feel bad A. JAY my wife & I have had our travel trailer in there service dept. for a little over a month waiting on a awning cloth to be ordered & replaced. Bad thing is we’re going to have to wait & porvide prove of ownership just to get our trailer back from funtime !!! The good thing is it was an Ins. claim & the check was made out in our name so they can’t cash it !!!!!!! We just have to pick the trailer up if we can get it out so & take it somewhere else & my Ins. Co. told me that they will cover the cost of fixing the awning !!! hope we can get the trailer out real so !!!!
This is a terrible thing for the RV Industry. If there are buyer’s that
have made a deposit, you should be taken care of and receive your
model. Be patient during the process. For any buyer’s that had a particular
model or brand in mind, I encourage you to visit our small dealership in Norman, Ok. on line http://www.rvgeneralstore.com. Best to all the employees and their families.
This is a big deal to me too! I have had a rather large deposit sitting there since mid-March awaiting my RV to be built. Now I am without a RV and most importantly my money. I have no deposit to even consider buying another RV. I don’t want anything from them other than my money. And Yes, they deposited my check too. I regret their situation but I don’t feel I should be responsible for their misfortune. I just want my money back.
I have heard SEVERAL RUMORS that drug dealing played a role in the closing of Fun Time RV in Cleburne. Is there ANY truth to this?? Just wondering????
We have been getting calls from Fun Time customers to please “take over” where Fun Time left off on service. We are located in Granbury, Texas and offer not only a shop, but mobile service as-well. I know a few people are now shaky on putting there RV in a shop and we can do ANYTHING on site. We are making special arrangements for the Fun Time customers so please feel free to give us a call at 817-526-4295. We have references and have been a family owned business for 3 years and in the industry for over 14. Thanks and I hope everything works out for all of you.
I have bought two RVs from Funtime. The last one was March two years ago. I really like my RV and am very satisfied with it. What I did not like was the service after purchase. Every time I needed something done, I got the run around. Their old by line was that they were waiting for the parts. So I called Keystone on two different occasions and found out that funtime had not even ordered the parts. They had a new service manager who was openly rude to me when I confronted him with what Keystone told me. I made up my mind then I would never buy another RV from them. Maybe some of this is catching up with them. I am sorry for all of the rest of the employees, but feel no remorse for the service manager.
I am writing to you about a complaint but it will fall on deaf ears. Fun Time RV of Cleburne, TX has gone under. My wife and I purchased a used 2005 Rockwood from them March 2009. We were total rookies about the whole situation. We believed that we had gotten a good deal.
However, we live in southeast New Mexico and did not discover the many problems this trailer had. Leaking roof, leaking front window, shower leaked, bracket on front step broken, and other minor items. When I called Fun Time RV, I was told “TS” for Tough S&&&. I spent about $700.00 in repairs and never had a nice thing to say about them.
So, yes, I am glad they went under.
If you are looking for the Bank Repo’s that went to auction check out NielsonRV.com. Most of these units have or will go to auction. GE, Bank of the West, and Bank of America are the BIG players in all this. When GE yanked their floor lines, they could not pay the curtailments or interest due, let alone the principal amounts that were over 1 year. After the year is up, total amount is due. We have Acquired 0ver 100 Pre-Owned “Used” Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, Toy haulers & Motorhomes through auction from these flooring companies. We are selling these units on our website at wholesale prices-HUGE DISCOUNTS. If you want something good out of Fun Time RV, take advantage of picking up one of their lost units at a HUGE discount. Our sympathy goes out to the company and employees involved in losing their jobs. We are hiring Qualified sales people and RVIA Technitians for those that are thinking about relocating to Southern Utah. We are 1 1/2 hour drive from Las Vegas Nevada, 5 hour drive to Salt Lake City and a 5 hour drive to Southern California. Southern Utah is near the Grand Canyon, Zions National Park, and is a beautiful State to live in. PLEASE- if we can help some of the employees who have lost jobs please visit us online at NielsonRV.com and fill out an employment application online. thanks again.
Best Regards
Scott Nielson
Nielson RV
I say good riddance. My sister and her husband purchased an rv from the Cleburne store, and service after sale was terrible. I even found out that they removed the rear stabilizers and resold them as options! They didn’t even bother to paint the new welds. They aren’t called “One Time” for nothing.
What a giant pain – and loss of money. We purchased a Rockwood Mini Lite there in Feb. and LOVED it. Unfortunately, a tornado or funnel cloud or something evil two weeks ago threw it into our house. It is totaled and has been hauled off. I wanted to cancel our extended service plan and get some $$ back to put towards a new trailer… and can’t do that since Fun Time is now no more. And doesn’t have the decency to even talk to the people they took money from…
Does anyone know what happened to the sales people? Matt (I think his last name was Lee) helped us buy our new one. We loved him and loved Fun Time. Matt was in the process of building a new home and I believed had two small children. I am concerned for him as well as the others.
If he goes to another dealership we would like to know. We are praying for you all.
We bought a 2006 WILDCAT on 4-11-2010 paid cash … unable to reach anyone concerning the title … does anyone have this same problem???
I bought a new travel trailer at Funtime RV in Feb of 2010. I still haven’t received my license plate and my temporary tag has been expired for over a month. I spoke with Funtime RV several times and was never given any answers and now they are closed and I’m not sure what to do. Does anyone know how I would go about obtaining my license plate?
Thanks
Jennifer,
I had to cancel our warranty after unit stolen. Look at your warranty papers and call them. I am not certain whether you will need Fun Time to finish process.
We too bought a used 5th wheel RV in April of 2010 and did not receive our license plate for the trailer and the taxes have not been paid. Went to Funtime to check on the license plates several times and were told that they would mail them to us. Son noticed on way home from work one day that the dealership had CLOSED THEIR DOORS! Our lender says they paid Funtime the TT&L when the trailer was funded but Funtime did not pay the county tax office with the money. Lender said they could not help us with this issue. But our lender did sent us a form to complete so that they could get our title from FFB and transfer it into their name. We have filed a complaint with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles in Austin and are waiting on their findings. DMV toll free number is 1-800-687-7846 or email MVD-SCANCENTER@DOT.STATE.TX.US Think we are probably going to pay the TT& L out of our pocket so that we can use our trailer. We really feel back for the ex-employees they were blind sided and that is unfair!
what do we do about warranty work now ?
I had my RV in the service department for (3) months waiting on repair. They were paid over $5000.00 for the work from the insurance company from the RV being stolen. I was told by 1st Financial Bank; Derrick Schmidt @ 817-556-5009 that the insurance checks were not cashed. I was lucky enough to get my RV the day they went out of business. After getting my RV back upon inspection it became very clear they never did the work they were paid to do fully and most of the work they did was terrible. Heres the really fun part of my story, when I called 1st Financial I was advised the check had been cash, but they dont know by whom! So that money is lost at this time. The RV was in such poor shape we opted to just trade it in and take a $4000.00 loss on a 2.5 year old RV used (4) times! I called Great American to get a refund on my GAP insurance policy and was advised that Fun Time never paid the $500.00 to Great American so I never had any GAP insurance coverage! What is really odd is the premade form they used has the wrong two letter alpha characters at the beginning of the policy number ( WT XXXXXX which the insurance company has never used). So Fun Time was ripping people off by selling GAP insurance policies and keeping the money (what else could they have been doing). If you purchased GAP insurance you better get your paperwork out and call the insurance company and make sure you have coverage! As for me they took another $500.00 that I can never recover. What thieves! I wish them all a future of dismay just as they have caused so many others! SAD SAD SAD!!
We purchased a RV from this dealer back in Jan 27,2010.We have never received a title. I have a insurance claim on it to be totaled and I cant do anything because this dealership never transferred the title out of the previous owners name.My local tax office pulled up the VIN and it may even still have a lien on it. Very upset.
Here is what happens when one generation busts its butt to build something, and gives gives gives to the next generation only to see them throw it all away.
This is no suprise!
Parents – beware!
I’m a former employee that was let go the day Funtime closed. Ricky and Lisa posted the DMV Dealer Enforcement Div. number,here again 800-687-7846.This is a good contact for those that have not recieved titles.
GE Capital number is 913-515-1558 for those that bought a new trailer and also have not recieved a title.
Funtime RV is or has filed bankruptcy. Michael Rogers is the attorney for Funtime RV and Sam Kidd, his number is 817-558-4323 for those that left deposits.
Keith I could give you a number that would fix you up quick but you come across as a bonafide JERK, you’re on you’re own.
What a bunch of whiners you all are! When a company goes bankrupt, whether you, the staff, or anyone knew, there are consequences that need to be realized.
Pouring salt in the wound doesn’t help anyone!
That’s all I’m hearing from the people that have posted comments here on this website. You have time to post a comment here, but don’t have time to find a solution to your own problem?? What’s wrong with that picture?
The worse is the ambulance chaser who posted his own webpage to try and capitilize on another companies loss? Brutal. Does anyone in America have any morals anymore? Cmon people, do as your mother taught you – if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
We should be trying to help those in need, not whine about how you are going to get your deposit back or where to go to service work or where to get your license plate? You people need to step back and take a look at your lives and see what’s REALLY important in your lives.
Those that have posted positive information here, good job.
TO: Canadian RV dealer. Souhds like you have a major problem with attitude about Americans. You have no idea what goes on down here. I bought a 2006 new travel trailer and had the microwave go out the first time we camped. I took in to have it replaced and it took Fun Time 3 weeks to replace it when it had was two wood screws holding it in place. So I found me another dealer to do my work. Never went back to fun Time. So Canadian if do not like this, stay out of Texas.
Hello Randy and thank you for your kindness in helping those unintentionally caught up in the aftermath of Fun Time RVs demise.
I would like to clarify something for you however regarding your statement, Funtime RV is or has filed bankruptcy, to inform you and anyone else who may have been told (or simply may have assumed) that Fun Time RV has filed bankruptcy; this is not the truth. Sam Kidd has not filed personal bankruptcy as of today, October 20, 2010. Furthermore, DAR, INC. dba Fun Time RV through Sam Kidd has not filed corporate bankruptcy either.
Whether or not this will come to pass sometime in the future, I can not say and do not wish to speculate. All I know for certain is that as of today this has not happened.
And to the gentleman called John Smith, I think perhaps you wandered on to the wrong blog as this is not a Blog about family issues between parents and their children or the like, but if by chance you came to THIS blog with intent and purpose to post the message you posted, I am at a total loss as to the relevance of your message.
To the gentleman with the appellation Canadian RV Dealer; why on earth would you feel the need to disparage those who are posting on this Blog? Its a bit over the top and quite harshly judgmental of you to characterize those who have been unjustly victimized as whiners when in fact they are merely doing EXACTLY as you, in your post, are suggesting they do! They are posting their concerns and asking for help from those whom they believe have the information they need to solve their problem, (such as Randy Rogers who so kindly helped so many)!
Nancy Kidd
Nancy,
We placed a deposit on a trailer last year and were told that we could get it back if the interest rate was too high. We were lied to and denied that return of deposit. We were also denied a copy of the video tape of our conversation in the office. I e-mailed your husband begging him to do something, but he never returned the request. We were told to just hold on 12 months and your husband’s company would return our deposit. But now they are closed and renamed so they will not return it. I am choosing to write here because no one at your husband’s establishment will help me. I appreciate your kindness in placing an ad in the cowboy’s for kids benefit in April even though you knew you were going out of business. You are clearly kind. So are we, and we need that $1,000 back now. How can we get it back. Now that Sam is not in bankruptcy, I’m certain he would like to do the right thing.
Dear Sandy,
If you would like to talk with me further, you may e-mail me at dostoevsky10@yahoo.com
Nancy Kidd
The regulation of the RV industry is abysmal, so much so that rip-offs such as posted here are common place. A friend of mine had purchased an RV from Fun Time only to find the trailer to almost literally fall apart due to shoddy construction at the factory (and this was a large, popular brand name manufacturer, too) and repairs performed by the dealer. Hes been trying to get the manufacturer and dealership to take responsibility for the shoddy construction but none of them will. This was about a year and a half ago. Hes trying now to get relief through the Texas Lemon Law (rotsa ruck, bucko).
Anyway, my friend commented one day that when used car salesmen die, they come back as RV salesman due to de-evolution.
Clark McEwens comment is interesting about Fun Time dominating the Texas industry and being gorillas, huh?
Its the tacit approval and admiration of lesser peers such as the Executive Director of the Texas RV Association, who are awed by the wealth obtained by unscrupulous con men such as the leadership of Fun Time, that necessitate outside regulation of this industry. Most consumers are well aware of this due to being burned like my friend and industry people know this as the rule, not the exception.
Sorry for the rant but read the other posts. The industry does this to themselves because of easy money and greed.