You’ve probably heard the phrase “free market” tossed around like confetti at an RV show. It sounds great, right? Competition, fair pricing, and customers getting the best deals. But here’s the cold, hard truth: bad actors in the RV industry have turned what should be a free market into a full-blown carnival—complete with rigged games and inflated prizes. In this eye-opening conversation between RV Wingman and Kevin Frazer from Cheyenne Camping Center, you’ll discover the dealer games nobody talks about, the book value scandal that could cost you thousands, and the fixes that could save the entire industry.
Whether you’re a first-time RV buyer or a seasoned road warrior, understanding these dealer tactics isn’t just smart—it’s essential. You’re about to learn why some dealers run wild, how certain banks play along with them, and which reviews you can actually trust. Buckle up, because this ride gets bumpy
1. eBay Reviews: The One Place Dealers Can’t Fake Customer Feedback
Here’s a secret weapon you probably didn’t know existed: eBay Motors reviews are nearly impossible to manipulate. Why? Because to leave a review on eBay, you must actually purchase the product. One transaction equals one review—that’s it.
Kevin Frazer reveals that Cheyenne Camping Center is one of the only RV dealers actively selling on eBay Motors. The big chains? They tried it and ran away faster than a jackrabbit on a hot skillet. Camping World gave it two shots but pulled out within 60 days, ending up selling NASCAR paraphernalia instead of RVs.
Why the quick exit? Because customers who’d been through the wringer with chain dealerships started telling the unvarnished truth on a platform that couldn’t be gamed.
Here’s the kicker: You’d think if a dealer had nothing to hide, they’d embrace transparent reviews. But when your business model depends on fleecing customers, the last thing you want is honest feedback you can’t delete or bury.
| Review Platform | Can Be Manipulated? | Purchase Required? |
|---|---|---|
| eBay Motors | No | Yes |
| Google Reviews | Yes | No |
| Facebook Reviews | Yes | No |
| Dealer Website | Absolutely | No |
Your Move: Before you buy from any dealer, check their eBay Motors presence. If they’re not there or pulled out, ask yourself why they’re afraid of verified customer reviews.
2. The Book Value Scam: When NADA Became a Fantasy Novel
Remember when the NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association) RV value guide was actually reliable? Those days are long gone. JD Power purchased the NADA RV value guide about six years ago, and according to Frazer, things went sideways faster than a poorly hitched trailer.
For over 30 years, Cheyenne Camping Center contributed monthly sales data to NADA—real transactions, real prices, real conditions. Their compensation? A free subscription to the guide. But after JD Power took over, something disturbing happened: they stopped paying attention to the dealer reports. Book values started diverging wildly from actual market prices, sometimes showing RVs worth twice what they’d actually sell for.
Here’s where it gets legally sketchy: When banks and credit unions use these inflated book values to issue loans, buyers end up underwater before they even leave the lot. Insurance companies paying out claims based on fake valuations? That’s a ticking time bomb. Frazer got so concerned about potential class-action lawsuits that he sent two resignation letters demanding his dealership’s name be removed from the JD Power advisory board.
The Uncomfortable Truth: If you’re relying on JD Power for your RV’s value, you might as well be reading your horoscope. At least that’s free.
According to industry discussions, JD Power stopped accepting dealer sales data after the acquisition, which means their valuations are now based on… well, nobody’s quite sure. [Reddit RV Communities](https://www.reddit.com/r/GoRVing/)
3. Private Label RVs: The “Exclusive” Units That Trap You Forever
You’ve seen them: RVs with special names you can’t find anywhere else. Sounds exclusive, right? More like exclusively problematic. Chain dealerships love private label RVs because they create what’s called a “unique value proposition”—fancy talk for “you can’t compare prices or quality anywhere else.”
Here’s the dirty secret: Private label RVs are manufactured by different companies almost every year. That boutique brand you fell in love with? Next year, it might be built by a completely different manufacturer. The result? Good luck finding parts five years down the road when something breaks.
Frazer explains that parts support is one of the biggest nightmares in the RV world, especially for older units. When you total a 5-year-old private label RV, you might discover there’s literally nothing available to fix it. And your insurance rates? They’re already starting to reflect this problem.
Think about it this way: Buying a private label RV is like marrying someone who changes their identity every year. Good luck building a lasting relationship.
4. Used RV Pricing: When Old Costs More Than New
Brace yourself for this absurdity: Chain dealerships are pricing used RVs at the same or higher prices than brand-new models. Frazer describes scrolling through a local Camping World lot with over 100 used units, finding 4- and 5-year-old RVs priced identically—or higher—than the new versions his dealership advertises online.
How is this legal? It’s the “scarcity” con. Salespeople are trained to hammer home that this particular used RV is unique—one of a kind! They’ll pressure you to buy immediately because “there’s only one like this anywhere.” Then they’ll sell it to you for 180% of book value. And remember, that book value is already inflated nonsense.
The real kicker? They pile on non-physical assets—extended warranties, service packages, and other add-ons that don’t add actual value but do add to your loan balance. Before you know it, you’re upside down on a depreciating asset that wasn’t worth what you paid in the first place.