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Topic: The day has come, LD has closed (Read 8414 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #125 –
Does Todd have a web page?
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #126 –
I'm not sure what Todd has done in that arena yet. The info so far:  "Todd Miller <ldrvtodd@yahoo.com>  "   An earlier answer from Todd to KJWarner in this thread:  reply # 48
   " Hi Ken,
    Yes I have been preparing a parts and service network to help customers out since this sudden notice left many concerned about the future and their Lazy Daze.
Also Lazy Daze consignments. (Like to connect sellers with many of the customers that have unfortunately waited on the list for a long time) so all can enjoy Lazy Daze.
I am setting up a new phone line very soon. 909-627-0941 for direct access for Lazy Daze customers along with this email address.     Ldrvtodd@yahoo.com   
    Most of you know and trust me to do what I can to help in any ways possible. I’ve been offered many lucrative job offers of late but would rather continue to help my many great friends/customers. Hopefully it works out for all.    Venmo, Apple Pay or PayPal now available.    
   Glad to help and thank you all for the many well wishes and concerns.  Be well.   Thanks    Todd "            RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #128 –
This thoughtful article seems to suggest that there’s much more to the reasons behind the closing of our much loved Lazy Daze Factory.   Todd appears to know the rest of the situation but would need permission from the owners to share that information.   Nevertheless, the closure still stings many of us.
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #131 –
Read the post immediately before yours. :-)
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #132 –
The writer of this article just doesn't know about buying chassis.  No chassis, no building of anything!   I'm sure that Steve did his best, but the competition for any available chassis was dominated by financial power houses like Thor, Fleetwood and Winnebago. The 'Gorillas' on the block.   The quality of those that were built with the power brake assist and power steering hose bursting issues, may just be the tip of That 'iceberg'.
   Comments like " the employees should have bought the company". yeah sure. all 15 of them!
   Fixed costs like property tax, utilities, cleaning services ( is trash service a utility?) insurance, payroll, contributions to disability, unemployment insurance, medical and other government fees all add up. I think the projected continuing shortages and quality of all the items needed to build a motorhome were factors in the decision.  
   When you order one to be built for you to your expectations: model, color, options and commit.  How would you feel a year later at delivery if LD charged you an extra 20%, 30%, 40% or even higher price?  But LD's costs might be rising during the build.  We don't know how many of Lazy Daze's regular vendors were able to supply parts to LD, or how many of them were 'teetering on the brink'.  Substitutions of alternate components might really affect production adversely. Think of trying to fit a different refrigerator or water heater into an already partially built motorhome.
    I don't think that Lazy Daze had too much of a profit buffer over the cost to build. Not like a 'dealer' markup!
   Trying to plan even a year ahead of delivery and presenting a definite fixed price for the customer just wasn't going to work.  All Steve could have done is build random models of what the customers might want and 'auction' them off when they eventually were finished. That is essentially what happens at other manufacturers right now. Because of scale, those manufacturers can do that in weeks, not years. And still many sit on the lots unsold, and might even be sold at an 'overall' loss.  Just my thoughts.       RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #133 –
[merged 2 additional identical topics into this one - Michelle]
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #135 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
“Venmo, Apple Pay or PayPal now available“

Say what?  😆
Sounds like to little to late..
Sadly I never got an LD and two years of outside storage got to my Class C this spring.
the storage was 1000 miles away.

Garry
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #137 –
Nice to know it found a good home. It deserves to be there!
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
 
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #138 –
The link doesn’t work for me but I am not on Instagram.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #140 –
From the Laze Daze Caravan Facebook Page.
Rick and Melissa
2016 27ft RB
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #141 –
Interior Photos plus additional.
Rick and Melissa
2016 27ft RB
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #142 –
So many of us here have stepped inside this LD over the years. Walking through its doors is like Mr. Peabody’s Way Back Machine. It’s amazing how far they took the design.

Long Live Lazy Daze.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #143 –
You can see at a glance that the Newtons' flair for interior design was present from the very beginning. ;-)
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #144 –
Quote from: Andy Baird  - 
You can see at a glance that the Newtons' flair for interior design was present from the very beginning. ;-)

Funny, Andy!  I couldn't find any songs that mentioned High School Wood Shop Teacher so this will have to do:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXt1NIYPNjA
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #145 –
Besides the Olive Green Oven and Drapes, my favorite is the Dodge Gear Shift on the dash.  Pure first class for it's day.
Rick and Melissa
2016 27ft RB
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #146 –
Tomorrow I’m having Bigfoot levelers installed at the factory in White Pigeon, MI and tonight I’m camped out behind one of their buildings with 30A service.  Being that Elkhart is only 20 minutes away, I thought I’d venture over to the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum and check it out.

I was a bit dismayed when I pulled into the museum parking lot to see the 1967 Lazy Daze HouseCar unceremoniously parked outside alongside the building.  I asked the guy at the info desk why that was and was told that it had been setup inside but for “some reason” it was moved outside and because it was locked, I wouldn’t be able to look inside.  The museum guy either couldn’t or wouldn’t elaborate further.  I also looked for the LD founders on the museum’s Hall of Fame wall where there were 427 inductees (I didn’t count, I looked that up) and didn’t find any.  I’m thinking there may be a backstory here that I’m unaware of.

The rest of the museum was interesting.  I especially enjoyed seeing the early 20’s and 30’s HouseCars.  Here are a few pics I took.

- John

John & Cathy enjoying life with our 2021 Mid-Bath, 1996 Cherokee and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #147 –
Quote from: JohnR  - 
I also looked for the LD founders on the museum’s Hall of Fame wall where there were 427 inductees (I didn’t count, I looked that up) and didn’t find any.  I’m thinking there may be a backstory here that I’m unaware of.
I thought that was very suspicious when I visited in 2020.

Maybe it’s the make up of their board, mostly RV dealers?

Or just no one ever nominated Laze Daze folks?
Dave

2017 TK
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #148 –
Noticed the Newtons weren't there when we visited it in 2019.  Possibly required a big donation to get in their HOF. 

Hope they eventually display the House Car.  It most certainly belongs among their exhibits.  Great place to stop by though.
2003 MB
Re: The day has come, LD has closed
Reply #149 –
I just noticed that the Lazy Daze Pocket Guide's "More Information" page still lists the company's address, email, and phone numbers. Perhaps the moderators could correct that, with a note that the company has closed.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"