A Buying Paradise? Maybe. If the statement about building a better mousetrap has any merit, you'll see it at the Lazydays RV dealership in Tampa, Florida. This dealership is a literal paradise for RV shoppers. The parklike atmosphere of the big RV center is apparent from the minute you hit the parking lot. Now, don't get us wrong. We're not saying that this paradise doesn't have all the traps and trappings of the run-of-the-mill dealership, but it is quite different in many appealing ways. And with "appeal" being the name of the game, we're sure you'll find this dealership very alluring. Yet, there's always danger in paradise. Those of us who've traveled know that there's no such thing as "free." So when you walk around this parklike facility, you'd better think about how they pay for upkeep. When you get a "free" lunch and all those "free" beverages, you'll be paying for it when you sign those papers. When you attend "free" seminars, you'd best be aware that it will be billed to advertising and subsequently charged to every RV sold. This doesn't mean you shouldn't participate in these wonderful activities, it just means that when you say "yes", you'll be paying for your fair share of the "free" stuff. When you get hungry or thirsty, for breakfast or lunch, there's plenty of free food and drink at Lazydays — but never on Sundays. Lazydays is a marvel of planning and execution. Under the leadership of Don Wallace, the dealership has evolved from a private company to an employee-owned corporation. It appears to be customer-oriented and aware that its reputation is what will keep it alive. Although it doesn't claim be be perfect, according to Stewart Schaffer, Chief Marketing Officer, Lazydays will bend over backwards to satisfy any legitimate (and sometimes questionably legitimate) complaints. We found the staff to be super friendly even though we were obviously very nosy while digging for answers. If this is the dream of Don Wallace, as we heard it was, we're quite sure that this dream gives him a good sense of satisfaction. Why should you go to Lazydays? Very simply: It's fun. Having gone to just about every major RV show in the country, we enjoyed none of them as much as the Lazydays sales lot. Why? Probably because it was outdoors under the trees in a parklike atmosphere where you can truly relate to RVing. Why should you not go to Lazydays? Very simply: If you're not prepared, you'll probably get caught in the web. RV salespeople at Lazydays are very good at what they do. They make lots of sales or the management won't keep them. Like all salespeople, they know how to bring you in and hook you. Will they give you a good deal? Only if you demand it. They're doing what they were trained to do. The sales offices are lined up — always ready and waiting for you. The service department has so many stalls that it's best not to wander without a guide. Seminars, like this one given by fulltimers Ron and Barb Hofmeister, are available almost every day. And this luxurious finance department will happily arrange any payment you want — and add more things to your contract. If you get tired of shopping, there's plenty of places to sit and enjoy fresh air and nature while watching the activity. This campground has everything you need, including swimming pool, computer center — and sometimes a free dinner! Our advice is to go to Lazydays for the pleasure and fun of it. Digest what you see and learn — then go home for a few days and think about it. Follow the standard procedure of all smart RV buyers: Do your research, set firm parameters and stick to them. Caveat emptor.

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