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overlander63 · 09-12-2016, 04:59 PM

Today at work, something happened that is completely inexcusable, and is behavior that is unfortunately becoming more and more common, AND NEEDS TO STOP!

As I was conducting a new owner orientation with the purchasers of a brand-new $137,000 Airstream, we were interrupted by an individual that pulled up in front of the trailer with his truck, got out, walked over to the trailer, and began opening up storage compartments like he owned the thing. The new owners were shocked, to say the least. When I asked him, "can I help you?" his response was, "No, I am looking for an answer!" He then proceeded to inform me it was okay, because he owned an Airstream.

This behavior is NOT "okay" or even within the bounds of any kind of civility or common courtesy. This is exactly the same thing as walking into somebody's home, and opening closets, just to satisfy somebody's idle curiosity. IT IS NOT ANYONE'S PROPERTY, other than the legal owner, and NO ONE else has the right to do something like this. After the individual got back in his truck and left, I had to assure the new owners that was not normal behavior for an Airstream owner, that most of us are caring, polite people that respect other peoples' property. I don't know if they believed me or not, but the new owners immediately walked around the trailer with their new keys, making sure all the compartment doors, main door, and safe were securely locked.

It made me ashamed to admit I was a fellow Airstream owner.

For those people that are conscientious and considerate Airstream owners, this kind of behavior is a slap in the face, and another stereotype to overcome. I have lost count of the number of times people have, for example, blocked an entire parking lot, or demanded special consideration because they own an Airstream. Guess what? The rest of us own Airstreams, too, and we don't need this kind of "I own an Airstream, so I can do anything I want" attitude.

I hope the individual that did this is a forum member, and reads this, and thinks next time before he acts.

Everybody else, take a look in the mirror, and ask yourself, "is he talking about me?" If you know you aren't, and would never be one of these people, thank you.

If you think, "Hmmm... Maybe I've done something that might be seen this way..." You might want to change your ways. You're giving the rest of us a black eye.

rmkrum · 09-12-2016, 05:29 PM

A lack of manners is just plain inexcusable. Airstream owners should, and most do, behave much better than that.

At the very least, introduce yourselves, and ask permission.

Dumb.

Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

featherbedder · 09-12-2016, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmkrum

A lack of manners is just plain inexcusable. Airstream owners should, and most do, behave much better than that.

At the very least, introduce yourselves, and ask permission.

Dumb.

Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

This is todays culture NO FETCHIN UP......The last 15 yrs. I worked was in public transportation. I saw this every day, maybe good slap up aside head might work? The most common remark I pay your salary, wrong I don't work for you I have strict rules to follow or else fired.......After 40 yrs. this job I said enough so Retired. We had name for them 50cent millionares with imitation leather lunch box only thing inside play boy mag and lunch.

timdude · 09-12-2016, 05:59 PM

Huh you should own a Shasta Airflyte reissue. When we were at Fort Wilderness this couple was running from the back of our campsite as we pulled up. I jumped out of the truck thinking they were stealing something. Badge out, gun holstered, uh we love your trailer, just taking some pics. WTF sir could you at least wait till we are on site. The nerve of people sometimes.

StevieB · 09-12-2016, 06:00 PM

It's not because he owns an Airstream, it is because he was never raised to respect other people's property or privacy. Just another example of today's "what's in it for me" society.

Countryboy59 · 09-12-2016, 06:21 PM

People are curious and usually very courteous. And airstream owners have offered to show us around theirs, especially when they see ours. A classy bunch for the most part. I do lock my compartments and disconnect the battery because people do like to fiddle with stuff, usually not malicious.

featherbedder · 09-12-2016, 06:21 PM

When I was little, taught to say please thank you, or your welcome, be polite to your elders, and clean your plate. I see very little of this today.

Shiny16 · 09-12-2016, 06:33 PM

In fairness if it was on a dealers lot he might not have thought it was privately owned.

HiJoeSilver · 09-12-2016, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiny16

In fairness if it was on a dealers lot he might not have thought it was privately owned.

Until it's yours, it's someone else's, even a dealer has an expectation of civility and respect of what is currently their property.

Take away the "AS" and the guy surely still a total "S".

cameront120 · 09-12-2016, 07:50 PM

The described behaviour has nothing to do with being an Airstream owner and isn't limited to people of a certain age or socio-economic background.

rodsterinfl · 09-12-2016, 07:51 PM

I have to say that was a bad scenario. I am something like that guy in that I search and look through models, RVs, etc, to learn, HOWEVER, I do not go to dealers without asking to look first. You never know by just driving up if it is someone else's just like your story.

Piggy Bank · 09-12-2016, 07:56 PM

It's not a "display model"

It occurred to me that the behavior witnessed is along the same line as going to a bricks and mortar store to look at an item, and then going home and purchasing it online cutting out the bricks and mortar retailer.

(And then complaining that you can't find anything in stores anymore)

dhroberts · 09-12-2016, 07:58 PM

You either learned Mom's lessons or you didn't.

Shiny16 · 09-12-2016, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiJoeSilver

Until it's yours, it's someone else's, even a dealer has an expectation of civility and respect of what is currently their property.

Take away the "AS" and the guy surely still a total "S".

Sorry for offering an alternative. I generally like to give people the Benifit of the doubt. Such a sad day for airstream owners.

PaulnGina · 09-12-2016, 09:41 PM

No telling what problem he was trying to solve.... Maybe he was tired of taking his Airstream in for warranty service and wanted to take a stab at fixing it himself. He was probably happy to have a trailer to compare with. Maybe trying to see what something looked like before it broke, shook loose, or fell off?

His big mistake was not thinking it through......

Geez.... cut him some slack!

PaulnGina · 09-12-2016, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiny16

Sorry for offering an alternative. I generally like to give people the Benifit of the doubt. Such a sad day for airstream owners.

I'm with YOU!

John&Vicki · 09-12-2016, 10:05 PM

Generalizing from this single event to convicting Airstreamers of arrogance seems like a real reach to me.

John

Ultradog · 09-13-2016, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John&Vicki

Generalizing from this single event to convicting Airstreamers of arrogance seems like a real reach to me.

John

Agreed.

Boxite · 09-13-2016, 01:10 AM

This rant is crocodile-tears. At a dealership, all customers have the right to inspect/peruse the merchandise.

xrvr · 09-13-2016, 05:23 AM

Common courtesy says don't start looking at a trailer that a salesman is showing to another customer. Give him time to finish and then ask to see it. Put yourself in the position of the other customer, how rude can you get to intrude?