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Sad day for Country Coach

Yahoo Message Number: 56232
Auction! I wish Bob lee would of step up to the plate sooner. In stead he waits and gets all this for almost nothing. In the mean time people have lost their jobs and homes. Companies have gone out of business due to money owed to them by country coach. These corporate people just keep taking and dont care about the lifes they have helped destroy or the destruction they cause. I personally dont know Bob Lee but I did now a lot of the workers who lost there job and are suffering right now. If Bob had money to spend he should of helped some of his devoted workers out a long time ago. Its all about money! and most of the money came from you country coach owners who bought coaches from country coach. I seem a little bitter but I am seeing so many friends really having hard times. This is not a good day for country coach but a sad day. My heart goes out to every person who gave them there all but to have nothing in return. no vaction pay, no health insurance, etc. Tell Bob to put his money to good use and help those who helped him make his millions.

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56233
I think your anger is a little misplaced. Bob Lee didn't screw the employees, the Howards did. Why was it Lee's responsibilityto bail them out?

George

;04 Inspire 51061

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56234
George I was going to write the same comment, so I will second that

Jerry

2004 Inspire 51012

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56235
I agree that Bob Lee would have had to come to the table with a huge amount of money and it would been needed just to stabilize the mess that he had no hand in its cause. He would be risking his all with a low likelihood of success. A temporary fix most likely.
The avenue he followed will.. in the long run.. be more conducive to secure jobs, and the rebuilding of the brand name.
The large selection ..high production line business model is past us.. and a smaller specialty manufacturer is the wave of the future. The baggage developed by the most recent management had to be jettisoned.. VERY SAD that a bunch of good people got hit in the cross fire.

Russ

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56236
I disagree that it is a sad day. It was sad that the Howards and their investor tried to recreate an industry with the Veranda. Life is timing but I doubt that the time for a Veranda type living area would ever come. They rode their sick pony too long and it caused the ultimate collapse of the company they invaded.

Chuck

Intrigue 12298

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56242
It is simply ridiculous to make the fate of the CC employees and others the responsibility of Bob Lee.

George in Birmingham
'04 Allure 31038
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56245
Bob Lee lost a small fortune as well so don't blame him for what happened. Put the blame where it belongs as Bob didn't make the bad decisions that led to the downfall of the company. Rod in Austin '07 Allure #31463

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56247
Remember, this is Lane County, Oregon. Good business practices and capitalism are not well known or practiced outside to upper echelons of business. It is amazing to me that any business can survive Oregon's tax structure.
Thankfully Mr. Lee has the business acumen and interest to ensure Country Coach will survive, in some form, and probably provide an ongoing source of parts and support to Country Coach owners. He could only be assured any company he starts will not be tainted with debts from the previous company by buying selected assets out of the bankruptcy.
The continuation of Country Coach (or other business Mr. Lee starts) will provide jobs, and provide a better business climate that will benefit all concerned. Including paying Oregon high taxes that helps support unemployment payments to those that have lost their jobs. Power to him.

Jack Nichols, 2003 Intrigue, been there, done that

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56249
--- In C

Theresa I am surprised as hell that these words come from your mouth. Bob Lee sold his interest to National RV who were the first folks that drove CC down. Then some opportunists come along and drive it down further and somehow you equate this to being Bob Lee's fault. Come now, you are in business, cut the crap ! He did what every other person wishes they could do, buy CC intellectual business for about 5 cents on the dollar. Your efforts are wasted Spend time blaming the real culprits! Essentially, Bob has been out of the decision making for a long time, so to blame him is completely misguided

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56250
Teresa, I really don't want to seem petty on this subject, but -- Bob Lee has hired a number of former Country Coach employees at his Oregon Motorcoach Center. My question for you, Teresa, has Carrier also hired some from those who were laid off? Your complaints seem a little on the jealous side and, in my opinion, you criticism is unfounded. Most of the members of this forum realize that Carrier and Oregon Motorcoach Center are competitors for clients in the Eugene area. It was an open auction, did Carrier make any bids for the intellectual materials that the Lee family purchased? Had your company done that perhaps Carrier would have been in a position to be helpful to the unemployed techs from CC. Each and every one of us has the freedom and liberty to earn our livings as we see fit. Bob Lee and the Lee family sold Country Coach to National many years ago and, as I understand it, the company was purchased from National and was in control of Riley Investments and the Howards. Maybe your venom should be turned on those who really took the company down.

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56260
I agree, Russ, you said it better than I did.

Jack Nichols, 2003 Intrigue

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56264
Since you are a competitor of Bob Lee's OMC you seem to be a bit jealous of his quality business decisions. Would you really expect him to have come to the rescue of a Co that was so poorly mismanaged and deeply in debt? In no way shape or form was Bob Lee responsible for the CC employees demise. I think your post is WAY out of line!

Brian.

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56270
Bob Lee did not disapper from CC even when it was a subsidiary of National. In 2002 I attended a CCI rally at Beaudry RV in Tucson. At the time CC was still under National. The president of CC gave a talk preceding the entertainment one night. He was a tall young fellow with a smooth presentation. It was not one of the Howards althought I cannot remember his name. Bob Lee was at the rally and it is the first and last brief contact that I had with him.
It was at that rally thet everyone wondered why the new entry level coach the Mystique was not to be seen. The presedent gave a lengthy reason. It had something to do with the agreement with National to build the Mystique at National's CA facilities where the had spare time due to a drop in sales. National lacked enough paint bays so they were going to be driven to Junction City to be painted. They carried the CC name. According to the story National had an in expected jump in business and had to renig on their plans to build them in CA. CC shelved the plan temporily but in the end only a very few were ever built.
About three week later I went back to Beaudry for some work and there was a Mystique sitting on the lot. It was open so I took a look. I can tell you that there was absolutwly nothing about that coach that was CC except the logo. It was the first time that I had ever seen anhything wigth a CC logo that was not top quality by a long shot. It set me to wondering about the future.
I can't remember the exact time frames but as National continues to flounder we all wonder about the future of CC. It was Bob Lee that achestrated the dieal that brought in Rilety help finance buying CC back from National and taking the company private again. We were all thrilled that Bob was back and things seemed to be turning back to his way of doing business. He was active in the excutive operation of the company and we saw many Founder Edition coaches in the variuos models. Usually they were the forerunner of next years models.
Then something happened. I don't know exactly how or when the Howards arrived on the scene. Bob started to distance himself from CC whether voluntarily or forcibly was not clear. Eventually he broke altogether and started his current business.
Bob certainly did not walk away from CC when it was sold to National and arrive back last week to buy the intellectual business He has been active at many levels trying to keep his Country Coach alive and I wager that the combine sorrow that we all have for the demise of CC put together would not come close to what Bob feels. Keep in mind that Bob is neother young or in good health. If I recall he has suffered from Parkinson's for a number of years. That may be the reason for his son Rob, Rob;s brother and Bob's wife being involved. I am just guessing. In my opinion if there is anyone that can bring CC back out of the ashes to something viable it will be Bob and his family.
Teresa I personally accept your appology. What upset me the most about your post was the statements that is was all for the money. If there has ever been a company owner/excutive that has a clear history of it being much deeper than just the money, it would be Bob Lee. Sorry but you jumped on a guy that I have a lot of respect for.

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56273
"That may be the reason for his son Rob, Rob;s brother and Bob's wife being involved." Not that it really matters but Bob doesn't have any son's just Pat Mason the son-inlaw that works at Oregon Motor Coach. His brothers are Ron and Leonard who both have been away from the CC business for several years.
Former CC Employee & CC coach owner

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56275
Thanks, As I said that reply got away from me before I had a chance to review it. Non the less I probably would have missed that point You are right that it may not matter because the basic idea hold regardless of the family relationships. I did however know that it was Ron and not Rob. That was a double typo. Ahhh if my mind could only keep up with my fingers.

Thanks again,

Don Seager

Proud Owner of 2004 Allure 31046

Re: Sad day for Country Coach - One of Many

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56280
From the shameless piling on, it looks like Teresa hit a nerve. Rather than try to read between lines, I chose to believe that her heart is in the place she says it is.
I never would have bought a coach from National RV before Lee sold CC to them. Unless from another planet, we all knew National's reputation for lesser quality than CC even back then. To sell CC to them was a Lee decision and looked like the beginning of the end to me.
After that and for a few years I have watched, listened and, yes, participated as CC owners and prospective buyers wistfully said variously over time: I/We hear Lee is still there OR Lee is in charge of operations OR Lee is coming back OR the quality will be there as long as Lee is there OR Lee is said to be trying to put together funds to buy everything back OR etc., etc. How pathetic.
That said, the Lees' maneuvering to acquire the most important assets without attendant liabilities was smart for them and, hopefully, for ye loyal customers/defenders at this time. I too have my fingers crossed that there will be a future CC.

s/Terry Apple
So, Pile away

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56336
Gotta jump in here for just a moment. Wow! Teresa, with all due respect ? you are way off base on this one.
Bob and Ron hired me on at CC back in 1984 in the midst of a recession whose depth rivaled the one we currently find ourselves in, at least in Oregon. I'd been out of work for 8 months, had a wife, 3 kids, a house payment, and lots of applicable skills for their operation. I was young enough to still think I was pretty smart. They gave me a shot to prove myself ? and the rest, as they say, is (or was) history.
For over 20 years our entire family was so blessed by their family's hard work and vision. We worked with wonderful folks, and wonderful customers, made relationships that carry on to this day, and I personally learned so much (which I have put to good use in my new career). And to think, all Bob ever owed me was a paycheck for the work I did. What a deal!
Bob and Ron and Terry worked their butts off like good Americans and thorough-going capitalists (I love that word!). They were wonderfully successful for a good period of time, and literally thousands of people were the beneficiaries of (again) their hard work and vision, including the good old government.
Far from a sense of bitterness, I wish there was some better way than just words for all of us who worked there to thank them, especially Bob. I think most of them feel the same way I do.
America is (still) a great and blessed country! Let's hope there are lots more "Bob Lee's" out there (like you and Tom!) Viva opportunity!

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56339

Doug Absolutely refreshing to hear your comments. It's amazing how some people always trash the Boss. He should have done this and should have done that but never that he someone an opportunity to grow and get better at what they do !! The Boss puts his B___s on the line every day and he typically gets criticized for everything but it is his responsibility to make all the right decisions so that the employee gets his paycheck , without question. Like Bosses all employees are not created equal and you sound like an outstanding one ! Again congratulations on a rare and refreshing attitude I hope we may meet some day

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56340
Well Doug as always your outlook on things is very positive and enlightening. I must say I agree. I was also treated very well by The Lee family and CC in general. It is a sad thing to see CC employees loose their jobs and benefits. But I too took the knowledge that I aquired from my time there and put it to use.I think we can all look forward to a great new product and a strong future for the new Era Country Coach that we will be seeing.

Thank You John (JD) Davis

JDRV INC.
RV Parts, Service & Support
La pine Or.

www.jdrv1.com jd@...
541-306-6473

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56420
Time for me to chime in here. My name is Ed Read, and I am the Operations Manager here at Bob lee's company 'Oregon Motorcoach Center'.
I have never posted anything on this message board until now, but I can't let this incorrect information regarding Bob Lee go without putting my two cents in. Let me just say that I DO know Bob Lee. I first went to work for him July of 1977 when the company was Country Camper. There was roughly 25 employees back then, including Bob, his wife Terry and his brother Ron Lee. I spent nearly 32 years working closely with the Lee's at Country Coach. Most of you out there who also know Bob, already know his passion for not only the fine customer relations and friendships developed over the years, but also his loyalty to his many employees, business contacts and certainly the pride he has always had for building the World's Finest Motorcoach. The many other companies that spun off to support the growth of CC was also something Bob took great pride in.
I was with Bob during the entire auction last week. Let me tell you, this was no picnic for either of us. It certainly was not his intention to show up there hoping to purchase items for "almost nothing". It is also inappropriate to tag Bob with the 'corporate tag' and blame him for destroying the lives of many people. I do agree with one thing, that alot of people have suffered from the demise of Country Coach. That is truly a sad thing. This was once a very good company. But I hope you good folks out there realize that this has absoulutely nothing to do with Bob Lee! As far as helping his devoted workers, I think the track record Bob has speaks volumes without me saying anything further. I only responded to this because I feel it is incorrect and unfair to attack the man who always put others first. Believe me I could go on for hours about this, but again most of you already know that the attack on Bob Lee is unjustified and untrue.
Thank you, Ed Read

Oregon Motorcoach Center

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56424
Ed,

I can sum up what you are saying here and prove Bob did not want to se Country Coach go down... From a purely Capitalistic Pig point of view.... Bob owns quite a bit of real estate that did have paying tenants he now has empty real estate with no tenants of income of any form... So lets assume for a moment he is a Capitalistic Pig, why would he wish such a reduction of income monies for himself... I am not aware of many folks that would cut off their nose to spite their face in this manner....
The expense of these properties continues and is now a drain on Bob's check book.... How does this serve his purpose? I am willing to bet he would rather sit back and collect the rent checks from a successful company. Him wishing the failure of CC does nothing to further his position.
Now, I know you know him a lot better than I do, but, from a purely business point what has happened does not benefit Bob nearly as much as nice rent checks...

Simple enough to me.

Mikee

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56425
Ed, great to see you standing up for your friend, and I would do the same.
If you read carefully you will see there is ONE negative comment, and loads of messages grateful that the Lee's are going to make "lemon aide" out of "lemons" that developed through no fault of their own. If there were any lurkers that had any bad feelings for the Lees, then that overwhelming support should set the record straight.
I look forward to meeting the Lees at some point, and am very glad they will continue on as support for Country Coach. That is the best possible outcome for coach owners, given the way things developed.
Hang in there with them. I bet they will continue a viable business that we can all be proud of.
Jack Nichols, 2003 Intrigue Suite of Dreams, 11527, first and possibly last RV I will ever need.

Re: Sad day for Country Coach

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56432

Ed,

I wish the lee's all the best. I will correct something that all of you assumed. I was not blaming Bob for Country coaches poor management or the end of country coach just wish he would of bought them out of bankruptcy. wishfull thinking. Things will never be the same for the industry but maybe this will be a good thing.
Good luck to all of you.