Ritz-Craft?

[Bob Guiles]

Can anyone comment on the quality of Ritz-Craft homes (from Penn. plant,
http://www.ritz-craft.com)?

It's not listed in Randy Eaton's comparison guide, but standard Gemini
Endeavor models are close enough (and LXEII even closer) to the list of
features required for a quality home such that the upgrade list should be
short.

Anyone own one and can reassure/warn me? Dealer comments on how they
compare (what would you chose instead?).

Other benefits for us are the perfect floor plan from a dealer with an
extensive service center (we have used and appreciated in the past).

Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

Bob

[Augustaga]

Just remember that Randy Eaton's experience is 4 years of sales in OR....I
personally think that it is impossible to write an effective national
comparison guide..National manufacturers build so many different
products...one could write hundreds of pages for Fleetwood 45 plants
alone..By the time you finished writing and publishing..most would have
changed their offerings...Every single plant is different.....What you
should be getting from his books is a basic understanding of the
construction features that you might find important...

If the Ritz Craft meets these requirements, is in your price range and you
have found a great dealer...GO FOR IT..
Good Luck

"Bob Guiles" <opr...@newstand.syr.edu> wrote in message
news:3d21b...@news.syr.edu...

[Bob Guiles]

Augustaga,

Thanks for the feedback. I've read other posts from you about the problems
with Randy's book, and point taken.

What I was trying to get across (but should have been more explicit) was,
I've tried to do my homework. I've done the books
(Eaton/Burnside/Watkins), been reading posts here for a couple of years,
and have done dejanews searchs on specific manufactures.

And the pickings have been very slim on Ritz-Craft. Generally positive,
(though most posts were for their modulars, not the double wides) but one
person wrote of needing a good dealer, the factory service/support was
nil. And all this over 2 years old, back to your comments again.

And as I will never spend $100,000 (~ cost for home, setup, driveway,
well, septic, garage and a/c) on anything else in my life, looking for
some reassurance from my close friends on this list. :-)

Bob

Augustaga (augu...@comcast.net) wrote:
: Just remember that Randy Eaton's experience is 4 years of sales in OR....I

[Augustaga]

Of course...I have no knowledge of the modern Ritzcraft product...At one
time they were built in the SE...many years ago..

Maybe you could ask the dealer...and/or the plant for references of those
that have bought in the last year...that might help...I would also guess
that the good things you have heard about the modular...can be translated to
the manufactured home...

"Bob Guiles" <opr...@newstand.syr.edu> wrote in message

news:3d233...@news.syr.edu...

[EZ Rishel]

"Augustaga" <wobb...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<ui6ti6r...@corp.supernews.com>...

> Of course...I have no knowledge of the modern Ritzcraft product...At one
> time they were built in the SE...many years ago..
>

> "Bob Guiles" <opr...@newstand.syr.edu> wrote in message

> news:3d233...@news.syr.edu...
> > Augustaga,
> >
> > Thanks for the feedback. I've read other posts from you about the problems
> > with Randy's book, and point taken.
> >
> > What I was trying to get across (but should have been more explicit) was,
> > I've tried to do my homework. I've done the books
> > (Eaton/Burnside/Watkins), been reading posts here for a couple of years,
> > and have done dejanews searchs on specific manufactures.
> >
> > And the pickings have been very slim on Ritz-Craft. Generally positive,
> > (though most posts were for their modulars, not the double wides) but one
> > person wrote of needing a good dealer, the factory service/support was
> > nil. And all this over 2 years old, back to your comments again.
> >
> > And as I will never spend $100,000 (~ cost for home, setup, driveway,
> > well, septic, garage and a/c) on anything else in my life, looking for
> > some reassurance from my close friends on this list. :-)
> >
> > Bob
> >

> > : If the Ritz Craft meets these requirements, is in your price range and
> you
> > : have found a great dealer...GO FOR IT..
> > : Good Luck
> >

If it isn't too late to wade in on this post, maybe I can help. I
have toured both the Penn and the midwest plants, and have been in
many Ritz Crafts in recent years and I would rate them as a low level
Caddy. Great homes for the price. I would have no trouble
recommending them.

I have been in plants and homes from Oregon to PA, from Florida to
Indiana, and their are only a few homes which are higher priced that I
would rate above a Ritz Craft. For those of you who don't know me, I
don't manufacture or retail homes, but I used to be involved in the
financing of them for one of the better lenders, and I have absolutely
no ax to grind.

Augustaga: Are you the only industry person left who answers peoples
questions? I don't check this board very often anymore, but it looks
like you are the Lone Ranger.

[Bill VanRemmen]

We bought our Ritz-Craft MH (double-wide) in the Summer of 2000. It had sat
on the lot for several years before that (model).

We absolutely LOVE it. Not "super" quality (particle board floors, not
plywood; plastic water fixtures), but overall it is SOLID. The things that
we don't like (like the faucets) are easy enough to replace. The cabinets
are really nice, too.

I would recommend them!

Bill VanRemmen

"Bob Guiles" <opr...@newstand.syr.edu> wrote in message

news:3d21b...@news.syr.edu...