New Document Fee Authorized for Towable RV’s
On April 23, 2013, Governor Snyder signed into law legislation authorizing towable RV dealers to charge document preparation fees in installment sale contracts for non-motorized recreational vehicles.
Public Act 16 of 2013 (House Bill 4052) changed the definition of “motor vehicle” under the Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act (MVSFA) to include all “recreational vehicles” (except only park model trailers) – both motorized and non-motorized – for purposes of licensure under that Act. Therefore, those RV dealers who are properly licensed under the MVSFA may now charge document preparation fees for both its motorized and non-motorized vehicle sales.
Previously, documentary fees were not permitted for non-motorized (towable) RVs. Document preparation fees are currently set at 5% of the cash price of the vehicle or $200.00 whichever is less (which amount is adjusted every 2 years by the Department of Insurance and Finance).
Non-motorized RV Dealers without a MVSFA license may still sell and finance towable RVs, but may not charge a document preparation fee. Those sales will remain under the auspices of the Retail Installment Sales Act which does not permit such a fee unless it is included in as part of disclosed “finance charge”. The new legislation is immediately effective. Public Act 16 should go a long way in streamlining and making uniform the documentation of RV installment sales transactions.
FAQs
If I do not currently hold a MVSFA license, how do I obtain one?
You can find the information on the Michigan government website for the Department of Financial and Insurance Services.http://www.michigan.gov/difs/0,5269,7-303-22535_23041—,00.html
When can I start adding a document preparation fee to my purchase agreement?
Immediately, the Public Act went into effect on April 23, 2014.
Do I have to charge the maximum amount allowed by the Act?
No you are only required to stay within the allowed amounts as established by the Department of Insurance and Finance.
For further information or explanation, if needed, contact Bill Sheffer at the MARVAC association office (800) 422-6478 ext. 11.
Prepared in part by William Perrone, Dykema.
LAN01\299069.1
ID\WJP – 025171\0045
It’s Nomination Time!
Are you interested in becoming more involved in the RV and campground? Why not serve on the MARVAC Board of Directors? Nominate yourself or other industry member today! The board meets six times per year to identify the needs of the industry, and strategize ways to protect your business.
We are accepting nominations for the following:
- 1 At Large
- 1 Dealer
- 1 Manufacturer
We are accepting nominations through May 15th. Download a Nominations Form today! Each seat is a 3 year term. For more information contact Brandy at the association office!bnelson@mmhrvca.org
MARVAC Has a New Logo!
The MARVAC Board of Directors has approved a new association logo. The updated design depicts a camping experience with classic Michigan symbols of woods and water, along with an RV, tent and campfire. The modern design more accurately reflects the progress our association has made, and the powerful impact we have had on Michigan’s RV and campground industry.
Work on the redesigned logo began this winter by All Seasons Communications, MARVAC’s advertising agency. Several options were presented to the MARVAC board for review, and after discussion and a bit of refinement, a new logo was approved this spring.
Bill Sheffer, MARVAC Director, commented, “We are very pleased with the new, modern logo design. We believe it will be a great asset in our association’s branding and marketing efforts.”
Old Logo New Logo
Radio Interview with MARVAC President Ed Doss
MARVAC President and MMH & RVCA Chairman Ed Doss (Waters RV), was interviewed by Michigan Morning Show’s Steve Gruber last week. Ed discussed with Steve the importance of repairing Michigan’s roads and the ramifications of poor road conditions on RV’s and RV tourism in the state of Michigan. You can listen to the interview by visiting the Morning Show web site here and downloading the podcast. Ed’s interview is listed under Thursday, April 18th.
Go RVing Leads-Plus Notifications Begin, New Window Clings Available
Go RVing has launched the industry’s national advertising and promotion campaign in magazines, search engines, websites, and on TV. Dealer subscribers to the Go RVing Leads-Plus program will be reaping the benefits as the media campaign reaches consumers.
Go RVing Dealer Leads-Plus accounts for subscribers are now active, so dealers will begin receiving weekly notifications of leads availability by email and can log in to retrieve them. They can also adjust the lead notification timing if they wish.
In addition, all Leads-Plus subscribers receive five free reusable window clings to promote the campaign in the dealership and on units. New for 2013, the 18.75″ x 7″ clings feature the Go RVing logo in green and are ideal for placement on units’ windows and windshields, or on windows inside or outside the dealership. They adhere with a little water and can be peeled off and used over and over again.
The attention-getting power of Go RVing’s media buys combined with new methods of data collection and prioritization have taken Leads-Plus to a new level. The program provides leads categorized by RV purchase likelihood, helping dealers, campgrounds and manufacturers follow up more efficiently and effectively.
The Leads Database is just one of the marketing tools available to dealers in the industry-only section of GoRVing.com. There, participating dealers can also access photos and logos to use in marketing materials; the latest Go RVing media plan; and research reports detailing consumer attitudes toward travel and perceptions of RVs and RVing. Visit www.rvda.org to sign up for the program or send an e-mail to info@rvda.org.
2013 Governor’s Awards for Innovative Tourism Collaboration
The 2013 Governor’s Awards for Innovative Tourism Collaboration were presented at the April 14 – 16 Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Detroit. The awards were presented by the Michigan Travel Commission and the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan.
The Governor’s Awards for Innovative Tourism Collaboration were created by the Michigan Travel Commission, in conjunction with the Governor’s Office, to elevate the status of Michigan’s tourism industry and to promote innovative collaboration as an effective, efficient and creative operating principle for the industry. The inaugural awards were presented at the 2009 annual Tourism Conference.
In the Experience Development & Presentation category, The “Michigan Catch & Cook” collaboration took the honors. This collaboration included six partners: the Michigan Charter Boat Association, the Michigan Restaurant Association, the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Sea Grant and the Michigan State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. Anglers on the Great Lakes can set out on a charter boat in the morning and enjoy their fresh catch at a restaurant in the afternoon as a result of the collaboration of Michigan Catch and Cook. The program is an innovative and compelling experience that brings recreational fishing and the restaurant industry together – expanding the services offered to clients by charter boat fishing companies, generating new business for restaurants and promoting Michigan’s Great Lakes. The concept of lake to plate has enhanced the visitor experience not just with the catch but with the anticipation of a great meal ahead.
Experience Grand Rapids won in the category of Tourism Marketing & Promotion for their “Cool Brews & Hot Eats” promotion, which included 59 restaurants and breweries for the collaboration. The partnering organizations were creative in their ideas and offered beer pairing events and beer-inspired dishes. The media rallied behind the promotion, blogs detailed the activities, visual stories were created on Instagram, and QR codes were utilized at the breweries for prize giveaways. The promotion ignited a collaborative fire inside the already passionate local chefs and brewers, all in support of Michigan tourism.
The third and final award went to The Henry Ford and the Shanghai Auto Museum in the category of Non-Traditional Partnerships. The Henry Ford’s relationship with the Shanghai Auto Museum began in 2010 with a letter of cooperation between the two museums to strengthen relations to build a new bridge between the cultures and the countries. As a result, the museums have shared best practices which led to a loan agreement that has brought automotive artifacts from the collection of The Henry Ford to Shanghai for display in the Shanghai Auto Museum. Additionally, The Henry Ford has a 12-minute video playing in the museum which invites Chinese museum-goers to visit the United States, Michigan and The Henry Ford. As a result of the collaboration with the Shanghai Auto Museum, The Henry Ford has experienced over a 450% increase in Chinese group/tour operator visits and double digit increases in general visitors to the facility from China.
The Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan is comprised of more than 40 statewide tourism associations, corporations and convention and visitor bureaus whose mission is to promote Michigan’s travel and tourism industry as a vital component of economic development and quality of life through governmental advocacy, public relations, and other promotional and educational efforts.
RECRUIT A NEW MEMBER!
As a member, you understand the value of MARVAC membership. Spread the word with your contacts and peers in the industry, and help expand our association. A growing MARVAC means greater recognition for the industry, more resources to support member programs, and a stronger voice when advocating issues with state and national legislative members. Click here to download a membership application.
