Buying (how much to offer)

[css899]

Just want to say hello. First post here after lurking for quite awhile. We are getting ready to buy our first Class A DP. Really like the Monaco/HR (Diplomat, Endeavoer,Windsor, Scepter) coaches. Looking at years 2004-2007. Looking at models that have 4 slides, 400hp, side mounted radiator, etc.

In general most of the coaches we are interested in are in the $100K-$130K price range. It appears that the asking price differs quite a bit from what the coach is actually selling for. I know bargaining is most always built into the asking price on anything automotive.

I am looking for a good deal but don't want to be insulting. Any suggestions on what would be an appropriate starting offer on coaches in excellent condition in this price range? I realize this is a very subjective matter. All opinions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Scott

[stisdal]

I always start with: "what do you realistically have to get for this"? It surprises me sometimes what the answer is, every now & then they state less than I was going to offer...

Once you have their 'realistic' price, you can negotiate from there...

[Scarab0088]

Age old question.

Generally the 3 levels of overhead from high to low on price are; dealer, consignment sale, and private party sale.

They all want the most money they can get and it is up to the buyer to reduce the price.
NADA can give you a starting point, but only offers retail new and average and low retail used estimates.
Motorhomes Price, Motorhomes Value & Motorhomes Trade In | NADAguides | Motorhomes Price Specs

Best luck!

[Dutch Star David]

Originally Posted by css899

Just want to say hello. First post here after lurking for quite awhile. We are getting ready to buy our first Class A DP. Really like the Monaco/HR (Diplomat, Endeavoer,Windsor, Scepter) coaches. Looking at years 2004-2007. Looking at models that have 4 slides, 400hp, side mounted radiator, etc.

In general most of the coaches we are interested in are in the $100K-$130K price range. It appears that the asking price differs quite a bit from what the coach is actually selling for. I know bargaining is most always built into the asking price on anything automotive.

I am looking for a good deal but don't want to be insulting. Any suggestions on what would be an appropriate starting offer on coaches in excellent condition in this price range? I realize this is a very subjective matter. All opinions are greatly appreciated.



Thanks
Scott

I wouldn't get too concerned about insulting a seller-especially a dealer. Are you going to have to replace the tires right away? Remember that most RV tires "age out" before the tread wears out. You could be looking a a few thousand dollars for tires before you can safely drive away. Look at the maintenance records. If they don't exist, walk. There are plenty of coaches out there to choose from. Don't worry about one "getting away".

[ImperialRV]

Originally Posted by dlovitt

I wouldn't get too concerned about insulting a seller-especially a dealer. Are you going to have to replace the tires right away? Remember that most RV tires "age out" before the tread wears out. You could be looking a a few thousand dollars for tires before you can safely drive away. Look at the maintenance records. If they don't exist, walk. There are plenty of coaches out there to choose from. Don't worry about one "getting away".

Well said, no history to the coach then that scars me even more then buying 3500 in tires, LOL... I must have looked at 45 coaches in two months and made and offer to a private seller after getting under all the cabinets and looking for two days at her. Look Look and Look again at the coach and know what to look for and good luck, low offer and come up just a bit. Dealers have lots of room to work with, private sellers may but its up to them on how badly they want to sell.

[GaryKD]

Hi css899,
Welcome to iRV2. Three things to look for are:
1. floor plan
2. will the coach carry all your stuff and your people? (CCC)
3. Will the coach tow what you want to tow? (GCWR minus GVWR and the receiver rating).

After these items are okay, one can do what has been previously posted. If big ticket items need replacing (like tires, batteries, etc.) negotiate a reduced price and you make the replacement purchases. Double check that all appliances work. Check the roof seams and the interior ceiling for signs of water intrusion.

Good luck,

[vsheetz]

If dealing with a private party directly or via consignment, they may be upside down and owe more than the coach is worth. Ask if they own it clear and if not what is owed yet. If upside down it can complicate things because they don't want to, or cannot, add any cash of their own. If they don't have the cash one way to help them is to move some value to a credit card. For example, they owe $3k more than it's worth. You pay that amount and they put a new set of tires on the coach (paid on their credit card).

[RickO]

The approach we used to negotiate the price on our new 40DP should work well in your case too.

Once you have targeted a specific year, make, model.... just Google it and you'll probably get a lot of hits on others very much like it for sale. I think your best bet will be to look at dealers like PPL who seem to have very aggressive prices on their used/consignment coaches. Print out those whose price supports your offer and share them with the seller.

BTW, if someone asked me what I owed on my coach I think I would suggest that it was none of their business. If it's an obstacle to the sale and I wanted help from the buyer that would be a different story, but....

Rick

[bobandshaz]

Good luck and have fun

[vsheetz]

Originally Posted by RickO

The approach we used to negotiate the price on our new 40DP should work well in your case too.

Once you have targeted a specific year, make, model.... just Google it and you'll probably get a lot of hits on others very much like it for sale. I think your best bet will be to look at dealers like PPL who seem to have very aggressive prices on their used/consignment coaches. Print out those whose price supports your offer and share them with the seller.

BTW, if someone asked me what I owed on my coach I think I would suggest that it was none of their business. If it's an obstacle to the sale and I wanted help from the buyer that would be a different story, but....

Rick

Some would I agree, however in my several experiences I have found people will often tell you. On the occasion they did not want to share the info, no big deal. If you buy you may be making two payments - one to the lien holder and one to the seller.

[scenic route]

I like RickO's method. In addition, I invested in NADA's hard copy of RV values...the same one the dealers use to determine wholesale levels. Best $110 I ever spent. That rascal came in handy instantly when we saw something we liked and to confirm/eliminate any attempted dealer price exaggerations.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by css899

Just want to say hello. First post here after lurking for quite awhile. We are getting ready to buy our first Class A DP. Really like the Monaco/HR (Diplomat, Endeavoer,Windsor, Scepter) coaches. Looking at years 2004-2007. Looking at models that have 4 slides, 400hp, side mounted radiator, etc.

I am looking for a good deal but don't want to be insulting. Any suggestions on what would be an appropriate starting offer on coaches in excellent condition in this price range? I realize this is a very subjective matter. All opinions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Scott

Scott
Always offer less than you are willing to pay.... the salesman/owner may only bump that figure up to one you are okay with.

Why do you care if your offer is insulting, salesman/owners don't care how you feel when they quote an outrageously high price, (or paste it on the windshield).

BTW this is RV negotiating/buying we're talking about, not a popularity contest... (if you want to be really popular ... pay the asking price).

Good luck.

Mel
'96 Safari

[css899]

Thanks for all the good advise. I prefer to buy from a private party but am not opposed to buying from a reputable dealer. My thoughts are to start by offering approx. 30%-40% below asking price and see how it goes from there. I can always raise my offer for the right coach. Been married for 32 years so I am used to hearing the word NO. haha

Thanks
Scott

[compute42]

Seems to me reading around on here (and we just bought our first MH this week) that %25 of MSRP for a new coach from a dealer is about right. (if they don't inflate the MSRP). Used its whatever. We were looking at used, and most people just want way to much for them and I don't have the patience to wait for them to realize in 2 months I was a serious buyer at a fair price. Used generally 20% of asking price is considered a fair offer. I wouldn't even take sellers seriously and bother to make an offer that want unrealistic amounts of money for a used MH.