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Old 03-30-2017, 07:06 AM   #1
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Motor Home Specialist and used motorhomes

Have you ever had something that you expected to be amazing, turn out to be a total dud? Like when all your friends tell you about an awesome movie or wonderful new restaurant, yet when you finally go try it you wonder, what was all the fuss about? Well, that’s how I’m feeling right now about Motor Home Specialist. I had such high expectations, but have received a less than stellar experience so far.

Just over a year ago the DW asked me to begin the RV search. We attended the RV Show at Hershey PA, and visited a few local dealerships to get a feel for what was out there and to let her decide on what she really liked. She finally settled on a particular make and model (Georgetown 364TS) The only caveats she gave was it had to be used (the price point we could afford), and we had to wait until spring of 2017 to buy it. I spent the entire 2016 year watching the online market for the unit we wanted, tracking prices, taking note of the availability at the different dealers and begin to narrow down my list of potential dealers.

These forums were an awesome source to hear stories about dealers. Certain ones come up a lot, Lazy Days, RV Wholesalers, etc. But I’m sure many of you may agree that Motor Home Specialist is a major player in the RV sales world we live in. After reading reviews on this site, checking online reviews and navigating their site countless times, I would say we were looking forward to doing business with them. So when it came time this spring to finally pull the trigger (thanks DW), one of the first places I checked was MHSRV. I checked the forums for a recommended salesman. “Jimmy” came up a few times so I made contact with him. Our phone conversation was great and he seemed friendly. I told him the make and model I was looking for and to please let me know if any used ones come in as we are ready to buy now. Couple days go buy, I check the site again and guess what? The unit I’m looking for had just been listed. I contact Jimmy, he said he missed it. No biggie, I know they have a ton of units there. However when I mentioned that we’d love to make an offer on this unit, he says, “Sorry, there is no room to negotiate on that unit.” Excuse me? No room at all? Again, no biggie, we’ve all seen this game before. You let it go, let it season a bit, then call back later with another offer and then they will play ball. So I did just that. I wait over a week, and contact him over email this time (so it’s in writing). To my surprise, he emails back and says, and I quote, “Hi Chris, I don’t want to waste your time, but $XX,XXX.XX is my best price. Thanks, Jimmy”. So the asking price was firm, no negotiating and not one dime less. I was under the impression that Motor Home Specialist was good at dealing. Not necessarily always the best, but at least always willing to cut some sort of deal.

My question to you the folks in the forum is, what do you think is going on? My wife says it’s because it’s used, she thinks Jimmy only deals in the new DP market and doesn’t give a rip about a used unit. One friend (who was in sales) thinks that this unit is used to drive folks to buy the new units because although it’s almost two years old with 13k miles, it’s is priced the same as a new unit (explain that one to me). Another friend says to cold call the dealership and try to get a different salesman. And yet another friend says sit on it even longer and then make another offer. What do you folks think? Is this the way MHSRV does this stuff? Is it Jimmy? Or it just me? Perhaps I should just let this one go. Other dealers I have contacted have dropped their initial price at least a token amount, but not MHSRV.

I’d love to hear your feedback on what you think is going on, the answers on our forum are always useful. Many thanks!

Chris

(Side note: The biggest surprise so far when shopping for a used motorhome has been that private parties have flexed the most on their prices, not the dealers. Is that normal?)

This is also posted over on the Forest River Forum
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Old 03-30-2017, 07:21 AM   #2
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First off, welcome to the Forum!

Since you know the make and model and probable year that you want, why stick with this dealer? Search RV Trader and other sources and find the MH of your dreams. So what if they don't want to dicker? Just move on. Since you want used, you won't have much of a warranty. Don't be afraid to travel to buy it, but see if you can find a good inspector to check out the MH (you should do that no matter what). Most dealers know that going into spring is the big buying time, so they don't have to worry about keeping inventory on the lot (seller's market).

Go find your MH and have fun doing it!
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Old 03-30-2017, 08:25 AM   #3
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First off, welcome to the Forum!

Since you know the make and model and probable year that you want, why stick with this dealer? Search RV Trader and other sources and find the MH of your dreams. So what if they don't want to dicker? Just move on. Since you want used, you won't have much of a warranty. Don't be afraid to travel to buy it, but see if you can find a good inspector to check out the MH (you should do that no matter what). Most dealers know that going into spring is the big buying time, so they don't have to worry about keeping inventory on the lot (seller's market).

Go find your MH and have fun doing it!
Thanks Gormleys. By no means is this the only source of my search. Scattered throughout the country I am in contact with no less than 4 dealers, 3 private parties and one broker from POP RVs. Along with the usual sites like RVTrader. MHSRV isn't my only choice, just an expected good choice.

I do think you have a great point about the season, perhaps it is the season we are in right now (sellers market) that keeps them from making a deal?
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Old 03-30-2017, 08:25 AM   #4
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Hi Chris,
I can see why you'd be a bit frustrated and baffled by Jimmys lack of motivation. It makes no sense that they are basically asking a New price for a used unit. They have the identical 2017 new unit listed just above it, and when I did a price inquiry the difference between the new unit and the used one you're looking at was only $7k. They can't seriously believe that the used 2016 with 13k miles on it has only depreciated 6.5% from new.

I'd do one of two things if I were you. The one option would be to get on the phone and request to speak to the sales manager at MHSRV, and give him the numbers and make an offer to him/her. The other is that I see you're in the NE, I'd find a dealer that is located closer and more convenient to you, or better yet, find a private seller who is selling what you want.

To answer your private seller question - yes, it is generally true that you will get a better price buying from a private seller. There are many reasons for a private seller to sell a unit, but they likely aren't trying to make money off the sale to cover overhead and operating costs of a what a dealership has to do. When I sold my travel trailer on Craigslist I felt like it was a win win for me and the seller. We both felt good about the deal we agreed to. I think most private sellers will flex more on price once they realize the unit they're selling isn't worth the price they think it is, and once presented with a reasonable offer they get past what they've valued the unit based mainly on they're emotions, and decide to be reasonable. Not all sellers are like that, and their units sit forever and don't sell, but I believe there are lots of great deals to be had from private sellers on gently used newer units.

Good luck!
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Old 03-30-2017, 08:36 AM   #5
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That's MHSRV's standard operation. I bought new from them, endured their horrible service department, then tried to go back and buy a used unit from them, and had the same experience as you. In the end I bought elsewhere, and very happy I did. I'm glad to not have to deal with them anymore.
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Old 03-30-2017, 08:45 AM   #6
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I'm with Sunny1. Contact MHSRV sales manager, tell him that you're serious and you are also getting quotes from other dealerships, and offer your bottom-line deal. They'll bite if they can, or they won't. Then move on.

FWIW, I purchases our first Class A new from MHSRV. Their price was so competitive to begin with that they had no need to reduce the price. They knew it. I knew it. It actually made the purchase pretty easy in my case. I would have bought my second RV there too, but they didn't sell what we were looking for.

Buying a used RV requires a different set of expectations and negotiation strategies than buying new. Sounds like you're pretty knowledgeable about that, and I wish you the best. It's so exciting being in a "purchase year," so try not to let it bring you down!
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Old 03-30-2017, 08:47 AM   #7
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The checking with the sales manager is a good idea if for no other reason to satisfy yourself on what the deal is/isn't. I've run across this at two other dealers, and in both cases it ended out that they were actually consignment units (although the web ads didn't say it) I found out after. In both those cases, the owner had a definite dollar figure and wouldn't go for anything less and after trying a time or two the sales folks didn't bother to try to negotiate anything less. I suspect in both cases (they were almost new) they were in too deep money wise and were trying to shed their debt and make a few bucks.
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Old 03-30-2017, 08:49 AM   #8
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Hello Sunny1.

Great response. I'm very impressed you did your homework as well by checking their website. To make it even more baffling, Palm RV, right now has two brand new 2017's for the same price as the MHSRV used one. And according to my notes, over the past 2 years this price point appears about every couple months for this unit on the MHSRV site as well as some others. Heck, just over a month ago MHSRV sold a 2017 for this same price. So they've priced this one very high for some strange reason (it's not options, I've checked). Someone just mentioned to me that perhaps it's a consignment? I should ask them I guess.

But you're right, I think I may contact the sales manager, something's fishy about this one. Also, thanks for the info on private sellers, I didn't quite believe that they might have the better deals. I'm actually in Maryland and I've got one private party that is (very) slowly coming down on their price. So we will see where that goes and I'll work to find more.

Thanks again Sunny1!
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Old 03-30-2017, 08:49 AM   #9
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igave, you need to edit your signature line. You have a Cummins.
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Old 03-30-2017, 08:59 AM   #10
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When we were looking to purchase a new MH in 2011, we narrowed our choices down to the Georgetown and the Damon Challenger. Since it was primarily the layout (floorplan) that prompted us to select one of these two, we began the negotiations and ended up with the Challenger. If it is the floorplan that is the major reason for your decision, I would suggest seeking various makes and models that have a floorplan similar to what you are looking for. The drivetrain will be similar. Best of luck in your search. BTW, might I recommend Total Value RV in Elkhart, IN as a great place to purchase as well as excellent service.

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Old 03-30-2017, 09:01 AM   #11
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igave, you need to edit your signature line. You have a Cummins.
Thanks! As usual, hitting more keys than called for
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Old 03-30-2017, 09:11 AM   #12
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I think MHSRV is an excellent place to buy a new motorhome, but maybe not a used one. They treated us well when we went there looking for a used RV although at first the experience was a little odd. We told the salesman what we wanted and he took us to look at about ten RVs. He didn't stop very long at any of them, just drove around and described them to us which seemed really odd. Then he took us back to the office, hopped out of the golf cart and told us to have a look at the RVs. We were able to look at the coaches at our leisure without a salesman hoovering over our shoulder.

That was the good, the bad was several of the coaches were waiting to be cleaned and were a mess. I can't believe anyone actually used a couple of them they were so dirty and stained. They also steered us away from the consignment units and toward their company trade ins. Their used prices were firm and we didn't end up buying from them because we felt we could do better.

You really can't complain if they won't come off their price, they are not obligated to negotiate with you if you don't want to pay what they are asking.
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Old 03-30-2017, 09:51 AM   #13
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Thanks Chris,

You've certainly been doing your homework, which is great because now you have a really good idea of what is and isn't a great deal on what you're looking for. Just make sure when you find that 'Great' deal it's not because someone is trying to rid themselves of a lemon - avoid this by a good RV inspection prior to any commitment. Id like to believe everyone is honest when they say it's in great shape and has no issues, however, a great man once said "Trust, but verify" ... I love that quote!
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Old 03-30-2017, 12:37 PM   #14
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I think MHSRV is an excellent place to buy and we bought our used MH there. Like you, we had big expectations but we were NOT disappointed. Our salesman was Calvin, a young guy probably late 20's early 30's and he must have call me "Sir" 200's in our conversations over a 10 day period to get this purchase done. Yes sir, no sir, let me check on that sir and on and on. I asked him if he was in the military, he said no. I said well, you've been brought up right then. When I asked him about negotiating a little better price than what they were asking he said this MH was none negotiable. He said any MH on the lot with the price ending in 997 was non negotiable. They always have so many MH's there they made the internal decision to list non negotiable MH's that way so there wouldn't be any confusion among sales people & customers. He went on to say that these MH's are usually there on consignment OR when a customer traded it in for another MH the deal they gave them left no wiggle room to come down.
So we saw our MH price ending in 997 and there you have it. You either like the MH and buy it at that price or move on. We bought it. Like most of you, over my lifetime I have bought more vehicles than I care to remember and I have NEVER had a better, respectful, patient company to work with. EVER! Everyone we dealt with along the way was awesome. I was from Houston (over 200 miles away or so) and they didn't push me at all about my traveling back & forth for inspections, paperwork was mostly done over the internet and on & on. I think they're great and the selection of MH's they have there is quit overwhelming they have so many.
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