Custom Order

[FledCali]

Has anyone done a custom order through a dealer? We are interested is getting options like the 50amp and additional AC that don't seem common for models on dealer lots. Wondered what people's experiences were that placed an order for an exact one.

[jfran304]

I don't know what kind of coach/trailer you want to custom order but with Tiffin you can get a build sheet and pick what options you want and then submit it to dealers for bids.

Check it out on the Tiffin RV Network.

Jon

[FledCali]

We are looking at a Blackstone titanium

[Highway 4x4]

Call the factory. They can answer those questions and give you an idea of lead time on the order. They will be happy to talk to you.

[Rickeoni]

I factory ordered mine, nothing custom, just checked the boxed that we wanted. Ordered in Feb, got it August. Was it worth the wait? Yes.

[NevadaNick]

When i was at the factory i asked about ordering and was told that they do model runs therefore you could actually be months away from getting your rv. He also mentioned that a dlr would need to have sold a model we want before that model could be ordered which i really didnt understand. Especially if i paid upfront.

[FledCali]

Originally Posted by Rickeoni

I factory ordered mine, nothing custom, just checked the boxed that we wanted. Ordered in Feb, got it August. Was it worth the wait? Yes.

That's good to know it's possible. Did you get the order sheet from the factory or your dealer? Did you pickup at your dealer or factory? Thanks for the information

[ModestMonk]

Originally Posted by Rickeoni

I factory ordered mine, nothing custom, just checked the boxed that we wanted. Ordered in Feb, got it August. Was it worth the wait? Yes.

Originally Posted by pokerloser

That's good to know it's possible. Did you get the order sheet from the factory or your dealer? Did you pickup at your dealer or factory? Thanks for the information

So I had my son and family visiting this last week but in some off moments I meant to formulate a new thread about this subject, but this thread will work just fine to ask these types of questions.

A month ago I asked some similar questions,in general,of some dealers I potentially might want to place an order with and was left the impression that they don't like dealing with custom orders. Now with the new ORV line up, I had contacted one of the dealers about ordering the backcountry model without air-conditioning and without microwave and he said that they have to take it off a stock model.

So, if you don't mind Rickeoni could you expand on your experience? If you were the sales staff and we called could you, would you walk us through the process?

[ModestMonk]

Originally Posted by NevadaNick

When i was at the factory i asked about ordering and was told that they do model runs therefore you could actually be months away from getting your rv. He also mentioned that a dlr would need to have sold a model we want before that model could be ordered which i really didnt understand. Especially if i paid upfront.

I suspect that has something to do with their floorplan contract between the bank and the mfr.?

[Rickeoni]

My experience of purchasing was not without its share of issues.

We looked at a unit that was a RV show model, which we did not want and the salesman was a pushy type, so we walked away for a few weeks. I then started shopping on the internet and found a unit that was close to what we wanted but was a five hour drive. We went back to the local dealer and I asked for sales manager and told him I did not want to deal with our original salesman.

They had a new arrival of our floor plan, but again without all the options we wanted. Sales manager was great to work with. We sat down and went through a factory order sheet (from ORV) came up with their price and from there we negotiated a price based on the unit at the other dealer ( I love the negotiation part of the deal)

Price settled order sheet filled out on a Sunday, we were told 3 to 4 weeks till the trailer arrived. Gave them a $3500 deposit and left excited. Received a call from the dealer in the middle of the week from the GM that they had made an error, in would take 6 months to get a unit! ORV runs a single line and works on various syles of trailers on a rotating 2 week basis and the next run of avaiable fifth wheels would be run in July.

Too the dealers credit he offered to refund my monies or sell me any unit they had in stock and credit the full amount when the GP arrived. I did not take them up on this offer as we have another RV. The sales manager kept me up to date with monthly emails and then a phone call to come and see our new unit.

All dealers are able to order factory units, they are happier to sell in stock units off the floor, because they are paying interest to the bank on these units. I also believe that dealers are afraid to tell people that tgey need to wait several months for a special order unit.

Good luck, I think the trick is to find the right salesman and have some patience.

Rick

[FledCali]

Rick, did the order form have the MSRP for each of the items with the checkboxes?

[Rickeoni]

Originally Posted by pokerloser

Rick, did the order form have the MSRP for each of the items with the checkboxes?

I believe it did, but was in US dollars. And MSRP is just that, suggested. If the dealer is one with ethics, they will be transparent during this part of the negotiation process. In the western US there are many more dealers to choose from than we have here in western Canada.

I have worked in the high end luxury automotive business for 4 decades and know the ins and outs of how dealerships works. I look for ethical dealings or I move on.

Use your best judgement, if your spidey senses are tingling, move on.

Rick.

[FledCali]

Great points Rick. I am located in Southern California and there are only 3 dealers within a 100 mile raduis of me. I don't mind going to an out of state dealer if I can save some decent money on the deal.

[Highway 4x4]

If you take delivery at Thompson RV you will save a bunch in delivery charges as they are close to ORV. A plan I would consider myself.