Community Forums

Jeannine111 · 05-23-2015, 06:54 PM

Hello everyone. I'm new to rvs and new to this forum. Hoping to learn a lot here. I'd like to buy an rv within 6 months. Although I've narrowed down my choices, my question applies to any type of rv from any dealer.

How do I get the rv I want from a dealer 200 miles away from my home? The simple answer is to take a trip to visit the dealer, but I'm unable to do that at the moment. Do rv dealers generally ship rvs to new owners? This may sound like a stupid question, but I've had new cars shipped to me from long distance dealers (for a fee, of course). I understand that my wish to have it shipped would cause me to lose the test drive and other inspections. If I'm not concerned about that, or an additional cost, is it possible to have an rv shipped to me?

Fyi: I'm leaning strongly towards the Leisure Travel Van Unity. How can I make this happen? Thanks!

IdahoSRT10 · 05-23-2015, 06:59 PM

Are you sure to want to buy a used RV sight unseen? I wouldn't even buy our new MH without seeing it first. We had to buy ours out of state (275 mi) because the 2 news ones here were too beat up.

nothermark · 05-23-2015, 07:01 PM

Call the dealer. For enough money most things can be done.

Mich F · 05-23-2015, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeannine111

Hello everyone. I'm new to rvs and new to this forum. Hoping to learn a lot here. I'd like to buy an rv within 6 months. Although I've narrowed down my choices, my question applies to any type of rv from any dealer.

How do I get the rv I want from a dealer 200 miles away from my home? The simple answer is to take a trip to visit the dealer, but I'm unable to do that at the moment. Do rv dealers generally ship rvs to new owners? This may sound like a stupid question, but I've had new cars shipped to me from long distance dealers (for a fee, of course). I understand that my wish to have it shipped would cause me to lose the test drive and other inspections. If I'm not concerned about that, or an additional cost, is it possible to have an rv shipped to me?

Fyi: I'm leaning strongly towards the Leisure Travel Van Unity. How can I make this happen? Thanks!

I think it's strange that you would consider buying an RV that you've never driven ? I also wonder how often you would use an RV, since you're not able to travel 200 miles from home in the next 6 months.

CampingCajun · 05-23-2015, 07:08 PM

There are not too many things I would buy sight unseen & an RV is not one of them.

Jeannine111 · 05-23-2015, 07:32 PM

I'm not buying used. I'd like to buy new from Fretz dealership in PA. Either a 2015 or 2016 Unity. Also, I have driven one. I've driven the 2013 model.

I'm not able to make the 200 mile trip to the dealership at the moment due to work reasons. However, in about 6 months I'd like to plan a cross country tour in a new rv. After that tour, I'd be using the rv frequently. So, my question was....does anyone know through personal experience whether or not getting a new rv shipped from a dealership to my home town is something that is common or uncommon in the industry? Has anyone done it?

98FPA · 05-23-2015, 07:36 PM

Well unfortunately sellers always see their product as perfect which is probably never the case. I've bought a lot of O-Scale trains off of eBay and for some reason nearly everyone thinks that their particular item is mint (again which is very seldom the case). As they say "Buyer Beware". I know a lot of people who have bought cars etc. sight unseen. I know of two instances personally where someone has bought an RV and a 5th wheel off of eBay and an RV site in Michigan. Both deals were absolutely awesome; neither regret their purchases. The individual that purchased the 5th. wheel, paid to have it brought from Michigan to Nebraska. Everything is doable for a price. Just be cautious!

vsheetz · 05-23-2015, 07:37 PM

Have not done it myself. I did by a trailer and had it delivered and setup on a permanent site. dealers have drivers that shuffle RV 's to shows, from dealer to dealer, etc. so I am sure it's not a big deal to arrange.

Mr_D · 05-23-2015, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CampingCajun

There are not too many things I would buy sight unseen & an RV is not one of them.

Even with four trips out of state to the dealer, an oil sample done and test drive stuff can still happen!!

Jeannine111 · 05-23-2015, 08:03 PM

Thanks for the responses. I'll definitely be cautious. I've spent the last few weeks test driving rvs from my local dealerships. Most of them based on the Sprinter. None of them were the LTV Unity that I like. My original plan was to wait for the rv show in January to test out the Unity there. But now that I'm fairly certain that I want to purchase that rv, I have to ask, "What am I waiting for"? I'm buying brand new. A test drive in a new rv probably won't alert me to any manufacturing problems right away. I'd guess that problems like that won't be seen until the rv is driven for a bit. So, there is always a risk when buying an rv. I'd be relying on the warranty and customer service from the dealership whether I test drove a brand new rv or not. Perhaps I am wrong and this will all be a huge lesson learned in about a year, lol. I'm calling the dealership on Tues to see what arrangements can be made for delivery to me. Keeping my fingers crossed.....

ArmandV · 05-23-2015, 09:23 PM

Is there a way you can fly to the city where the dealer is located? If so, you can arrange to have them pick you up from the airport. This is what I did once I decided on the make and model. I then drove it home.

A 200-mile flight shouldn't cost too much. You can fly there and check it out and then, if all meets with your approval and the sale is completed, you can drive it home.

It may be probably better if you arrange to look it over and drive it. Unless they can prep it fast, it may take a second trip to finalize the sale and pick it up. It would be probably a lot cheaper than having them deliver it to you.

You should be able to spare at least one day to do this.

mojoracing · 05-23-2015, 11:48 PM

Many times we delivered rvs to folks who couldn't make it to the store. Any dealer worth his salt will figure it out.

nomad297 · 05-24-2015, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeannine111

Thanks for the responses. I'll definitely be cautious. I've spent the last few weeks test driving rvs from my local dealerships. Most of them based on the Sprinter. None of them were the LTV Unity that I like. My original plan was to wait for the rv show in January to test out the Unity there. But now that I'm fairly certain that I want to purchase that rv, I have to ask, "What am I waiting for"? I'm buying brand new. A test drive in a new rv probably won't alert me to any manufacturing problems right away. I'd guess that problems like that won't be seen until the rv is driven for a bit. So, there is always a risk when buying an rv. I'd be relying on the warranty and customer service from the dealership whether I test drove a brand new rv or not. Perhaps I am wrong and this will all be a huge lesson learned in about a year, lol. I'm calling the dealership on Tues to see what arrangements can be made for delivery to me. Keeping my fingers crossed.....

You know exactly what you are doing. Obviously, many here don't agree with you, but I understand your logic -- I think the way you think. Go for it. Your dealer will work out a way to get it to you.

Bruce

Steve Ownby · 05-24-2015, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeannine111

I'm not buying used. I'd like to buy new from Fretz dealership in PA. Either a 2015 or 2016 Unity. Also, I have driven one. I've driven the 2013 model.

I'm not able to make the 200 mile trip to the dealership at the moment due to work reasons. However, in about 6 months I'd like to plan a cross country tour in a new rv. After that tour, I'd be using the rv frequently. So, my question was....does anyone know through personal experience whether or not getting a new rv shipped from a dealership to my home town is something that is common or uncommon in the industry? Has anyone done it?

Sounds like a reasonable plan. Since you are buying new and have driven an example I see no reason not to go forward. I would say it's not a common occurrence but certainly doable. You would be giving up a PDI at the dealership which would give you a chance to ask very specific questions about systems in the vehicle. The dealer might agree to have the delivery made by a tech knowledgeable about this specific coach who could give you a tutorial at point of delivery.

Good luck with your plan.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07