Picking up new 2021 Open Road 32SA

[Fio]

I'm picking up a new 2021 Open Road 32SA next week. My question is what is the standard procedure for a pickup? Do I sign all the paperwork first or do I do the PDI first and make sure everything is acceptable prior to signing my name on the line? Thanks!

[Ranger Smith]

I dont sign anything till the PDI is done and all issues addressed.

[groswald]

Never sign anything until the PDI is complete and every item written down as a “We Owe” list that is signed by the dealer and included in the sale documents. Less than reputable dealers may push you to sign first - don’t allow it. Once you sign you have no leverage with them to correct anything.

Enjoy the new coach. We love ours!

Regards,

Randy

[mikervet]

Thanks for asking the question. I have a 32SA on order also. I have read in this forum that some dealerships let you stay in the coach for a day or two to go over things, but they will not let you stay in it until you have signed all the paperwork. What should you do then? Do you do a PDI and take care of the problems you may find, sign your paperwork and then hope the dealer will take care of any problems you find during your stay?


I am curious, how long did it take from the time you put your order in to get to this point?
Hope all goes well and enjoy the coach!

[Fio]

Originally Posted by mikervet

Thanks for asking the question. I have a 32SA on order also. I have read in this forum that some dealerships let you stay in the coach for a day or two to go over things, but they will not let you stay in it until you have signed all the paperwork. What should you do then? Do you do a PDI and take care of the problems you may find, sign your paperwork and then hope the dealer will take care of any problems you find during your stay?


I am curious, how long did it take from the time you put your order in to get to this point?
Hope all goes well and enjoy the coach!

Mikevet, that was my question as well. I was planning on staying there until all was fixed/good to go with the RV before I left. I wasn't sure if the dealer would let me stay in RV until I bought it/signed. I was looking for answers here before I approached the sales person with the question.

[dmctlc]

Not only don't sign but anything that is repaired make sure you have their work or job order listing all your issues and what they did to repair them. If some repairs entails ordering parts you'll need to decide if you want to complete the purchase or what until it is completely repaired. This, IMHO, is tough since it could mean delaying for some time before the repairs are completed since there's part shortages in the RV industry due to the covid. If you decide to take it home then make sure everything is listed on the sales documents with an ETC. to complete the repair and that it will be completed without delay to assure that you don't drop it off and it waits weeks for the repairs to be completed. Make sure that you run everything on not just shore power but generator power. Have water hooked up or at least the tank have water to run all the faucets, toilets and shower, etc. to check for leaks not just on the water lines but also the drains. Also do not let them rush you, it's a lot of money, your money so take your time and run everything, TVs, slides several times, awnings, etc. etc.. Thanks and congratulations....

[groswald]

Having thought about it some more, I realize that the situation is a little different when buying new. We buy (gently) used. As such there is no warranty at we're entirely at the mercy of the dealer to correct any issues found during the PDI. So, when buying used - no paperwork until after the PDI -- ever.

When buying new, it still makes sense to do the PDI first, and I'd insist on it. While anything you find is covered by warranty, the dealer will be much more motivated to fix things in a timely manner if you withhold payment until they do. It's also a whopping lot easier to say no to a lemon than it is to get satisfaction after buying one.

Unfortunately, it's always possible (and more likely with a new unit) that you'll find something that cannot be corrected quickly. What you do in that case is a personal decision and can be quite difficult to make. With the current resource constraints at dealers and the difficulty getting parts it's not inconceivable that you'd have to wait several months for a repair.

I'd probably not sign paperwork until the repairs were made, with the understanding that the dealer might well sell it out from under me. Spending a lot of money on a new coach to see it parked on a dealer's lot just wouldn't work for me.

As for "camping" at the dealer for a few days: it makes sense that they'd want you to own it before you do. When buying new, anything you find will be warranty work so at least it's covered. The only issue is when, not if, it will get fixed.

Regards,

Randy

[mikervet]

Talking to Sherman, a 2 night get to know period is standard procedure for new, but all papers must be signed first. I was told no exceptions. Davis seems to have the same policy. I have read a few unhappy reviews about both, but mostly buyers have been very happy with either one. There are a lot of owners on this forum that have bought from both and they seem to have left satisfied. You may want to disclose the dealer you are buying from and ask previous customers about their experience with them. I have found this forum to be very informative and honest.
After looking and researching for a good 6 to7 months, I have accepted the fact that there is a good possibility that I will have to make a trip to Redbay to get things fixed correctly. I would rather spend the time vacationing, but what are you going to do?

[WhippetTaxi]

We picked up our new 2021 Open Road 32SA last week at a local dealer. I didn't have any problem signing the paperwork up front, as I planned to stay overnight in their RV park and get any issues resolved before leaving. I did find several minor things overnight that weren't apparent on the walk-through/PDI the previous afternoon. For example, screen door latch needed adjusting, the sofa travel straps were still attached, and one of the TV remotes was missing. Everything was addressed fairly quickly and there don't seem to be any issues (at least so far) that would require a trip to Red Bay!

[Fio]

Thanks for all the replies. A few things I hadn't thought about like running everything on the generator...very good idea. I definitely don't want a motorhome that sits at the dealer for months...thats why I'm getting a Tiffin

I've been searching for a while and never intended on buying new until I saw all the insane prices for used. To me it made better financial sense to buy new. I'm not getting quite the big 3 discount but its a fair deal in my opinion plus who knows when I would get one new ordering now. I'm buying from Colton RV in Buffalo. I purchased my previous Grand Design Imagine TT from them as well.

[WhippetTaxi]

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f23/ford...me-530797.html

Just ran across this recall news for certain F53 chassis motorhomes. If your new unit is affected, make sure this recall has been addressed before you take delivery.

[creativepart]

It's a bit of a jog off topic - but you also need to prepare for the visit with the dealership's F&I person.

This is where the dealer will attempt through all means possible to claw back any discounts or price reductions you negotiated.

Don't go into this without deciding on Extended "Warranties" (Service Contracts), paint protection, tire protection, fabric protection, roadside breakdown insurance, and anything else the dealer can try to weasel out of you. (i.e. RV insurance. Financing)

If you decide you want a Service Contract - be sure to either automatically reject whatever the dealer offers or have pre-shopped Service Contracts with multiple companies before even looking at what the dealer offers.

Dealers buy these "contracts" at low wholesale prices and then try to sell it to you at 300% to 400% markup. And, when you balk they'll offer a huge discount on it that still gives them 200% markup. And, reviewing the contents of a Service Contract should take days of review - the dealer will promise you it's GREAT and give you 10-mins to read the fine print.

As to all the other stuff they offer it's my opinion that you should just say NO to ever single thing that's offered in the Closing meeting. All of it is worthless or overpriced or both. Be prepared to say NO half a dozen times and watch closely that they don't add something to the closing docs that you've already turned down.

Also, before you close your salesman, the F&I people, the manager of the dealership and the manager of the Service Dept will all be reassuring you and telling you that they have your best interests at heart. Heck, you may even think you are friends with some of them. But after the sale they will not know you, your RV, or that you were ever even a customer within hours of you taking possession.

Good luck. Gird your loins and prepare for battle.

[Gocats]

Originally Posted by mikervet

Talking to Sherman, a 2 night get to know period is standard procedure for new, but all papers must be signed first. I was told no exceptions. Davis seems to have the same policy. I have read a few unhappy reviews about both, but mostly buyers have been very happy with either one. There are a lot of owners on this forum that have bought from both and they seem to have left satisfied. You may want to disclose the dealer you are buying from and ask previous customers about their experience with them. I have found this forum to be very informative and honest.
After looking and researching for a good 6 to7 months, I have accepted the fact that there is a good possibility that I will have to make a trip to Redbay to get things fixed correctly. I would rather spend the time vacationing, but what are you going to do?

Ingram was the same and we are very happy.

[Fio]

creativepart....thanks for your post. I showed it to my wife because she's the one who falls for the sales pitches. I told her to be ready and we aren't buying anything else. lol

Tomorrow is the big day! I appreciate all the responses