Buying a Motorhome from Motorhome Specialists

[Statgeek]

Originally Posted by nothermark

FWIW - put yourself in the dealers place. You have 2 weeks worth of work backed up in your shop from folks who bought their RV from you. Somebody you never saw before comes in and wants service. What do you tell him?

I'll tell you what I would tell you. If you are nice I will tell you sorry. If you are annoying I will tell you that if you leave it I'll take a look when I have time.

Time will occur when I no longer have one of my customers needing space in the shop. My shop will not miss your job as I will be busy enough just taking care of my customers.

You should open an rv sales shop. You'd fit right in!!

Tell you what I'd do. I would take customers as they come, just like any other service industry. If I don't have time to handle them all, then that's the best kind of problem to have. It would enable me to hire more employees, more efficient equipment, a larger shop, and grow my business. I would be making more customers happy that way, thereby furthering my positive reputation. It would probably result not only in a steady stream of work (a good thing, not a nuisance), but would improve customer brand loyalty too. Might even turn out some additions sales....as it does in the auto industry.

The model is already there. The RV companies are turning a blind eye.

[WyoFree]

It sounds like you should buy the coach where you get the best deal! And the local dealer is not that big of a factor from the service standpoint.

If you live and bought in Florida and you need help in Kansas the local dealer doesn't help much does it?

Some who purchased at MHS said the PDI and delivery took two days and they cut you loose. What happens if you drive off and your first stop the slide doesn't go out or the water doesn't work? Do you call the dealer, MHS in this example, or the coach builder?

[MisterT]

We've traded with them TWICE...
traded our fifth-wheel and truck for a new GeorgetownXL ClassA, and
traded our Georgetown for our new Palazzo DP

most items for loans were taken care of via email well before we took the trip to the lot, and then we just picked out the right coach that they had in stock when we arrived and they looked over our trades.
they gave us the best price for the trade-ins also, and with very little, if any, questions or concerns about them once we arrived. it was very easy.
they provided us a covered full hookup site while we transferred our property to the new coach, and we took several days there to make sure everything was in order and working properly.
we pointed out any issues or items and they had their people jump right on it.

Tip: do your loan approval, if any, ahead of time. when you arrive you'll have the whole lot to look over - and take your time. you may even decide that another coach is the one you want versus the one you saw online. when you make the deal, and sign the papers, take your time in going over the coach and all of the workings - ask any questions and get the answers, or repairs, before you leave.

PS... we purchased our coaches, with a 800 mile trip from GA, from MHSRV because of their 'up front' online prices, and their online videos and detailed info. they answered any questions by phone or email, and made the process very easy for newbies like we were at the time. But while we purchased from them, it does not mean that I consider them to be our 'dealer' for every little thing that we need. I can use any dealer anywhere for repairs. I use the factory service center(Wakarusa IN for Thor Motorcoaches) for warranty.

[nothermark]

Originally Posted by Statgeek

You should open an rv sales shop. You'd fit right in!!

Tell you what I'd do. I would take customers as they come, just like any other service industry. If I don't have time to handle them all, then that's the best kind of problem to have. It would enable me to hire more employees, more efficient equipment, a larger shop, and grow my business. I would be making more customers happy that way, thereby furthering my positive reputation. It would probably result not only in a steady stream of work (a good thing, not a nuisance), but would improve customer brand loyalty too. Might even turn out some additions sales....as it does in the auto industry.

The model is already there. The RV companies are turning a blind eye.

I learned it in the boat business, have seen it in the automobile, RV and computer businesses. It happens whenever the shops are busy because warranty work does not pay as well as keeping their customer base happy. Everyone in any business with a warranty understands it. That is why I find it amusing when someone says they won't do business with somebody who says that.

All dealers will sell cheaper if they do not expect the post sale warranty hassle. The customer gets the deal then gets a run around by the local dealer who knows the score and is irritated because you expect him to lose money cleaning up a mess somebody else made. The manufacturers get it, that is why they do not lean on the dealers very hard. The only one who seems not to understand it is the customer who calls all over the country looking for a deal, often spends more than they save doing the pickup and then gets frustrated trying to get service. MH's might be the only place where they save more than the transportation cost but they still get the frustration.

[cmalberto]

Originally Posted by WyoFree

I know there's a thread somewhere about buying a motorhome from MHS but I'll be darned if I can find it?

I've not found a dealer with prices even close to MHS for a new coach. If you'll travel the country looking for the right motorhome and price for a used coach, would it not also make cents "¢" to buy a new coach where the best price is found?

So the question is, is there any reason you know of NOT to buy a new coach from them?

First of all, I read most of the replies before adding 2 cents - I found what I expected to see...common theme..."service"...I can honestly say that is the and will be the issue with ANYONE you buy from. I think the key to buying anything from MHS or anyone else...buy what you want and not necessarily the best price. We bought from MHS - and yes I would do it again(I think). They had the best selection short of a RV Show. We bought to our wants and yes - a very good price came with that.

Now here are the issues with service...not just MHS as we are just experiencing their service department - I will share a little more later. We live 300+ miles away and what we found out is that not just anyone will touch(or can touch) mfg warranty issues. I had 1 place locally(and there was a reason I bought 300+ miles away) that would/might do it...however, after the first conversation, they would never call back. We ended up waiting 3+ months and our list grew...waiting on that next thing to break before returning to MHS.

So I really feel that 1st year is key to where you buy. Almost everything has issues that you will want to address on the mfg nickel - Forrest River in my case would cover anything that they are supposed to - the issue was me having to pay first and get re-imbursed unless I took back to the dealer. There a might be other dealers closer to me that might not have made me pay first - I don't know and didn't search too far away.

Lastly - We dropped off our right with a list of 7-8 items back around July 15th. Dropping off unannounced...they still won't be able to look at until next week(August 7th). So expect a 3 week backlog just about anywhere this time of the year. As far the quality of their service - I don't know. It is what it is...and time will tell.

Thought I would share the reality of what I feel any dealer will be when compared to their counterpart service department.

Hope this helps.

[timjet]

Originally Posted by nothermark

All dealers will sell cheaper if they do not expect the post sale warranty hassle.

In the articles RV Death Spiral, the last article which blames partly the consumer for what has happened in the RV industry, pretty much said what nothemark wrote.
In the article the author said some RV dealerships state prices based on where the buyer lives. 500, 1000, 2000 miles away will all get different prices on a new RV with the 2000 miler the best price. The dealer knows little warranty work will come from the 2000 miler.

[Statgeek]

Originally Posted by timjet

In the articles RV Death Spiral, the last article which blames partly the consumer for what has happened in the RV industry, pretty much said what nothemark wrote.
In the article the author said some RV dealerships state prices based on where the buyer lives. 500, 1000, 2000 miles away will all get different prices on a new RV with the 2000 miler the best price. The dealer knows little warranty work will come from the 2000 miler.

Very interesting pricing strategy that bites the consumer, and I maintain, the dealer too. I still can't figure out why this "works" for the RV industry and not the auto industry? Must be a volume thing. But still.. servicing automobiles is big business. It brings customers to the dealership regularly, where they see those shiny new models right around the corner... becoming more and more tempting as the repair bill starts to climb on the auto that brought them there in the first place. Seems like a natural win for the RV dealerships too, but apparently they don't see it that way.

[WyoFree]

It's strange how the motorhome dealer network works! You'd think a dealer would give you a good price to garner your service and maintenance business. Not give you a better price to keep you as far away as possible!

One thing you guys said about MHS is the clout they have with the manufacturer because of their volume. After reading all this about the dealer network, thats sounds like a very useful advantage! If I'm in Idaho, its nice to think the largest RV dealer in the world will go to bat for me to the manufacturer. I'll take any advantage I can get!

If MHS or any other dealer for that matter, does not have the coach I want on the lot, color, equipment etc. Is there a price advantage to ordering the coach through the dealer? There must be some savings to the dealer not having to inventory it right? The coach comes in, I pick it up and off I go, that can't be too bad.

Also happy the hear some have received as much as 42% off. That's a lot of bucks off MSRP and am happy to know some dealers will go that deep!

[nothermark]

Originally Posted by Statgeek

Very interesting pricing strategy that bites the consumer, and I maintain, the dealer too. I still can't figure out why this "works" for the RV industry and not the auto industry? Must be a volume thing. But still.. servicing automobiles is big business. It brings customers to the dealership regularly, where they see those shiny new models right around the corner... becoming more and more tempting as the repair bill starts to climb on the auto that brought them there in the first place. Seems like a natural win for the RV dealerships too, but apparently they don't see it that way.

What you are missing is that the sales side is relatively simple and easy to deal with. The service side has the majority of hassles withcsutomers, staff, facilities, and governmental regulation. Even assuming that it is profitable it is a PITA for the dealer thus something many would be happy to do without.

[Beau388]

We bought our new coach from MHSRV (625 miles from home base) because of selection on the lot. In the 29-33 ft size they had four major brands and 39 coaches to choose from. The DW is a retired interior designer so interior appointments and design had to be seen in person. We spent two nights in the coach in the delivery shed (64 full hookup spots). Each morning the salesman and the service technician came by about 9 am to see if everything worked and to show us little things not in the manuals (like where the low point drains are located - under the sink in the external kitchen). On our second trip we discovered the electric element in the water heater was not working. On the way home I stopped by Youngbloods RV abd they fixed it on the spot (new relay). Thor reimbursed me for the bill.

[crabdaddy]

I also agree with nothermark and would like to add another perspective and motivating factor for the dealerships to turn down business from people who did not buy there. Put yourself in the shoes of the local buyer who did buy there for a minute. Probably paid a premium vs going out of state to support local business and get the expedited service they deserve. But if local dealership is forced to work on any RV that comes in, now there is a longer wait time for the customers who supported them in the first place. Now they risk losing their core customers. It's a balancing act for sure, but I completely understand the dealers point of view. And to the poster who said they just need to hire more employees? Obviously doesn't understand the RV or boat industry. Qualified techs are very hard to come by, new techs have a couple of years of training to get up to speed and since they are in such high demand, will get trained and then leave for a higher paying job across town. Easy to say, a lot harder to do.

[WyoFree]

You know what it sounds like to me, if we're going to have a motorhome we best learn to be handy!

I don't mind being handy, I just don't want to be a slave to it! My hope is to get all the main things found and fixed the first year of warantee and hope that things even out after that!

Hope springs eternal...

[twogypsies]

I just don't get it that some find it so difficult to get service.

Think of all the full-timers out there. They buy from a dealer and take off for the unknown. They get service, if needed, wherever they are. They surely don't run back to the selling dealer and surely don't get a motel room for 3 months of waiting time.

We bought new and never returned to the selling dealer for our Newmar. We had a couple minor things during warranty to take care of. Newmar has a list of dealers throughout the country. We picked one in the direction we were heading, called in advance, made an appointment, and the issues were taken care of when we arrived. We spent one night on their lot - with electric - and took off the next day.

The same for regular maintenance. We called in advance so they'd have in stock anything needed and we were in and out in a day.

None of our many full-timing friends have had an issue with warranty from a non-selling dealer. They don't have to spend time out of their RV home waiting to have something done.

[timjet]

Originally Posted by WyoFree

My hope is to get all the main things found and fixed the first year of warantee and hope that things even out after that!

Hope springs eternal...

Perhaps that's why some favor a gently used late model coach.