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targaboat · 12-09-2013, 11:27 AM

Scooter, I remember the old saying better, you can not fix stupid.

forest · 12-09-2013, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaraderie

LME1115...I'm a newbie like you and the general advice is that you can get 25 to 35% off mfr. list on anything. Based on that....I'd start with an offer of around 40% off list and be prepared to actually walk away if they refuse to consider less than 30% off.
The other thing which is interesting is last years models remaining on lots which are new and can often be had for even less...and of course lightly used models a year old or so with very little mileage. I'm amazed at the number of used RV's out there with less than 5-10k miles on them for sale.
Haven't bought "mine" yet either but that summarizes what I've learned about price from the experienced here. Good luck on your hunt!

How in the world do you get these numbers?? OK, most RV manufacturers have their MSRP at 40% above wholesale. So now lets do some math. Say a unit costs a dealer $100,000. That puts the MSRP at $140,000. Now, if you do the math and subtract 30% from 140,000, that gets you 98,000.. What dealer in there right mind is going to sell a unit below their cost? Not any that are going to be open tomorrow, that is for sure.

Oh, and BTW, Roadtrek MSRP is significantly less than that 40% number.

targaboat · 12-09-2013, 11:37 AM

Yes, I think 30% is probably the absolute best you are going to do on a new unit. Used units are different. I have found that lots of used unit prices on the lot are doubled. Same with individual owners for they often get their prices from similar units which are on the lots. It also depends upon how long they have had them and the time of year. Fall and early winter are the best times to find a good deal on an used unit, like right now. The is particularly true in the north where there is snow and ice where the busy RV season is during the warm months.

Scooter · 12-09-2013, 12:22 PM

Good one, targa......

camaraderie · 12-10-2013, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forest

How in the world do you get these numbers?? OK, most RV manufacturers have their MSRP at 40% above wholesale. So now lets do some math. Say a unit costs a dealer $100,000. That puts the MSRP at $140,000. Now, if you do the math and subtract 30% from 140,000, that gets you 98,000.. What dealer in there right mind is going to sell a unit below their cost? Not any that are going to be open tomorrow, that is for sure.

Oh, and BTW, Roadtrek MSRP is significantly less than that 40% number.

If you are referring to my 30% off list price...how I get those numbers is from people on this forum...most recently in the Newmar Coach section where the consensus is that 28-30% off list is achievable. I also get it from the listed prices on MHSRV which regularly exceed 30% off without negotiation and ALWAYS are at least 25% off.

What I don't buy is your initial math. Haven't you ever heard of car dealers selling below "invoice cost". I've gotten several over the years. How can they do it?...because of dealer holdbacks, factory incentives and volume rebates!

Like I said...I'm a newbie...so others may feel free to jump in and correct me or support me...but on the EVIDENCE (rather than opinion) I've gleaned here so far...25-30% off is the norm if you have a clue about negotiating.
Here's some examples complete with links to window stickers.
New Coachmen Encounter for sale in Alvarado TX | 2014 Coachmen Encounter 36BH 3 Slide, King, Res. Fridge, Tile, Wardrobe Class A For Sale from Motor Home Specialist in Alvarado Texas

New Forest River FR3 for sale in Alvarado TX | 2014 Forest River FR3 30DS W/ 2 Slide, 3 Cam, 3 TVs, Pwr Bunk, Jacks Class A For Sale from Motor Home Specialist in Alvarado Texas

New Forest River Berkshire for sale in Alvarado TX | 2014 Forest River Berkshire 390BH-60 Stack W/D, Res. Fridge, 360HP, Bunks Diesel Pusher For Sale from Motor Home Specialist in Alvarado Texas

Many of the other mfr's have fair trade MAP pricing in place for advertised prices... but at least on the Newmar and Winnie boards here.. the 25-30% off list seems to be a common occurrence.
I'm sure that there's less willingness to discount on something that is in short supply or particularly hot at a moment in time.... and I've already had salespeople try to tell me that about a model I'm looking at...even though it has been on the lot for the last 90 days!

Oh...and one last comment/question. There's a big difference between a 40% markup and a 40% mark ON. You quoted a 40% mark ON...by taking 40% of a $100k cost and adding it ON...for $140k.
In retail...markup is the % of the price that represents gross profit. So the 100k would represent 60% of the suggested price which would be $166k at a 40% markup. 30% off that price yields a 16k profit.
Could this distinction be why it is possible to discount like I've shown is available and still make money?

forest · 12-11-2013, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Oh...and one last comment/question. There's a big difference between a 40% markup and a 40% mark ON. You quoted a 40% mark ON...by taking 40% of a $100k cost and adding it ON...for $140k.
In retail...markup is the % of the price that represents gross profit. So the 100k would represent 60% of the suggested price which would be $166k at a 40% markup. 30% off that price yields a 16k profit.
Could this distinction be why it is possible to discount like I've shown is available and still make money?

No, that is not it, believe me. And comparing a car dealership that sells 10-20 cars a day is not the same as an RV dealership, which depending on size, may sell 5-10 a day if they are quite large. And manufacturer holdbacks on RV's would nowhere near cover the $2000 lost from my math.

And I cannot speak as to Forest Rivers MSRP pricing scales, but I do know about Winnebago and Roadtrek, and my comments reflect that.

targaboat · 12-11-2013, 11:46 AM

camaraderie, There are NOT exact figures applying to all manufacturers. Why are you discussing such detail. What you get here are starting points only. And yes, RV and auto dealers are no where near the same. There is the difference in the way they finance their floor plans for starters. See, bet you did not think of that.

camaraderie · 12-11-2013, 11:13 PM

Good points Targa & Forest...the car deal comments were meant as possible examples of how it might be done...not as statements of fact. I'm sure different mfr.s have different policies but I could cite a number of posts on the Thor, Coachmen, Forest River, Newmar and Winnebago forum sites here and dealers prices that detail purchases made at over a 25% discount. I assume the owners in question are not lying. My guess is that the little dealers have a tough time competing at the 25%-30% off level but that one CAN more often than not achieve those discount levels on the major market movers at the big dealerships if one has checkbook and will travel.
Here for example is a thread on the Winnie forum from earlier this year which details a number of buys at similar discounts. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f101/new-...ml#post1604746

I have no interest in Roadtrek and no info on their policies but it looks like a number of Winnie owners would agree with the comments I made.