Community Forums

buckeyes · 06-25-2008, 03:08 PM

I went to the local Holiday Rambler dealer today, looking to trade my Class C for a small gas Class A. I drove an Arista, and found it to be nice, but my wife liked the room it had over our 31' C. We sat down to talk numbers, and nearly choked when they showed me their offer. The MSRP on the Arista was 95,200.00 and they came back with a quote which basically took full MSRP for thiers, and squat for my trade which is in darn good shape.
I asked these clowns if they really liked the Arista that much, cause it will set there for all I care at that price.
After I told them to forget it, they started scurrying around to find a better number, but at that time I was already P.Oed so I left.
Why do these people think that all of their rigs are worth a fortune, and mine is squat. I know that they are in business to make a profit, but I wouldn't buy from them now if they cut the price by a bunch.
I will be very happy the day I drive by and see the auction sign hanging infront of thier lot.

buckeyes · 06-25-2008, 03:08 PM

I went to the local Holiday Rambler dealer today, looking to trade my Class C for a small gas Class A. I drove an Arista, and found it to be nice, but my wife liked the room it had over our 31' C. We sat down to talk numbers, and nearly choked when they showed me their offer. The MSRP on the Arista was 95,200.00 and they came back with a quote which basically took full MSRP for thiers, and squat for my trade which is in darn good shape.
I asked these clowns if they really liked the Arista that much, cause it will set there for all I care at that price.
After I told them to forget it, they started scurrying around to find a better number, but at that time I was already P.Oed so I left.
Why do these people think that all of their rigs are worth a fortune, and mine is squat. I know that they are in business to make a profit, but I wouldn't buy from them now if they cut the price by a bunch.
I will be very happy the day I drive by and see the auction sign hanging infront of thier lot.

diandtom · 06-25-2008, 03:35 PM

They are hurting, just trying to feel you out. I walked out of a truck deal over $300 one time and got four calls from them before I could get home. I wonder if they ask you how much will you offer ? I use to think car salesmen were had some good lines but I think RV salesmen got them beat. They just trying to make as much as they can. Not too many people looking at RVs now.
Tom

TXiceman · 06-25-2008, 05:53 PM

I walked on a car deal and headed down the road to the next dealer. I called home to tell the wife what she would be driving and the first dealer had call twice offering to sell the car for my offered deal. I made a point to drop by with the new wheels to tell the salesman and the manager they were too late. What they need is more people that will up and walk and they MIGHT get the idea that a lot of us do not like to get jerked around.

Ken

Howard Leap · 06-26-2008, 12:11 PM

This is the one aspect of the car/RV buying experience I truly hate: haggling over price. My SIL used to be a new/used car salesperson for Lexus. Assuming that many people buying Lexus's were most likely intelligent, savvy buyers, I asked her why was haggling necessary? She told me that some people paid full retail because they didn't want to haggle (something about pride, in some cases). Many more thought the initial deal offer, discount, advertized price, show special, was a great deal and had no idea what the price should be. Just goes to show, Knowledge can be Power.... and Money too!

Ray,IN · 06-26-2008, 06:03 PM

Good for you! The average markup on most RV's is over 30% from what I've read on several RV forums.
My tactic is began at home. I find the MSRP of the prospective buy, the book value of my trade-in (if I have one), subtract 30% from MSRP, then figure the difference in the figures. That difference figure is my top negotating limit. I tell the salesperson "I don't care how you value anything, my difference price (they don't know my limit) is the only thing I'll talk about. This seems to remove most of the BS from negotations.

dickfrompasadena · 06-27-2008, 02:41 AM

I tried real hard to buy from a local Baltimore area dealer. I had no trade and did not need financing. One had Monaco and Damon. He would not budge on his sticker price so I walked. Another had a nice new Bounder that was 2 years old. He was willing to negotiate some but the newer Bounders were a lot micer and had full body paint. I went to the Hershey, PA show and found Media Camping Center of Hatfield, PA. I ordered my Bounder with all options for the same price as the 2 year old coach. The best part is that they have given me fantastic support after the sale. It pays to shop around.

Kyle241 · 06-27-2008, 04:30 AM

I agree. What's up with these dealers? We finally found a dealer with a '08 Tour 40T, in a nice colour and had pretty much everything we were looking for. We sat down, talked numbers and they pull the old BS with trade-in numbers and act like they are selling theirs at full retail (they bump-up your trade significantly). The salesman thought I didn't know how to do math but I figured right away that the ADDITIONAL $124,500 was NOT worth it! We were prepared for $90,000-100,000 but what they were offering on our trade was $20,000 less than what he had only minutes early told us what a very good condition 38T is worth. Of course then they pull, "give us a number", instead I gave him my back as I walked out the door. Winnie and their 26% less in sales can take their numbers and put them where they want. A Newmar dealer is talking attractive numbers to me so I might just consider a Dutch Star, they're very nice.

full-timer · 06-27-2008, 05:25 AM

There are so many people that are getting RV's for the first time and know nothing about them or the pricing that the salesperson can and will take advantage of them.

Joe

Flametheus6 · 06-27-2008, 07:09 AM

We found what we wanted on the net. Went to the local dealer and asked them to match they said they would work with us, then said they could get close but that the deal on the net was 5 states away and probably not true. Taking their number we were able to fly 5 states away, buy the RV have it shipped to us and had a chance to visit a new city to boot and it was still less than their number. They of course kept calling and finally and sent a picture of us by the lake with our new rig and all the numbers for it, the trip, and the shipping. haven't heard from them since!

historyljc · 06-27-2008, 12:22 PM

Flametheus6,
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">sent a picture of us by the lake with our new rig and all the numbers for it, the trip, and the shipping. haven't heard from them since </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Now that's cold. I like it!!

hondo122 · 06-27-2008, 12:32 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by dickfrompasadena:
I tried real hard to buy from a local Baltimore area dealer. I had no trade and did not need financing. One had Monaco and Damon. He would not budge on his sticker price so I walked. Another had a nice new Bounder that was 2 years old. He was willing to negotiate some but the newer Bounders were a lot micer and had full body paint. I went to the Hershey, PA show and found Media Camping Center of Hatfield, PA. I ordered my Bounder with all options for the same price as the 2 year old coach. The best part is that they have given me fantastic support after the sale. It pays to shop around. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I didn't buy from Media but the original owner did, I use them for all my coach repairs. They are great to deal with will get you in and out of the shop quickly if you have a trip planned. Fair prices' good work, all around nice people.