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Old 07-04-2017, 07:01 PM   #1
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Buying Online

We've visited few dealerships recently, and we were told that they are getting an increasing number of internet sales.
I didn't want to ask sales people; I would rather get my info from other buyers on how this is done, if it's worth it to the buyer, etc.

How does this work? Do you basically buy it sight-unseen? Do you put a deposit on it with the purchase contingent on your inspection?

Any info would be appreciated.
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Old 07-04-2017, 07:23 PM   #2
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That's how I did it. I knew what I thought I wanted, looked on dealers website, build and price, got instant quote, debated about it, option updates, re-quoted, paid deposit and ordered unit, waited till dealer received, inspected and signed/paid. Easy peezy.
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Old 07-04-2017, 07:24 PM   #3
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We sorta did it.

Visited the dealer, saw a similar unit, saw another similar unit elsewhere, then ordered the unit as we wanted it. Put down $1,000 deposit. They ordered it. 8 weeks later, they got it. I 'signed' a document sent via email, digitally. Went up there and signed finance paperwork, did PDI, drove off.
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Old 07-04-2017, 07:25 PM   #4
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It's not much different from buying a RV off of Craigslist.

We found our HTT, on the Internet, from a Midwest dealer 2000 miles away.
We had seen our model at local dealers and decided we loved it and wanted to buy one.
But local dealers were 30% higher than this dealer and unwilling to negotiate any lower price.
So we sent a deposit and drove to Chicago to pick it up.
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Old 07-04-2017, 07:31 PM   #5
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Buying Online

I searched online and found what we wanted 10 hours away. Drove there one weekend to see it. Ended up liking another model he had on property. Asked about ordering. He said it was almost change of year and he could not promise it would be same as the one we just spent 2 1/2 hours in. He was right the next year model they changed some thing in which I did not like.

We drove back to PA thought and discussed and sent him deposit that next Monday. Went out and picked up two weeks later.

Would do it again. Saved over 10,000 dollars over local dealers.
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Old 07-04-2017, 11:11 PM   #6
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Just picked 2400W up from RVOne (6/24)

the way their process worked is as follows:

* we contacted their sales and negotiated on a price
* upon "verbal" acceptance, they wanted a small deposit
* they then sent me order form to review.. as soon as that form is signed and sent back to them that small deposit is no longer refundable.
* they wanted me to secure full payment prior to picking up RV. either with their finance or on my own, they require a full payment before they would schedule a walk through
* when they got their money, we scheduled a date and we picked it up.

it is, for sure, scary to send someone a large sum of money w/o even seeing the product.

looking back at the transaction and if I had to do it over again, I (personally) would try to find a unit that is already on someone's lot instead of a custom order

the way I see it, if we can check out that unit and confirm its all working prior to making an offer. They way it worked out with us is we payed a lot for money for something we haven't seen and were hoping would be ok ..

But with all that said.. we did the online purchase, it worked out ok.

Good luck!
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Old 07-05-2017, 12:23 AM   #7
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I paid a deposit, but paid the rest after the PDI
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Old 07-05-2017, 10:29 AM   #8
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What is PDI?
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Old 07-05-2017, 01:44 PM   #9
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Predelivery Inspection

By PDI I meant the walk through or our inspection along with them.
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Old 07-05-2017, 01:47 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Octopus Prime View Post
What is PDI?
Pre-Delivery Inspection
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Old 07-06-2017, 08:58 PM   #11
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C'mon, Cuban bought a $40 MM business jet over the internet, it's gotta be safe to buy a lowly RV:

Largest single e-commerce transaction

Who
MARK CUBAN
What
40000000 US DOLLAR(S)
Where
USA (DALLAS,TEXAS)
When
OCTOBER 1999

American internet tycoon Mark Cuban, from Dallas, Texas, USA, bought a Gulfstream V business jet over the internet in October 1999. The jet changed hands for $40 million (£25 million).

(source: GuinnessWorldRecords.com)



We bought our Class C from RVDirect. The process was identical to what slavka outlined above. The only difference was we bought an in-stock unit. So the timeline was compressed to about 7 to 10 days as I recall.

As slavka said, it is a little unnerving to send so much money sight unseen. But it all worked out.

We did start the insurance the day the funds left our hands. I think you technically own the unit once they get the money. Either way, I didn't want to risk some freak bankruptcy on their part, theft, tree falling on the unit, etc once we paid for it but before we got it.

I wouldn't hesitate going back to RVDirect. The cost savings were significant enough to justify the 950 mile round trip & they were very pleasant / professional to work with.
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Old 07-07-2017, 08:11 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulmlac View Post
C'mon, Cuban bought a $40 MM business jet over the internet, it's gotta be safe to buy a lowly RV:

Largest single e-commerce transaction

Who
MARK CUBAN
What
40000000 US DOLLAR(S)
Where
USA (DALLAS,TEXAS)
When
OCTOBER 1999

American internet tycoon Mark Cuban, from Dallas, Texas, USA, bought a Gulfstream V business jet over the internet in October 1999. The jet changed hands for $40 million (£25 million).

(source: GuinnessWorldRecords.com)



We bought our Class C from RVDirect. The process was identical to what slavka outlined above. The only difference was we bought an in-stock unit. So the timeline was compressed to about 7 to 10 days as I recall.

As slavka said, it is a little unnerving to send so much money sight unseen. But it all worked out.

We did start the insurance the day the funds left our hands. I think you technically own the unit once they get the money. Either way, I didn't want to risk some freak bankruptcy on their part, theft, tree falling on the unit, etc once we paid for it but before we got it.

I wouldn't hesitate going back to RVDirect. The cost savings were significant enough to justify the 950 mile round trip & they were very pleasant / professional to work with.
Where is RVDirect?
What happens if you pay in full, get there and do the PDI, and realize you got the lemon unit? Do they switch it out, or do you have to go through the deal with getting every little thing fixed through warranty? I can see where this would be a problem if you're so far from home.
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Old 07-07-2017, 08:19 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Octopus Prime View Post
Where is RVDirect?
What happens if you pay in full, get there and do the PDI, and realize you got the lemon unit? Do they switch it out, or do you have to go through the deal with getting every little thing fixed through warranty? I can see where this would be a problem if you're so far from home.
I was wondering the same thing
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Old 07-07-2017, 08:24 AM   #14
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RVDirect
https://www.rvdirect.com/
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Old 07-07-2017, 08:26 AM   #15
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Buying Online

Quote:
Originally Posted by Octopus Prime View Post
Where is RVDirect?

What happens if you pay in full, get there and do the PDI, and realize you got the lemon unit? Do they switch it out, or do you have to go through the deal with getting every little thing fixed through warranty? I can see where this would be a problem if you're so far from home.
We got ours in Buffalo. At the time, they also had locations in Albany, Des Moines, and Orlando. I'm not sure if their locations are the same still or different.

Good question. We didn't run into that (thankfully). You own it at that point. They sent us the MCO once they received our payment. We then went to our DMV and had the title in our names, registration, and license plates before leaving home. I'm sure someone may come along who had serious issues upon arrival and comment on this post.

I was easily able to get warranty work where I lived from a couple different dealers and independent shops.
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Old 07-07-2017, 10:50 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by Octopus Prime View Post
Where is RVDirect?
What happens if you pay in full, get there and do the PDI, and realize you got the lemon unit? Do they switch it out, or do you have to go through the deal with getting every little thing fixed through warranty? I can see where this would be a problem if you're so far from home.


from my experience again..

we made a custom order, chose specific options.. so the unit that was being created is "ours"

supposedly, before it leave the factory it suppose to be checked, and before a final walk through, PDI (what we were referring to) by the dealer should confirm everything is working.

But to be honest I found both of these "checks" to be lacking .. the way our unit left the factory had numerous "cosmetic" flaws, scratches, and gaps, and such (one lock for a storage compartment did not work) .. neither factory nor dealer checked or cared to resolve it.

the unit that come for our order was ours.. we were provided VIN # before if even got delivered to them.. I did not feel that there was any option for a switch-a-roo if it was bad.. it would get fixed, and nothing more.

We had the same concern as you.. We flew from Northern California with 2 kids.. Perhaps not the ideal way to do this.. but it was our plan.

We did the final walkthrough.. recorded all the blemishes. made sure they were in writing, so this way when we brought the unit back home, we could contact Forest River to get it all resolved.

As it was suggested to me on these boards, and I'll pass it forward, for these online purchases, it is a good idea, to stay local to the dealer the first night, if anything major breaks, you're not too far to them to bring back and get it fixed. When we got ours (just 2 weeks ago) first night we only made it few hours away from the dealer.

When choosing dealer to work with, we did some research. Browsed these forums a lot and read reviews. made a choice to go with that dealer, as they appeared to have fewest delivery/pickup issues.

Many here on the forums are also concerned that if you dont buy from local dealer, if you need to use them for service, they will prioritize those who did ahead of you. We haven't had to deal with this yet, will see how it turns out.. hopefully we dont have to deal with them at all.

Its a risk.. for sure.. I saw one gentleman on these boards, his brand new unit had problem after problem. But those appear to be somewhat seldom. (big problems I mean).. majority appear to have small things like in our case.

at the end, my family and I took that risk, we saved a good amount comparing to what we were getting quoted here in San Francisco. and as an added benefit made a great road trip home.

I'm curious to see which way you're leaning
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Old 08-07-2017, 02:19 PM   #17
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