Local or wholesaler

[calebj06]

The age old question. Buy local (1-2 hours away) or from the large wholesaler (5.5 hours)

Wholesaler started with the lowest price.

4-5 days later the somewhat local guy (2 hours) is down as low as the RVW quote.


What to do what to do??


Help.
What's more valuable. Dealer located within drivin distance or wholesaler with a nation wide network of service dealers.

[McRabbet]

As long as the configuration is the same, I'd buy local so you will have a service location that will be more responsive (theoretically; some aren't). You might want to inquire about their service from existing customers and ask them for some customers that you could contact. In my case, I could not find a dealer within 100 miles that would meet a reasonable price so I drove 640 miles to save a bundle. Have not had service issues yet that I couldn't do myself.

[bhauskne]

From what I have read, all dealers are marginal and focus on new sales rather than timely service.

I bought 6 hours away and will use a local RV service company that FR accepts for any warrantee or service needs. Service companies don't have the same distraction of sales and don't mark up their services like a dealer. Similar to the way car dealerships jack up their prices. Use a good Independent service company and buy the RV wherever you can get the best price.

[Bdlnky]

Originally Posted by calebj06

The age old question. Buy local (1-2 hours away) or from the large wholesaler (5.5 hours)



Wholesaler started with the lowest price.



4-5 days later the somewhat local guy (2 hours) is down as low as the RVW quote.





What to do what to do??





Help.

What's more valuable. Dealer located within drivin distance or wholesaler with a nation wide network of service dealers.

We live in northern Kentucky and our local dealership was $11000 (thats ELEVEN THOUSAND!) higher than Colerain RV wholesalers in Cincinnati.....so, we made 2 trips to Cincinnati! I would highly recommend that dealership, they were very efficient and friendly. I would like to buy local but noway with this difference on a 2018 tracer Breeze. We are very happy with our purchase

[dblr]

If price the same and local has good service then I would buy local.

[NMWildcat]

After the sale, we have found it doesn't matter where you bought it. We have gotten service all over the country with no problems. Nothing ever breaks at home

[tkmi]

Go for the best price. Drop 30percent off MSRP. Now let's start to deal.

[B and B]

Was pretty easy for us in Ontario Canada. Only one dealer for the SOB we bought. Price was 35% off of retail list and trade in value was higher than NADA. They are a great dealer and service small thing on a drop in basis as well.

[Jmkjr72]

The local dealer rubed us the wrong way and their service dept sucks so out of principal I won't ever deal with the local forest river dealer

Now as long as the local did give you a bad vibe time is money
I look at it this way when I ran my own shop I billed out at 60 bucks an hour.
If they are exact the same and the same price in the end the wholesaler is going to cost you more
More miles to get there 5 hours round trip for each trip you have to make
So that's 300 bucks in time plus miles if you can get it done in one trip

[5er_tom]

And avoid Camping World.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

And avoid Camping World.

Unless they have the best price

[5er_tom]

Yes, BUT! Do not plan to ever go back there. Camping World wants to sell you an RV but they never want to see you again.
Trust me. I know.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

Yes, BUT! Do not plan to ever go back there. Camping World wants to sell you an RV but they never want to see you again.
Trust me. I know.

I agree, but I don't think CW is any different from any other dealer in that respect. We always try to use certified independents for any warranty/repair. They focus on service, seeing as they have no sales......

[CedarCreekWoody]

I imagine that if you buy local you still have access to the same nationwide network, which I expect is the Forest River network.

[walaby]

Same price? Why is it even a question? It will cost you less gas to go local, so you save a bit there. Plus you are supporting a local business.

Mike

[calebj06]

And the plot thickens.

Approved on financing from both.

6.99% with the wholesaler
5.49% with the local guy.

$4100 difference over the life of the loan.

All of a sudden equal ain't equal!

[LynnGlaze13]

Originally Posted by Bdlnky

We live in northern Kentucky and our local dealership was $11000 (thats ELEVEN THOUSAND!) higher than Colerain RV wholesalers in Cincinnati.....so, we made 2 trips to Cincinnati! I would highly recommend that dealership, they were very efficient and friendly. I would like to buy local but noway with this difference on a 2018 tracer Breeze. We are very happy with our purchase

11K on a sub-30K trailer?!

[LynnGlaze13]

Originally Posted by calebj06

And the plot thickens.

Approved on financing from both.

6.99% with the wholesaler
5.49% with the local guy.

$4100 difference over the life of the loan.

All of a sudden equal ain't equal!

Yeah "equal" isn't always the same.

The people who go into t a dealership (of any kind) and tell them I want my payment to be $XXX.xx a month are the suckers they love.

[CedarCreekWoody]

You may be able to arrange your own financing for even less.

[eye95]

Originally Posted by calebj06

And the plot thickens.

Approved on financing from both.

6.99% with the wholesaler
5.49% with the local guy.

$4100 difference over the life of the loan.

All of a sudden equal ain't equal!

I paid cash to Jeff Couch. Lowest price. No interest.