PDI Costs

[shoe2728]

Iam looking at getting a fifthwheel and am in the negotiating stage, dealer gave an out the price door, course I thought it was a little high, I asked him to break it down. The cost for the PDI was $690, does this seem a little high, it is only a 29 ft FW with nothing special on it.

The other thing is he said he knocking $1500 off listed price because MFG was giving him a credit. which brought the FW to $31000, We were also adding a Fantastic Fan and 3 slideout covers,He gave me an out the door price . When he asked me what I thought about the out the door price, I said that it didnt look bad and would thnk about it. Well the next day is when I went back and asked for a breakdown of how he had gotten to the out the door price. He brought up the paperwork and thats when I seen the PDI of 690 plus tag and tax costs and $400 for Fan and $1200 Covers, total was equal to the quoted out the door price given the day before, however the price of the Trailer ($31000) had changed to $31300, I asked about this and he said he had to change figures to get to the quoted out the door price. Does this seem right

[bailer6334]

Just purchased a 2011 Blue Ridge. MSRP $50,297 sell price $37,431. PDI no charge (took 4.5hrs). Processing fee $199. Had them install a Fantastic Fan w/remote $426.55 installed, 3 slide awnings $1,572 installed. Took 2 techs 6hrs. Gave $20k for my 06 Arctic Fox trade which was a fair price. Hope this helps.

[Goomph]

Shoe2728, if you include the brand and the model of the 5'th wheel, You might get better feedback. The prices vary widely.

When I purchased my travel trailer, I paid nothing for PDI, and they installed my equalizer hitch for me. Did you check the price your dealer gave with RVDIRECT or RV wholesalers at all ?

My dealer installs the sideout awnings for 499 on sale just as an FYI. 400 dollars for fantastic fan is on the pretty high side even installed.

Good luck with your search.

[Nigels]

You will not know where you are at unless you ask at least 10 dealers for identical quotes, this is easy on the internet, then find out how low each will go to get the business. Calculate delivery costs, read the forums about dealer reputations, check out warranties, etc.

I am not speaking from experience but have just bought my first rv and did exactly that to get the best price.

Okay, I might pay later, might is the key word here, and its risk versus cash in the pocket!
and paid nothing for PDI. You can get a few freebies thrown in too.

[Herk7769]

Does this seem right?

No, I think you are getting screwed. Sign nothing.

There are many sites that list automobile "Manufacturer Invoice Price" (commonly called Dealer Invoice) and "Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price" (commonly called MSRP) so you have a chance of a fair price at the dealer (typically "Invoice plus $200 plus tax, tags and 1% Dealer Fee (sometimes called an advertising charge).

Unfortunately there is no such thing in the RV world. However, Since the dealer mark up runs about 40% (the HIGHEST of anything sold in the good old USA) a good "Rule of Thumb" is to add up all the MSRPs of the coach plus all options; divide it in half and make that your initial offer. NEVER answer "Well, what kind of payment can you afford?" You are screwed the minute you do since he will do whatever, say whatever, he has to to get you to commit to a PAYMENT.
You will definitely overpay with that strategy.

He will of course freak out. Tell him you have a firm offer from RV Wholesalers for 60% of MSRP, and he could at least match that. He won't but will make a much better counter offer.

Remember you want him to work you UP from YOUR price, not DOWN from his. He must justify why his dealership is worth 30% off MSRP.

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO WALK OUT. Tell him you have no problem driving to "wherever" to pick it up to save 30 or 40%.
DO go on the wholesaler's website for a quote on your camper equipped the way you want it. You will be SHOCKED how much room there is in the dealer's showroom for "negotiation."
Knowledge is POWER. Go ARMED.

[Bama Rambler]

Ditto what's been said above. The internet is your friend.

[Goomph]

I will give you an example of how widely prices change. The unit I have sells anywhere from 18K to 29K. There is a HUGE difference in prices. You have to shop, make calls, go to RV shows, contact the volume sellers if you want to save money.

Of course being used to haggling I paid less than that 18K and proud of it

[Herk7769]

Imagine how the 29k guy feels about THAT!

Oh, and Goomph, don't let them convince you this is BS.
It is absolutely true.

Also, as many will tell you, make SURE you have everything in the deal!

I added one option after I closed and that one item was full MSRP for it. I decided after I wrote up the deal that I really DID want the tinted safety glass windows since I spend a lot of time in FL.

[Goomph]

Herk, Shoe2728 is the hunter for the RV, mine is already with me and I am happy with the price I paid.

He really needs to get out there and shop around. He is going to be really ripped off if he doesn't.

[Herk7769]

Sorry, the note about the Cautionary Tale was added as an afterthought.

[Goomph]

No need to be sorry. It is very True that after the deal is signed, anything you want to add will be at full MSRP. They will not budge ! Gotta be careful and think a lot before the ink touches the paper

I hope OP starts shopping around. I hope we did not overwhelm him ...

[Herk7769]

Fore warned is fore armed.

[doctort44]

My little trailer had an MSRP of around 20K. After some "negotiating" via email, the dealer sold it to me for 15.5K and threw in (at no additional cost) an Equalizer hitch, 2 Maxxair II vent covers, and a Prodigy brake controller (all installed).

[Goomph]

Very nicely done, that's the spirit we should all have !

After every negotiation for an RV or car, I invariably hear that I should be a salesman. You can't go wrong with saving money, especially for me with two kids in university and just me supporting them

I hope OP will give us a report on how he is doing ....

Originally Posted by doctort44

My little trailer had an MSRP of around 20K. After some "negotiating" via email, the dealer sold it to me for 15.5K and threw in (at no additional cost) an Equalizer hitch, 2 Maxxair II vent covers, and a Prodigy brake controller (all installed).

[Herk7769]

In keeping with the spirit of this thread:
2010 Flagstaff 8526RLWS with all my options as ordered:
Queen size Hide-a-bed w/ air mattress in L/R
15,000 BTU AC
Power Awning
Spare tire with carrier and cover
Rear Ladder
Tire pressure monitoring system
Counter extension
CO Detector
Heated Master mattress
Water purification system
Create-A-breeze vent fan
Ceiling Fan in L/R
Outside stereo speakers
3 Slide toppers
RV deep Cycle battery
Microwave oven

Forest River MSRP: $35944.77

RV Wholesalers quote: $25,434.00 - About 70% of MSRP

Local RV dealer "final negotiated price" $26,756.00 - About 75% of MSRP

I bought local even though they were more expensive than RV Wholesalers because I wanted to support my local store and build up a relationship with the dealer. I have since regretted it and for what I would have saved, I would have still gotten the same crappy service after the sale. Oh well, live and learn.

None of these prices included "tax and tags" this is to compare "apples to apples"

Not the my best work by FAR, as I do much better with automobiles and trucks. To be fair, it was my first camper purchase and I was still learning the ropes.

Shoe, at $32,500 for MSRP you should buy that exact camper with NO changes for $26,000 at a MINIMUM. That is ONLY 20% off. 75% off would put that unit at $24,375 and should be easily in reach with some fortitude.

[shoe2728]

Herk

Thanks for all your inputs, I did try RV wholesalers, but they dont carry the brand I was looking at, Crusader 290 by Prime Time, division of Forest River, its a new model so not much about the longevity. Hard to tell MSRP, sites I have looked at give different prices for MSRP. All my options are still open, I havent signed anything yet...we'll see what happens...

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by shoe2728

RV wholesalers, but they dont carry the brand I was looking at

They do not carry the Flagstaff either, but they DO carry the Rockwood equivalent and the price structure (including options) are IDENTICAL.

RV Direct might also be a source of good competitive data if there is no equivalent model that they do carry. MSRP data can also be had from your insurance company.

Good luck and good hunting! "Illigitimus Non Carborundum"

[prof_fate]

Question for those of you that have bought over the internet and not locally - any warranty issues?

I was at an RV show over the weekend and many brands and dealers were present, many brands are of course parented by Forest River. On all the FR brochures it states in plain english that a dealer isn't obligated to honor your warranty of you purchased somewhere else. I don't know how legal this is (us fair trade laws and all that) but I do find it interesting to see it say so on their literature. It does say your warranty is in effect when traveling, so I suppose a deal will ask to see your registration and can look up where you bought it - live local and bough 500 miles away and if nothing else you'll be moved to the bottom of the to-do list I suppose.

As a business owner and having spent 20+ years in car/motorcycle dealers (and 10 in the mailorder biz so I saw the other side too) loyal frequent customers do get more service and perks than those that pop in for a cheap deal and move on.

I've also lived long enough to know that once you sign the papers STOP LOOKING! Guaranteed you'll find the same thing, or someone who just bought the same thing, for less.

Your time has value too - a 10 hour round trip to pick it up costs time and gas money. As they know you're gone when you go you best know what you're doing - so I'd strongly suggest a first time buyer go local.

But it's your money.

[yvesm]

List on my unit at dealer was 31K, online price was 21K, got it from the local dealer for 22K. I will never buy from this dealer again because of poor after the sale service and warranty work. I have been getting the parts directly from Forest River and making repairs myself. Buy an RV from RV wholesalers or RV direct, both have a nationwide service.

[sherdep]

Good Luck and there is alot of Good info in this thread - search the internet and you will find what you are looking for

Dealer I bought my unit from said they will never service any one that didnt purchase there unit from that dealer - it is a xmall dealer family owned

Here is an example of my unit broke down
2011 Rockwood Mini Lite 2306

MSRP with freight is $21,959 (from another dealer with the same options)

I saved almost $5,000 off MSRP

My Purchase price is $16,766 - out the door price $17,923.85

The unit with convenice package was cheapest ($13,953) I had seen and comparable to RVW - it was when they added all the options I wanted is when the price went up

Options were:
2nd Year Warranty
Wood Look Floor
Gas Oven with Range
12V Holding Tank Heating Pads
14" tire upgrade with Double step
Storm Windows
Large Assist Grab Handle
(2) two Max Air II Roof Vents