Pricing Question on New Purchase

tyeeking · 03-05-2015, 11:10 PM

My wife and I are in the process of purchasing our first RV . . . and what a process it is. We have had good dealer experiences, horrible dealer experiences, and even some surprisingly indifferent dealer experiences. Still we have managed to narrow our search to either a 2015 Cougar 277RLSWE Fifth Wheel or a 2015 Rockwood 8289WS Signature Fifth Wheel. Our preference is the Rockwood (floorplan, overall fit and finish, upgrades). There is a huge difference in asking price between the two . . . $38,000 for the Cougar and $49,000 for the Rockwood.

Both units include about $1,500 in freight (I get that) and $1,500 in dealer prep (strikes me as added markup).

The Rockwood is loaded (Diamond Package, dual A/C, 3 Create-A-Breeze fans, Lazy Boy recliners, bedroom TV). When I do my research I come up with dealer cost of $30,855 (without shipping). Backing the $1,500 shipping out of the $49,000 asking price puts it at $47,500 . . . a $16,545 markup or over 50% of cost.

This is clearly too high of a markup. I don't mind the dealer making a reasonable profit but over 50% is just nuts. What type of guidance would the members offer a newbie on this first time purchase?

hbillsmith · 03-05-2015, 11:23 PM

Take the invoice MSRP minus 35%. Dealer prep fee is bogus. Use RV WHOLESALERS to get the price you want your local guy to match. Shop dealers nationwide.

jtstromsburg · 03-06-2015, 07:38 AM

What hbillsmith said. Take a look at this.

http://m.rvtrader.com/dealers/RVWhol...89WS-113972617

davel1971 · 03-06-2015, 07:52 AM

I have found a few places selling that Rockwood for around $37k. That is quite a bit more quality of a RV than the Cougar. Nothing against the Cougar. Keep haggling.

Ashley · 03-06-2015, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davel1971

I have found a few places selling that Rockwood for around $37k. That is quite a bit more quality of a RV than the Cougar. Nothing against the Cougar. Keep haggling.

Like davel1971 said, Keep Shopping and Haggling, I too saw a lot of them at the $36-37000 range. The $47,000 is the full MSRP.

dan-nickie · 03-06-2015, 08:49 AM

tyeeking, where did you find the Dealers Cost?

billb800si · 03-06-2015, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davel1971

I have found a few places selling that Rockwood for around $37k. That is quite a bit more quality of a RV than the Cougar. Nothing against the Cougar. Keep haggling.

===========================

Had a Cougar High Country and I can guarantee you the quality is there. One additional bonus of going with the Rockwood is that for $150 you get a 2nd year warranty from Forest River. Both units are built well but I think the Rockwood is great..
Happy trails,

vinmaker · 03-06-2015, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbillsmith

Take the invoice MSRP minus 35%. Dealer prep fee is bogus. Use RV WHOLESALERS to get the price you want your local guy to match. Shop dealers nationwide.

I agree. A decent price is 35% off of MSRP.

Bears1985 · 03-06-2015, 01:41 PM

My wife and I own a 2013 Rockwood 8289ws Ultra Lite Diamond Package. Dry weight is 8,000lbs. We have all the options including an upgrade on the air conditioner to 25,000btu. Has been waxed each year and well maintained. We love it. Looking possibly to sell it. Has made three trips to Florida only. It is covered in the summer and kept in a heated storage area in the winter. It has more storage areas than the 2014 model or 2015 model. Has extra cabinetry and linen cabinet. Does not have the bedroom door that passes into the bathroom. The price would be in the low 30,000's. If interested please feel free to contact. If not you will love this unit. Happy RVing.

TURBS · 03-06-2015, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bears1985

My wife and I own a 2013 Rockwood 8289ws Ultra Lite Diamond Package. Dry weight is 8,000lbs. We have all the options including an upgrade on the air conditioner to 25,000btu. Has been waxed each year and well maintained. We love it. Looking possibly to sell it. Has made three trips to Florida only. It is covered in the summer and kept in a heated storage area in the winter. It has more storage areas than the 2014 model or 2015 model. Has extra cabinetry and linen cabinet. Does not have the bedroom door that passes into the bathroom. The price would be in the low 30,000's. If interested please feel free to contact. If not you will love this unit. Happy RVing.

WOW that's a big a/c ! 15k you mean?

**ependydad** · 03-06-2015, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbillsmith

Take the invoice MSRP minus 35%. Dealer prep fee is bogus. Use RV WHOLESALERS to get the price you want your local guy to match. Shop dealers nationwide.

And then buy from RV Wholesalers anyway. They take care of people service-wise from what I've seen on here.

gtsum2 · 03-06-2015, 04:43 PM

30% off msrp should be a good place to start and certainly get quote from rvw

tyeeking · 03-06-2015, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan-nickie

tyeeking, where did you find the Dealers Cost?

I got the dealer cost info from www.seedealercost.com

I don't know what the accuracy of the data is. It does not include shipping nor some of the end of year volume rebates (holdbacks) that the high volume dealers enjoy.

rana · 03-06-2015, 08:10 PM

Good advice all around. My only remark.. ANY dealer trying the additional "transportation cost", "dealer prep" or "PDI charge" scam would never see a nickel from me. RUN! ;-)

rockfordroo · 03-06-2015, 08:37 PM

I just put "2015 Rockwood 8289WS" into Google and got:

MSRP / "Our price"
$45,997 / 33,999
$46,999 / 35,995
$43,932 / 39,539
$45,428 / 36,995

So I'd say $49,000 is WAY off base.

**ependydad** · 03-06-2015, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yarome

Good advice all around. My only remark.. ANY dealer trying the additional "transportation cost", "dealer prep" or "PDI charge" scam would never see a nickel from me. RUN! ;-)

Not me- I don't care. I negotiate an "out of the door" price that includes the camper, fees, taxes, tags, title, etc. I don't care if the invoice carries a "Crazy Cat Lady Advertising Fund" line item- as long as my price is what I'm happy with, I'm happy.

Bears1985 · 03-07-2015, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TURBS

WOW that's a big a/c ! 15k you mean?

We selected the next step up from the standard AC unit that comes with the package.

B and B · 03-07-2015, 09:02 AM

We have the 2013 8289WS as well. Great trailer with some issues like all, looked after by FR and a water pump by dealer. I would recommend the Rockwood myself, we have looked at everything at many trailer shows. Fit and Finish is great on the Rockwood.

tyeeking · 03-09-2015, 12:48 PM

Thank you everyone for your advice and comments. What a wealth of information this group has to offer. As you suggested I have gotten pricing quotes from RV Wholesalers and RV Direct (very impressed with that process) as well as several ads from other dealers. It is clear that a fair price would be between $34,000 and $37,000 so that is where the negotiations will focus. I will let the group know what the outcome is. Again, many thanks for your thoughts and advice!!

Bears1985 · 03-09-2015, 12:57 PM

My wife and I really researched the unit you are looking for. We are blessed because we live close to Elkhart, Indiana. It is know as the RV capital of the world. If it's made chances are it is made here. We got to go to the factory and watch our unit being made, Rockwood 8289ws diamond package. You might want to look at Wana RV on your computer. It is located in Shipsawana, Indiana. This is a Amish community. This is where we found the best price.

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