What is the best way to negotiate price when ordering a Travel Trailer?

[B47]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Yeah, but I guess the difference is that I don't care if it says "Dealer prep", "PDI", or anything else. My price was my price.

As I said - "Just me"

[CincyED]

I agree with a lot already stated I ordered 3 of the 4 new campers I have bought it was much cheaper then the "show prices" and I got the colors and options I wanted. The other was a last years model they had for a good price. I always negotiate the out the door price I to don't care what paper work says I want the true out the door price. I also get pre approved but do entertain dealer financing. Call Brannon at Jeff couch Rv nation in cincinnati tell him what you want and he'll give you a straight up price. Tell Ed sent you

[ontario_camper]

When we were looking in the spring we were at a large dealership one week-end and decided to price out a trailer that we were interested in. When going over the price and everything included to reach the final number, their initial charge for PDI was $1400. I couldn't believe it and truthfully told the salesman that the other dealer I had spoken to, had a better price on their trailer and no PDI. His response was "these guys like to dicker".

[Ecclesiastes]

I got mine off the lot but I checked with the wholesalers ( Internet) dealers to get the best price. Then gave them the option to match. I found one who had one sitting on the lot for awhile that had what I wanted.he came down. I got $20,000 lower than what their starting price was.with lots of extras it was just what I wanted. I was ready to go north to the internet dealer if i couldnt get my price..BE PATIENT .THEY NEED YOU YOU DON'T NEED THEM? PS WATCH THE INTEREST RATE ?THEY CAME DOWN A EXTRA POINT AFTER I STARTED TO WALK. 4.5 % I had the nearest dealer to me offer to do the warantee work after I told them I had bought from someone else.

[gmccall]

IMO

dicker, shop around, dicker/shop around and do it some more is my practice.
Also, show prices can be beat.

The internet is a plus in the buyers favor.
On my last purchase, I found the best price through a wholeseller and the local dealer met his price with the exception of the cost for me to go get the trailer way up north.

Buying a unit with all the options makes it easier to compare prices. That unit is going to have all you may want and you don't have to sacrifice not getting " must have" options.

[whj77372]

I would not tell a dealer how I was going to pay for it until I had a price. The same goes for cars and trucks. Please keep in mind that the 2012 V-Cross 275 that I got in February 2012 had a MSRP of $43,125, it has 50 AMP, a second AC and some other options, I paid $28,999. That is 33 percent off of the MSRP and I have read that 25% to 30% off is common. Good Luck

[thetiler]

Originally Posted by whj77372

I would not tell a dealer how I was going to pay for it until I had a price. The same goes for cars and trucks. Please keep in mind that the 2012 V-Cross 275 that I got in February 2012 had a MSRP of $43,125, it has 50 AMP, a second AC and some other options, I paid $28,999. That is 33 percent off of the MSRP and I have read that 25% to 30% off is common. Good Luck

The 2014 Flagstaff 8528 BHWS I just ordered at the Hershey show was around 27% off Suggested Retail
I went with Costco Finance (Essex Credit) 4.67
The dealer said between 5.00-6.00
I should have gotten more for my trade but I am happy with my deal overall

[OldCoot]

Best way to negociate is with CASH and an "If I don't get the price and options I want, I'm out of here" attitude and then do it.

[B47]

Not sure cash gets you any more leverage in today's world. Dealers aren't impressed with it.

Most of them like the extra juice they get with financing.

[GalsofEscape]

Originally Posted by B47

Not sure cash gets you any more leverage in today's world. Dealers aren't impressed with it.

Most of them like the extra juice they get with financing.

So question: I take it coming in with outside financing already lined up is no "extra juice" for the dealer as well (would be a cash sale to the dealer)?

[B47]

Originally Posted by GalsofEscape

So question: I take it coming in with outside financing already lined up is no "extra juice" for the dealer as well (would be a cash sale to the dealer)?

Not being a dealer, I'm not sure. I'm simply repeating what some posters (not many, I grant you) have said.

I believe what you are saying here is similar to getting pre approval for a mortgage before buying a house.

Try it and see if cash gets you any leverage - I honestly don't know.

[Cajun Happy]

I just purchased a Columbus 365RL from Berryland on 09/07/13.
The MSRP showed $73,578.25 , they marked it down $20,728.25 = $ 52,850.00 + tax title and license. I traded in a 2008 Rockwood ($13,000). i added slide toppers($1600.00), JT Strong Arms ($465.00) and an additional $400.00 accessories. I roughly walked out the door @ $46,000.00. Financed @ 4.25% through US Banks.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by B47

Not sure cash gets you any more leverage in today's world. Dealers aren't impressed with it.

Most of them like the extra juice they get with financing.

Sure works for me, bought 3 trucks, 4 cars and 3 trailers and 3 houses using it and never got a bit of bs from any of the dealers.

[B47]

Originally Posted by Cajun Happy

I just purchased a Columbus 365RL from Berryland on 09/07/13.
The MSRP showed $73,578.25 , they marked it down $20,728.25 = $ 52,850.00 + tax title and license. I traded in a 2008 Rockwood ($13,000). i added slide toppers($1600.00), JT Strong Arms ($465.00) and an additional $400.00 accessories. I roughly walked out the door @ $46,000.00. Financed @ 4.25% through US Banks.

Do you think you could have gotten a better deal if you would have paid cash?

[Cajun Happy]

I really doubt it. You have to look at it this way. The dealer is going to get their money from the finacial institution. One thing I was told by another dealer that if a unit sits on their lot for more than 110 days the manufacturer will give them an additional $1,000.00 off of that unit to try and sell it.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by B47

Do you think you could have gotten a better deal if you would have paid cash?

Don't know, but I would have tried. Would sure have saved the 4.25% finance charges.

[B47]

Originally Posted by Cajun Happy

I really doubt it. You have to look at it this way. The dealer is going to get their money from the finacial institution. One thing I was told by another dealer that if a unit sits on their lot for more than 110 days the manufacturer will give them an additional $1,000.00 off of that unit to try and sell it.

We just brought a 2013 Cadillac SRX from one of the largest Dealers in North Texas. I remarked to our salesman about all the inventory they have sitting on their lot and much it must be costing just in finance charges.

He told us that at least for his dealership, GM doesn't start chargeing finance charges until the dealer has the car on his lot for 90 days.

[chiefly1]

Get your financing approval up front so you know what rate you qualify for. Don't share that information until you see what the dealer offers. A lot of dealers play the what payment do you want game... I had one dealer try to add 3 percent into the payment to line their pocket but when asked what percentage rate they came back with don't worry about that... We got you your monthly payment... They eventually dropped the games but by then it pissed me off and I walked out. USAA and a local credit union had the same rate but USAA offered free GAP insurance on the loan.