RV show deals, are they really that good?

[Talonman]

So we had planned on hitting the RV show this winter and ordering up a 23IKSS for the 2014 season, well a few curve balls have come our way and at this point we don't even have anything to tow it with.

My question is, can we get a good deal after the show when we have a ducks in a row, are RV dealers like car dealers and no such thing and this deal is only good for today?

Thanks

[KMP44]

I wouldn't sweat it - especially if you are planning to order a unit. Hit the show and see what they are offering. The sign with the "show price" always has a little wiggle room left in it. See what they will really take, then you can use that later as leverage. My experience/theory is you can get a better deal a week or two after the show if they have your contact info and think you are serious. They called us with a better offer (on the one we didn't buy). But if you get that bottom line price, you can always call them back whenever you are ready and say "give me that price and we got a deal." Doubt they won't do it.

I don't think waiting to buy will significantly impact your final price. Besides, if you aren't ready with the right tv, any potential show savings will be offset by owning a camper you can't tow...

[ependydad]

I got a good deal by simply emailing and calling my dealer. It came pretty close to the Internet wholesalers and it was a "local" dealer.

I don't think you're going to miss out on a great deal.

[Talonman]

Sweet, I will not worry about it then.

Traded me truck in for a CTS wagon, I needed to save money on gas so I but the CTS as a winter beater

Our plan is for my wife to have an X5 diesel for summer and if all goes well I will have a GL350 for summer, if we do not get the X5 by summer we will keep the popup as my wifes current car will tow it.

[Windjammin]

The nice thing about shows is you get to see a lot of rigs all in one spot. But the show price is just a price and not necessarily a good price. I would have bought from the local dealer (90 miles away) but he wanted too much so I bought elsewhere. Don't be afraid to look around your state and maybe even the next state to find the best deal. I bought our trailer for $5000 less than the show price a month after the show.

[Talonman]

My local dealer quoted me $23k I think in the summer, so not bad for Canada.

[Crusader]

I live in Michigan and have bought three new trailers over the past years. I have always price shopped the dealers nearest the factory in witch they were built. I then took that price to a local dealer and they have always match it. To find a dealer nearest the factory, input the factory zip code into the “ find the nearest dealer” search box on the manufactures web site.

[farfetched]

I also live in mi and went to three rv shows Cleveland, GR and TC. checked prices at the shows for the same unit. After the show did some more digging and saved at least another 5% by shopping. When you are ready to buy you can be in charge

[cpd1343]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I got a good deal by simply emailing and calling my dealer. It came pretty close to the Internet wholesalers and it was a "local" dealer.

I don't think you're going to miss out on a great deal.

DITTO!! This is what I did also. A 40 minute drive is better than a couple of hours.

[Long Islander]

I bought a demo off the show and they showed me what they paid vs when they sold it to me for.

All I can say is, I got a TERRIFIC deal.

[Talonman]

Americans would have a hard time living in Canada, our rules are different, don't you know it costs like 50% more for anything that crosses the border LOL

I will shop around and give the local guys a chance before I drive south, to be fair in the last few years prices have started to get more fair and even but before it was just robbery plain and simple.

[Shado]

Remember that dealers have to pay to be part of the show and need to make up that money. I agree that you would get a better deal after the show.

In our case we emailed every dealer in a 600km (450m) radius and had them price out units and then went to our local dealer who matched the best price we got which was where we wanted to be price wise. We came in close to RVDirect in the States here in Canada. It can be done.

As with any vehicule purchase you need to be ready to walk and they need to know that. My wife's line was the best to one of the dealers...

"We are looking to buy a new camper. We don't need to buy a new camper. There is one sitting in the driveway at home. Regardless of what happens we will be camping next weekend. Do you want to sell this camper or not?"

Fell in love with her all over again that day

[bikendan]

i have found that the best deals are in the fall, RV show or not.
the only good deals i've seen at RV shows, are for older new stock that hasn't sold.
the best deals are also on in-stock inventory and not for new orders.