final payment before PDI

[Blarson]

Hi - we just got word from the dealer that our trailer (Rockwood Mini-lite 1905) has arrived from the factory. We made down payment of approx. 20% when it was ordered. He now wants complete final payment before he does dealer prep. Is this standard? Should we hold something back until after the PDI?

Newbie

[cleazenby]

No, you should see the unit fully up and running, functioning and are happy with the fit and finish before final payment.

[Flybob]

I would be very concerned. You should not pay or sign anything until you have done a complete PDI and are happy with what you see. The problem is dealers are VERY busy these days and they have to prioritize repair work. Since warranty repairs pay less and involve considerably more effort ( documentation etc) it generally goes to the bottom of the list or can be denied. The general thought is if you are not happy with the condition after a PDI, leave and tell the dealer you will return to complete the paperwork once it is corrected. Once they get your money you have no leverage. Wanting money before PDI acceptance should be a big red flag. It is better to take delivery a few weeks late and have a usable RV than to take it home then bring it back to have it sit on a dealers lot for months. I say don't do it.

[IsleDog]

As others have stated already, and many more will say after me, DO NOT PAY IN FULL before the PDI. We were like you and didnt know what was going on the day we picked up our new trailer. they actually walked us through everything, the paperwork, what was going to happen, then through the camper, then more paperwork after we were satisfied with the PDI, and out the door. see if its a sales person who does the PDI or if you can get one of their techs to do it. ours was a tech, and it was really smooth, he had already checked everything over and knew how it worked and then showed us.

[rsdata]

I say don't do it.

X2

[rockfordroo]

Tell us who your dealer is, so we can all STAY AWAY!

[D W]

Nope, nope, nope! You already gave him 20%. Now it's his time to deliver. Do not let the dealer run the table on you.

[Wiscampsin]

Totally agree with the above posts! No more $ until you're satisfied with everything.

[Decon Blue]

No No No. And No !!!

[MT Biker]

Unless if you are paying cash for the unit I doubt you will have any choice but sign the legal documents and get the financing done before the dealer will prep and ready the trailer.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by Blarson

Hi - we just got word from the dealer that our trailer (Rockwood Mini-lite 1905) has arrived from the factory. We made down payment of approx. 20% when it was ordered. He now wants complete final payment before he does dealer prep. Is this standard? Should we hold something back until after the PDI?

Newbie

We put $500 down on both of our last two trailers (each different dealers) and signed the papers including the finance papers after the PDI.

One of the trailers was ordered.

[W5CI]

Originally Posted by Blarson

Hi - we just got word from the dealer that our trailer (Rockwood Mini-lite 1905) has arrived from the factory. We made down payment of approx. 20% when it was ordered. He now wants complete final payment before he does dealer prep. Is this standard? Should we hold something back until after the PDI?

Newbie

DONT give them another Dime until you ar completely satisfied with your unit. make them operate every system several times including the Ref,AC's furnace and of course all of the slides and jacks. check for water leaks. when you pass the money over it is yours and must go to the back of the line for repairs. Good Luck I hope you aren't dealing with CW

[Tigger1]

As others have stated, don’t do it.

When we bought our unit from a small dealer in Mill Hall, PA, “they” insisted we do the PDI before final payment. It took a good 2 to 2/12 hours and when we were finally out of questions for the owner, we went into his office, had a couple pieces of pizza and soda, on him, then did the final paperwork.

[mwdilday]

No I would not do it. Would walk away with a refund first. Final payment on delivery is standard.

[tomkatb]

A 20% down payment is really steep.

Ours was $1000 when ordering a .large fifth wheel.

Get a good PDI worksheet.

I am sure it is not in the contract. Is this his first Sale?

The dealer has the trailer financed right now. Therefore he wants the money ASAP. Everyday costs money.

You could set up an escaro(can’t spell it) account at your bank. Would take home longer to get his money.

[Blarson]

Thank you all. This was my first post and the response was overwhelming. Contacted the dealer and it was "miscommunication between the manager and the new salesman" we owe nothing more until the PDI. It has been 'expedited' and instead of having to wait 2 weeks it will be ready this weekend. I think you can read between the lines. This probably wouldn't have worked out this way without all your support. Thanks again.

[Scotrv]

We never ask a customer to sign or pay in full until they have gone through their Orientation with one of our Techs. (PDI is done by the Tech. before the Orientation)

[JohnD10]

Another 'NO' vote here.

Also, Saturday is the worst day of the week to pick up a new RV and do a PDI!

They will try to rush you through the PDI because everybody else also wants to pick up their new RV on Saturday and they won't want to spend a lot of time on you.

[IsleDog]

Originally Posted by Scotrv

We never ask a customer to sign or pay in full until they have gone through their Orientation with one of our Techs. (PDI is done by the Tech. before the Orientation)

We need more dealers like this! ours was exactly the same way, Tech did the PDI and spend as much time as needed, not a sales person rushing. thanks for being one of the good guys on that front.

[Mtnman64]

NO !!