The Best Deal you can make with an RV Dealer

[CZNEDY]

After years of dealing with different RV Dealers, I came up with an idea that I am going to try during my next purchase (which I hope is not in the next three years).

You're at the dealer. You work out the trade value, the purchase price, the financing and then you schedule the pick up date. Now, when you get back, they will try to sell you one or more up sells, depending on which type of RV you are purchasing.

Ask if you can discuss these options with the finance guy before you leave that day. Then you can do some research and make a more educated decision. This is especially important for the less than experienced RV buyers.

After you meet with the finance guy, now is the time to drop the "and one more thing" question on them. Here's the question to ask the sales manager, not the salesman:

When I come back next week, one thing I may be interested in is an extended warranty. I went over the pricing with your finance department and I have some time to do some research on it but I don't know anything about your service department and what the warranty process is should I have an issue under the factory warranty or under the extended warranty. Tell me about your service department and how I go about scheduling an appointment and obtaining service.

He'll tell you all kinds of great things and how they have this many service techs and access to factory support and blah blah blah. Then, ask him how long would I typically need to leave my RV here at the dealer if a warranty repair was required.

Get ready for the second lie. Once he's done providing you with his view of how the service department works you can ask your final "one more thing" question and it goes like this:

So, if we buy this RV from your dealership and purchase an extended warranty, are you confident enough in your service department to complete any and all warranty work required on my RV within 3 weeks every time I bring it in? And, if you take more than 3 weeks to finish the repairs to my satisfaction, are you willing to make the monthly payment for the time it is in the shop?

Maybe a few people can pull this off before I can try it on my next purchase.

Have fun out there!

[kelticdestination]

What I tried this time was: We went in a few times to dealer different salespeople were around, asked them different questions about the price PRICE NEGOTIATION, to 1.determine wiggle room on Travel Trailer Wildwood ( This was delivered to lot on 2/18 and we bought 8/18
2. Called other dealers all over the country to see what wiggle room would be on same model (I was very nice) so I started getting 2k-3k off the price
3. Next called another Dealership in same geographical area gave me a price of 25k (my goal) asked him to put in writing via email.
4. Went back to Dealership near me and presented my findings (I would have walked if not gotten deal) Dealer said well you have to show us that offer in writing- I had email
5. They called me to say they would sell it for 25k I said I'll bE right up to buy it BUT first send me an email confirming you will sell to me for price.
6. I used that confirmation as they had us talk to other people on other products (upsell) and the big one Extended Warranty Pressure which btw would have cost $2100 for 5 years & wait for it That First Year would run concurrently with Manufacturer _ What so it really was only a 4 year & I'd love to know how much the deal kickbacks for selling- He was trying to peddle AMERICAN GUARDIAN

[D W]

Wow,... if you've got to play these games with your dealer, then you should probably find another dealer.

make your payment,... how ridiculous.

[simiHal]

Originally Posted by D W

Wow,... if you've got to play these games with your dealer, then you should probably find another dealer.

make your payment,... how ridiculous.

Haha. You must be...or married to an RV dealer.
It’s not a stupid “game”. Every dealer is looking for something in your story to take advantage of.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by simiHal

Haha. You must be...or married to an RV dealer.
It’s not a stupid “game”. Every dealer is looking for something in your story to take advantage of.

Not ours.
B&R Camper Sales in Butler, PA.

They asked us if we had any interest in those upsale items and when we said no, it wasn't mentioned again. No pushing.

Also, warranty repairs don't take weeks at a good dealer either.

[Toddupton]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Not ours.
B&R Camper Sales in Butler, PA.

They asked us if we had any interest in those upsale items and when we said no, it wasn't mentioned again. No pushing.

Also, warranty repairs don't take weeks at a good dealer either.

Our dealer in Coldwater, MI as well. Haslett RV never pushed anything or sent me to another room to have someone try to sell me something. Asked if I had financing or if I wanted them to go through any specific bank. They were perfect. Never an issue with service. 48 hours is all they had it. I would recommend them to everyone. Not all dealers play “those” games.

[CZNEDY]

It’s not about the extended warranty! It’s about the timely service you get or don’t get when you have a warranty claim. Read it again. Everybody gets hosed waiting 3,4,5 weeks even more while they take their time to get the repair done. You guys completely missed the point.

[Toddupton]

I guess I completely missed the paint and I reread that thing 10 times. Still can’t follow sorry

[Oregon]

Geez, apparently I just don't the dealers I need to be talking to. Bought a new MH from Johnson RV, Sandy Or.
After we came to terms for dollars, took almost 15 min including agreement on trade-in that I didn't have with me. I then went through the rig and pointed out everything that needed done, including a couple of addons. They wanted a week to clean it up, fix everyhting and have it ready to go. They just finished a large RV show so I agreed.

Went back in a week everything was done and inlcuded an item I haven't even noticed but they found in their review. After purchase I needed some warranty work a couple of times. Got appointment within a week, one time only in for the day and another time in for three days (had to talk to manf and order part).

Employees always friendly and always helpful.

[valleyduo]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Not ours.
B&R Camper Sales in Butler, PA.

They asked us if we had any interest in those upsale items and when we said no, it wasn't mentioned again. No pushing.

Also, warranty repairs don't take weeks at a good dealer either.

Nice folks over there in Butler. We didn't end up purchasing from them but only because of the projected wait time on a new unit. My warranty repairs generally get eaten by me cause the DW gives me the eyes and the "you can fix that can't you honey?"

[CZNEDY]

Here is the point. When you buy an RV, there are items that need to be corrected for whatever reason. Then you take it home. Then something breaks. Then you have to take it in for warranty repair. Then you have to wait for the warranty repair. Has the RV industry suddenly changed to providing warranty service in a two day, seven day, or maybe even 14 day turn around? No! They haven't. If you have to leave your brand stinking new RV for more that a month waiting for the dealer to "get around" to fixing it, they should pay that months payment. Everything in my initial post was a guideline in leading up to how to have that conversation before you find this out.

Jeez

[Larry0071]

Originally Posted by CZNEDY

Here is the point. When you buy an RV, there are items that need to be corrected for whatever reason. Then you take it home. Then something breaks. Then you have to take it in for warranty repair. Then you have to wait for the warranty repair. Has the RV industry suddenly changed to providing warranty service in a two day, seven day, or maybe even 14 day turn around? No! They haven't. If you have to leave your brand stinking new RV for more that a month waiting for the dealer to "get around" to fixing it, they should pay that months payment. Everything in my initial post was a guideline in leading up to how to have that conversation before you find this out.

Jeez

That's why my 3 week old Apex is not at a dealership for the 7 warranty items. I took it to 3 Rivers Marine and RV and have them doing everything with the concurrence of Coachmen. I'll pay the cost up front and will submit that invoice that Coachmen has already agreed to and I will be paid back. I called for service last Tuesday, dropped the trailer off Friday afternoon and they expect me to pick it up complete by the end of this week with the 7 items addressed and some items I've asked them to add such as rear ladder, blacked out bedroom vent lid and 2 of the vent lid covers. All in a week, and no dealership crap to deal with.

[Okie Dokie 2]

Ours was in for repairs for a little over three weeks and my DW did get them to pay that months payment. Argue your point you have nothing to loose.

[formerFR]

in some respects, I think dealers, and their service centers, get a bad 'rap'...but I also believe that some don't handle customer's issues in the best way, either. Just like people, dealerships and servicing centers can have good and bad days, but how they 'handle' it speaks of their true desire to satisfy their customers, which, ultimately, is their business.

Yes, factories can sometimes take more time to 'authorize' certain larger or complicated warranty repairs. Sometimes the products and items needed don't arrive as quick as we'd like. A many times the scheduling at a dealership's service center can have days and weeks where juggling RV repairs becomes aggravating even for the dealership since these 'uncontrollable' situations raise their ugly heads.
I can't imagine what it takes to juggle all of the service and repair and timeframes between all the different sizes and types of RVs...and keep all customers happy........... but, then again, that's their business.


I, personally, would never just drop off an RV and let it 'sit' for days, weeks, or even months - that's just not a good things for me, OR the dealership. I always schedule a 'day' for the work to be done, and bring my RV the day prior, and EXPECT it to be ready at the end of the day it was scheduled. Sure, things can happen, but that really the only way to have realistic expectations that your RV is going to taken care of in a timely matter. Leaving it at the dealership without specific timeframes is just an exercise in aggravation, and maybe futility, even for the BEST intentions of even the BEST dealership.

[Cowracer]

Originally Posted by D W

Wow,... if you've got to play these games with your dealer, then you should probably find another dealer.

"Got to"? How about "Like to"?

Their only goal is to extract as much money as they can from my pocket for the RV I am purchasing. My only goal is to remove the RV from their inventory for as little money as humanly possible. As you can see, it's gonna involve tactics, strategy, and commitment to the plan for both sides to try get what they want. First one to blink, "loses" (even though there are no losers in the deal)

Where else are you gonna get that level of entertainment and not only not have to pay for it, but wind up making (saving) money in the process? It's more fun than going to the casino!

Tim

[5picker]

Originally Posted by formerFR

in some respects, I think dealers, and their service centers, get a bad 'rap'...but I also believe that some don't handle customer's issues in the best way, either. Just like people, dealerships and servicing centers can have good and bad days, but how they 'handle' it speaks of their true desire to satisfy their customers, which, ultimately, is their business.

Yes, factories can sometimes take more time to 'authorize' certain larger or complicated warranty repairs. Sometimes the products and items needed don't arrive as quick as we'd like. A many times the scheduling at a dealership's service center can have days and weeks where juggling RV repairs becomes aggravating even for the dealership since these 'uncontrollable' situations raise their ugly heads.
I can't imagine what it takes to juggle all of the service and repair and timeframes between all the different sizes and types of RVs...and keep all customers happy........... but, then again, that's their business.


I, personally, would never just drop off an RV and let it 'sit' for days, weeks, or even months - that's just not a good things for me, OR the dealership. I always schedule a 'day' for the work to be done, and bring my RV the day prior, and EXPECT it to be ready at the end of the day it was scheduled. Sure, things can happen, but that really the only way to have realistic expectations that your RV is going to taken care of in a timely matter. Leaving it at the dealership without specific timeframes is just an exercise in aggravation, and maybe futility, even for the BEST intentions of even the BEST dealership.

I agree, some do get a bad rap while others manifest their own bad karma.

I couldn't let my R/V (or anything else for that matter) sit day, weeks, months at a repair facility either.

I cringe when I read the many posts where folks have dropped off their R/V for service and then post here they haven't heard anything from the dealer in months. I just simply can't understand how you go into something like that without having made predetermined (from both parties) reasonable expectations and some dependable line of ongoing communication.

[emoji848][emoji848][emoji848]

[NXR]

Live by these words: If it's not part of the contract it's not part of the deal.

If the dealer or whomever makes a verbal representation immediately follow with How can we word that so it's part of the contract?

If they balk because "we do this for everyone" counter with a comment that since they always do it for everyone, there is no problem with putting wording in the contract. Throw in a comment about how you know (the person you're talking to) will be certain it gets done for free, but you're concerned about what happens if that person is no longer there when you need the service. Or their policy changes.

If they still balk you'll know precisely what their verbal representations are worth.

Ray

[ArkRVHog]

So along these same timelines, I left my MH at a dealer in Maine to fix a small list of issues before we return in late Sept to finish our trip and bring it back home. They knew I had already planned on storing it locally (before the issues popped up) so I'm now paying them $200/month to store it (plus my TOAD) but at the same time will probably spend $500-800 with them in service work and they have PLENTY of time to take care of it.

I'm feeling like they are double-dipping on me getting service revenue and storage revenue when the unit has to be there anyway...at least one month for the repairs. Your thoughts and maybe how to nicely approach them on this concern? (Not trying to hijack the OP's question but seems like this sort of ties into the discussion.) Thx.

[Larry0071]

Originally Posted by ArkRVHog

So along these same timelines, I left my MH at a dealer in Maine to fix a small list of issues before we return in late Sept to finish our trip and bring it back home. They knew I had already planned on storing it locally (before the issues popped up) so I'm now paying them $200/month to store it (plus my TOAD) but at the same time will probably spend $500-800 with them in service work and they have PLENTY of time to take care of it.

I'm feeling like they are double-dipping on me getting service revenue and storage revenue when the unit has to be there anyway...at least one month for the repairs. Your thoughts and maybe how to nicely approach them on this concern? (Not trying to hijack the OP's question but seems like this sort of ties into the discussion.) Thx.

The way I read that, is that you dropped it off for a small list of issues and that it does not need to sit there for the next month. So you're welcome to go get it and bring it home and set it anywhere you wish and bring it back to them when they or you are both ready to do the actual list of repairs. Otherwise if you choose not to go get it and put it at your house or some other place that you have a right to carry it to, then you are storing it there.

[rlh1957]

Originally Posted by Toddupton

Our dealer in Coldwater, MI as well. Haslett RV never pushed anything or sent me to another room to have someone try to sell me something. Asked if I had financing or if I wanted them to go through any specific bank. They were perfect. Never an issue with service. 48 hours is all they had it. I would recommend them to everyone. Not all dealers play “those” games.

We look up RV videos on You Tube and always check what Haylett RV has to show and say on different models. We will definitely be flying up there when we are ready and have a final short list of dealers.