Making offers at RV dealers

[browser5031]

I am just taking an informal poll with all the users here. I am wondering how many of you paid less than asking price at the dealer when you bought your RV new?

I have only purchased one motorhome in my life, and the dealer wouldn't budge on the sticker price. I am currently looking at a dealer in another state, and I know you won't know unless you try, but will it be worth it to even make an offer from 1000 miles away?

[markb5900]

The only time I didn’t negotiate was at a “no haggle” dealer. They were several thousand dollars less than other dealers in my area, so their no haggle price was more than fair to me.

Otherwise I have always negotiated the price and/or other things like they purchase and install the hitch, etc…

[Reverse_snowbird]

Depends on the dealer. I know that Motorhome Specialists in Texas does deals to people from all over the country.

The drawback is that local dealers don't want to do warranty work on a rig they didn't buy. If you use a mobile mechanic and get work preapproved by FR, you can get your money refunded.

[browser5031]

Mark, yes in looking back the dealer I bought our Sunseeker from I feel was a no haggle dealer, but like you, ours was 20k less than I could find one locally and worth the 8 hour drive.

Thanks Reverse, I am actually looking at MS, good to know they dicker. Yes, I found out about warranty work with our last motorhome, the local dealer was down right rude because we didn't buy from him.

[CA Fisherman]

For me it has always been worth the time and effort making offers and negotiating. Case in point, several weeks ago we were considering trading in our current class A for something a little smaller. I spent two days visiting five RV dealerships in Southern Calforna looking for what I thought my wife would like. Then I took my wife to see the two class C RV's I felt fit her preferences the best. She liked one (brand new Tiffin Wayfarer) more than the other as did I. MSRP was $217,059. We negotiated a $52,061 discount. We then ask the dealer for two additional things at no cost to us. They agreed to add a second solar panel on the roof and handle the necessary wiring so we could shift our Smart Car TOAD from our Georgetown to the Tiffin. Out final request was a reasonable trade in allowance for our Georgetown if in fact we decided to trade it in. We put down a deposit, went home and slept on it, then notified the dealer the next morning we had decided to keep the Georgetown we have and cancelled the deal. The day we negotiated the deal we spent several hours looking at the Tiffin and when it came time to negotiate it took about sixty minutes of our time to go from $217,059 to $164,998 including the two freebies. Hence, my opinion is, it is ALWAYS worthwhile making an offer. One thing to remember, in most dealerships the salesperson is required to take all offers to the Sales Manager or Finance Department. Sometimes these departments may surprise the salesperson by accepting an offer.

[sherman12]

I've only purchased two class A's used so no experience with new ones. However, I have read that you should expect to save a minimum of 30% off of the true MSRP (not the dealer-created sticker). On my first used Georgetown the dealer wanted $88K, I countered with $72K. The salesman says the price IS $88K, I said great, my price IS $72K. He walks away and comes back with an offer for me at $74K, but they up the trade-in value by an additional $2K. Deal.

My second rig was somewhat of an error by me. I was out the night before celebrating with some friends which left me a bit heavy-headed when we met with the dealer to discuss our current rig which we had already gone over twice. I figured I paid about $10K more for my motorhome, but also I felt they gave me a trade-in figure that was $10K over what my research showed my Georgetown was worth so in the end it was wash out and my DW and I are happy with our deal.

[Bob K4TAX]

I always figure there are 2 prices: (a) The asking price, (b) the taking price.

I always try for the taking price. Keep in mind that the dealer is going to make some money someway. Selling or financing. And extended warranties are HIGH PROFIT items.

Bob

[Aussieguy]

be prepared and look at prices at other places


then when you are negotiating look for those add on's to the price...
cleaning fees
transport
start questioning the FEES





be prepared to walk away.
fastest way for them to start reducing prices is when you are at the exit

[Cb25 Joe]

We bought our trailer in 2016 at the rv show in Tampa. They told us the show price was the lowest price they could go. We went home and found one online in Georgia, about three hours away, for two thousand dollars less. Went back to the rv show the next day with our information and they matched the price. They also threw in a weight distribution hitch. It never hurts to try.

[bikendan]

Always negotiated. Luckily we don't require immediate gratification so we can easily walk away if they won't deal.
We knew that the pandemic made that difficult, due to the record RV sales.
So we're waiting till this winter, to see how hungry the dealers are by then.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Forest River Forums mobile app

[RCM]

As a general rule, you should ALWAYS shoot for between 25% to 30% off the MSRP on RV's, even the high dollar ones. As with any motor vehicle, popularity of model and availability will always factor into the amount you can expect to save. On our 2014 Itasca Ellipse that we purchased new from Camping World in Ashville NC we scored a $102,000 discount. On our new 2022 Dynamax DX3 we paid $98,000 below MSRP at A&L RV in Kodak TN. My attitude is that if a dealer doesn't want to deal, he doesn't want to sell. Walk away. There are plenty who are willing to haggle. As others have suggested, Motor Home Specialists in Alvarado TX usually have deals that make the trip worthwhile.

[Chazman]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Always negotiated. Luckily we don't require immediate gratification so we can easily walk away if they won't deal.
We knew that the pandemic made that difficult, due to the record RV sales.
So we're waiting till this winter, to see how hungry the dealers are by then.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Forest River Forums mobile app

I agree 100%

Always negotiate, and if you're not happy keep looking. In fact, I think you should check other dealers' prices anyway.... but then again I'm cheap.

[Sunseeker16]

Mine listed for 103 I got it for 86 new. I also asked for more for my trade and got a few thousand more.

[TeachTexas]

I have never taken "first offer" even from so-called "no-haggle" dealers. I have found they all will offer something; lower price, add-ons and/or accessories. You just have to be able to walk away if the deal "ain't right"

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Chazman

I agree 100%

Always negotiate, and if you're not happy keep looking. In fact, I think you should check other dealers' prices anyway.... but then again I'm cheap.

but then again I'm cheap prudent.

[Chazman]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

but then again I'm cheap prudent.

Thank you for being kind.

[SacRV]

30% off MSRP should be your goal.

[NMWildcat]

Good place to start, but these days MSRP seems to change at random also. We have seen wildly different MSRPs on units that appear to be identical.
We find the exact unit we want and identify the options we need and then do a national search to find the cheapest out the door price. We don't care how far away, just turn it into a trip.
Been doing it this way after the very first RV we bought where we learned that 'buying it local is better', is just a myth

[Sunseeker16]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Good place to start, but these days MSRP seems to change at random also. We have seen wildly different MSRPs on units that appear to be identical.
We find the exact unit we want and identify the options we need and then do a national search to find the cheapest out the door price. We don't care how far away, just turn it into a trip.
Been doing it this way after the very first RV we bought where we learned that 'buying it local is better', is just a myth

So, the last time you used this practice was 2012?

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by Sunseeker16

So, the last time you used this practice was 2012?

That I actually bought, yes. But we have been looking ardently for a new RV for the last several years, until we gave up on finding a better one. Decided to put a few dollars and hours into this current one and keep searching