24 flagstaff on Dealer lot (used) they say once...

sdp1234

Advanced Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2021
Messages
80
Comparing exact models, how would I compare a 24 on the lot vs a used 24 on their lot? They said it is perfect and only used once and the buyer realized they needed a bigger unit.


Is this considered new? I will be checking if the warranty is still good.
 
I go used when possible. This means the prior owner has worked out the "new delivery" bugs, and you typically get it cheaper. No reason to go new IMO.

I don't depend on warranties either. In-shop repairs are a huge hassle and can be extremely time-consuming. I either fix it myself or schedule a mobile RV repairman. The savings vs. new might make up for any expenses you might have, if any.
 
Last edited:
Depending how long the previous owners had they may or may not have fixed issues could also be why they traded so soon even tho they said needed bigger camper. Most likely there is no warranty do to it being sold once and camper warranty are only good for the original owner. Dealer will try to sell you a extended warranty be aware of these as can be tricky. Later RJD
 
Depending how long the previous owners had they may or may not have fixed issues could also be why they traded so soon even tho they said needed bigger camper. Most likely there is no warranty do to it being sold once and camper warranty are only good for the original owner. Dealer will try to sell you a extended warranty be aware of these as can be tricky. Later RJD
Yes, this.
I bought a used bumper pull trailer in June one year. It had been put into service in February. The owner traded in for a motor home. I found a dent in my rear bumper. The previous owner couldn't back it and switched to a motor home. Not all the problems were fixed!
 
If you happen to be near an RV show and the timing is good you can save money without going to a show. I purchased a 5th wheel that had been demoed and got a reduced price with all warranties
 
Comparing exact models, how would I compare a 24 on the lot vs a used 24 on their lot? They said it is perfect and only used once and the buyer realized they needed a bigger unit.


Is this considered new? I will be checking if the warranty is still good.

How much different are the prices? The used rig depreciated considerably the moment it was driven off the lot. From the point of view of its value, it's worth less, and you should pay considerably less than the brand new one.

It's highly likely the dealer took the used one in trade toward the new "bigger unit." The dealer will try to have their cake and eat it too on this deal, but you can be absolutely sure the dealer depreciated the used trade in when they did the upgrade for the previous owner. Don't get snagged into doubling their profit. :facepalm:;)
 
This is all such great input. Thanks. Seems like folks just walking in off the street to buy are probably getting taken.

I don't have to get the absolute lowest price but I don't want to get taken.


I've always purchased used and I do my own maintenance. We are kind of stuck on this layout. I wrestled with the price and had come to terms with the outrageous prices. But now that I'm close, the fees, taxes and extras are making me hesitant

I'll make some visits next week and see what happens
 
This is all such great input. Thanks. Seems like folks just walking in off the street to buy are probably getting taken.

I don't have to get the absolute lowest price but I don't want to get taken.


I've always purchased used and I do my own maintenance. We are kind of stuck on this layout. I wrestled with the price and had come to terms with the outrageous prices. But now that I'm close, the fees, taxes and extras are making me hesitant

I'll make some visits next week and see what happens


You do not want to be 'taken'....


You are looking to buy a camper....


:facepalm:....
 
We are kind of stuck on this layout....
That shifts the price in the dealer's favor.

The minute we fall in love with a specific car, boat, RV, etc, the competition is gone, and you will usually pay extra for your heart's desire. Dealers and real estate agents love clients who fall in love with a specific model. Is there no other RV with a similar enough layout and features?

If no other will do (quite common), then you have to decide the maximum price you will pay, and be willing to walk away if your price point is not met. And I mean really walk away.

If you actually walk away, the dealer MAY relent on price, fees, etc. Or he may believe there are other out there who will fall in love with the unit the way you did, and are willing to pay a higher price to satisfy the lust.

I have realized in buying houses and having multiple contracts and offers fall through that losing what I thought was my dream house turned out to be good for me, and I ended up with a better house than my first attempts.

Conversely, as a seller of houses, the first offer I get is almost always the best offer. If I don't take the 1st offer, succeeding offers are usually not as good. Most (but not all!) dealers recognize this, and will try to keep the 1st reasonable offer from walking away.

I ended up buying my A-frame new from a fixed price dealer because the sellers of used A-frames were being unreasonable.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2022 Hyundai Palisade
 
Thanks DW and Fred
I will have a walk away price and a top price I'll pay. Understood that I do not
Have the selection or leverage I'd like.
 
I also will not take my wife. She hates that I won't engage in small talk with the dealer. I typically ignore most questions and conversation is only when I need something from them.
She thinks I'm rude and mean. I'm not mean, just indifferent to the personal questions and stories.
 
I also will not take my wife. She hates that I won't engage in small talk with the dealer. I typically ignore most questions and conversation is only when I need something from them.
She thinks I'm rude and mean. I'm not mean, just indifferent to the personal questions and stories.
She just 'negotiates' differently.. Just encourage her to look at other rigs and express an interest in them. Salesmen who know that you only want that unit are less likely to negotiate.

Your talking points should be...
It's a used trailer.
It has no 'manufacturer's warranty'.
It can't tell you how it was driven or what kind of roads it was driven on, or how the appliances were used, etc.

The fact that you do your own repairs should help you avoid the 'aftermarket warranty' which tends to be expensive and frequently useless.
 
Last edited:
Made a offer for the "Used" 2024 unit. They came back with a price that was still higher than I can get a new 2025 for.



Made "walking" an easy decision...
 
We ordered a new 2000 2525 SRK. Even after I had price in hand for the new 2025 they still wouldn't budge off their $40,000 price for the use 2024.
Just doesn't make any sense to me? Even though I already bought one, I like to have things figured out. The only thing I can think is maybe they have it on consignment and the actual owner doesn't want to get down in price.
 
The only thing I can think is maybe they have it on consignment and the actual owner doesn't want to get down in price.
It is possible that it's on consignment or they paid too much on the trade.
You're better off getting the new one that comes with a warranty.
Make certain that when you do your walkthrough, everything works.
Get everything fixed (if any) before you sign the final papers.
Good luck!
 
OP--if you are really in love with that floorplan, keep in mind that Flagstaff and Rockwood are built in the same factory with identical floorplans. The only difference is the decal for the name. So try the nearest Rockwood dealer and get a price on that model. You can also get a price online from RVWholesalers in Ohio. Those prices might help negotiate a better price on the new 2024 Flagstaff. . . . or the 2024 Rockwood!

We had a Rockwood travel trailer and thought highly enough of it that we later bought a Rockwood 5th wheel from the same dealer. You might even want to check out our dealer: House of Camping in Bridgeview, IL (Chicago). We drove 1,000 miles to buy from them because they were 40% lower in cost than the local Denver dealer (who is now out of business!).
 
Last edited:
OP, it would help if you posted what region you live in. That way members that are near to you, can recommend good dealers close to you.

fanrgs, I guess you didn't know that House of Camping closed down.
 
Last edited:
fanrgs, I guess you didn't know that House of Camping closed down.
Nope, I didn't know that. Too bad because George's father started that dealership in the 1950s. They were great to work with and very helpful.

One time in the UP, a shear pin broke on the 5th wheel landing gear. It wouldn't go down, so we couldn't get the trailer off the truck. I called George and he called a dealer friend (they had Packers season tickets together) in Madison, WI. George called us back, gave us directions to that dealer, and we arrived a few hours later. He spent over an hour drilling out and replacing the pin, then refused to let us pay him anything. So, we bought a 25' 30A extension cord from him that we still carry all these years later in our motorhome (we sold the fiver in 2021). Not too many dealers provide that kind of service!
 

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom