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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Buying An RV -> Is there a rule of thumb for trading & buying?
Post Info TOPIC: Is there a rule of thumb for trading & buying?
Terry and Jo


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Is there a rule of thumb for trading & buying?
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Mike is giving good advice, but I'm not sure whether the location during summer/winter will apply as much for new units as it does for used ones.  Most of what I've seen is that various dealers tend to look for a particular margin, and various factors will contribute to that margin.  As for NADA, I've heard all kind of stories as to how accurate they are with regards to trades.

With regards to DRV Suites products, reach out to numerous DRV dealers to get prices, using the same options on each request.  I happen to have some of the 2014 build sheets/price lists in pdf format.  If you send me a private message, providing your e-mail address, I will send you which ever one you want.  I would also suggest one particular dealer to check with, even if they are many miles away from you.  That dealership is Rolling Retreats in Elk City, OK.  They are a "mom and pop" business and if you check their website, they do not have prices on their new units.  However, since they are within the top 10 selling dealerships for DRV, they must be doing something right.

As for the $20,000 off of MSRP, I'm not sure that would be a good price.  I can honestly say that when we bought ours, the price discount on ours was more than your stated number.  I just don't want to post that number here, partly because the dealership we bought ours through is no longer a DRV dealer.  Also, when we bought our Mobile Suites, it was the third camper/RV from that dealership.

Terry



-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Wednesday 9th of January 2013 10:16:44 PM

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Terry and Jo

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LibertyLinda


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I don't mean to be too broad, we are at the stage of getting quotes from different dealerships.

Is there a rule of thumb for getting a decent deal? I'm being told trade-ins get "80-85% back of the low NADA book value". Is $20,000 off the MSRP decent? Have we been fooled by web site prices which are really teaser prices - kind of like cars?

We are looking at Mobile Suite 2014 36RSSB3, and are starting to get sticker shocked hmm Any advise to bring some peace to the process would be appreciated.

Thanks Dreamers.



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Linda  

5er: 2014 Dynamax Trilogy 3650RL (#311!) "Dagny" ~> bossed around by "Roth" the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW & may follow in MY Jeep Wrangler that I can not give up just yet

Web site/Blog site: http://conservativerv.com/
Lucky Mike


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Check with different dealers and keep your quotes to yourself.......prices of units will vary depending on the region your in and the demand.....get a quote in the snowbelt this time of year and it will come in low......go into snowbird country and you will pay a premium.

msrp price is high most haggling can save 15 to 25% as a gimme...... always get your price before throwing your trade in into the deal......once you do the price should go up a little but not enough to make you give it away.....

check with one of our members ....Jack mayers.......he might be able to help you ,


Good luck

Mike

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kb0zke


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Mike got it. 15-25% off MSRP is pretty standard from what I've read on various forums. You tend to get more off the more expensive coaches. Remember that the dealer still needs to make a profit from the sale, and with fewer sales these days they may want to make more on what few sales they do get.

One trick that I used many years ago when buying a new car was to get the bids (quotes) from the various dealers. Then I called each one back and told them what the low price was but didn't tell them which car or dealer had it. If they would meet or beat the low price they would still be in consideration. If not, they were out. Eventually I got down to the last two dealers. I ended up about 10% less than the original low bid.

The other thing to consider is that if you don't buy from the local dealer you may have difficulties in getting warranty work done. Some dealers depend on the profit from the sale to offset the lower labor rate they get for warranty work.

Also consider the cost of traveling from where you are to where the coach is, a day or two for PDI, and the cost of the trip back, including the time. When you figure in your "hidden" costs, the local dealer may not be all that high after all.

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David, kb0zke

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LibertyLinda


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Thank you all so much~all of your advise is making sense and helping.

Lucky Mike,
We are in snow belt Upstate NY so your point is well taken! I'm seeing already the trade in is going to be painful, just like cars.

Terry & Jo,
Thank you for the offer on the price lists, we have been getting them sent to us from the dealers so we can keep track of what we are doing where. Rolling Retreats is in contention, they are one of 4 places we are looking to for prices. You mentioned Rolling Retreats is one of the 10 best~who are the other 9?

David,
To your point about needing to travel to pick up the rig is certainly valid. We can't take time from work to go to Florida, living in NY, lol. I have a challenge getting time off work so getting this coordinated for pick up during a specific time off will be a miracle of coordination!

We will keep you posted, I can't wait to see a 2014 DRV on the website!





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Linda  

5er: 2014 Dynamax Trilogy 3650RL (#311!) "Dagny" ~> bossed around by "Roth" the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW & may follow in MY Jeep Wrangler that I can not give up just yet

Web site/Blog site: http://conservativerv.com/
Mark Serley


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linda, you can google on SEE DEALER COSTS RV, put in your or any zip and see what specific dealers have paid for the rv you're looking at. i found some dealers that have a year end model may only want to charge 3-5K over invoice, that's usually about 2/3 msrp, but do some homework. good luck mark


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Terry and Jo


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Linda,

I have no idea who the other 9 dealers are.  I just noticed a note on Rolling Retreat's website about being awarded for being in the top 10.  I asked Alicia if she knew what "number" she was in the top 10, but she said that they didn't tell her that.

I will say that they do go the extra mile sometimes for their customers.  I know that they have buyers from as far away as New York and Arizona.

Terry



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Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

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Defiant


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LOL Terry, The DW (Ann4now) has been going back and forth with Alicia and the others (she is blessed with patience ,she has to be to put up with me) Alicia has been great answering our questions ! And most of the correspondence has been after business hours.....you have to love that !



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LibertyLinda


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Hi all,
Just an update: we have decided not to buy at this time and wait until we sell the sticks & bricks and pay outright.
I just want to thank all of you for your guidance. All of the referrals to Oklahoma, Tenessee and Tiara were great. We are refocused and will stay on course.
God willing, we will realize our RV Dream in approx. 1 -1/2 years. However, we are going to continue to pick your brains ;)

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Linda  

5er: 2014 Dynamax Trilogy 3650RL (#311!) "Dagny" ~> bossed around by "Roth" the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW & may follow in MY Jeep Wrangler that I can not give up just yet

Web site/Blog site: http://conservativerv.com/
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