Bought a 1994 Highlow and had it for 12 years. Loved it, dragged it all over the country. Bought a 2006 Arctic Fox 22H in 2006, paid $20,000 cash. Loved it, still do, wore out 5 sets of tires and short of looking like hell for the de-laminated outside walls. Replaced the back wall myself for $3,000 last summer. Inside is like new. I'm 70, do not like trying to reserve places to go 4-6 months out. In it's current condition it's not worth anything and I'm thinking of just giving it away. I refuse to pay $40 grand or more for something I won't get much use out of.
Good points Jason, excellent info But here are a few counterpoints from a dealers perspective... 1. Trades: Most trades have non-disclosed issues that a dealer will have to pay a tech to fix..and they dont work for free. A dealers "lowball" is trying to account for this. A "lowball" is also subjective. A fair trade value to one person is someone elses "dealer is trying to steal my trade". Its ok for buyers to negotiate for the best price but not for a dealer to negotiate a good deal on trades? 2. Bait and switch: Dealers post RVs to as many as 4 or 5 websites that do not instantly update when they are sold. It can take days to update. Just because you see one on the web as available, doesn't mean its available. Anyone driving more than a few hours on the hope it's there should do better due dilligence and call first. 3. Payment advertising: Like it or not, most RV buyers take the longest term. Any dealer advertising a 10 year payment while everyone else is advertising a 15 year is probably pissing advertising money away. I don't like it, but are you willing to be the dealer advertising the highest payment? I don't think so. 4. Getting your own finance: You should abdolutely have a reference for what reasonable % rates are, but dealers can and do beat peoples rates. Who has a better chance of finding a great rate? Your bank who isnt interested in shopping rates for you? or a dealer with 20 banks at their disposal? Plus there are lots of variables, FICO score term, loan to value and year of the RV. You bank only knows part of the equasion if you get preapproved.
As a dealership I understand your counter points ,however if you set a price based on not all the info then you are misleading the customer .intentionally setting a low price to bait the customer in is fraud an a scam . your finance manager is there to work you for every dime ,if he does not he is fired by the supervisor. SO ,your counter points are another way to justify the actual out the door cost. BS ,buyer beware get educated. FYI
I bought a rv for the first time 2.5 years ago. The dealers was arranging the financing and came back with 14%. I said you gotta be kidding. They then recommended I go to my credit union it might be a few points lower. it was by more than HALF. I almost walked away because I knew they were screwing around but the price was the price and the addons were at their expense. so my union financed it. Thank God they did the hurricane totaled it a few weeks ago. can you imagine what a horrible position I would have been in if I had taken the 14% interest. now I am actually going to clear a little extra to use to buy the next RV.
Shipping is right on in cost. As a transporter I can see the end result as well what I was getting paid per mile. Also, many dealers will charge the transporter a wash fee when checking the Rv in. I’ve paid as much as $100 per unit out of my pocket. (I do get reimbursed but my point always was someone else gets to use my money with no fee to do so.)
Good advice on finding a reputable dealer. We actually bought our most recent trailer from a dealer 2 hours away even though we have a local dealer that's only a 30 minute drive from our house. We had experience with the local dealer and they have lousy warranty and service support. The dealer we bought from has a very good service department. They do not hold your RV hostage while awaiting parts and call once the parts get in. Our most recent warranty replacement of the water heater was done while we waited and our end of warranty list from earlier this year was completed in under 2 weeks. It has made a night and day difference in our satisfaction with the trailer.
Good one. I bought a brand new B Van at the discounted advertised on-line price. The price was exactly what I paid. I refused any prep fee and PDI fee. I was required to use their financing, but I paid it off the second month with no penalty. I had the cash. BTW, the on-line auction is fake.
Do your homework before buying any RV! I recently went to look at a couple RV's that I was interested in seeing. The first thing for me is that if the do not let me to look around alone I walk right out the door. Do not allow them to walk around with you breathing down you neck, it is a pressure tactic and many people fall for it. Upon arriving at the dealer (HUGE chain) sales people were already waiting in the lobby, I told them that I wasn't buying anything and was there to look, of course, they tried to use tactics but I stopped them right way. The sales person realized it was going to be a losing battle with me and allowed me to walk around. I was finally ready to ask a couple of question but the sales person knew NOTHING about the RV I was looking at so she asked the Manager who flat out lied to me about it. I corrected him three times and I was able to do that because I did my homework and knew exactly what they were trying to do. Needless to say but I walked out.
I went to one that had a policy that if you wanted to look at new RVs they had a salesman take you around on a golf cart. If you wanted to look at used RVs - "they're out back over there...careful, don't let the gate shut behind you. The rats don't bite"
Jason, great episode. You guys are quickly becoming one of my favourite sites. What’s cool is unlike other RV camping sites that needs to re-invent themselves I can’t see that happening here. I have bought many vehicles over the phone and yes with a trade in. Be honest with your trade in, send pictures. I then get them to send me all the paperwork so I can review thoroughly when I want. I either pick up the vehicle or have them deliver it, included in the price of course. I usually use a 500 miles radius, not too far.
My tips for buying an RV 1-Do your own research before walking on to the dealers lot (features, comparable pricing, unit construction and feedback from owners) 2-We typically will buy when the next model year units are arriving on the lot…dealers are more apt to deal when they need to make room for new inventory 3-Always remember they have something that you WANT (an RV). You have something that they NEED (money)
Just bought a rig from a big national chain. No inspectors within 100s of miles or would have hired them. The dealer did zero inspection or "PDI" even though they claimed it had been thoroughly gone over. Never ever trust a dealer. Luckily the manufacturer is one of the few reputable ones and has already taken them to the mat to get my issues resolved. edit: A dealer in Illinois (same chain) would only give me 20k on my trade and this dealer gave me 45k. Same "purchase price" of the unit I bought so that is a straight 25k savings dodging the lowball.
👍 The best deal is....buying used. Let someone else work out the bugs and screw-ups for a couple of years and you take over without the depreciation slam.
Beware of bait-and-switch interest rates as well. We’re currently in the process of buying an RV from United RV, yes, I’m naming names because I’m that pissed, that advertised an interest rate using their financing at 7.49% with a $2k discount on the unit. Once the credit application was done and the numbers were ran the rate jumped up a full point. Why? Because we didn’t have a “perfect” credit scores (as in 800+ points). Our credit was great, mid to high 700s, but not “perfect”. Nowhere in their fine print did it state what score you needed to get the rate they advertised. What really burned me up was the finance managers smarmy excuse that “every financial institution does this. Even the big banks.” They do! But they’re not as sloppy and lazy about it. Take a look at any credit offer, and if the interest rate changes, there are asterisk and detailed explanations stating WHY the rate could change. The rate we have currently is a good rate but expecting one rate and having it switched and justified with a lame excuse leaves a bad taste.
Good video. We ate a $15k loss to sell our 2022 TT after we purchased the Class C from a private owner. In the end it was a good decision vs owning 2 RVs.
Another great video with what is sure to be your biggest impact on the community yet! I wish I could go back in time and play this for one of my sons. That largest RV stealership chain you referenced really took him for a ride on fees. They really took advantage of him. Sad way to do business.
We are in the process of finding a motor home now. Thank you for this info packed video. This is so helpful. We just had a bad experience with General RV - not sure if that was the national dealership you spoke of but boy! We live in another state and had an rv inspector look at it. Good thing, he found serious water damage, roof damage and more! Ugh!!!!!
Yeah that's a tough one. From the dealer's perspective, I understand it on certain factory orders in today's market. But a lot of times it is definitely BS.
Do not buy in CALIFORNIA, this state will take you to lunch on the dmv fee an taxes .an its every year. JASON covered this very well good video, I would suggest hire someone to review the contract before you sign .Get an out the door price with tax an dmv fees before you sign,If you own a home use your equity an beware of the terms on that repayment .Make sure you are advised in writing what the total cost is over the entire loan . Don't be in a hurry, rent a similar RV before you buy one. Get a price from different dealers an leverage them against each other.The finance guy is your biggest crook, not sales, they will kiss your A YES THAT ,an speak in general terms tp get you to sign,They will act like they are on your side ---they will get up an supposed to see there sales manager to get you a better deal BS just went for coffee an donuts. Let me get you a coffee, lets talk about your vacation plans . ALL diversion tactics FYI the cash register is spinning. The finance guy is highly paid an gets a commission for sticking it to you. FYI DONT GET STUCK== GET EDUCATED. thanks JASON great video
I had a dealer promise to throw in a washer/drier during negotiations as an incentive and in the end they added it to the bill and I didn't see it to years later.
One major local dealer told me there were none of those pesky fees--except a thousand dollars for them to go over the rv and show me how to use everything.
People seem to be gouging each other in everything. We’ve lost our way and our souls. I bought a new Airstream a few years ago and found a big dent in the right rear corner during the pre-delivery walk-around. They hoped I wouldn’t notice. I canceled the deal, got my money back, and never went back.
The "Insurance won't allow your inspector" claim is so bogus. Having inspector sign a liability release is all that would be needed. You're right; just walk. (Of course, learn about this and your other points at first contact before wasting any time.)
What about buying one at an RV show? I've noticed many of them are greatly discounted? I understand all the things mentioned also apply, but are there any others that are specified for RV shows?
My son just bought a house in Syracuse NY and the realtor told them an inspection was not allowed. And he bought that, despite the fact he's a Lawyer... That's a house I would walk away from, but of course they loved the house! Guess they can get the inspection once they've moved in!! Everyone is trying to cheat everyone else. The Honest people are being ripped off.
I’m a retired general contractor and I urge your son to get a home inspection. It’s your money. It’s your right. Please tell him to get one. Never get the realtor involved with that home inspection. Always get your home inspector so there’s no conflict of interest.
