Forum Discussion

bob8687's avatar
bob8687
Explorer
Sep 03, 2013

How low can you go?

We're about a couple weeks away from buying a new fiver--looking at either the Keystone Mountaineer 290RL or the Grand Design Reflection 303 (REALLY like this one!). Both come in right at $48K MSRP.

Couple of buying questions:

Is there a great deal of difference in "haggle room" between an "on the lot" unit or ordering a new one from the factory via the same dealer? (neither has the second A/C and that is a must, we are in the Tucson area and will be traveling summers in the southwest)

Realistically, how much of a reduction from MSRP can one expect without going through six months of back and forth? I HATE THAT GAME! I've read somewhere that profit margins run about 35% and to expect about 20% from MSRP as a point to shoot for-- everybody wins. Is that at all realistic?

If you would weigh in on this question very honestly I'd really appreciate it--and that said, I know some will have gotten screaming deals on a year old unit that had sat on a lot for 15 months, or because they 'know someone', or....well I think you know what I mean. I'm looking for some reference point from where I sit--never bought one before, don't have any contacts in the business, etc. and don't want to drive away with my new fiver only to find out that I should have gotten it for several thousands more off; nor do I want to get into a stalemate with the dealer over a figure that is unrealistic.

Give me your best folks.......we are so jazzed about joining the "on the road" community!!!!!!
Bob
  • dbbls's avatar
    dbbls
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    Many buy at 30% off retail. However, much depends on how high the dealer set the MSRP. Many RV manufactures do not set this price but let the dealer set it. The dealer can add the second air however if it is added at the factory the second air MAY be ducted like the first one is. This might be worth checking out. If the unit has been on the dealers lot for a few months he may make a better deal because after a certain amount of time, he must start making interest payments on the unsold unit.
  • sdetweil's avatar
    sdetweil
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    we are looking too.. making final decisions on a 2013 Keystone Alpine today. we live in Texas, dual a/c required here too.

    its the end of the model year, so now thru end of January the dealers will be unloading left over stock.. these are the slow sellers. but the longer they sit, the more they will want to unload. (but the less choices you will have)

    where we are, we can get the same trailer, exact same options, for $8-13k cheaper by traveling to Michigan. (same sales tax, so its only the trailer).. We are going up anyhow for a family thing by car, so it is just take the other vehicle to save 12k!.. 64,900 vs 52,900. hm.. what to do?!
    (there is ONE known value in the calculation, the texas dealers have to pay to GET them to Texas.. transportation is about $1800 each unit). (yes the fuel costs are different, 37 vs 16 mpg in the dually, 10 towing 12k lbs, but at most around $400 different. to save 12k?)

    my negotiating style is to offer what I WANT the deal to be, and be prepared to walk out, and see what the counter is. The 1st Counter offer is usually about 75% of where they can go.
    Be outlandish, worst they can say is No. (and if you don't ask, the answer is already No).

    Sam
  • el_Rojo's avatar
    el_Rojo
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    We bought a Grand Design Solitude in June. Grand Design is a new manufacturer and I believe they are selling a little lower than other compatible models trying to get a foot hold in the market place. With that said our dealer didn't have a printed out MSRP for us to deduct from, just a dealer "sale price". Also we had a motor home to trade-in. Not all 5th wheel dealers sell MH's, so we eliminated a "middle man/broker" in the deal. We feel we got a fair deal on the swap and we know the dealer made a lot between the two rigs. Dealers have to make money to be there next time or for service. What's equally important is the service dept. I would rather pay a little more and get good service after the sale than to get a deal and the rig sits in the service parking lot for 3 months because of this or that. I realize that you don't want to be called a "sucker" after you leave - nobody does, but look at the big picture when deciding what is fair.

    Hope this helps.
  • TucsonJim's avatar
    TucsonJim
    Explorer II
    Sep 03, 2013
    Do your research, offer your best deal, and know what you are willing to spend for any particular unit. And if the dealer doesn't want to meet your price, WALK OUT! No matter how much you "love" a unit, it's not worth having buyer's remorse when you pay too much for it.
  • ddschuman's avatar
    ddschuman
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    We were able to negotiate about 20K off MSRP which was about 35%. I don't really know if that's good or bad since this was the first time to purchase new but it felt like a good deal and we got everything we wanted.
  • mileshuff's avatar
    mileshuff
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    MSRP on our new 5th was $42K. Paid $31K. 26% off MSRP. Took a bit of haggling but we also had a trade in which they came up quite a bit on too.
  • Peg_Leg's avatar
    Peg_Leg
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    Most units come pre-wired for the second AC. So try making a deal on one you wnat and then tell them to throw in the second AC unit.
  • Jayco-noslide's avatar
    Jayco-noslide
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    Your best deal is going to be finding a used one very similar to the new one you are looking at but 1-4 years old. You will save thousands on depreciation and lower initial cost.
  • restlesswind's avatar
    restlesswind
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    There are other things to cloud the picture.Finance charges,lower sale price with higher loan % rate.Cash is king,after you make the deal.
    You may get the dealer to include a fifth wheel hitch or other extras.
    Be leary of extended warranty deals,a lot of items are covered by mfg warranty.
    The dealer has to make a buck,or go out of business,there is always the chance that you could get a few more $$ off,but if you walk away feeling fine about the whole deal,then don't try to second guess yourself.Coulda,woulda,shoulda thinking is a waste of time.
  • Veebyes's avatar
    Veebyes
    Explorer II
    Sep 03, 2013
    Nothing wrong with playing hardball if you can. We lost a trailer to a blowover. A few weeks later we had the insurance $$$$ in the bank & all of our salvaged belongings in the back of our truck. That is how we showed up at the dealers lot.

    He had what we wanted. Same model as we lost. He was told what had happened. He could see the truck loaded with our stuff outside. He was told we had other units to look at but they were hundreds of miles away. True. He was also told that his price was too high & if it did not come down to the best price right away us & the truck, ready to tow, would not be seen again. The next day we would be hundreds of miles away, with our money. We meant it.

    This was 2009, a tough time to be selling an up market 5er.

    He got out a very sharp pencil & almost $20,000 came off the asking price. 2 days later we were back on the road, trailer in tow. It helps dealing with the owner of the dealership. He wanted it gone. Being near the end of the month might have helped some too.

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