pookiebear38 wrote:
We're shopping for a new trailer and just wanted to ask if anyone has had any experiences with an online dealer. I would prefer a local dealer but the prices I've been offered from the online dealers are several thousand dollars different. As far as I can see, the dealer has several lots as well as the online business. We've looked at both fifth wheels and travel trailers. Thanks in advance for any help!
The "online dealer".... is YOU!...:W
Decide what you want, floor plan & options.
"Shop" that to dealers far and wide - searching for the best price on EXACTLY what you want - so the price quoted is "apples to apples".
The best price is now your "benchmark" price.
Ask the dealers closer to home if they will compete with that price - and/or how close will they come to a "match".
Now - you decide. Travel or local.
Usually the above is the best course of action for *ordering* - rather than units in a dealer's stock.
*If* it's a unit in stock -on a dealer's lot- you are in competition with (potentially) lots of other folks - not the best situation for good prices.
Yes - I did that (ordered a unit) - and found a dealer that would match the supposed "wholesalers" - and yes - it was out-of-state.
BTW - never needed or used the 2-year factory warranty.
But just for the heck of it - asked a dealer (same brand) in another state if they would honor the warranty, pecking order, etc.
After the service dept hemmed and hawed a bit, it really was a non-issue (it's all profit!) - but unless there was some major problem, I would prefer *not* to use dealers for repair/s.
A call to the mfgr usually will result in an OK to use an independent repair facility (appliances, etc. are warrantied by the individual mfgr anyway - so you are just looking at labor under the warranty)
Bottom line would I "travel" again for the best price?
In a heartbeat!..:C
Buy from the same distant dealer again - you bet - if it was the best price!
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