Other fees when buying 5th wheel

Forgot to mention in the above, I negotiate the price and terms for everything else besides an RV also.

As a Rancher and truck business owner, over the years, I have bought dozens of cars, trucks, tractors, ranch equipment, machinery, etc., and even the purchase price of the two ranches that I own. I don't pay any attention to any added fees, or even the original asking price. I sit down with the dealer and we negotiate the total terms, including price, for any purchase and if we do not get an agreement I walk. I do the same thing at auctions. There I bid what is a fair prie for me and it someone bids higher they get it. I sell cattle every year at auction and the buyers use the same process bidding on my cattle so I believe that we are fair all around. I have walked numerous times but always get an agreement eventually with a dealer for what I want. It is not always the original contacted dealer but eventually both the dealer and me are satisfied with the sale.

I suggest that you (or anyone) not pay any attention to "Dealer added fees, etc.," when buying an RV. I have purchased five RVs since 1960 and with every purchase I negotiated a price that I was willing to pay, and the dealer was wiling to accept, without any consideration of the the MSRP, dealer fees, or any other cost. We negotiated and I made my best offer and the Dealer accepted. I paid much less cash than the original asking cost for each of the five and I don't even remember what if any "additional fees" were asked by the dealer. Naturally I did pay the sales tax, and license fees after the sale.

Since I knew the dealer where we got my wife's Hyundai last year, when they wanted to add over $1,000 delivery fee since the car was coming to Phoenix from Reno, I told 'em that I had a truck and trailer and I'd get it myself for $500. We ended up splitting the fee. I understood a bit, since the model, a Genesis Coupe, is one of their hottest-selling cars and there's almost no trading between dealers. The company owners were neighbors of ours for many years, and I knew the GM from when he was in grade school. I'd've had no problem "telling daddy", if I had to. :-)

Lyle

The PDI fee irks. Me...let's see. You charge me to find the stuff the manufacturer or dealer frigg'd up while in build, transport, move on the lot... BS. They rep the manufacturer... They own it on their lot... They need to show it off... And own the flaws. Period... Ok, off my soapbox..

Sounds as if the RV dealers have gone to school with automobile dealerships on how to squeeze customers for every $ profit possible. If they know what they're doing, it's going to be difficult to beat them at their own game.

Be sure to look at the MSRP from the factory to see what charges are already built into the invoice. Prep and/or deliver may have been paid by their floorplan source. No reason to pay them twice.

Many dealers will quote a price online. And when you get to the dealership, you may find a bunch of "add on's" on the paperwork. I'd ask for a buyers' order--including all charges--prior to my visiting the dealership if it's out of town.

And in many cases, it's time for round two of negotiations.

The good dealerships get by on sales at a fair price, and they don't have to go to slam and jamb back end sales tactics. That's when to take a hike to another dealership.

The dealer can ask for any kind of fees, but it just boils down to how much you're willing to give him. The destination fee is pretty common, but that is the only one I'd even consider paying.

But you'll have to decide which you'll pay and which you'll walk out over.

caberto wrote:
As others have said, shoot for 30-35% off MSRP and agree to an "out the door" price.

X2..Always ask for the out the door price, that way there is no hidden charges.

Dealer wanted to add a $600.00 advertising fee on my truck when I bought it. But he did say since he forgot it on the original paperwork they would pay half and I only had to pay $300.00. I picked up my check and put it in my pocket and started for the door. Wait a minute I'll ask the sales manager. I said tell him I won't pay for him to advertise and that's that. I left with the truck at the original price quoted. Never give in.

Dealer wanted to add a $600.00 advertising fee on my truck when I bought it. But he did say since he forgot it on the original paperwork they would pay half and I only had to pay $300.00. I picked up my check and put it in my pocket and started for the door. Wait a minute I'll ask the sales manager. I said tell him I won't pay for him to advertise and that's that. I left with the truck at the original price quoted. Never give in.

when I worked at the dealership, sales and parts always argued who was going to pay for the PDI. it was never the customer. destination is a given, even car dealers get that one.