Hi all,My wife and I are recently retired and are seriously looking into buying an RV. Been researching and reading and thinking about it for sometime. After weighing a lot of things we're looking at a class A.I have been looking at models an prices online and trying to match everything up to the NADA avg and low retail. In the forums I've gathered that many never pay over low retail. I can see that an individual may have to sell at this, regardless of options, mileage, etc., but what about used from dealers? Will they laugh me off the lot if I start offering low retail? Or do they pick things up on trade ins low enough that they can still make money selling at low retail? Should I expect something in the middle?For example, if a 07 Bounder is low miles and really clean, new tires, etc. and listed at $69k, but low retail is say $54k (straight base model). Should I keep at it till I get low retail?Also, is end of summer a good time to get deals? Is paying cash more apt to get them to go low?I appreciate your insight.Jeff

Now is a fairly good time to buy because most of the camping time is over. As for prices it depends on condition, location, and supply and demand. Find the floor plan that suits you and your wife for your retirement time. Then do all the research you can on that RV. Check what local prices are going for in your area (craigslist, RVtrader, etc.), then check that make and model through PPL Motorhomes (they list all sales of MH and the price they sold it for). The more knowledge you have the better decision you will make. Know what the MH should sell for and set a max limit you are willing to pay for it. We did that on our 03 Chateau last January and at one point left the dealership, they called later to get us back, and we got it for $8300 under their list price, which was $600 more then the took for trade in. We knew what to look for, knew what to describe as an issue, and then we were willing to leave and go someplace else.Yea, cash talks and talks real good. That's what we were able to do.

A dealer's "asking" price is just that. You should be able to get close to a 20% discount from that if there is no trade involved.It was 8 years ago, but we paid $52,000 for a coach with a asking price of $69,000. It was in the fall and we got up and headed for the door after they refused my $52,000 offer. We didn't make it to the door, however.Be cool and not appear enthusiastic when dealing on a particular MH.

I think that NADA prices are close to meaningless.Everything out there, RV or toaster, is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for it. Once you've watched prices for awhile, you'll see what the "average" is on a given type of used coach.Offer whatever you'd like. They'll either play ball with you, or not. Ebay is a great resource in that regard...because of the number of coaches available. Yes, you'll likely pay more to buy from a local dealer because they're more apt to back up the deal with service, but not necessarily.Happy Hunting,Jim

Sold my 2005 MH about 1 month ago. I was offered $50,000 for it by LaMesa. Low retail on NADA was $69,000. I sold it for $71,000. If I was buying again, knowing what I was offered by a Dealer, I would offer 30% below low retail and work up from there. I would also check the MH from top to bottom for condition and previous service. The fellow I sold mine too remarked about how "dirty" the MH at dealer's lots are. They say they will clean it up after you purchase. What you see whan you first approach it is how it was treated previously. My MH was spotless. No scratches or dings. Kept under a cover when not camping, washed after every trip and waxed annually. He was blowed away with the condition and the service reccords I kept. If it was not taken care of previously, you will pay for it in the future. I would look for a "private sale" and stay away from dealers if possible.

Spizzer wrote:Is paying cash more apt to get them to go low?To the dealer, every sale is cash. However you obtain the money, they ultimately get cash. However, if you finance through a dealer, they make money from that transaction as well, so a finance deal yields the dealer more profit and subsequently could result in a lower sales price to the buyer.

My head is swimming...need some insight on $$$

Go_Dawgs1
Explorer
Aug 30, 2013
Now is a fairly good time to buy because most of the camping time is over. As for prices it depends on condition, location, and supply and demand. Find the floor plan that suits you and your wife for your retirement time. Then do all the research you can on that RV. Check what local prices are going for in your area (craigslist, RVtrader, etc.), then check that make and model through PPL Motorhomes (they list all sales of MH and the price they sold it for).

The more knowledge you have the better decision you will make. Know what the MH should sell for and set a max limit you are willing to pay for it. We did that on our 03 Chateau last January and at one point left the dealership, they called later to get us back, and we got it for $8300 under their list price, which was $600 more then the took for trade in. We knew what to look for, knew what to describe as an issue, and then we were willing to leave and go someplace else.

Yea, cash talks and talks real good. That's what we were able to do.
427435
Explorer
Aug 31, 2013
A dealer's "asking" price is just that. You should be able to get close to a 20% discount from that if there is no trade involved.

It was 8 years ago, but we paid $52,000 for a coach with a asking price of $69,000. It was in the fall and we got up and headed for the door after they refused my $52,000 offer. We didn't make it to the door, however.

Be cool and not appear enthusiastic when dealing on a particular MH.
Lobstah
Explorer
Aug 31, 2013
I think that NADA prices are close to meaningless.
Everything out there, RV or toaster, is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for it. Once you've watched prices for awhile, you'll see what the "average" is on a given type of used coach.
Offer whatever you'd like. They'll either play ball with you, or not. Ebay is a great resource in that regard...because of the number of coaches available. Yes, you'll likely pay more to buy from a local dealer because they're more apt to back up the deal with service, but not necessarily.

Happy Hunting,

Jim
peaches_cream
Explorer
Aug 31, 2013
Sold my 2005 MH about 1 month ago. I was offered $50,000 for it by LaMesa. Low retail on NADA was $69,000. I sold it for $71,000. If I was buying again, knowing what I was offered by a Dealer, I would offer 30% below low retail and work up from there. I would also check the MH from top to bottom for condition and previous service. The fellow I sold mine too remarked about how "dirty" the MH at dealer's lots are. They say they will clean it up after you purchase. What you see whan you first approach it is how it was treated previously. My MH was spotless. No scratches or dings. Kept under a cover when not camping, washed after every trip and waxed annually. He was blowed away with the condition and the service reccords I kept. If it was not taken care of previously, you will pay for it in the future. I would look for a "private sale" and stay away from dealers if possible.
I_am_still_wayn
Explorer
Aug 31, 2013
Spizzer wrote:
Is paying cash more apt to get them to go low?

To the dealer, every sale is cash. However you obtain the money, they ultimately get cash. However, if you finance through a dealer, they make money from that transaction as well, so a finance deal yields the dealer more profit and subsequently could result in a lower sales price to the buyer.
ALBQ
Explorer
Aug 31, 2013
peaches&cream wrote:
Sold my 2005 MH about 1 month ago. I was offered $50,000 for it by LaMesa. Low retail on NADA was $69,000. I sold it for $71,000. If I was buying again, knowing what I was offered by a Dealer, I would offer 30% below low retail and work up from there. I would also check the MH from top to bottom for condition and previous service. The fellow I sold mine too remarked about how "dirty" the MH at dealer's lots are. They say they will clean it up after you purchase. What you see whan you first approach it is how it was treated previously. My MH was spotless. No scratches or dings. Kept under a cover when not camping, washed after every trip and waxed annually. He was blowed away with the condition and the service reccords I kept. If it was not taken care of previously, you will pay for it in the future. I would look for a "private sale" and stay away from dealers if possible.

Great post and Good advice:::::
Spizzer
Explorer
Sep 01, 2013
dalmationlovers wrote:
.....do all the research you can on that RV. Check what local prices are going for in your area (craigslist, RVtrader, etc.), then check that make and model through PPL Motorhomes (they list all sales of MH and the price they sold it for).

The more knowledge you have the better decision you will make. Know what the MH should sell for and set a max limit you are willing to pay for it. ......

Thanks for the thoughts.! Good advice.

jeff
Spizzer
Explorer
Sep 01, 2013
427435 wrote:
A dealer's "asking" price is just that. You should be able to get close to a 20% discount from that if there is no trade involved.....

That is kinda what I am figuring out. THanks for the info!

jeff
Spizzer
Explorer
Sep 01, 2013
Lobstah wrote:
I think that NADA prices are close to meaningless.
Everything out there, RV or toaster, is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for it. ....

Jim

So true. Thanks for the advice. It helps a lot.

jeff
zb39
Explorer
Sep 01, 2013
Of the 4 coaches I have owned, only 1 was bought at a dealer. I prefer private deals, I save a lot of money.