Spizzer wrote:
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
Welcome to the Search! It's dog eat dog with few guidelines. I've seen Camping world sell for 50% of asking price. I bought at 25% off of NADA, but it had been sitting almost 3 years on the lot. First I am not looking for the lowest price, I am looking for a fair price. So look at PPL motor homes for past sales, then look at Ebay for actual bids. Then consider each MH individually. No two MH's are exactly the same as condition and maintenance is crucial in determining value.
I looked at a Monaco Executive that was trashed, asking $179k. It looked as if it hadn't been touched in years, cabinets doors ripped off. House stuff is cheap, neglect on an ISM is Expensive$$$. Same on the Tranny. If they needed rebuilt it could have cost $30k. Not to mention the aggravation. Good Luck!
