Negotiating price on a used class c.

rvhunting wrote:


My lesson here is you can make any offer -- the worst they can say is "NO!"

Actually, I've made a few low ball offers in my day and a lot more was said (to me) than a polite . . . . . . NO! But hey, we're all still here. Good luck to the OP in the search for his ultimate RV.

Chum lee

bobbyg123 wrote:
For those of you who have purchased used motor homes from a dealer, how much of a discount off of their listed price were you able to negotiate? Is there a source out there that accurately blue books the value of used rigs?

One factor that I haven't seen discussed here is if the dealer is selling the unit themselves or on consignment. I think this was a huge factor in how we aquired our 22'Gulfstream Conquest Sport.

We went to a local dealer to look and saw this unit listed at $30,000, which was way out of my price range at the time (2010). However, the unit was in great condition with only 15,000 miles on it. The salesman asked if I were interested. I replied that it was way out of my price range and and offer I made would be insulting low. He replied "You can't insult me! I'm selling this on consignemnt!"

I said the most I'd could consider would be $15,000, and he said that's worth talking about which shocked me! We ended up bargaining (as he consulted with the consignee) and settled in at $19,568, so we were out the door at around $22K which was our entire shopping budget.

My lesson here is you can make any offer -- the worst they can say is "NO!"

bobbyg123 wrote:
I’ve been in sales my entire career (not vehicle sales though), and I understand the variability in used vehicle pricing. My question involves the list pricing on used RVs.

For example:
2017 Minnie Winnie 25A $69,999 18,000 miles

Now, if this was a brand new rig, I’d immediately offer the dealer 25% under their listed price. Does that strategy apply to used vehicle list pricing too?

Since you have been involved in sales, (me too) the simple answer is NO! Especially on big ticket sales.

Every deal is different for reasons I've (and others) previously stated.

For example. Say a dealer buys a used MH from an unadvertised estate sale. If the trustee has no idea of the MH's value and lets a $70,000 MH go for $30,000, why should the dealer mark it up 25% and call it good when they know all too well it's worth $70,000 on a good day, maybe $59,900 on a bad day? I'm not saying it's the norm, but, EVERY DEAL IS DIFFERENT. If you choose to look at a potential big ticket purchase with tunnel vision, that's your choice. My point is that I don't want you to pay TOO MUCH when you don't have to. Look at the sellers position as well as yours. (the buyer)

On the other hand, a dealer may take in a trade that is nothing more than a junk pile and overpay for it knowing that it's the key to selling a $350,000 MH which they are going to clear $75,000 profit. Then they dump the trade in at the auction for $10,000 less than they paid for it still clearing $65,000 on the deal and solving two problems at one time. Get the picture?

Chum lee

I’ve been in sales my entire career (not vehicle sales though), and I understand the variability in used vehicle pricing. My question involves the list pricing on used RVs.

For example:
2017 Minnie Winnie 25A $69,999 18,000 miles

Now, if this was a brand new rig, I’d immediately offer the dealer 25% under their listed price. Does that strategy apply to used vehicle list pricing too?

Chum lee wrote:

bobbyg123 wrote:
For those of you who have purchased used motor homes from a dealer, how much of a discount off of their listed price were you able to negotiate? Is there a source out there that accurately blue books the value of used rigs?

There is no accurate reliable consistent source to determine the price of a specific motorhome other than what it sells for. If you aren't the purchaser, that price no longer matters. (to you) You can find prices for motorhomes in general, but, you are not buying a motorhome in general. YOU are buying ONE, . . . . . . in specific.

With motorhomes, the price can/will vary based on simple things like weather, interest rates, the price/availability of fuel, natural disasters, location, demand, model, size, color, options, condition, current mileage, taxes, economic volatility, supply and demand, wars, etc. (just to name a few)

Figure out what you can afford. (divide that by two) Find the motorhome you want. Do your research. Negotiate a fair price. Drive away. Go have some fun. It's that simple.

Chum lee

CL, makes perfect sense to me .

Its worth the black book price (dealer trade-in price).
Anything anybody can get more than that is the luck of the draw.
Its whatever someone is willing to pay for it combined with whatever someone is willing to let it go for.
A dealer, by law, might have to warranty it for 30 days, that repair cost average probably plays a part in the expected profit.

Time is a factor too, how long its been on the floor trying to sell. How long is the seller willing to wait for a buyer as it sits losing value .
Has the rv been sitting outside uncovered for a year ? If so, who is checking the caulking every 3 months which seems to be the mfg industry standard these days. :B

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned NADA guides. It gives you the average retail and low retail for the RV you're looking for. Don't add options and use that figure for your negotiations. The advertised price has little relationship to reality so don't work toward a set "discount".

Actually I would not purchase a unit from a dealer! They are out to take your money and the state is next in line. As noted above some states do not charge sales tax on used units in private party sales. Some states do so you need to look. We were looking at a winnebago class B and the price with taxes etc was over $100K NEW. This also was at la mesa in tucson. I think they finally got down to just under $100k, we walked away. Couple months later found the same model on craigs list with a fair asking price but was 200 or so miles away. drove up looked it over made a counter offer based off the nada pricing had a counter from the owner and we settled in the middle. Got the unit for over $30000 less. Was 1 year old 4000 miles 25 hrs on the generator etc. Set up our own finance thru our bank and had it within 10 days. Did give the guy a $1000 check to hold it for us. This was the same model we had been looking at at la mesa. SO look around there are ways to save $$, but you might have to do a little travel but its worth it in the long run. Also got from the guy, all the towing equipment he had bought, along with all the rv related stuff. Only cost to me was buying base plates for the towed vehicle and the installation of everything less the brake system so less than $1000. again things to consider.

I dont know what they charge for taxes in your area, but they can be substantial and are often why the things cost so much. We know some folks who bought a new rig from a dealer in idaho, actually he paid way too much and then found out it was not what they wanted. Traded it in last year at la mesa took a beating on it and again I think over paid for the class a he got. But its his $$ so have nothing to say since they are now happy with the class a.

but if you do decide to purchase DO NOT act quick to bite. Get a quote, tell em you will think about it and walk away. You can then expect a call from them and then begin negotiations again with what you think you really want to pay. Tell em its going to be however much YOUR bank will authorize, not their financing guy. That is also something to let them know that you will have financing options other than theirs.

bobbyg123 wrote:
For those of you who have purchased used motor homes from a dealer, how much of a discount off of their listed price were you able to negotiate? Is there a source out there that accurately blue books the value of used rigs?

There is no accurate reliable consistent source to determine the price of a specific motorhome other than what it sells for. If you aren't the purchaser, that price no longer matters. (to you) You can find prices for motorhomes in general, but, you are not buying a motorhome in general. YOU are buying ONE, . . . . . . in specific.

With motorhomes, the price can/will vary based on simple things like weather, interest rates, the price/availability of fuel, natural disasters, location, demand, model, size, color, options, condition, current mileage, taxes, economic volatility, supply and demand, wars, etc. (just to name a few)

Figure out what you can afford. (divide that by two) Find the motorhome you want. Do your research. Negotiate a fair price. Drive away. Go have some fun. It's that simple.

Chum lee

Ozlander wrote:
And you get to tell that story every year.

Awe, what a nice post...

Yep, I will happily share my tale when someone asks. It's all true and might just help the OP.
As always... Opinions and YMMV.

:C

And you get to tell that story every year.