Negotiation Process

When selling your used RV, so you offer a copy of your 1040 to the buyers?
So when then should dealers disclose their invoice?

Nomadac wrote:

Effy wrote:

Nomadac wrote:
Rather than how much below MSRP(Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) you should expect to pay for a MH, what percentage of profit above Dealer Invoice do you think a Dealer should make?

If you were a dealer and had an investment of over $500K in your business, and overhead what is a fair profit after all expenses?

Explain.

That's all well and good if you knew invoice. Do you know or have access to these numbers? If not your basis point is MSRP

And what business is it yours to know what invoice is to determine what a seller should make as profit? Do know the invoice for everything you buy? If you owned a business would you want all of your customers to know what your costs or profit was for your business?

I am struggling to figure out what your point actually is. Are you an advocate for dealers? I'm sorry I am not following or you are being a bit obtuse. If any consumer did not do their level best to get the best deal possible, they either have a lot of money or they are irresponsable. no consumer is ever going to know what the dealer profit margin is. I'm sorry I just don't get your point. MSRP and historical data on sales of like models is really the only tangable numbers you have. Are you suggesting we take the dealers point of view into perspective?

Explain.

Nomadac wrote:

Effy wrote:

Nomadac wrote:
Rather than how much below MSRP(Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) you should expect to pay for a MH, what percentage of profit above Dealer Invoice do you think a Dealer should make?

If you were a dealer and had an investment of over $500K in your business, and overhead what is a fair profit after all expenses?

Explain.

That's all well and good if you knew invoice. Do you know or have access to these numbers? If not your basis point is MSRP

And what business is it yours to know what invoice is to determine what a seller should make as profit? Do know the invoice for everything you buy? If you owned a business would you want all of your customers to know what your costs or profit was for your business?

Automotive dealerships have been operating on exactly this model for decades.

Effy wrote:

Nomadac wrote:
Rather than how much below MSRP(Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) you should expect to pay for a MH, what percentage of profit above Dealer Invoice do you think a Dealer should make?

If you were a dealer and had an investment of over $500K in your business, and overhead what is a fair profit after all expenses?

Explain.

That's all well and good if you knew invoice. Do you know or have access to these numbers? If not your basis point is MSRP

And what business is it yours to know what invoice is to determine what a seller should make as profit? Do know the invoice for everything you buy? If you owned a business would you want all of your customers to know what your costs or profit was for your business?

Nomadac wrote:
Rather than how much below MSRP(Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) you should expect to pay for a MH, what percentage of profit above Dealer Invoice do you think a Dealer should make?

If you were a dealer and had an investment of over $500K in your business, and overhead what is a fair profit after all expenses?

Explain.

That's all well and good if you knew invoice. Do you know or have access to these numbers? If not your basis point is MSRP

gat75 wrote:

If I have time, I do somewhat the same thing on just about anything that cost more than several hundred dollars. I paid a 1000.00 less on an american-made Kellar brand dining table with 6 chairs.

First, found all dealers that sold this exact table that was in a 150 mile radius; (got this from Kellar's home page). Then gave each dealer a call, told them I had cash in hand to pick up this table unit. My only question to them is "what is my drive-out price." THEIR QUESTION TO ME WAS WHAT IS THE LOWEST PRICE YOU GOT SO FAR. I just laughed & told them I would give them that info after they gave me their price.

Took about 2 days for DW to get her beloved table; (had about 10 dealers that responded). Not one dealer told me to get lost, after all, they want to move their stock.

And you compare buying a table to buying a Motorhome? I doubt that a Furniture store has the investment or overhead that a RV dealer has to contend with, facility, equipment, Service and Parts operation and inventory, etc. More like apples to oranges.

Rather than how much below MSRP(Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) you should expect to pay for a MH, what percentage of profit above Dealer Invoice do you think a Dealer should make?

If you were a dealer and had an investment of over $500K in your business, and overhead what is a fair profit after all expenses?

Explain your operating a business experience.

I purchased a new Winnebago Vista 35F and the numbers are near to what you are looking at. I purchased the unit new at the end of September, 2011 and it was a 2011 model. The MSRP on the unit was $122,126.00 and I purchased it for $81,216.00, 33% off sticker. I had no trade so this is about as true a figure as you will find for a unit very similar to what you are looking at. The only addition to the out the door prices was sales tax and $35.50 title fee. They really try hard to get you to buy a extended warranty and also a extended tire warranty I did not buy either one. I hope this helps as the figures are accurate as of that date and are not speculation. Since you are in Ohio I'll go as far as telling you where I purchased it, General RV in Canton, Ohio. Keep in mind that if you wait until the new models come out,which are as early as July, the discounts are a little higher. I sold it last summer for $75,000.00 and went back to a Class B. It held it's value pretty well dropping only $6,000.00 in 2 model years, and I accepted the first offer I received, maybe I could have got more out of it but I was satisfied.

Good luck to you,

Nick

Ah the dance. I actually like it. Homework, and due diligence will get you your deal. Shop as many dealers as you can, whiddle down the best prices, check against RV direct or some other whoelsale outfit. One thing that is also a good idea is due diligence on dealers. Do some resrach on the dealers you have narrowed down. Some have downright deplorable reviews and BBB ratings and it's been reflected in after the sale rants on this forum. Not necessarily warranty work, but the entire process. You can get stung with extra fees, dealers who try and keep a deposit if you walk (ask me how I know about that one) dealers who don't pay off trades etc. The deal not only has to meet your budget but should be clean and painless if not enjoyable for everyone. A dealer getting a decent deal also greases the wheels down the road (pardon the double pun). Throw the net wide, whiddle down the deal and the dealer, find a number and a dealer that works, and seal it. At the end of the day a great deal with perks at a reputabale dealer that costs you a few grand (amortitized into a few dollars) might be worth a lot more than a screaming deal from a far away dealer who ends up making it a nightmare. it's not all about the dollar. Figure a range you want to pay on a coach (within a few grand) and pick the best dealer who can make it happen. You WILL need support post sale. most manufacturers make it easier to take it anywhere but a good dealer where you bought it adds a lot of positives if they help the post sale support too.

I never talk money at the dealer. I just ask for their card and tell them that I'm looking at another coach. If they insist, I insist and leave.

I do ALL of my negotiations over email and play dealers off each other. I've been flat out refused before though. :)

Passin Thru wrote:
We chose 3 dealers. We went online and got offers. Over a period of 3 weeks we got them all down about avg 30% with 1 coming out on the bottom. WE then walked in and made an offer, going in at 530 in the evening and taking our To-Go meal with us. We ate a leisurely meal and kept looking at the vehicles. Then we found a sales manager and said we wanted to deal with him. It was 11PM when we left the dealer but we had them pulling their hair out and taking their ties off, mopping their faces. It was funny because I'd say "Let's just go and they would Cow-Tow to us. We had them wash-wax it for free in 6 mo and deliver it to our house. We did this the last day of Feb and they wanted that sale for a slow month. You can scare them if you are solid and don't let them fool you.

Dealers are very good at making you think what you said above is true. It's not their first time at the rodeo with you on the horse. It all worked out for everybody.

MM.