How Much is Local Dealer Worth in Purchase Price?

Thanks for all of the great (and fast!) replies! I'm on-board with adding the cost of round-trip fuel to get the trailer to the local price, with a slight bump up to support local business. But $1200 is much more than would be worth it. (Round-trip fuel costs would be $175 tops.)

IMO, local dealer is worth just a little bit more than whatever the gas and time expense would be to go buy it from the cheaper dealer.

Using our own TT purchase as an example, we found the exact same model our local dealer had for 3K less at a wholesaler half way across the country - so easily 700 in fuel to go get it and a couple off days off I didn't want to spend on just going to get our new TT. To me, it was easily worth paying 1500 or 2k more than the cheap far away deal just to save the gas / hassle. I showed the wholesalers quote to the local guy and we renegotiated down 2K -- not worth 1K to drive half way across the country.

Now, if it where only a few hours / dollars in gas difference, then sure, I drive a little to save more.

One thing I have learned is that any decent dealer will treat you right for service and warranty - whether you buy a unit from them or not.

I bought new 1 1/2 years ago. I took basically no problems to them (no walk through) in return for a lower price. The warranty was virtually useless as well, since it would involve hours of driving to the nearest dealer, vs just fixing it yourself.

I've never gotten, or sought, much warranty consideration, my whole life, other than ordering something and getting the wrong item exchanged for the right item, or a broken item arriving. Warranties seem to run out before the normal life expectancy of anything, and are fraught with exclusions, so I always make price a consideration over warranty. Like you, I always offer the closest dealer a fair offer, based on what the market will sell it for. $1200 seems like too much of a difference.

My experience is that warranty work on an RV is hard to redeem, since you're traveling, and it would disrupt your vacation to take it in hours away, etc. I also bought a new trailer once, had it delivered, arrived with broken window. I simply asked for a replacement window that I would replace myself, they never did anything. Same with my recent motorhome. Cracked fridge vent from delivery trip hitting a branch. Nope, that's not covered! Easy to fix, so I cut my losses, despite showing them photos of the damage.

This forum is a very broad swath of good people, and I have seen many, many opinions that would counter what I just said. They would have the necessary patience and skills to pursue their legal rights and maybe get things done that I would just 'write off' and fix myself. So, it's really up to you.

Lower purchase price= lower sales tax and lower insurance cost, and lower property tax if you're unlucky enough to be taxed annually on the RV. I say learn all you can about maintenance and the various systems onboard, and take it to the closest dealer for catastrophic warranty work (unlikely).

Load all the component manuals onto one of your electronic devices, and you'll be way ahead, either way, since you will be able to troubleshoot many problems that some might take to the dealer.

We got the last 3 out of state, the last one about 800 miles away. I know a lot of people with TTs and not one ever broke down at home so what good is your local dealer when your away from home?

I would show him the cost of the other trailer..many tell him if they meet it or beat it (that's up to you) you will buy it... At that point, Offer a hand shake, that shows him your ready to make the deal.. If they know your ready and serious , they will /should meet your number....