How to negotiate

JNKS2010 wrote:
We are getting ready to purchase our first TT... I have picked out the floor plan and we have a few options for brands... How do we negotiate the best price? What tactics do you use that worked? I've never negotiated a thing in my life! Haha a little help? Some advice?

Start LOW, you can always come up !!!!

From my understanding of reading posts like yours. 20%-30% off asking price is pretty much normal, for LOT units or custom orders.

Don't be shy.

Let's see what everybody else says ?

Haven't you purchased a car and negotiated the price? I don't think an RV is much different. No one pays the full sticker price. The hard part is knowing what to offer, how low to go but you can't really make an offer that is too low because you can always negotiate up but not down. You might start by offering 75% of the list price or even less. It also depend on how popular that RV is, how many they have, time of year, etc. Also, go to NADA values for RV's and look up the value of one like it a 2013 or 14 model for comparison. I wouldn't want to pay thousands more for a new one?

Be prepared to walk away if you don't get your realistic price. There is always another one to look at.

Jayco-noslide wrote:
Haven't you purchased a car and negotiated the price? I don't think an RV is much different. No one pays the full sticker price. The hard part is knowing what to offer, how low to go but you can't really make an offer that is too low because you can always negotiate up but not down. You might start by offering 75% of the list price or even less. It also depend on how popular that RV is, how many they have, time of year, etc. Also, go to NADA values for RV's and look up the value of one like it a 2013 or 14 model for comparison. I wouldn't want to pay thousands more for a new one?

With my job I have employee pricing on new vehicles- never had to negotiate! I haven't seen a used one that I want? They seem to be either beat up or smell funky... I'm leaning towards new.

first, i try to find a "wholesaler" that sells the RV i'm interested in.
i get a quote from them and then use it to shop around.

many shoppers use RVW and RVDirect and companies like them, to get quotes from.
RVDirect is in your area and has actual dealerships.

Do your homework by shopping online. Knowing what floor plan you want, use the Internet to compare the makes. The whole sale places sell allot of units and normally have good reviews. I almost went that way but was able to negotiate with a closer dealership for what I thought was a fair price. Gas was allot higher then and the trip to and from Ohio from Florida did not interest me at the time.

If your purchasing a TT, also shop online for a WDH, and tell your dealer what you found. Take your
time and don't be rushed.

Good luck!

Research the market so you have some idea of the likely price; start LOW; go higher in small increments; and play one dealer off another if similar models are equally appealing. If one dealer has a better reputation for service or is in a more convenient location, factor that in, but sometimes you save by traveling a bit.

It is always best if there is competition for your dollar. Don't tell them how much you want to spend. Don't use them for financing. Tell them that this is your first stop for the day. If they know you're serious, they will not want you to leave without buying. I have had success keeping my offer low and saying that I will now check across the street and see what they have.

But if what you want is custom and only available from this one guy, then they gotcha.

We usually walk away the first round, let them call you back. It sets the message that you are not emotionally attached to it and are willing to walk away.

Keep saying no until they get to a price you can accept! I ALWAYS have told the salesman (whether automobile or RV) that I will not negotiate and that I expect them to give me their best price right away. They never listen. Actually walked away from one RV dealer who promised to do as I asked and then, a day later (and again a day after that!) presented better deals for the same RV. Does no good to demand a 'bottom line' price - they never listen to the demand. Most dealers want the deal - need to deal - and the longer you can hold out the better you will do. Be prepared as we were to just walk away if what you have decided to be a fair deal doesn't happen. There's always another dealer and another, sometimes even better, RV to be found. Whatever you do, don't "NEED" anything! The less excited you are the more likely the dealership is to accommodate your requests. Don't settle! Demand in a gracious manner - and ask for extras (air conditioner, awning, etc.) to seal the deal.