Tips on buying new
For those of you contemplating buying a new travel trailer from a long distance dealer, say in the very north of Indiana where most are manufactured, allow me to give you some tips that I learnt the hard way from experience.
#1 Do not plan your purchase in early spring. It is very cold and you will be distracted from thoroughly checking out the available models by trying to keep warm. Late spring or early fall are probably the best times.
#2 If you do decide to buy from one of these remote dealers, who do offer extremely good deals on price, and you are prepared to pick it up yourself, allow several days stay in one of the local RV parks to thoroughly check out your new investment. Dealers local to you are reluctant to deal with any complaints you may have, and 300 miles is a long way to travel to rectify a problem. Don't get me wrong, the dealer from whom we purchased our unit was happy to rectify our problem(s). It was just a hassle that we had to make that detour on our way to Montreal.
#3 Think about this. The remote dealer may price the same unit $2,000 or $3,000 dollar below the local dealer, but if you factor in cost of delivery (approximately $500), the fuel cost and RV resort expenses you will incurr, against the convenience of having local support when you need it, it may well be worth trying to negotiate some middle ground on price with the local dealer. After all, he or she is likely to get your service business for years to come.
And don't forget, the dealers are very much like car dealerships. They want to sell you a camper and will negotiate to get your business, but they will take as much as they can get.
#1 Do not plan your purchase in early spring. It is very cold and you will be distracted from thoroughly checking out the available models by trying to keep warm. Late spring or early fall are probably the best times.
#2 If you do decide to buy from one of these remote dealers, who do offer extremely good deals on price, and you are prepared to pick it up yourself, allow several days stay in one of the local RV parks to thoroughly check out your new investment. Dealers local to you are reluctant to deal with any complaints you may have, and 300 miles is a long way to travel to rectify a problem. Don't get me wrong, the dealer from whom we purchased our unit was happy to rectify our problem(s). It was just a hassle that we had to make that detour on our way to Montreal.
#3 Think about this. The remote dealer may price the same unit $2,000 or $3,000 dollar below the local dealer, but if you factor in cost of delivery (approximately $500), the fuel cost and RV resort expenses you will incurr, against the convenience of having local support when you need it, it may well be worth trying to negotiate some middle ground on price with the local dealer. After all, he or she is likely to get your service business for years to come.
And don't forget, the dealers are very much like car dealerships. They want to sell you a camper and will negotiate to get your business, but they will take as much as they can get.
