? 3 Purchasing Questions

1. You probably can't know, and no way to verify.
2. Probably not much difference.
3. The dealer will make their money no matter what. You might be able to get them to knock off the fees, but they won't come down as much on the price of the vehicle. They're entitled to make a profit.

In the end, what you're after is the "out the door" number. I doesn't matter to me if they charge $1000 for the trailer and $19,000 in fees, or $19,000 for the trailer and $1000 in fees. In the end, it is still $20k. If you're happy with the that number, then buy it. If not, haggle more or walk away.

Dealer tells us all discounts and rebates are applied to the price. How can I tell that's a true statement? Is there any way to verify I'm getting every penny of every discount and rebate (assuming there are any and dealer not blowing smoke)?

The only way I am aware of is to comparison shop a couple dealers for the same make and model and out the door pricing.

Is it better - is there any difference? - to buy at a show or at the dealership location. We already know what we want, so this won't be an impulse purchase at a show. Unless we get a price we can't refuse.

Some say yes, some say no. Refer to number 1 above.

Do dealers tack on additional fees (dealer prep, paperwork filing, etc) above and beyond the agreed purchase price? Our last truck purchase we walked away from the first two agreements because of this...nothing but pure profit in the dealer's pocket.

Depends on the dealer. Again refer to number 1. There is not a lot of transparency as there is with automobiles. You really have to do your research.

People typically claim 30% off is a good deal. Of course 30% of of what is the big question. Generally speaking you cannget as good or better deals after the show. As rick already mentioned its up to you. If you feel its a good deal and it is absolutely what you want, buy it. Otherwise, tell him whwn he is really to deal to give you a call.

rdhetrick wrote:
1. You probably can't know, and no way to verify.
2. Probably not much difference.
3. The dealer will make their money no matter what. You might be able to get them to knock off the fees, but they won't come down as much on the price of the vehicle. They're entitled to make a profit.

In the end, what you're after is the "out the door" number. I doesn't matter to me if they charge $1000 for the trailer and $19,000 in fees, or $19,000 for the trailer and $1000 in fees. In the end, it is still $20k. If you're happy with the that number, then buy it. If not, haggle more or walk away.

X2

Always amazes me how some expect the bottom dollar price and concerned about the dealer making money. They are a business in it to make money and as you said, are you happy with the price? That's all that matters.

My thinking is a Dlr. isn't going to let a legitimate buyer walk away. You can always make an offer-they can accept or refuse or counter with another offer as you can, as well. Their bigger profit is in financing or extra warranties. Also, if you have shopped around-let them know another Dlr. will sell at a lower price. If you finance suggest a lower interest rate than what there're asking or let them know you will get your own financing. Be sure to check out Dlr. Service Dept. rates and what you are entitled to using their Service. Last year I bought a used 2017 Class C from a Dlr. They were asking 68K-I offered 48K-we ended up 52k and a free service warranty for 5 years, from that Dlr. and 1 3/4% off their suggested finance rate.

These questions are why I only negotiate the out-the-door price. As was said, for me the bottom line is what do I have to pay. I don't care where the numbers fall, especially if you don't try to include a trade in the deal (in some states, the trade value will reduce the amount of sales tax). People get caught up in the fees as pure profit for the dealer, but the dealer is going to make money on the deal or they aren't going to do the deal except in the very rare instance they need to move a particular unit for some reason. People mistakenly treat large purchases as a personal issue when they need to be treated as a business deal. When I work with a dealer on something, I have my "I will not pay more than this" number and if we can't get to that number, I walk and find someone who will get to that number. As long as you are realistic with your number, you will most likely find someone willing to work with you. If you offer a dealer 20K for 60K unit, you probably aren't going to be successful.

I have a friend who will spend all day arguing with a dealer over a $200 dollar difference on a 50K vehicle. My time is more valuable to me than that. If my "I won't pay more than this" number is $200 less, I'm not going to spend time arguing, I'll just let them know that when they are ready to sell for my number give me a call and walk. In only one case, have I made it off of the property. They called that night...

Good luck with your purchase. Get a price you are happy with and move on or move on to another dealer.

look the rv up on different sites find what its selling for. if your happy with the out the door price ?thats what matters and yes all dealers tell fip,s to help sell there rv,s p.s. don,t buy a extended werrenty. if you know a friend thata has a rv might want to talk to them. and NO DEAL is so good you can,t wait a day to make your deal.

rdhetrick wrote:
...In the end, what you're after is the "out the door" number. I doesn't matter to me if they charge $1000 for the trailer and $19,000 in fees, or $19,000 for the trailer and $1000 in fees. In the end, it is still $20k. If you're happy with the that number, then buy it. If not, haggle more or walk away.

that’s precisely how we’ve always bought all of our vehicles.

rk911 wrote:

rdhetrick wrote:
...In the end, what you're after is the "out the door" number. I doesn't matter to me if they charge $1000 for the trailer and $19,000 in fees, or $19,000 for the trailer and $1000 in fees. In the end, it is still $20k. If you're happy with the that number, then buy it. If not, haggle more or walk away.

that’s precisely how we’ve always bought all of our vehicles.

Same here.

How can you tell.... Well how does that song go... My Mamma TOld me.. To Do the Shop around.

Even if the dealer is telling the truth. another dealer may be offering better discount.