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opnyn8d's avatar
opnyn8d
Explorer
Mar 09, 2020

Am I being greedy?

We just traded in our class A on a new class B. The upholstery in the old rig is doing the usual flaking everyone seems to suffer. I understand it cannot be sold like that. The dealer asked if I could help defray the cost of fixing the upholstery problem, and I agreed. However, since the A had brand new tires and battery, and a lot of things I added and can't use for the B, I thought the few grand he didn't have to spend on those things would offset some of the upholstery cost. I was under the impression we were splitting the cost of replacing it. Then after we did the walkthrough he asked for the entire $2500 from us with him sharing none of the cost. This is money we cannot afford, and will make for a tight budget for awhile. Was I expecting too much for them to share the cost? What if I had presented it with decent ultraleather, but 7 year old tires that needed replaced? Would I have had to pay for those? I spent several thousand on new stuff right before we traded it. Oh well, we like the new RV anyhow, and in a few years we won't be noticing the extra cost. Oh, we did pay typical price for the new one, not a huge discount, so they weren't missing out on a profit even if they had shared the cost.
  • Regardless of how warm and cozy the dealer made you feel before you traded, he is not your friend. It was his responsibility to do an inspection before giving you a trade difference price. If the situation was reversed, how cooperative would you expect the dealer to be? I hope you haven't given him that $2500.
  • I spent my career for many decades as a new car dealer. What you are describing is ridiculous unless it is a part of the written agreement involving the transaction. If not, and you have already taken delivery of the new unit and given the dealer the trade...you are done. You owe him nothing after the fact! He is the dealer and the expert here. It is his responsibility to inspect the trade and to evaluate it before the transaction is consummated. It was not something that was hidden and was in clear sight.

    If your responsibility was listed in the buyers agreement originally, it is a whole different story and both parties made a clear mistake. The time for an agreement is before the papers are signed.
  • Exactly the opposite, I think it is the dealer that is being greedy and trying to take advantage of you. I wouldn't feel an obligation to pay anything. They had the opportunity and presumably did inspect your trade prior to agreeing to the deal. It isn't like you hid the condition of the upholstery from them.

    However, if you feel like you agreed to help out, I would cite the new tires/battery and tell them you will give them $500. Unless you agreed to a specific amount in the contract, you have no obligation for a minimum amount. For me, it would be a take it or leave it kind of offer.
  • He's not going to fix it, he will pocket the money because he thinks he won't get full value when he re-sells it.

    He'll tell the buyer he will knock off $2500 for the upholstery replacement.
  • Seems mighty odd to me that when you traded your old RV in for a new one, the dealer asked you to help pay to fix up the old one one.
    I never would have agreed to a deal like that.

    Guy