Buy for Dealer or Buy for Model?

ScottG wrote:
My dealer had to go to bat for me on a new roof and major framing rework.
No mobile tech can do that.

BOTH the floorplan and dealership are important.

Scott, You’ve had a new roof put on your ‘18 Silver Fox?

bschmaus wrote:
.... I'm wondering is it better to buy from a local dealer with a good reputation even if it means not getting the model you like most?

How are you going to determine if the dealer has a good reputation? Not an easy task but IMO should be determined. When you first talk to a dealer, they seem like such nice people, the kind of people you'd want to invite over for dinner. But some dealers are inept or incapable of repairing things or botch things up, some refuse to do various warranty work, some are downright fraudulent, etc. I'd could go into detail with our experiences but try so hard to forget...

A bad dealer can turn the best RV out there into a nightmare. I'd travel some distance if needed to get the brand/model I wanted or even if I didn't get the #1 choice on my list. Keep in mind tho. that a local dealer may not be interested in having anything to do with a unit bought elsewhwere.

Looked long and hard to decide which exact motorhome we wanted, THEN looked for a dealer that I could trust and who gave me the lowest price on a special-ordered, pick up at factory (cash deal). But now, things are different. I don't know what I would do.

We bought our new Newmar in one state and never returned to the selling dealer. No issues.

No dealer support for me. Bought an orphan from a dealer almost clear across the country from where I am based. 10 years on & I have needed a mobile repair guy once & that was over a days drive from where I am based.

When things go wrong chances are it will happen when you are on a trip. Fat lot of good is does you when the dealer is hundreds of miles away.

dblr wrote:
Seeing it's a R-Pod I assume it is the Stoltzfus in Adamstown Pa

Yup.

Thanks for the info and great to hear that you've had a good experiences with them.

I find the answers interesting as it seems most people say camper over dealer. I read a long thread yesterday mainly chastising a guy that had bought a camper from Camping World that was having problems after the sale, and saying he should have known better than to buy from them.

I think you really have to look at it from a risk/reward scenario, and also would you take it to the dealer for minor issues, or do it yourself. If there are minor differences in the campers and the dealer is close with a good rep, then I'd get it from him. But you have to be happy with the camper.

I did not buy from Camping World even though they had a camper we really liked because of their reputation. We did buy one that was very similar from a dealer with a good reputation. It paid off when I had to have an emergency window replaced after the second trip. I had another trip in 2 weeks, and they ordered a window and had it installed in 10 days.

bschmaus wrote:

dblr wrote:
Why don't you let us know what brand and floor plan you are looking at and also who the local dealer is

Sure.

I like the forest river r-pod rp-172. The local dealer I've talked to is http://www.stoltzfusrvs.com/. They don't stock the rp-172 so I'd have to order it.

I also like the winnebago micro minnie 1700bh, which https://www.fretzrv.com carries.

Both trailers seem comparable in terms of construction and features. I like the larger bunks in the r-pod and it's smaller and lighter overall. (The wet bath of the r-pod vs full in the minnie doesn't matter much to me.) While I like the r-pod a bit better than the minnie overall, I've preferred my interactions with Fretz to Stoltzfus.

Seeing it's a R-Pod I assume it is the Stoltzfus in Adamstown Pa. I for one have had a great time dealing with them, sales is wonderful, and service has been good there also. who have you spoke with, Lee or Wayne? Anyway I was always treated well there, we ordered a Cedar Creek and everything went as either planned or how they said it would. We would have bought our current unit from them but they did not carry that line. PM me if you have any more questions about them or even the Forest River line as we are FROGS and attend a lot of their rallies. Good luck

dblr wrote:
Why don't you let us know what brand and floor plan you are looking at and also who the local dealer is

Sure.

I like the forest river r-pod rp-172. The local dealer I've talked to is http://www.stoltzfusrvs.com/. They don't stock the rp-172 so I'd have to order it.

I also like the winnebago micro minnie 1700bh, which https://www.fretzrv.com carries.

Both trailers seem comparable in terms of construction and features. I like the larger bunks in the r-pod and it's smaller and lighter overall. (The wet bath of the r-pod vs full in the minnie doesn't matter much to me.) While I like the r-pod a bit better than the minnie overall, I've preferred my interactions with Fretz to Stoltzfus.

Well. What I"d do is find a FLOOR PLAN you like, and make sure you like the rest of the RV, then shop for a dealer to sell it to you.

Not all Dealers carry all models and not all models offer all floor plans.

Suggestion Bath and a half.. I know that extra toilet takes up space you might wish for other stuff.. but Remember how long a minute is depends on which side of the door you are on. Bath and a half means 2 holes, no waiting.