Closing the deal

Poptup wrote:
So, we went to the dealer and checked out the unit we wanted, they did an appraisal of our's sight unseen. We disclosed any issues that we are aware of and they gave us a value based on the assumption that they just send it to auction.

I'm hearing of more and more dealers doing this. They take the low NADA figure, give you 70 to 75% of that figure.

Yes, your old trailer is likely worth more than that in a private sale.

But for the sake of convenience, you agree to the lower trade-in value, and the dealer really has almost no risk. If you can tow it in, they can likely get that much or more at auction.

Poptup wrote:
We completed all paperwork and scheduled pick up and delivery for this weekend. I can't help but worry that they'll try and pull a fast one..
But, we already signed the contracts...
And they're a reputable dealer.
Am I goofy for thinking this way?

Don't confuse the way car dealers work with the way RV dealers work.

There are a lot of the same issues with salesmen and finance people, however, the RV dealer has a lot less risk of financial loss than the car dealer.

Between the money the RV dealer makes off the new rig, the money made off financing, and the low risk of the value they allowed for your used unit - their profit margin is covered.

If they try to change something - just walk away.

There is another dealer out there with the same unit or a near identical one available.

For units in the price range of yours - the numbers are pretty fixed.

Things get more complicated with more expensive rigs. There was a thread on here recently about a fellow who had taken delivery of a big RV, only to have the dealer come back and say there was a mistake and the price was listed on the paperwork was wrong by several thousand dollars. Both the dealer and the new owner said the price on the paperwork was far below the numbers quoted in the dicussions.

After much debate, the company ended up taking the rig back - because even though the new owner had a contract - it wasn't worth the costs of fighting the thing in court.

Yes, we know the dealer name. Send me a PM if you want to know.