In reading several threads here lately,I have seen that folks are paying anywhere from $100 to $900 for a PDI. I'm wondering why. Hey,isn't that the inspection where they take you thru your unit,trailer or MH, to find what may be wrong with it and to show you the systems in it. That should be part of the sale, not an extra.I bought a used 8" Starcraft P/u from a private party and had to do everything myself as she hadn't even brought it home herself and had a neighbor set it up so she could sell it.We bought a new 14' Coachman p/u and they took it down and we set it up again and went all thru it and they even compted a sway bar for the Jeep Cherokee.The next two TTs,'99 27' Wilderness and an '05 32' Cougar 304 BHS, were both new and had full walk thrus. The Cougar had two missing jacks,several loose cabinet doors,incomplete hookup of the black water tank rinser,loose awning and everything was taken care of in a very short time. Thanks Foley RV. The dealer that sold me the used Tradewinds,took us all thru it and that was also a couple of hours. All of these were free.

No way would I ever pay anything for a PDI. That's a walking point as far as I'm concerned.

Jon, nothing is free but if a dealer can convince a inexperienced buyer a PDI fee is part of the package then I guess that is part of the current sales lack of integrity. :S

Poulsbo RV tried to get me to pay for a PDI 15 years ago... didn't happen

Mfg. pays dealership for the PDIStealership trys to get paid for PDI by buyersSome dealerships actually go thru RV and get it ready.........majority don't and wait to see what buyer catches and then actually wants fixed.Unfortunately good dealerships with upfront sales approach and follow thru after the sale are few and far in between.

It seems like a common practice with most dealers where I live. Some charge PDI, freight and admin. It drives me crazy! One dealer we went to gave us what I thought was a good price. When I asked if there were any extra charges they wanted to add thousands for PDI, freight and admin.When I negotiate a deal all I want to know is the price before taxes and registration. If the price is reasonable I do the deal. I don't like the game some dealers play. Advertise a low price then try to add hundreds or sometimes thousands to the price.

PDI charges | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

rugermark2
Explorer
Oct 15, 2014
The last trailer I bought they never even tried to charge for the PDI. When we did the PDI the salesman had a technician with him to fix all the things that were wrong. I wish most dealers would look at a PDI as a chance for good customer service not a profit point.
chuggs
Explorer
Oct 15, 2014
I think I paid less than $200... Included title, temp. Tag, PDI, 3x full propane bottles, starter kit, battery...and 10% discount at the company store.

We arrived to find our new RV with a/c running, lights, music...and spotless!

After the PDI, we moved in for the night on the lot...next morning the technician came over to answer any concerns...and check our hitch geometry before we left.

We got to see them prep another RV for the next days deliveries. They had a housekeeping cart roll over. They hooked the RV up to power pedestal...went thru everything, cleaned things up...and left it ready for the next days PDI.
grampscamper
Explorer
Oct 15, 2014
beemerphile1 wrote:

Whether it is added to the contract as a line item or it is included in the price, the buyer pays for it either way. It is only the final out-the-door price that matters.

I agree. I just don't like the practice of advertising a low price to get you in then trying to add hundreds or thousands to the price.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Oct 15, 2014
PDI is what car dealers call prep, it is done by a service technician before the buyer arrives to pick up the RV. What the service tech or salesman does with the buyer is a walk-thru.

Whether it is added to the contract as a line item or it is included in the price, the buyer pays for it either way. It is only the final out-the-door price that matters.

A dealer can use things such as PDI and title fees as a line item in order to keep the advertised price lower. Like I said, it is only the out-the-door price that matters.
grampscamper
Explorer
Oct 15, 2014
It seems like a common practice with most dealers where I live. Some charge PDI, freight and admin. It drives me crazy! One dealer we went to gave us what I thought was a good price. When I asked if there were any extra charges they wanted to add thousands for PDI, freight and admin.
When I negotiate a deal all I want to know is the price before taxes and registration. If the price is reasonable I do the deal. I don't like the game some dealers play. Advertise a low price then try to add hundreds or sometimes thousands to the price.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 15, 2014
Mfg. pays dealership for the PDI

Stealership trys to get paid for PDI by buyers

Some dealerships actually go thru RV and get it ready.........majority don't and wait to see what buyer catches and then actually wants fixed.

Unfortunately good dealerships with upfront sales approach and follow thru after the sale are few and far in between.
n7bsn
Explorer
Oct 15, 2014
Poulsbo RV tried to get me to pay for a PDI 15 years ago... didn't happen
Dick_A
Explorer
Oct 15, 2014
Jon, nothing is free but if a dealer can convince a inexperienced buyer a PDI fee is part of the package then I guess that is part of the current sales lack of integrity. :S
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Oct 15, 2014
No way would I ever pay anything for a PDI. That's a walking point as far as I'm concerned.

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PDI charges

19 Replies

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