Pricing on used rv...bargaining etc
Okay going to be upsizing to a small class A and bought last one (class C from private individual). If their dealer sticker "sale: price is $94,999....what should I offer? The young newbie sales pe...
Forum Discussion
RetiredRealtorRick wrote:
Keep in mind that this is a USED unit, not a new one. All dealers pay the same price for new units, so the markup is pretty much identical.
When it comes to used units, however, you have no way of knowing what that dealer paid for that unit. He may have gotten a killer deal on it, or, he may have stepped up to the pump and paid a premium for it just to have it in his inventory.
Don't worry about how much a dealer makes on a unit, or how much a salesperson makes. None of your (our) business. Are you concerned about how much your doctor, or plumber, or grocer make?
Just pay what you feel is fair to you, no more and no less. Factor in how many of the exact type of unit you are interested in are available within a reasonable distance of you, and buy accordingly.
The dealer is unlikely to care what they paid for it. That's more the mindset of a FSBO deal. Owners are emotionally invested and often have no clue what the real market value is. So if they bought for $X, they expect some percentage of $X.
A dealer on the other hand is most likely going to look at the market value for what people are paying for similar units:
- If the market value is $50k and they bought it for $30k, don't expect to buy it for $35k. They are going to be selling it for pretty close to $50k.
- Likewise, if he sweetened the deal offering $60k trade-in to get the sale on a new $500k diesel pusher, the dealer is unlikely to push really hard for $65k, so he can claim a profit on the flip as the unit will be overpriced and sit on the lot forever.
I do agree, the profit the dealer makes is irrelevant to the buyer. The dealer has the option not to sell if your offer is too low. If they aren't budging on price and you have made similar offers to 2-3 dealers on similar units, you are probably too low and need to decide if you are happy to make higher offers.
Better to start lower than you want to pay. If the dealer would be happy with $50k and you offer $60k, they will jump on it and it's too late to lower your price. They are dealers, so if they get offended, assume it's a ploy.
