RV dealers and MSRP above RV maker prices?

Retail stores do the same thing, some worse than others. One of the worst offenders, Kohls, follows this business model. Price tag is so high no one would pay it, they then "mark it down 40-60% for a great deal!!! I personally hate this business model.

mlts22 wrote:

Is that just a sign that they want you (as in the customer) to take your business elsewhere, or are they assuming you will buy local due to the fact that only the selling dealership tends to honor warranty service?

It is not a fact that "only the selling dealership tends to honor warranty service".

I bought my 2012 Heartland Sundance from an internet sales dealer in
Elkhart, IN. I have had several warranty items taken care of by a local independent RV service company here in WY. Other than the IN. dealer, my unit has never be in to a RV dealership service center.
It is a myth that only Dealers that you purchased from will do warranty service, but dealers want that myth to continue so buyers will purchase from them.

I saved close to $10,000 minus $1500 I spent to go get it.

Just the way it works no matter if it's a car, boat or RV. Since many don't do the research dealers make a bundle inflating their prices, supposedly delivering the deal of a lifetime, at least that is what many customers think. With a trade-in they can manipulate pricing further making money on both ends, either way whatever amazing deal you think you got, they made their profit margin and then some. Oh well, if you want to play you have to pay.

Before you condemn the dealer to hades, be sure you have followed all the permutations regarding all the options on the rig. For example, on my motorhome, the in motion satellite system showed an option msrp of $1575.00, but to get that option you had to buy the Automatic satellite system for $2750.00, making the net msrp for In Motion satellite $4325. It would be real easy to just take the $1575 and add it to your list and skip the $2750 if you were spec'ing it out on your own.
Also, you need to check the MSRP line by line to be sure each rig is EXACTLY the same. Personally, I have never encountered a dealer that screwed with the actual MSRP from the manufacturer. There is plenty of markup in that price for any dealer. They will, however add a bunch of "stuff" at the dealership you probably want to avoid, like paint protection packages, and they may even add a few things you might want like a bundle of accessories such as hoses, leveling blocks, adapters and the like.

its a practice employed by all too many manufactures .... as others have noted it allows dealers to maximize their profits .... I prefer to deal with a manufacture that allows you to go to there website and spec out a trailer where they will provide you with a copy of the window sticker for that camper .... Jayco is an example of such a manufacture .... when a customer realizes the games designed to separate them from their money begin even before a decision is made, its time to move on to a more reputable company

Jim

Sales man

No different than automobile dealers marking up the MSRP on cars. You'd be surprised how many people get taken for a ride (pun intended).

The higher they mark up the MSRP, the more of a 'discount' they can give the customer.

The customer will feel they're getting a great deal, but they're actually getting ripped off.

The dealers are out to make as much money as possible. They have bills and overhead just like any business.

MANY companies have done that for years......maybe their building/land costs more than in other areas.

too make it look great to people that don,t know,, there prices are inflated to the sky.