Buying in the winter

We decided we were going to buy a travel trailer in Novmeber last year, we did our home work and found the unit we wanted, did alot of surfing and found a price, we went to the local dealer and he showed us 3 different units, one of them we were even aware of it, sat down and talked price, now this is in December the kid quoted us list price on the unit, we walked out of the dealership, went home and sent about 7 emails to other dealers, 4 of them never even replied back to us, one dealer that is 2 1/2 hours away shot us a price that was close to 3K cheaper than our local dealer, we were very interested, about 2 days later received another email from same dealer and if we were to order the unit before the end of 2012 he would knock another $500 off the price, deposit check went out in the mail the next day, we saved over $3200 by not buying it from our local dealer, after all the paper work was signed I sent my local dealer an email basically telling him I wanted to spend my $$$ locally but he didn't want to sell me the travel trailer, that same trailer was still sitting on the lot 6 months later

We factory ordered our 2002 Class C at the end of January, and it was delivered at the first part of March. Part of the deal was that the dealer would do the de-winterization when things warmed up - about a month later, up here in Maine. We found and bought our current rig on a February day with the temp about 10 F. Same deal - dealer de-winterized at the end of March and we did the full systems check (all sat.) at that time. Short answer - go for it !

Buying anything off season is a good buy. Boats, motorcycles, sportscars and so on. An RV is no exception.

What I have learned is the off-season market from private party's is smaller. IE: not very many boats posted this time of year on craigslist.

Maybe ask the dealer to apply any upcoming show incentives to your purchase. Can't hurt to ask. Or, if you buy it and can't store it, perhaps negotiate winter storage into the deal, or maybe ask them for de-winterizing, etc if you have to make a trip back to get it in the spring. Lots of ways to work a deal.

We bought ours the end of October, and struck a wonderful deal - made the mistake of falling in love with a unit way above our self-imposed budget. When we got the price we basically said, "it is certainly worth that, but about 8K over our budget". Several weeks later they contacted me and offered it for 500 over our budget - sold! It came out to 39% below MSRP

So yes, winter is a wonderful time to deal.

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:
This is just an opinion - because I certainly don't live in a snow covered state

But I would think dealers will make better deals to move a few units in the winter than in the spring when a lot of people are thinking about RVs.

They have to move X number of units to keep the doors open, keep their staff productive.

I could be wrong - but that's my opinion.

After buying in summer peak season, in the future I will only buy in the winter.

If it is in your driveway, you can do a lot of "making it yours" during the rest of the winter.
You might ask for an extended warranty for a few months also.

We bought our 2009 Class C motorhome in November and our current 2014 Class A the end of November, both here in Michigan. I was very pleased with the deals we made on both and indefinitely think I made a better deal by purchasing when I did. Particularly on the 2009 due to market conditions at the time.
With the Class A we just purchased, we had it fully re-winterized after doing a full pre-delivery inspection and then drove it home where it is sitting in our driveway until spring. We then re-checked it fully before driving it off the lot.
I have full confidence that you can make an excellent deal now.
Do your research on the particular unit you want. Research what they have recently been actually selling for in our area. Then I would offer 5% below that. Offer it in person if possible. Dealers hate to have you walk out. Make your offer, make it in a confident manner. Be prepared to go ahead and walk out. If they don't accept your offer and allow you to walk; they will call you.
Our dealer didn't let me walk out.
I held firm to both my offer on the new unit, and what I wanted for our trade-in. I was there for 2 hours. I walked out with the deal made at my original offer.
I think you can make it happen. To us, it was worth having it in our driveway, versus there lot for the next few months. Good luck.

Please realize you are NOT dealing with CW directly. IF IRC Camping World sales outlets are franchised independent operators so you get no great benefit from dealing with them.

But if you are not leery of dealing with an unknown entity who may or may not be reliable go for it. Just do not expect Camping World to back up any verbal assurance from the dealer. GET IT ALL IN WRITING accept nothing less than a fully functional unit BEFORE you take it off the lot or sign the final papers. Make sure everything is working before you leave even it it means cooling your heels at the dealer for a few hours before leaving with the unit. Until they get your money you are in control. After they have your money you are at their mercy.
Take the time to get a fully functional unit before leaving so we do not have to read another post from you about how you are being jerked around about warranty work. There are to many posts involving many dealers including Camping World on the subject.

REMEMBER NO VERBAL PROMISES! Perfect rig before you sign final papers and/or give dealer the money.

The dealer IS NOT your friend he is out to get the most money he can with the least amount of work. MAKE HIM EARN HIS MONEY

I ordered my current unit in late December. I let them know I was a serious buyer prepared to pull the trigger if the price was right. The dealer was very eager to deal. I got a very competitive price and a great trade in offer.
I think the cold weather off season strategy definitely work for me. The dealer was eager to have some cash flow. My unit was special ordered so the dealer did not have to inventory my unit very long. I got a great deal (I think LOL) and the dealer got a winter time sale. It was a win for both of us.

I don't think winter RV shopping is for everyone. You must know what you want and not have many questions. It can be hard to window shop and tour units during the winter. However if you have already done your homework and know exactly what you want. Dealers are more eager/hungry for sales during the off months.