We have been searching for an upgrade, and found 2 dealers one local and one who was not, they were close in price and I didn't have to drive my trade to another state, we got an emailed price, I accepted it and put a deposit down,and they have started the title process, now the out of state dealer sent me a price lower by 4000 dollars. AM I legally binded to the local dealers or can I back out, and go with the out of state dealer?

Where do you want your service work done? At at least a buck a mile, and maybe a day or two there and back, is it worth it? But, if you have the same thing exactly, you might try to renegotiate. If they value your business, you might work it into something mutually agreeable. Your best hope might be some options or upgrades. That way, they are not just losing the $3000. You are getting goodies and they are selling you goodies they paid less on.

Artum Snowbird wrote:Where do you want your service work done? At at least a buck a mile, and maybe a day or two there and back, is it worth it? But, if you have the same thing exactly, you might try to renegotiate. If they value your business, you might work it into something mutually agreeable. Your best hope might be some options or upgrades. That way, they are not just losing the $3000. You are getting goodies and they are selling you goodies they paid less on.The out of state dealer claims to work with warrenty centers throughout the US, but the local dealer has (worked into their price i am sure) a lifetime warrenty on all appliances (Fridge, AC, Heat, stove).

They haven't started any title process, if they won't refund your payment just dispute the CC charge.

A lot depends on the conditions of the deposit. If you have in writing the terms of the deposit, check to see if it is listed as non-refundable. How long has it been, you may be during a cooling-off period where you can cancel without penalty.And of course as Artum Snowbird suggested you may try to work out a better deal with the local dealer.

Don't ask me, ask the dealer you signed a contract with. It is their choice if they let you out of the contract or not.Don't you expect the dealer to be bound by the contract? What if they wanted to back out of the deal?

Can you back out once you place a deposit ....guidance?

43 Replies

Bobbo
Explorer II
Nov 22, 2017
So far, I think the best response was to ask what you would do if the dealer called you and said they had an offer for $4,000 more on that trailer, then asked if you wanted to pay the extra $4,000 or lose the deal.

Exact same scenario with the positions switched.
frisbeekev
Explorer
Nov 22, 2017
Bumpyroad wrote:
I'd still like to know HOW MUCH WAS THE DEPOSIT?

I see a big difference between a deal for a unit on the lot already and one that has to be special ordered, etc. for one on the lot I would deposit about $100. on a special order that is not the usual lot run I would expect the dealer to demand a larger deposit.
bumpy

The deposit was 500 dollars. They just got it on the lot.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Nov 21, 2017
I'd still like to know HOW MUCH WAS THE DEPOSIT?

I see a big difference between a deal for a unit on the lot already and one that has to be special ordered, etc. for one on the lot I would deposit about $100. on a special order that is not the usual lot run I would expect the dealer to demand a larger deposit.
bumpy
Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Nov 21, 2017
SoundGuy wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
A dealer LOVES money. Once they get yours, that is quickly forgotten as they look for the next MONEY.

Contrary to popular theory constantly promoted here on the forums by pundits there are plenty of dealers around who will bend over backwards to solve any issues you may have with your rig ... the key is to find the right dealer. ;)

I agree, but they happen to be few and far between, and the ratio of good to bad seems to be getting lower due to the trend of mega dealers, who typically could care less once you sign on the dotted line when it comes to after the sale "service and support"

A good example is the RV market here in western PA. There have always been a limited number of RV dealers in a 70 mile radius. In 2015 Campers Inn acquired one, Camping World just acquired another. Neither were the greatest to begin with, One was Clems RV NW of the city, the latest Coopers RV , but I can tell you from first hand experience Campers Inn is the bottom of the barrel which is where we purchased our current trailer, and everyone knows Camping Worlds reputation. If they end up being 1% better than the Harrisburg PA CW location, formerly Grumbine's, that will be a massive improvement. I can say that as I attempted to purchase at both Coopers and Harrisburg PA Camping World and it was not much fun trying to spend money at either.

Ironically a local mom and pop dealer which is 2nd generation owned and is 5 miles from home, is probably the best dealer around by a wide margin from both the sales and service prospective, Brooks Camper Sales. I have known the current 2nd generation owner since grade school. Unfortunately he does not or has not carried the brand or type/size we were interested in for our last two purchases. He has however helped us out even though he was not the selling dealer with some warranty issues, despite not carrying the specific brand.

Good dealers are out there, but good luck finding one and usually you'll be going a fair distance from home to find them.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Nov 21, 2017
Huntindog wrote:
A dealer LOVES money. Once they get yours, that is quickly forgotten as they look for the next MONEY.

Contrary to popular theory constantly promoted here on the forums by pundits there are plenty of dealers around who will bend over backwards to solve any issues you may have with your rig ... the key is to find the right dealer. ;)
Huntindog
Explorer
Nov 21, 2017
path1 wrote:
SoundGuy wrote:
spoon059 wrote:
Your local RV dealer has no obligation to service a trailer that was purchased elsewhere, even if they sell the same brand. Most dealerships seem to be loyal to their customers and would make someone else wait for warranty work.

Huntindog wrote:
I once had a problem with an awning. The company said they had a 2 month backlog.
I needed it done in a few days. I offered to pay more to get it done while I waited.
For an extra 20.00, it was done in a couple of hours! That was a bargain in my book.

Money ALWAYS talks. Keep the money now, and worry about service you may never need, if that day comes.

Nope, not ALWAYS. :R The only always in my local dealer's book is he will ALWAYS put his own customers first ahead of anyone else and during the busy season from May through to the end of October that means anyone else will either be declined service entirely because there simply is no more service time to sell or they'll be waiting weeks or months. The only exception is for those with a travel ending emergency issue who are traveling through the area and who have warranty / extended warranty coverage. Otherwise, no way, no how will his service manager bump any of his own customers, at any time - not for $20, not for $200, not for $2000. To suggest this ALWAYS happens is entirely misleading as ethical dealers everywhere will operate in the same manner.

Sad story. A couple just retired with a brand new Lance, I mean new as in they just bought it in Michigan and traveled to AZ. They had a water pipe break. They took it to a Lance dealer in AZ and were told "2 week waiting list and that is after they get OK from Lance".

They called their dealer where they bought it from in Michigan and was told again, "sure bring it in and we'll fix it for you, of course that is after we get OK from Lance." Called couple mobile guys, they didn't want to be responsible for damage to interior that would have to be destroyed when removing. And dealer didn't have new woodwork to match.
Couple of us tried to fix their water pipe but to fix had to take out to much woodwork and stuff to get to it. So they left back to Michigan. Of course every brand has it horror stories I guess but Sort of sad how the public gets treated sometimes.
This sad story actually makes my point. Never ever pay upfront (in the purchase price) for service you may or may not need down the road. If you have MONEY, you have power. Once you hand over the money, you lose the power.

A dealer LOVES money. Once they get yours, that is quickly forgotten as they look for the next MONEY.

Save the money upfront. you can ten use it when or if it is needed.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Nov 21, 2017
path1 wrote:
Sad story. A couple just retired with a brand new Lance, I mean new as in they just bought it in Michigan and traveled to AZ. They had a water pipe break. They took it to a Lance dealer in AZ and were told "2 week waiting list and that is after they get OK from Lance".

They called their dealer where they bought it from in Michigan and was told again, "sure bring it in and we'll fix it for you, of course that is after we get OK from Lance." Called couple mobile guys, they didn't want to be responsible for damage to interior that would have to be destroyed when removing. And dealer didn't have new woodwork to match.
Couple of us tried to fix their water pipe but to fix had to take out to much woodwork and stuff to get to it. So they left back to Michigan. Of course every brand has it horror stories I guess but Sort of sad how the public gets treated sometimes.

Here in Canada we have a country wide dealership network called RV Care which is also effective in the US through the Priority RV Network. It's designed to help RV owners traveling outside their home territory who experience major trip canceling difficulties with their rig. Call the nearest RV Care dealer and that dealer as a member partner of RV Care will assist the RV owner as much as possible. Obviously if that repair requires parts that can only be sourced from the manufacturer there will be a time element involved BUT it will be fast tracked as much as possible. In some cases a work around will be used in order to get the RV owner back on the road as soon as possible. Regardless, the hapless RV traveler will be moved to the front of the service line at any RV Care dealer. My own dealer is one such RV Care dealer. :B
Huntindog
Explorer
Nov 21, 2017
SoundGuy wrote:
spoon059 wrote:
Your local RV dealer has no obligation to service a trailer that was purchased elsewhere, even if they sell the same brand. Most dealerships seem to be loyal to their customers and would make someone else wait for warranty work.

Huntindog wrote:
I once had a problem with an awning. The company said they had a 2 month backlog.
I needed it done in a few days. I offered to pay more to get it done while I waited.
For an extra 20.00, it was done in a couple of hours! That was a bargain in my book.

Money ALWAYS talks. Keep the money now, and worry about service you may never need, if that day comes.

Nope, not ALWAYS. :R The only always in my local dealer's book is he will ALWAYS put his own customers first ahead of anyone else and during the busy season from May through to the end of October that means anyone else will either be declined service entirely because there simply is no more service time to sell or they'll be waiting weeks or months. The only exception is for those with a travel ending emergency issue who are traveling through the area and who have warranty / extended warranty coverage. Otherwise, no way, no how will his service manager bump any of his own customers, at any time - not for $20, not for $200, not for $2000. To suggest this ALWAYS happens is entirely misleading as ethical dealers everywhere will operate in the same manner.
A dealer turning down cash money that he can put in his pocket. Or one of his service men can can work a little OT paid by YOU in cash... What we have here is a Unicorn. It doesn't exist.

Have you ever tried it? Money makes the world go round. Everyone needs it, craves it, cannot live without it.

In my 20.00 example ( I was surprised it was so cheap), none of the back logged customers had any idea it happened. When thy back up someone by hours to put some extra cash in their pocket, they do not tell any one. For all you know, this could have been YOUR dealer,
who just ran into a problem getting YOUR TT done.
path1
Explorer
Nov 21, 2017
SoundGuy wrote:
spoon059 wrote:
Your local RV dealer has no obligation to service a trailer that was purchased elsewhere, even if they sell the same brand. Most dealerships seem to be loyal to their customers and would make someone else wait for warranty work.

Huntindog wrote:
I once had a problem with an awning. The company said they had a 2 month backlog.
I needed it done in a few days. I offered to pay more to get it done while I waited.
For an extra 20.00, it was done in a couple of hours! That was a bargain in my book.

Money ALWAYS talks. Keep the money now, and worry about service you may never need, if that day comes.

Nope, not ALWAYS. :R The only always in my local dealer's book is he will ALWAYS put his own customers first ahead of anyone else and during the busy season from May through to the end of October that means anyone else will either be declined service entirely because there simply is no more service time to sell or they'll be waiting weeks or months. The only exception is for those with a travel ending emergency issue who are traveling through the area and who have warranty / extended warranty coverage. Otherwise, no way, no how will his service manager bump any of his own customers, at any time - not for $20, not for $200, not for $2000. To suggest this ALWAYS happens is entirely misleading as ethical dealers everywhere will operate in the same manner.

Sad story. A couple just retired with a brand new Lance, I mean new as in they just bought it in Michigan and traveled to AZ. They had a water pipe break. They took it to a Lance dealer in AZ and were told "2 week waiting list and that is after they get OK from Lance".

They called their dealer where they bought it from in Michigan and was told again, "sure bring it in and we'll fix it for you, of course that is after we get OK from Lance." Called couple mobile guys, they didn't want to be responsible for damage to interior that would have to be destroyed when removing. And dealer didn't have new woodwork to match.
Couple of us tried to fix their water pipe but to fix had to take out to much woodwork and stuff to get to it. So they left back to Michigan. Of course every brand has it horror stories I guess but Sort of sad how the public gets treated sometimes.
path1
Explorer
Nov 21, 2017
Funny how things turn out. We had just the opposite problem. And dealer wanted to back out of deal. Wife and I were going somewhere, not RV shopping at the time but somewhere? She had her mind made up for a certain brand and floor plan for couple years. She saw one at a RV dealership, couple years old but I perfect shape. After getting to a sales price that made since, we give them $200.00 deposit to hold for 3 days and we were given exact amount we need to bring in after taxes, lic, etc from the sales guy. Very next day after getting cashier check from our bank, and now in our tow vehicle, we went to the dealer. RV was gone, wife started almost crying. Sales guy calls his boss and it turns out they towed trailer to another place to detail and wouldn't let us take delivery with out a walk thru and of course a warranty, that we did not want. And sales guy was way off on his pricing. Little alone the rv was even gone off the lot. The price he quoted on the sales contract was what dealer had into it. Boss talked to wife and I showing us his paper work of the transaction that they did as a trade in. After much haggling we tossed in another $700.00. And dealership says he lost around $1000.00 in the deal. We didn't believe him at first. Boss fired sales guy by the way. Dealership was interested in public goodwill I think, and didn't want any bad news about his place. To this day I get parts for his price plus 15 percent. I verify prices of parts by the keystone or NTP book (what ever their name is know?) I wanted to add a secondary valve for gray water line, I bought slide valve and he had one of his guys put it in on his way home from work one day. When we first got it the Brakes had grease all over them. Dealer called the manufacture and new brake shoes and brake magnets show up on my door step by UPS (even though it was 2 years old at the time). I had to put those in myself. At any rate goodwill goes along way depending on the people involved.

Hope it works out for you.

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Can you back out once you place a deposit ....guidance?

43 Replies

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