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Whitehall's avatar
Whitehall
Explorer
Aug 25, 2015

First Post - Walked out on slimy dealer

Well, we finally selected a Snow River 245RKS, based on many hours of lurking here (tons of good info, obviously), obsessively scouring the Northwood website, and finally visiting a dealer. That part went very well for the first two hours or so, then...not.

The salesman was very helpful and friendly. He patiently showed us several units, answered my questions, and helped us make a good choice after we decided against a smaller unit (we have three teenagers who still like us). My wife and I didn't really know the exact price we should pay, and hadn't intended to buy that day anyway. The salesman asked us what we wanted, and I said 25% off MSRP. He did a quick calculation and threw out a price. After some thought, we said OK. Yay!

Everyone was so happy and friendly. He then mentioned the PDI of $595 "Oops, it went up to $695, but I can let you have it for $595" Whatever. We spent a good 45 minutes filling out all the paperwork, then the guy left us and went somewhere else. After 15 minutes or so, he comes back with the contract marked up in fat blue pen. Says his manager said he can't sell it for that price, and pretty much resets the price to the starting point. I was stunned, as I thought those days were over. Told him no way. He whines they're not making a profit, it's already marked down, blah, blah, blah.

I get up to leave, he goes back for one more try, comes back with about a few hundred off, and we say no. Instant change from Mr. Friendly Salesman to Angry Jerk. If he'd just respected his customer in the first place, he could have had the sale. I might have even bought it for zero dollars off the asking price, if I thought it was the best I could do. Instead he names a low price that triggers our buy decision, then yanks the rug out later on. I'm sure we ruined his entire morning, but I doubt he'll change his approach toward customers.

Between the first and second time he went to The Man With The Blue Pen, I called the other dealer, which is actually closer to home, and made a deal on the phone. No PDI fee, no games, two batteries included. The only reason I didn't go there first was because I wanted to see some Outdoors RV trailers as well as Northwood.

Anyway, notwithstanding the above, we are really excited about finally getting a Northwood trailer. We'll tow it behind our 2012 F350 PSD. Thanks for all of the info, and I hope to be able to contribute here.
  • I've heard good things about Sierra RV. They were one of the sites I was monitoring when I bought my Fifth wheel from my local dealer. They seemed to have fair pricing on their units.
  • There are Dealerships and Stealerships.
    Sounds like you started with the later and ended up at former.
  • Thanks. I think they were really counting on the spousal dynamics to make us cave. Hilariously, there was another couple in there getting the full workover - "what do you think your trade is worth?" "what do you want your monthly payment to be?", and finally, "well, you're still a little under water on your trade in."

    I haven't played the "foursquare" car sales game in many years. I treat the salesman with respect in anticipation of building a trustful business relationship. All he has to do is cut the games and get down to business. I have bought four cars from a gentleman that works like this. He makes money, I get exactly what I want at a great price, and we are both satisfied since neither one went for the last penny. We will see each other again.

    The dealer we are buying from is Sierra RV Center in Colfax. They do quite a business in Arctic Fox and it's nice to see a local business thrive without alienating its customers.
  • Aren't salespeople amazing how their attitudes change. I traded in an older ford pickup that I had spent a ton of money on in repairs. I purchased a 2005 Honda CRV. I didn't have my wife with me at the time, so I told them we would have to come back the next day to finalize and sign the papers. He said that was fine, got me a tag and said to take the newer car home and come back next am. Well, they did all the paperwork in just my name after I left so the next am I repeated that I wanted wife on it. They went ballistic saying it was to lengthy to do and didn't want to. I told them to give me my truck back and we would forget it. Finally redid all the paperwork for us and our original sales guy was ok, but the manager was a jerk.
  • Kudos on an Excellent post. Not being intimidated is something every RV buyer should learn and practice. Always be prepared to say No Thank You and walk away. Even if it is after an investment of hours of haggling. They want your business more than you need them. Your salesman may not like it, but after all, it's just business and it's your money that's on the table. The fact you got a better deal elsewhere is proof that there is always an alternative.