Long drive for new TT!!

gmw photos wrote:

Lantley wrote:

Farm Camp wrote:
Our distance was quite a bit shorter. We bought sight unseen (ordered a new build) from a dealer about 120 miles away. We did this because that dealer was probably $4,000 less than the best price a local dealer of the same camper would offer.

So, as others have said, we drove down, did the PDI, and fixed the one issue we discovered (a dump valve handle was not connected.) Then we camped for the weekend at a nearby campground just to enjoy the new camper, and just in case...

Hint: New campers might really STINK until they can air out for several days. Be ready for that! (Ask me how I know LOL.)

We had zero issues...

As for the inability to get service locally...

I've seen this argument over and over and I don't get it. If I'm running a service department, and I can get a factory to send me money, I'm gonna do that... If I have a customer willing to spend their money with me - I'm gonna do that. I guess if it's a really small place where the service guys are very close to the sales guys you might get that... Frankly speaking, if it's just a spite thing, I don't want to do business there anyway. If they are just so busy that they put their own customers first... Well... I can't argue too much about that and it would have to be factored in. I'm betting most places don't care where you bought it. They have service techs to pay...

In my specific case I had no need to worry. The dealer I bought from was about to open a new branch about 40 minutes away from me...

The issue is you can't just get the factory to send you the money. The system is not that efficient. If it were as simple as we wish it were your thoughts would be correct.
However the repairs have to be logged, submitted to the factory and then approved. Parts may have to be returned etc.. Once the repairs are completed it the dealers are not paid right away.Payment may take up to 60 days.
Dealers are willing to play the warranty game on units they sold and profited on. However on units they did not sell warranty work is often a losing proposition.
Some dealers want the added volume of warranty work,while others have refused or discourage warranty work on units they did not sell.
Consumers are caught in the middle expecting warranty claims to be handled efficiently like the auto industry and they are not.
The warranty refusal issue is a legitimate concern and should be factored into the decision especially if the buyer is not the handi DIY type.
I have purchased out of state and local and like others seek the best deal.I have been successful in using the out of town price as leverage to get the local dealer to come close or match the far away deal.
Before taking the long drive I strongly recommend confronting the local dealer with your out of state price and give them a chance to match.THere are benefits to having a decent relationship with the local guy. If the local guy refuses,simply take the drive for the savings.

The problem I have with this line of operation that the RV industry tries to shovel onto us consumers is this: suppose I go buy a RV at my "local" dealer.....and then in a few months my job transfers me to a city far away. Why should I be expected to take my ailing RV all the way back to my now, not-so-local-dealer for warranty work ? It's another example of the poor business practices we so often see in this industry.

The reluctance denial issues only comes up with consumers who live local and purchase far away and then attempt to get warranty service locally.
People who are on the road traveling or passing through usually do not encounter any issues nor do those who have moved to a new location.

While I imagine there maybe some spite involved the local dealer can research, when and where the RV was purchased, as well as where the owner resides.