Newb Q: Local vs. Remote Dealer Premiums?

The TT I was looking at in 2012 was $21,500 in So Cal, found a make us an offer we can't refuse Black Friday deal near Chicago ( close to MI where it was built, hence lower trucking in fees) was $13,300.

Retired, my time was a free vacation, I budgeted $900 for diesel round trip, came in at $785. 4500 miles round trip, saw some family in KC MO, absolutely worth it to me to truck it in myself.

Contractor, did have a few minor problems, due to cheap, shoddy poor construction, was able to fix all of them myself, had all the tools to do the minor jobs. Almost all the cabinetry work is lousy stapled together stuff nowadays, so I drilled and added a lot of glue and screws to cabinets and cleats on all my cabinetry to keep it more intact.

Really didn't care about the warranty, the repair guys don't care about a good solid fix like the owner does, they are always complaining warranty work doesn't pay enough from the manufacturer.

Another often overlooked consideration is that your registration tax for the life of ownership will be based on what the cost of your unit is.... I will be saving considerably on that too, for the time that I own this TT, about $.62 on the dollar, every year.

Looks like a moot point for me now.

After shopping around and sharing the low quote with the local dealer, they virtually matched the price (only $600 diff), which makes driving 1000 miles round trip more expensive than buying local.

I love it when a plan comes together.

Now to just wait 8-12 weeks for it to be built!

Last year, I spent an extra $1,700 to buy locally vs 350-400 miles away.

And lucky I did - this new trailer has been nothing but trouble trouble trouble since the day I took delivery.

Ultimately its what it is worth to YOU.

If you don't have to take time off work to go get it, its worth it a little more. If you have to take time off work and it will cost you money/vacation time, its a little more hassle.

If you want to visit around the area where you would be picking the trailer up, its worth it a little more. If its someplace you don't really want to go, its a little more hassle.

If you are concerned about warranty work, it might be a little more of a hassle.

I negotiated a good price from a local (hour and a half drive) dealer on my new Jayco, or else I would have driven 7 hours to Albany, NY. My mom grew up in Albany, I plan on eventually taking my family back there for a short trip just to see Grandma's old house... it wouldn't have been much of an inconvenience for us. But for only a couple hundred dollars more we bought local. We still plan to visit Albany, but now its at our leisure.

A couple thousand dollars is a no-brainer to me. Heck... even a thousand dollars is enough for me to consider a 6 or 7 hour drive.

I drove 1200 miles to by a used TT at a price that probably saved me $2k over a similar local TT. Hard to say since it's old enough that finding comparable locally is difficult.

But I'd say saving about $1500-$2000 AFTER figuring in travel costs and such is worth it. I don't count my time. Time is free and I find traveling for any reason fun.

darsben wrote:
I assume you have already talked to the local guy if I am wrong then disregard the procedure below and PM ME for the first contact procedure.
Have you told the local guy how much you are saving by going 500 miles?
USE THESE WORDS (INSERT salesperson NAME HERE) I can get the exact unit at _______for $_____ less than you are offering. I do not WANT to travel that distance for pick up and service and I do prefer to deal here BUT, I must watch the bottom line.
I do not expect you to match the other mans price but can you make it so I do not want to travel those miles?
So he names a price and you still are not together. ASK if he can throw in storage or winterizing or powered leveling jacks etc.

If he balks say the following " you have my telephone number. I intend to go to ______ dealership on (DATE) to close the deal, if you change you mind before I go call me and I will be happy to purchase the unit from you.

IT IS A NEGOTIATION

Not in those exact words, but this is what I've done. I haven't got the response back since sending that note. I'm just wondering what people think is a reasonable premium for dealing local? I found a pretty great deal 500 miles away, but in the end, would rather buy local. Just trying to gauge from others what they think about cost vs. distance.

Since I live in an area with multiple dealers there is little need to travel.

In answer to the question, unless I did not trust local dealer or they would not do a reasonable price match, I would buy local.

I assume you have already talked to the local guy if I am wrong then disregard the procedure below and PM ME for the first contact procedure.
Have you told the local guy how much you are saving by going 500 miles?
USE THESE WORDS (INSERT salesperson NAME HERE) I can get the exact unit at _______for $_____ less than you are offering. I do not WANT to travel that distance for pick up and service and I do prefer to deal here BUT, I must watch the bottom line.
I do not expect you to match the other mans price but can you make it so I do not want to travel those miles?
So he names a price and you still are not together. ASK if he can throw in storage or winterizing or powered leveling jacks etc.

If he balks say the following " you have my telephone number. I intend to go to ______ dealership on (DATE) to close the deal, if you change you mind before I go call me and I will be happy to purchase the unit from you.

IT IS A NEGOTIATION

Every state has different Lemon Law rules. Some states do not cover RV's. Other states include only some types of RV's. Washington state Lemon Law only applies to purchases made within the state.

wcjeep wrote:
Don't forget to include warranty hassle of a remote dealer. Does the RV purchase qualify for Lemon Law in your state? In Washington State, Lemon Law only applies if purchase is made within the state. Anything bought out of state does NOT qualify for Lemon Law.

I bought a then new Dodge Diesel from out of state. I saved at least $13k from any local dealer. That was worth my time. Only saving $1k probably not worth my time and future hassle. Can you use the remote price to bring down the local dealer? It doesn't have to be equal in price. Just low enough to make it worth it.

yes, this is what I'm thinking as well, but the price difference right now is pretty big... just wondering what others would be willing to stomach.

No idea about lemon laws, actually, but wouldn't those apply within the state of purchase anyway? i.e. if the trailer has $xx need of major repairs due to manufacturer defect, go back to the state of purchase for resolution?

Probably too much of a hassle to bother?