We have been looking for a Livin Lite, our first TT.This has proved to be highly frustrating.1. After 10' or so hours of research, I know more than most salesmen.2. Dealers websites are horribly unreliable. 14 db on a website at $19600 shown with what I want actually is quoted at $21800.3. One dealer said that cash or financing was not different to them, as they would price the unit the same. That it would be unfair to either to price it differently.Which after thought, begged the question: so all your units you basically sell for the same price? If yes, why not just post the price?4. The MSRP vs actual selling price is just pure BS.5. These guys make car salesman look like saints.And. In closing, livin lites ..... We are dropping our desire to even buy one for a while as LIVIN LITES ARE JUST TOO EXPENSIVE.Thanks for everyone's past help. We are done for a bit. Be well.

Cairn terrier wrote:We have been looking for a Livin Lite, our first TT.This has proved to be highly frustrating.1. After 10' or so hours of research, I know more than most salesmen.2. Dealers websites are horribly unreliable. 14 db on a website at $19600 shown with what I want actually is quoted at $21800.3. One dealer said that cash or financing was not different to them, as they would price the unit the same. That it would be unfair to either to price it differently.Which after thought, begged the question: so all your units you basically sell for the same price? If yes, why not just post the price?4. The MSRP vs actual selling price is just pure BS.5. These guys make car salesman look like saints.And. In closing, livin lites ..... We are dropping our desire to even buy one for a while as LIVIN LITES ARE JUST TOO EXPENSIVE.Thanks for everyone's past help. We are done for a bit. Be well.:hA member of this forum for less than a month and tossing in the towel..First of all I think you are over thinking this and your expectations are a bit over the top..RVs unlike automobiles do not have any SET discounts from the MSRP.Websites often will be inaccurate price wise.Dealer CAN keep the "cash" price the same as the "credit" price if they like.YOU need some patience and be willing to walk away from the deal if it isn't REASONABLE FOR BOTH PARTIES (a dealer can't sell it for the same price (or less than)as they purchased from the manufacturer).You MUST realize that the DEALER NEEDS to turn a profit on EACH SALE, otherwise they will not stay in business for long.YOU must realize that the brand, model may not have much of a MARKUP available from the manufacturer so the dealer may have a very thin amount they can discount from the MSRP.I think less than three weeks to find and make a deal is expecting way too much of yourself.. Perhaps instead of blowing up because a brand or model is more than what you feel it is worth you should broaden your horizons and look at OTHER brands and models which COST LESS...

In our area we have at least three dealer who have been in the RV business for 30 plus years.How long would these people be in business if they always ripped of the public?How long would these puople be in business if they did not make a decent profit?Dealers have a business model that they follow. If you do not like the price, move on.

There is no MSRP on trailers. Sometimes dealers use them, but it is pure fiction. There is not the regulation on pricing so you do have to do your research, know what to pay. I don't negotiate. I figure out a fair price for the dealer and for myself--not trying rip off either one. I offer it. Period. And walk away if they won't take it. I may have to go to several dealers but I never failed to get an RV for my price. But it is a fair price. I ignore all stated prices by the dealer.

Cairn terrier wrote: And. In closing, livin lites ..... We are dropping our desire to even buy one for a while as LIVIN LITES ARE JUST TOO EXPENSIVE. Be sure and repost about the trailer you find that offers the same all-aluminum construction etc., at plain ol' stick-construction prices, and a guaranteed dealer price no matter where on Planet Earth you buy it! :)

We looked for 5 years for our first pop-up. We looked for 2 years for our first, second and 3rd travel trailer. We looked at a multitude of brands and models, and had discussions with more RV salesmen than I can possibly remember. I did my own research too. I knew when to walk, and I knew when to negotiate, and I new when to finally find the camper and the deal that worked. It takes time, it takes effort, it takes energy, it takes thick skin, it takes will power, it takes patients, it takes research, it takes good financing, good credit, and a good frame of mind. It's not easy purchasing an RV. It's not for the faint of heart, or anyone who thinks their RV is an investment and they can flip it some how and get a return on it some day. Nope! That will never happen.As one dealer told me, people who purchase RVs are usually very happy people because in order to purchase an RV you have to have a certain amount of "disposable" income. Which means, people who purchase RVs have a good enough income for their life style they can afford to spend money on an item that is pure luxury, non-essential, and often times, makes no sense. He was right.We all DO have to shop wisely, look for the best deal, and really evaluate the financial constraints owning an RV occurs. We have to be responsible with our money. All of this takes TIME! And I think you need more time to continue researching, learning, and weighing the cost of a very expensive endeavor that will not return nothing on your investment, except intangibles like memories, comradely, and sense of joy and fun time experiences. You're not buying a car, you are buying a life-style!

Purchasing a Livin Lite proving to be a real pain rant.

gmw_photos
Explorer
Apr 08, 2014
Aw heck, OP....you think this was bad....come hang out for a while in a thread discussing tires .....:E :B
Cairn_terrier
Explorer
Apr 08, 2014
Some interesting posts with good points. Some posts from basic jerks, thank you for your iq of 30 insight.

You may note that I said I was tabling this for a while .... So I may come back to this.

Do note that however since my first post, most everything I have posted comes back with at least some .... Unnecessary and rude and unwanted and unhelpful opinion.

This has been the most rude forum to which I have ever posted.

I am done. To you nicer folks, may the years treat you well.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Apr 08, 2014
Sounds like sour grapes to me. The OP realized their dream trailer was beyond reach so they find fault with the brand. Sounds just like the fox that couldn't reach the grapes on the vine.

The Fox and the Grapes.

RVing is expensive, if you cannot afford the entry fee you are better off staying home.
bradnailer
Explorer
Apr 08, 2014
When shopping for a travel trailer, I found it best to find several models that meet your needs. With that, you can seek out several dealers and negotiate the most favorable out the door price for you. MSRP's mean nothing. The out the door price is what counts.

When you are set on one model, you severely limit your ability to negotiate.
pennysmom09
Explorer
Apr 07, 2014
Qualcity wrote:
Well said Dutchmen.

X2
free_man_and_do
Explorer
Apr 07, 2014
darsben wrote:
If you want to buy do research and then make a reasonable offer.
Use the following phrase;
I am not playing games. I am here to offer you $????? for that trailer.

Nice. That's the way I purchased my last three cars and my TT. You won't steal a car that way but you should get a fair deal and like you said, pay what you want to pay.

Geoff
darsben
Explorer II
Apr 07, 2014
If you want to buy do research and then make a reasonable offer.
Use the following phrase;
I am not playing games. I am here to offer you $????? for that trailer. Your answer is either yes or no If you cannot sell it to me for the price I am offering I will leave. There will be no dickering on price. Here is my name address etc (hand person card with your particulars on it) I will wait here while you find out if you have made a sale.
If salsman comes back with other than an okay. Tell him " Okay I am leaving now if you change your mind you can call me. Goodbye. If salesman says wait aren't you going to talk about it state " I already did I made you an offer which you did not accept there is nothing more to discuss"

If your offer was reasonable you will be called back quickly.
I have bought my last 3 cars that way and have enjoyed the experience. Only once did the salesman try to change the price when I went back. I immediately left again.

Try it see if it works for you.

By the way if you do this you will never wonder if you paid too much as you payed exactly what you wanted too.
bigdogger
Explorer II
Apr 07, 2014
The OP doesn't want to pay sticker price and doesn't want to negotiate a price. How is that the dealer's fault?
gmw_photos
Explorer
Apr 07, 2014
In have no interest in livin lite one way or the other, but in fairness to them, I'll make this observation. They may be going through some growing pains right now, because as I understand it, they have been bought by Thor ( also parent of Airstream ).

I was recently in conversation with them on behalf of a friend who was considering a livin' lite. We had some questions regarding wheels, tire choice and the use of weight distributing hitches on their trailers. I had several emails and a couple of phone conversations with their sales guy at the factory, as well as one of the engineers. I will say they answered all my questions.
So if a person finds that those trailers might meet their needs, then it could be worth going the extra mile to get one.

As for cost, yes they are somewhat pricey. I found that the general pricing of them seemed to be somewhere between a regular white box camper and the price of an Airstream.

For sure, if you want aluminum, especially in structural components like frames, there is going to be a cost associated with it, if for no other reasons that the skilled labor to correctly weld aluminum is more costly.
wmoses
Explorer
Apr 07, 2014
Well after reading what the OP posted I decided to actually go have a look-see as to what Livin Lite RVs are like (hardly hear of them around these parts) and I can tell you after 10 minutes of searching I came up with pretty much the same conclusions as the OP. So I can understand his frustration and as someone else said, he just needed to vent.

If they were as great as their hype would have you believe there would be more of them around. Even Camping World of Katy (they claim to be the largest volume CW in the US) who is listed as a LL dealer has none and the make is not even available in the search.

Better to buy an Airstream if you want aluminum and don't mind paying higher prices. Honestly.