Rv show what to expect?

DownTheAvenue wrote:
There is a lot of pressure to buy at the shows, and the whole show format seems to encourage buyers.

RV shows for the vast majority who visit them should be viewed as nothing more than a day out during what is usually the worst part of the year, a diversion for a day at best. :p Sure, depending on the size of the show exhibitors in total may sell a 100 or 200 units but when 100,000 people pass through the gates over the course of a 3 or 4 day show that's drop in the bucket. The primary goal for any RV dealer attending these shows isn't specifically to sell but to advertise, to keep their brand in the mind of the buying public. It's no different than advertising anything else for sale - just because you see an ad on television or in the paper or hear it on the radio doesn't mean you're going to go out and buy that product right then and there, nor does the merchant expect you to - it's purpose is to plant the image of the product in your mind so when it does come time to buy you'll remember that particular product and be inclined to buy it rather than a competitor's product. Of course RV dealers want to sell some units but it's not for the express purpose of selling but rather to cover the substantial costs involved in attending these shows with product to display. RV shows also generate more the way of contacts that lead to later eventual sales back at the dealership. Anyone who goes to these shows believing they're going to see anything but a sampling of what any given dealer can offer is naive because each dealer when planning for a show chooses a select few models to display. If you want to explore more of his entire lineup you gotta put boots on the ground and go to the dealership. Regardless that exhibitor's goals are entirely different than yours you're best to view any RV show only as a day's entertainment.

I'm sure this doesn't happen all that often but we were at an RV several years ago. Dealer had a flyer on the counter with the MSRP and the sale price. Wife and I were checking things out when I opened a drawer in the kitchen and low and behold there was another flyer in there for the same TT. Difference was that the MSRP was lower. JMO but unless you've shopped like crazy and no the prices pretty good I would just use the RV show to compare brands and floor plans.
Most RV show ads list all the MFG's that will be there. You can go to their web sites and look at all the trailers they sell and already have an idea of what to look for.

It doesn't take long for all the RV's to start looking alike, and you'll forget which ones you liked.

Make up a score sheet with things you are looking for. Some of those thing may be floor plan, floor space, counter space, storage, insulation, tank heat, slide outs, beds (layout/size), trailer size / weight, etc. Maybe, even look at distance to nearest dealer (that's where you'll pick up your unit, and get any after sale support".

As you are going through each unit, do a score sheet, and make notes on anything that stands out. There may be items that have different importance to you and your significant other.

We found it beneficial to each do a sheet. We added up the scores and threw out all but the top five units. Then we went back and did a second look at only those five.

We have one in Maine this spring. I'm also hoping there will be several camp site reps.

We have bought 3 brand new RVs. Our first new unit was bought while at a show. We had been casually looking for a few months, went to the show and really liked the floor plan of a unit we had not seen before. We ended up buying it at the show price, which turned out to be about 29% off MSRP. The salesman said we were getting wholesale pricing. When we compared the price with the different RV Wholesalers web sites, our dealers price was about $500 more. It wasn't worth the savings to drive 500+ miles to pick it up.

The 29% off MSRP is the most we have saved. With our Motorhome, which was selling in high demand, we got 26% off MSRP. With our Destination Trailer, which the dealer could barely keep on the lot, we got 27% off MSRP (ours was the last on the lot and they had 4 more on order). Not really a huge difference between show savings and off the dealer's lot savings.

Do your home work. If you have a smart phone or tablet, bring it so you can compare pricing with the RV Wholesalers. Dealers may not be as willing to deal at a show, because they have a lot of potential buyers.

-Michael

If the daler can afford to sell you a RV at the show for a certain price, then they can sell for the same price off their lot. That said, sometimes manufacturers will add in show only incentives but that is not everywhere everytime. There is a lot of pressure to buy at the shows, and the whole show format seems to encourage buyers.

Best place to see a multiple amount of units in one place to compare, but unless it is one of the larger shows with factory support I think you can deal just as good outside of a show. Go look and have fun

You'll be able to get the same price or even lower up to 6 weeks later. Could be a good year for selling RV's, prices may be higher than expected. May need to really do your homework and hone up your negotiating skills to get the Best prices.

Great place to look and figure out your desires What you want to do is follow the trade ins back to the dealer. Find a nice one, dealers really want to move these. Let the original owner take the depreciation hit.

WDP

Great place to see different models/brands. I have always been in the camp that prices at the RV show are no different then the dealership. The reps at these RV shows can be a little on the high pressure side, but they are there to sell you an RV after all. Go to the show and enjoy the day.