Rv show what to expect?

It has been generally my experience that I can negotiate the best price on a big ticket item when people are NOT waiting in line for a salesperson to sell it to them.

How about the fact that hundreds of people are tramping through RVs at big shows? Pushing buttons, scratching finishes, opening doors, walking on carpet, etc. In one sense, you are buying a used RV at a show.

I think shows are a good place to window shop and see options, then negotiate with the dealer for a truly "new" RV or buy at the show a "used" RV with significant discount.

We bought our TT at our dealer and got a great deal, but I found out later that we could have gotten a better deal if we had gone to the show earlier in the season. I now help at shows with the same local dealer and have seen for myself some deals made at the show that I can still hardly believe. Things like a Great deal on a WDH, free AC, Free extened warranty.

The best deals can be had when you get a couple of dealers to try to win you over when they know you are serious. Go to a show, find what you like and get the dealers to start bidding for your business. You may be suprised at the amount of movement there is.

The shows that I work at have the benefit of locking in a show price and once you signed the pricing deal you can go to the dealer lot and get a show package price for up to two weeks on anything there that may fit your needs better ... it is a no lose scenario. Im pretty sure that if the potential buyer then decides that they made a mistake and changed thier mind the paper that locks in the show price is ripped up and there is no obligation.

I am not sure how some of the huge box store RV dealers work as I only work the show with my dealer because I really like talking campers with people and I make a little extra money. I have no idea what the mark up of an RV is so I cannot answer to that question if anyone were to ask.

Shows really are a great place to narrow your choices from say a dozen rigs to your top 5 or 6. Nice to be indoors, away from high pressure sales guys homing in on you at the lot. I love to hear the comments made by both sales persons and buyers as they can be equally ridiculous depending on what is important to one family vs another. Take sales rhetoric with a grain of salt, spend lots of time in units that might suit your needs and then head to the dealers after the fact to further focus on the 1-2 units that tick all the boxes. A smart phone is helpful to take photos, make notes on and scan the barcodes to your phone if they post them on the units.

Shop for the floor plan you like and you think will work for your needs. Its standard practice that you will get 25% to 30% off MSRP any day you walk into a dealer. Know what you want for options, all models are not set up alike. Some dealers are better than other. Some have better reputations for customer service and their service depts. Some are to be avoided.

Don't be afraid to deal hard and ask for better tires to be put on (if they are cheapie Trailer Kings or other low end tires) before you purchase, make it part of the deal. If you will need a hitch do some homework on those too. Know what the price ranges are. You have a great resource here and lots of experience willing to help you out.

Shows are a great chance to shop and compare side by side. I've actually found the pressure to be lower than on lots since I can just walk to the next dealer. But, I've never gotten too serious buying at a show either so maybe once you get into it they start with the pressure.

You can shop floor plans, models and price online until your eyes glaze over. I really like shows to be able to look closely at the fit/finish of a given manufacturer and product line. I find the show seldom has the exact unit I'm looking for but being able to walk through one that is close is nice to help get an idea. I'd be much more willing to set out on a long drive to pick something up or to order after being able to see and touch a similar unit.

Last show we were at was last fall. What really stood out was all the bunkhouse TTs aimed at families with kids and unlike past years, very few for older couples only. Other than that, same 'ol, same 'ol...

We went to the show with some friends of ours who are looking for their first TT and they want something with good quality. I said they should be getting an OutdoorsRV unit in that case. We went through the various makes and models on display then showed them some of the things about OutdoorsRV that makes them superior. They haven't laid out the cash just yet but as of a few weeks ago, they have def. decided on an ORV unit. The shows can be a good place to see what's not good if you spend the time to poke inside cabinets, crawl underneath, etc.

Pickup all brochures to take home and study.
We bought a floorplan.
It just happened to be a Sprinter by Keystone. Year 2010.
We've been very pleased with the unit.
A couple of years ago I thought when this one wears out, I just go out and buy another one. Dang, they stopped making our model. I hope this one lasts a long time...

Do your homework and any day, any place could be a Great time and or place to buy a RV.. As long as you know what they are selling for ( not the fake MSRP) , and you know what number YOU can afford...
DO YOUR HOMEWORK.......
Joe

If you find a unit you REALLY like, ask the dealership if they will hold that price for you until after the show is over. Have them write it down so you have it and can vouch that was the price. After the show go back to the dealership and see if they will give you a better offer.

Meanwhile, you check with another competitor dealership for the same identical unit and see if they can match the price or do better.

If the dealership represented at the RV show is really being upfront, they'll hold the "show" price for you till after the show. And by comparing with another dealership, you'll have something to compare, and you may decide the other dealership has the better offer.

This is, IF you are going with the intention of actually buying something. Don't be a compulsive buyer when you are standing in front of all the dazzling sparkle.

Now, if your intention is to just go and have a good time, well.... hold to your guns. You're not purchasing anything, you are there ONLY on a fact finding mission. Still, if you find something you REALLY like, have the dealer write the show price down and then come back after the show is over where and when you've had time to slow your emotions down a little and realistically use your head!