what is real?

Hey everybody. I just checked dealers stock in the United States and i see the trailer we want is available east of the Mississippi, no states in the West have it. When we were considering another model from RV Wholsalers DW said it would be ok to drive the distance to Ohio roughly 3000 miles as a plan B. The trailer we want is available for $18,699 2014 year so I suppose we could use that as a bargaining chip. RV Show coming up here in 3 weeks and this dealer will be there so I may keep my powder dry until then. Our credit union has already pre-qualified us so no financing games needed. Do you think dealers read our posts to see how we are conspiring against them? LOL!

When I bought this trailer, I traveled over 600 miles to another dealer to get it. Two reasons: they had the exact one I wanted in stock ( correct option of interior color even ), and two, they beat my local dealer by $3800.
Yes, I had to drive over 1200 miles total round trip, but I figured, so what ? I've already traveled over 20,000 additional miles with the camper since getting it....that is why I bought it, to travel. So to "travel" and extra 1200 miles up front was a small price to pay to get the two advantages I stated above.
Besides, I like to drive, and I am retired so I have plenty of time.

I had no warranty issues to have fixed while it was covered by warranty ( for that matter, no issues at all yet ) so that was a non issue for me.

What Dtaylor said. John Deere dealers will sell a tractor that is not on their lot and then go get it from a dealer who has it in stock. Common practice.

You could also ask your local dealer what it would cost for him to obtain model you want from another dealer. Dealers purchase from one another all the time. Depending on what your local dealer has to pay will reflect the price you pay

I would not order.
Try searching for your make and model. Some dealers will give incentives to come to their lot. Some will pay for the fuel and provide overnight accommodations.
What make and model are you considering?

Yes, always negotiable. I think now is a better time of year to give it a try too. The plants are in full production of the new year models and the dealers want to get inventory moving off their lots sooner than later or new orders on their books. We bought ours last Feb. on a custom order and I *think* we got a pretty good deal. DW is an accountant and very shrewd negotiator and does tons of research in advance. I've read that typically 30-35% off list price is about as good as you'll get so that should be your goal. Don't ask for a lump sum total including any options you want. Break down each option and negotiate it separately and debate the worth of each one with the dealer. Some options are a giant rip-off while some are a good deal. And if something isn't on the option list, there's always the chance that the manufacturer can change something. For example, we got them to delete the standard little grab handles on the exterior and got the dealer to install the big soft grab handles instead. We also managed to get them to install lino throughout instead of their standard carpeting. If you want an electric tongue jack for ex., it may be cheaper to add your own. Some options can be thrown in at the dealer level and expense as opposed to being a factory option if you give it a try.

I would search around the internet to see what going prices are as well as last year's model sitting on a dealer's lot to see what they are willing to let them go for. Maybe even a brand new 2013 model would be an idea as you're certain to get a much better price because they want them gone... I wouldn't hesitate in a day's drive to go get one somewhere if you needed (not withstanding getting warranty work done locally).

The price is always negotiable. A special order gives the dealer some leverage since he knows you want a very specific camper. He also wants to unload inventory and if he can divert your attention from the special order with pricing games, he will. Bear in mind that the dealer gets a lot of benefits from a special order:

The purchase is off his floor plan as soon as it gets on. No cost of capital to him.
He knows you can't shop around too much
He gets immediate credit for the sale since your financing is approved at the time of order
He may be able to charge you more interest on the loan if you take one. Dealers get to keep some of the increased revenue on loans they arrange at an interest rate above the base rate approved

If you can find several dealers within easy reach who sell the same brand, pit them against one another. Get a quote for the same special order from each. Then, take the lowest bid and ask the others if they will "do better." They just might. Keep that up till you hit the lowest price. Good Luck.

Why not just have the dealer order you the one you want with the options you want?

That's what I did.

WoodGlue