wholesaler price vs. local dealer price
Is it unreasonable to expect my dealer to match the wholesaler on price? I know they will have shipping on my ordering it with local guy, but I will have shipping as well with wholesaler. With all els...
Forum Discussion
JJBIRISH wrote:
I have never had a wholesaler beat the local dealer by a huge amount (never mind the free stuff my local dealer through in with the deal), and I just don’t believe these outrageous savings claimed by some… either these people are the worlds worst negotiators ever, or they are not comparing apples to apples, or they are deluding themselves in to believing this somehow by comparing purchase price from the wholesalers against the MSRP at the local dealer …
Your warranty is not like or even close to the same as the automotive warranty… you have a manufactures warranty with the mfg. not the dealer… the RV dealer is an independent business and has NO OBLIGATION to do warranty service on something they didn’t sell… none what so ever…
But hang this on the mfg. not the dealer they are the ones responsible for this… they could offer a nationwide warranty if they wanted to…
Most dealers will do it for the traveling public and hope others do the same for his customers in return… but he has no reason to go out of his way to service a local resident that thumbed his nose at his local dealer for to save money… chances are most of the things done under a new warranty the selling dealer was already paid to do in his PDI but failed to do…
Some of these low cost sellers require a nonrefundable deposit and payment in full when the RV leaves the mfg.… it is yours and hopefully all goes well but it doesn’t always… I don’t buy any big ticket item sight unseen… you can find horror stories about this in these forums…
Forest River says it best about your warranty and the local dealer…
Forest River Encourages You to Buy Locally
Forest River, Inc. strongly encourages our retail customers to purchase from their local dealership whenever possible due to the following factors:
Our Dealers are as a rule, independently owned and operated businesses. Outside of those customers they personally sold products to, they are not contractually obligated to perform warranty service on Forest River products that were purchased elsewhere. There may be an occasion that you would be required to return to the point of purchase to satisfy warranty requirements.
Although many dealerships will eventually service products not purchased at their place of business, they will usually take care of their customers and other Forest River customers who are traveling away from their local dealer as they would their own.
Local purchases allow a customer to establish a relationship with a dealer close to home. This relationship provides the customer with a convenient location for service and support from a "home town" professional.
Well if you don't believe it, then you have never tried it.
When I was in the market for my Sabre, I first went to a large local Sabre dealer. I called in advance and was told that they had a 5ver in stock. I told them that I wasn't interested in a 5ver, but would come down to look at it to assess the construction. I liked what I saw, and asked about a specific TT. He kept trying to sell me the 5ver,,,said he was going to practically give it to me. I told him that I had no use for it, as a 5ver wasn't suitable for me. Told him I would be in contact when I was ready to buy. 2 months later I asked him to order what I wanted. Several phone calls later and he STILL didn't have a price quote for me. In thje meantime I had bneen searching net, and found several great deals out there. I finally convinced the dealer that I was serious and got him to spec out a unit.
He wanted 37500.00 + tax, license and registration.
That would have put it over 40K out the door.
I told him about the prices I had seen, and he laughed saying that he wasn't going to reduce his price as a special order was just too much work. I told him that I had cash, and if he called me again, to make it his best offer as I would only give him one shot.
He called the next day.... 34,500 + T & L.
I hung up and started calling dealers out of state.
I ended up traveling to Sylvania Ohio from Phoenix AZ to get my new Sabre.
OTD was 24,500.
I had a problem with the fridge on the trip back and was concerned that I might have to return to the selling dealer. A couple of phone calls and FR set me up with a dealer on our route.
When I pulled into Springfield Illinois, they were ready for me with a open bay waiting. I pulled right in and a wiring harness was replaced. It was like a NASCAR pit stop. Within a hour we were back on the road.
As for Beaudry RV, my local dealer.... They closed their doors for good a couple of months later.
I never needed to visit a dealer again, and since they went under anyways... The 10K plus that I saved would have been thrown away as they wouldn't have been there.
But with 10k in my pocket, I would be in the drivers seat if I needed service elsewhere.
Remember this: Money is power. The one who has the money has the power. Others will do what you want them to, so long as you have the power.
So keep the power as long as possible. For once you lose the power, you cannot get others to do what you want
