Build or take whats on dealers lot

I am a big believer in "Floor Plan"! That is EVERYTHING, that you want/need for YOUR RV style of camping should be there from the start. Even little things will grow on you over time! Why aggravate yourself by purchasing an RV nand having to look at what you compromised on every time you use it? The dealer is incentivized to sell what he already has in inventory! You should be incentivized to buy what you want/need!

Lots of good advice.

What some posters may not consider is your (the OPs) CALIFORNIA location..:h

*Most* of CA is "year-round" camping country.
Ditto for adjoining states of AZ & NV.

Consequently, CA dealers have good to excellent "year-round" sales opportunities, and plenty of "gotta have it now" buyers.
(No need to wait for the snow to melt in the Spring to enjoy the new RV)

For you - that may mean competition for what's on the lot, as well as limited negotiation on price.

Shop across the USA for *exactly* what you want to ORDER.
Apples to apples - always the same options and floor plan.

Keep good records of prices, location/s, etc.
The best deal/s are now your "benchmark" price.
You can now see if a dealer closer to home will beat -or come close- to your benchmark price.

Then YOU decide to travel or not.
You also have a great comparison of price for a unit in stock -vs- ordering.
(If you travel - It's just another camping trip!)

If you prefer - and are willing to PAY for YOUR version of perfection,
get busy with your negotiating skills for what's on the lot.
(What's in YOUR wallet??)

Don't expect a dealer in CA to have exactly what you want on the lot - at a price close to ordering the same unit.

From my experience, CA dealers were not even close to what I paid out-of-state....even if I ordered from them (the CA dealer).

Warranty is warranty.
Your local dealer isn't going to do you any good if you are on a trip, 3K miles from home.
Also, expect long delays from CA dealers whether you purchased from them or not.

Most mfgrs will authorize independent repair shops for warranty work,
some not......but I never needed or used the 2 year warranty on the Jayco I ordered and purchased (sight unseen) in MT.

Even "camped" on the dealer's lot in MT for a couple of days to check things out.

Would I do it again?
Definite yes - in a heartbeat - genuine "no-brainer"...:C


.

Three truck campers/one TT and three 5th wheel trailers were bought off the lot. Some were new units and most were used. Campers to us are just that.
Same with my cars.....trucks....tractors.... zero turns....housing.

We have several large rv dealers in my part of the state so finding a floorplan we like was easy.

DutchmenSport wrote:

Lantley wrote:

ScottG wrote:
I found "exactly what I want" on the lot so why not take it.

You found what was there not necessarily what is available.
There were options,colors,features that you may not have seen. That were available. however they were not on the lot.

Once you find your version of "perfection", there's no reason to took any farther.

Since I put in a custom order, I was able to add several options that were not even available as 'official' options. The 50 amp cord electric retrieval option and the metal cover that surrounds the rolled up awning are two I can think of. I really like them both but would never have found them on the lot. I also was able to add an installed washer and dryer from the factory - this also was not an official option at that time. Not even sure these things are options now.

You don't know what you don't know.

dapperdan wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Order what YOU want! We had 68 "specials" when ordering our DRV. They finally said that's enough!!!

YOU crack me up Cummins!!! :B

Dan

The last two items was a custom bedroom vanity area and the kitchen slide from another unit. They both cost around 2K each but they said pick one. WAS NOT HAPPY about that since it was big money and I was willing to pay.

Oh well I probably ruined it for others!

Lantley wrote:

ScottG wrote:
I found "exactly what I want" on the lot so why not take it.

You found what was there not necessarily what is available.
There were options,colors,features that you may not have seen. That were available. however they were not on the lot.

No, I looked at the bochures and the different fabrics and other superficial stuff I care only a little about and actually liked this package the best. There was nothing to change.

Oh and I didnt have to wait two months - I got to use out new TT during that time.

DutchmenSport wrote:

Lantley wrote:

ScottG wrote:
I found "exactly what I want" on the lot so why not take it.

You found what was there not necessarily what is available.
There were options,colors,features that you may not have seen. That were available. however they were not on the lot.

Once you find your version of "perfection", there's no reason to took any farther.

Exactly my version of perfect could only be found in the brochure and on the options sheet. It was not available on the lot

Never ordered a car, RV or built a house. We did order a 21' boat back in 1984. Chris

Lantley wrote:

ScottG wrote:
I found "exactly what I want" on the lot so why not take it.

You found what was there not necessarily what is available.
There were options,colors,features that you may not have seen. That were available. however they were not on the lot.

Once you find your version of "perfection", there's no reason to took any farther.

ScottG wrote:
I found "exactly what I want" on the lot so why not take it.

You found what was there not necessarily what is available.
There were options,colors,features that you may not have seen. That were available. however they were not on the lot.