RV Shows do's and don'ts

[flyinjake]

Hello all,

We are going to the Tampa RV Show in January 2014 and I have several questions as well as looking for advice. I have been to the Atlanta RV show several times but I have never been serious at purchasing. Always left saying what we have is paid for and still good. Well now its different as we are ready to upgrade to a 5er and we are serious buyers. We also know what general floor plan we want so we will not need to look at every 5er.

1) The prices at shows generally better than at dealer even this time of year?

2) Financing available and are the rates comparable and or better?

3) Usually order the trailer, correct? Then who am I going to be purchasing it from? Is this going to have dealers and or manufacturers? Maybe I should go back and look at the website again.

4) If I order and then it arrives and there are problems will I still need to take delivery? Guess that would be the same as if I purchased from a local dealer.

That's a start but basically what are the do's and don'ts when seriously considering purchasing at an RV show.

Thanks

flyinjake

[flyinjake]

Thanks for the feedback. We will go but only to look and compare as we do not want to be in a rush to make a decision. If we are meant to find one then it will be somewhere other than the show.

Later

Jake

[JohnBoyToo]

Harrisburg!
my ex was from there and drug me all the way back up there from TexUS for vacation once... gee-or-geous area !

back to the topic:
Show specials are just that...
they first have to get the inventory,
pay to haul it to the show,
rent the space,
haul it back,
refurbish it after 20,000 pair of feet and 10,000 kids have jumped and banged on it 🙂

and still pay lot fees when back,
so it's not automatically a discounted price...

bring your internet device with you (phone, tablet, etc..) and
let the salesmen SEE you comparing online to what he is quoting 🙂

unless it was 10k less than the best price I'd still have to think long and hard for the amount of wear and tear from a show...

[schlep1967]

In todays information age there is no reason to buy on the spot unless you are sure it is the best deal. A quick internet search of the make and model you are looking at will tell you if the price is right. You can also make phone calls inquiring about better prices. I will say this, before Hershey it used to be the Harrisburg Show. We were looking at a camper for a "show special" price of $22,599. And almost signed on the line. Luckily we were not quite ready financially so we held off till spring. And bought the same camper with more options for $14,000. Just because a salesman writes "Show Special" above the price doesn't mean it is special for you. It may be special for him.

[goducks10]

Coach-man wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
I would never buy at a show. Too many people in the units. I can't just sit in it with the wife and discuss features because there's always someone coming in that wanst to be in your spot. Much easier to go to the dealers lot and spend some quiet time looking things over. I like to use shows as a chance to see lots of different makes without driving all over the place. Nothing more. If they want a sale bad enough they will give you the sale after the show is over. And if it's still on the lot for a month or two or longer you should even get it cheaper than the show price.

As far as rates go. It's always a good idea to check with your CU or bank and see what you can get and on what terms. Then if you strike a deal on one at least you know where you stand on your financing as opposed to the dealers.

Good logic! BUT the fact is the units that were not sold at the show will be driven back to the local dealer and so;d from his lot! So how would you know if the unit was at a show, seen by 100's and then displayed back at the dealer a month or two later?

VIN#

[Randu]

Deb and Ed M wrote:

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

Dealers "saturate" the shows with sales folks who often know less than you do about the brand they are representing (selling)..:(

Not always - our "salesman" was a district sales manager for Gulf Stream. He knew the line inside and out. Usually, the corporate sales reps work these shows to help out their dealers. Now - that being said, I can see where *some* companies bring in "closers". Most people recognize them due to the pressure they apply to buy right now - they start out chatty, but get pushy rather fast.

Our guy asked us the classic "salesman" question of "If I quote you a good price, are you ready to buy now?" and we said "sure", fully expecting to end up with the used Class C we had looked at before the show. When the salesman came back with a price below the used price - we said "give us 10 minutes to talk this over" - he said "sure!" and then we went back with our list of "must haves" that he included at the same price. Now, 10 years later and armed with hindsight - that was an awesome deal and a nicely-handled transaction. And the folks at General RV have continued to treat us like we bought a "motorcoach", not a simple entry-level Class C.

Many different mixes of people work shows. You do usually have a "manufacture rep" but you don't know if its the national sales manager or a production plant worker.(I have talked to both)
At the dealership level, I have run into many service department people I know that are working the display's just so the dealership could have a warm body to answer basic questions at each rig.
Make sure you know exactly who you are talking too. Randu

[Coach-man]

goducks10 wrote:
I would never buy at a show. Too many people in the units. I can't just sit in it with the wife and discuss features because there's always someone coming in that wanst to be in your spot. Much easier to go to the dealers lot and spend some quiet time looking things over. I like to use shows as a chance to see lots of different makes without driving all over the place. Nothing more. If they want a sale bad enough they will give you the sale after the show is over. And if it's still on the lot for a month or two or longer you should even get it cheaper than the show price.

As far as rates go. It's always a good idea to check with your CU or bank and see what you can get and on what terms. Then if you strike a deal on one at least you know where you stand on your financing as opposed to the dealers.

Good logic! BUT the fact is the units that were not sold at the show will be driven back to the local dealer and so;d from his lot! So how would you know if the unit was at a show, seen by 100's and then displayed back at the dealer a month or two later?

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

Dealers "saturate" the shows with sales folks who often know less than you do about the brand they are representing (selling)..:(

Not always - our "salesman" was a district sales manager for Gulf Stream. He knew the line inside and out. Usually, the corporate sales reps work these shows to help out their dealers. Now - that being said, I can see where *some* companies bring in "closers". Most people recognize them due to the pressure they apply to buy right now - they start out chatty, but get pushy rather fast.

Our guy asked us the classic "salesman" question of "If I quote you a good price, are you ready to buy now?" and we said "sure", fully expecting to end up with the used Class C we had looked at before the show. When the salesman came back with a price below the used price - we said "give us 10 minutes to talk this over" - he said "sure!" and then we went back with our list of "must haves" that he included at the same price. Now, 10 years later and armed with hindsight - that was an awesome deal and a nicely-handled transaction. And the folks at General RV have continued to treat us like we bought a "motorcoach", not a simple entry-level Class C.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Aridon wrote:
Show prices aren't good prices on average. You can get better deals from dealers actually looking to sell volume any day of the week. Show or no show.

Several good responses, but this summed it (them) up very well.

Never attended an RV show, where I couldn't beat the "show price" with very little effort..:R

Giving that a try -even if you don't buy- is a real "eye opener"!.:W

~

"flyinjake" - if you have narrowed down the floor plan, options, etc - you know you want......the first step is out of the way.

Shows and show prices are -as many indicated- just "come-ons" for the gotta have it now, 'cause its a hot deal folks.

If you are willing to order a unit - you are in the driver's seat, even if a 5th wheel doesn't have one, LOL!

So.....
Use the show and visits to dealer's lots to firm up which brand you want - or will accept (second choice?).

Line up your own financing if you need it.

Now - work the Internet far and wide for dealers of the brand/s you want, telling them *exactly* what you want, including options.
All comparison pricing always - "apples to apples".

The best price you find is now your "benchmark".
Doesn't matter if it's out-of-state, or across the country.
Don't forget delivery charge (to the dealer) and whatever taxes and license fees that apply to your purchase - or will apply if bought out of state.

Shop your benchmark price around to your local (or closer) dealers to
see if they will meet, beat - or come close to that price.

Now you must decide - travel (if so, how far?) for the best price, or buy close to home.

BTW - the shows:
Whomever is putting on the show "includes and excludes" - not all the dealers in the area for any brand will be there. One of each is the norm.

The dealer who *isn't* there often has the better price - for the same thing..;)

Dealers "saturate" the shows with sales folks who often know less than you do about the brand they are representing (selling)..:(

(Show) buyer beware!

.

[flyinjake]

Veebyes wrote:
How about end of month sales, especially December when everyone is thinking Christmas & not big summer toys. Must be a tough month for RV salespeople wanting to make end of month & end of year quotas.

I am wondering if it would be better now this time of year or would it be the same early 2014. I mean early early.

[Veebyes]

How about end of month sales, especially December when everyone is thinking Christmas & not big summer toys. Must be a tough month for RV salespeople wanting to make end of month & end of year quotas.

[Aridon]

Show prices aren't good prices on average. You can get better deals from dealers actually looking to sell volume any day of the week. Show or no show.

[goukcats]

I found some prices at last yr's Tampa show that were better than at the dealer's location. I wanted to compare 3 different brands that had the same floor plan, & I knew the average price for all 3, prior to going.

I was also informed by several dealers that their prices were lower because the manufacturer had given them special incentives for the show.

There were so many to compare that options began to blur. Darn, that meant we had to go a 2nd day just to take notes.

FYI: Know your state tax laws. I discovered after purchasing my last 5er out of state that KY had just passed a law for out of state purchases that required sales tax on the entire purchase price. In state purchases required tax only on the value of the difference of the trade-in & the purchase price.

[TakingThe5th]

Deb and Ed M wrote:

sidney wrote:

IMO... salesmen at shows are hoping to get the "impulse buyers"... who let the excitement get the best of them and possibly rush into a decision sooner than necessary.

However, if you know "exactly" what you want... maybe you can get a great price. But my guess is the "show price" is also available after the show. And maybe even a better price can be had... if you have done your homework and are prepared to negotiate.

In our case, 10 years ago, we took advantage of being pretty sure of what we wanted, and turned a dealer into an "Impulse seller" 😉 Basically, we had been looking at some year-old, slightly-used Class C's and had just stopped by the RV show for fun. Talked with a mfr's rep about what we wanted, and he offered us a NEW MH for $2,000 less than a used one. They get caught up in the pressure to move units, too. But as you said - know what you want. In our case, we bought existing inventory; and they made a few changes to it per our specifications. We still have it and love it!

A big X2! I think the key is to catch a senior salesman who needs to meet a sales quota NOW.

[TakingThe5th]

TakingThe5th wrote:
We purchased our second 5er at the show in Illinois. The unit was being shown by the dealer who sold us our first unit. We did not buy our first unit at the show. Looking at your questions - both transactions were the same. I felt we had good bargaining at the show because there seemed to be some sales quotas to achieve.

Yes there were things that needed fixing when we took delivery, but we also successfully negotiated for additional work/improvements with which we were very pleased,

My experiences were very positive and it didn't matter where it happened, but it did matter with who we were dealing.

Good luck in your search.

I should clarify. We did not actually buy the actual unit shown at the show, we ordered and got a fresh unit. That said - the 5er we received had a different sofa and chairs which we did not like. We pointed this out using pictures we had taken at the show, the dealer then swapped out the sofa and chairs from the unit that was at the show.

Had we bought the actual show model we would have looked for a deep discount and would seal the deal at the last day of the show, in the afternoon, after a close inspection. Yes there are disadvantages to buying a show model but I would be using the savings to step up to something better - so what would be the trade-offs then?