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

[Atom_Ant]

gkainz wrote:

Georgew48 wrote:

gkainz wrote:
We went to the local dealers' lot while the RV show was in progress, found what we wanted and got the show price, without dealing with the show crowds.

If you didn't go to the show, how do you know you got the show price? :h

Asked for the "show price" and got a significant discount. I have to believe "something" and they had their show fliers in the office, so I can only assume that's what we got.

That's pretty common. We bought one that way as well. Didn't really know they had a show, and didn't really care, but the salesman said they were still at "show price" which was a pretty good discount off MSRP. We had already come up with our own price anyway, which was lower than "show price" and they took it so it didn't matter.

[gkainz]

Georgew48 wrote:

gkainz wrote:
We went to the local dealers' lot while the RV show was in progress, found what we wanted and got the show price, without dealing with the show crowds.

If you didn't go to the show, how do you know you got the show price? :h

Asked for the "show price" and got a significant discount. I have to believe "something" and they had their show fliers in the office, so I can only assume that's what we got.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

flyinjake wrote:
OP here.

We have been looking and researching for a long time and have narrowed it down to a floor plan style. There are a few manufactureres that have the floorplan along with other criteria. Now it comes down to comparing them.

That's what we did - we had two very similar models we liked - and we were literally walking back and forth between them, comparing features. Finally chose our Gulf Stream based on larger cargo space.

One thing I want to add: our specific C wasn't at the show, but was in inventory on the east side of Michigan. After the show, it was driven to the Grand Rapids' dealer for our inspection. The show was in January - our pretty, NEW, MH was driven through salty roads - and a year later, we were seeing rusty spots (mostly the exhaust system). Granted - ALL folks living in the north who want a vacation in warmer places, will be driving their RV on salted roads. But if I lived where road salt isn't an issue - I'd be careful about when my unit was planned to leave the Mfr (since so many are in N. Indiana). No sense in it getting a salt bath if you don't have to.

[Georgew48]

gkainz wrote:
We went to the local dealers' lot while the RV show was in progress, found what we wanted and got the show price, without dealing with the show crowds.

If you didn't go to the show, how do you know you got the show price? :h

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

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!

[gkainz]

We went to the local dealers' lot while the RV show was in progress, found what we wanted and got the show price, without dealing with the show crowds.

[retispcsi]

First thing is to enjoy the Tampa Show it is the biggest. Ask the factory reps whatever technique questions you have as they can generally answer them better then the sales people. Most if not all of the brands have reps on hand. Your ticket is good for two days and to take in the show, RV's, vendors, seminars, etc you will need that time. Most of the major brands from low to high end have most of their models on display. You can kick the tires etc and get a good feel for the rigs. I would not buy a rig at a show for all the reasons listed already. Good luck have fun it is a great show.

[Veebyes]

JMO, but go to a show already armed with information. Right here at RV.Net is a start. A good scratch around manufacturers websites is a necessity to determine possible models. Next comes the local dealers to get some price ideas to compare with show 'specials'.

RV shows are mind numbing, especially if you are looking at mid market or less product. Upper end product is not so plentyful so looking is easier between only a few builders.

The looking part is the fun part. Doesn't cost anything. Have fun. Don't buy a mistake just because the price was so good.

[Campfire_Time]

Go to the show. Find the one or two units that "light your fire". Then go to the dealer(s) the weekend following the show. The dealers in our area have their own "shows" in the weeks following the "big" show. And discounts follow through to the end of these dealer events.

[ependydad]

DO NOT poop on the potty at the RV Show.

[shadoow]

a couple of thoughts:

1. Unless you find exactly what you've been looking for and you know it's the best deal you seen and you're SURE it's what you want to do, give yourself some time to think about a deal by delaying it for a day. This will allow you to get away from the moment and do some thinking on it to make sure it's truely what you want. Go back another day and reexamine the trailer/make/model/whatever. You'll most likely see things you didn't pick up on the first time around.

2. This one doesn't necessarily relate to RV shows, but applies to shopping for an RV in general. Don't take the word of the sales staff regarding whether your tow vehicle can safely tow a trailer you're interested in. Do your own research and using the data labels on the specific trailer you're interested in decide for yourself if your tow vehicle has appropriate capability. If you don't already have a tow vehicle, you'll still have to do your homework to determine which to buy.

[flyinjake]

OP here.

We have been looking and researching for a long time and have narrowed it down to a floor plan style. There are a few manufactureres that have the floorplan along with other criteria. Now it comes down to comparing them.

Would I buy an RV that has been in a show...highly doubt it, but I will consider ordering the model if the price is right at the show.

It boils down to getting the best price on what we want. Will a show gives us that being everything else is equal? Maybe, maybe not. Seems like I will be able to use it as a gauge to see what the prices are at a dealer.

Thanks

[jbeletti]

At RVIA sanctioned shows, like Tampa, Hershey, Pomona and many, many smaller shows, the RV Manufacturers pay for the space and invite their dealers to be there.

The units at the show are generally already floored (owned) by the dealers. The manufacturers incentivize the dealers to move the show units during the show.

Factory orders for the RV of your dreams, the one with just the options you want and none that you don't want are generally taken at shows "at show pricing".

For those just starting their research, the shows can be invaluable. Take a camera, a tape measure and a notebook. Plan to grab brochures on only those that are candidates for you. Circle the floor plans you really like and write the show price in the circle.

For those who have already done their research and are ready to buy, while great deals can happen at anytime anywhere, truly great deals can be had at shows as well. Dealers do not want to bring these units to their lots. They want to sell them at the show. When dealers move all their show units at a show, they need to reorder right away. Manufacturers like this. This is why they incentivize the dealers to move the show product (or factory ordered units).

Have fun in Tampa - it's a great show.

[Go_Dogs]

IMHO: You LOOK at a show, you BUY from a local dealer. The units at a show have had a million: door slammers, tire kickers, knob twisters, furniture jumping kids, (you get the idea)going thru them. Plus, the shows are a way for the dealers to get rid of leftovers.

[Georgew48]

We bought our current one at a show but it was after we had been looking for months. About a month before we bought we found our unit at our local dealer and our sale lady talked us into waiting until the show where we got it for less than what they wanted at the dealer plus they threw in the some extras that were show specials like the sat system and a few other upgrades. Our was also a new floor plan and in high demand at the time so we were happy to get it at the price we paid (35% of MSRP and we got KBB high retail for our trade. My only request was that after we bought it they put a sold sign on it and locked the door. I know they did this because I went back the next day to check.LOL