A Strange Dealer Price Story (...at least I thought so.)
(Ok... I sat on this recent experience for a few days, not so sure others would find it funny, but I still thinks it's a head shaker and a bit of a chuckle, so I offer it here to other coach owners. I hope y'all find it a bit entertaining, too.)
I've written here about our accident in Kansas in October of '17, and of the new-to-us Bounder we now have. I've also mentioned how I miss some of the great features of our totaled '04 Journey 32T diesel that I greatly miss - especially the fuel mileage. I doubt that I'd make the change back due to the many costs of buying and selling again, but I'm always checking the 'net for another Journey.
I just found one of those rare 32T Journeys at a dealer in a Northwestern state. I won't mention which dealer as they are a legitimate business and I don't mean to disparage them. But their completely unrealistic original price of $79,995 compared to the price they proposed in their very first response to me was something memorable – and perhaps you’ll find it entertaining.
Here is my initial contact and their first reply, followed by my note that their unit wouldn't work for me:
==========
"I'm looking to replace a 2004 Winnebago 32T that was totaled. The insurance companies have settled and I'd like to get another.
These coaches came with a diesel or a LP generator. Which does it have?
It appears to have the manual awning but it's hard to tell in your photo. Is it manual or electric?
The stainless wheel liners tell me it has the 5 speed transmission, not the six speed that came as a package with aluminum wheels. Is this the five speed?
Our 32T that was totaled had the whole body paint which this one does not have. It had the four door fridge which this one does not have. It had the 6 speed w/aluminum wheels; this one appears to be the 5 speed. Ours had the diesel generator which was the expensive option. It had about the same miles as yours. I paid $62,000 for it here in hi-dollar California - and that was back in 2015.
I watch for these coaches all over the country and I've never seen one priced anywhere near the price you folks are asking. If you will present me with a realistic price, I could be very interested. I would be a cash buyer.
Thank you."
Dale
CA
========
Their reply:
"Hi Dale;
My name is .... and I work at ..... store. Thank you for your inquiry. I appreciate the opportunity.
I had a chance to go out and inspect the Journey and most of your assumptions are correct. It has an Allison 5 speed, propane generator, a manual awning, and its not a full body paint. The decals are a little faded but the exterior is straight and the interior is very clean. Seems to have been well cared for.
I also had a chance to meet with our sales manager and he indicated that, given the fact that you have no trade, he can get to about $59,900 out the door. We sell a lot of units out of state from the internet so we know that it's best just to cut to the chase and not waste your time haggling over the price. You have better things to do. So thats why we can discount it so aggressively. Please let me know if there is anything I can do or any other questions you have.
And again, thank you for your inquiry."
=======
My reply:
Thank you for your prompt response - your willingness to drop your price so drastically was a complete surprise, but you certainly are at a more appropriate price.
Even so, the lack of a diesel generator is a complete deal killer. I would not have one as they draw from about a 30 gallon tank whereas the diesel draws from a 90 gallon tank - and the diesel draws less fuel as well. I always dry camp, and that draw on the propane tank would not be acceptable.
Still, if you get one with similar options to ours as I described in my first email, please let me know.
- Dale
=======
Now, to me this is pretty funny and just a bit unbelievable and I wanted to let other RV folks know the strange story. What were they thinking to price it so high in the first place?!
It's true... I don't have enough to do - and I'm not complaining!
I've written here about our accident in Kansas in October of '17, and of the new-to-us Bounder we now have. I've also mentioned how I miss some of the great features of our totaled '04 Journey 32T diesel that I greatly miss - especially the fuel mileage. I doubt that I'd make the change back due to the many costs of buying and selling again, but I'm always checking the 'net for another Journey.
I just found one of those rare 32T Journeys at a dealer in a Northwestern state. I won't mention which dealer as they are a legitimate business and I don't mean to disparage them. But their completely unrealistic original price of $79,995 compared to the price they proposed in their very first response to me was something memorable – and perhaps you’ll find it entertaining.
Here is my initial contact and their first reply, followed by my note that their unit wouldn't work for me:
==========
"I'm looking to replace a 2004 Winnebago 32T that was totaled. The insurance companies have settled and I'd like to get another.
These coaches came with a diesel or a LP generator. Which does it have?
It appears to have the manual awning but it's hard to tell in your photo. Is it manual or electric?
The stainless wheel liners tell me it has the 5 speed transmission, not the six speed that came as a package with aluminum wheels. Is this the five speed?
Our 32T that was totaled had the whole body paint which this one does not have. It had the four door fridge which this one does not have. It had the 6 speed w/aluminum wheels; this one appears to be the 5 speed. Ours had the diesel generator which was the expensive option. It had about the same miles as yours. I paid $62,000 for it here in hi-dollar California - and that was back in 2015.
I watch for these coaches all over the country and I've never seen one priced anywhere near the price you folks are asking. If you will present me with a realistic price, I could be very interested. I would be a cash buyer.
Thank you."
Dale
CA
========
Their reply:
"Hi Dale;
My name is .... and I work at ..... store. Thank you for your inquiry. I appreciate the opportunity.
I had a chance to go out and inspect the Journey and most of your assumptions are correct. It has an Allison 5 speed, propane generator, a manual awning, and its not a full body paint. The decals are a little faded but the exterior is straight and the interior is very clean. Seems to have been well cared for.
I also had a chance to meet with our sales manager and he indicated that, given the fact that you have no trade, he can get to about $59,900 out the door. We sell a lot of units out of state from the internet so we know that it's best just to cut to the chase and not waste your time haggling over the price. You have better things to do. So thats why we can discount it so aggressively. Please let me know if there is anything I can do or any other questions you have.
And again, thank you for your inquiry."
=======
My reply:
Thank you for your prompt response - your willingness to drop your price so drastically was a complete surprise, but you certainly are at a more appropriate price.
Even so, the lack of a diesel generator is a complete deal killer. I would not have one as they draw from about a 30 gallon tank whereas the diesel draws from a 90 gallon tank - and the diesel draws less fuel as well. I always dry camp, and that draw on the propane tank would not be acceptable.
Still, if you get one with similar options to ours as I described in my first email, please let me know.
- Dale
=======
Now, to me this is pretty funny and just a bit unbelievable and I wanted to let other RV folks know the strange story. What were they thinking to price it so high in the first place?!
It's true... I don't have enough to do - and I'm not complaining!
