Paying dealer prep on a used motorhome?

[jarata1]

I received my contract today on a used newmar bay star and they are charging 595 for dealer prep does that sound right

[Tinstar]

Their profit is already built in. An additional half grand is not something I would pay. That was tried on me. We negotiated the price and when I went in to pick it up, they added a "dealer prep fee". I told them no, walked out and went home. They were on the phone to me within a couple of hours wanting me back, without the fee. I nearly walked out again when they wanted to charge me for a second set of keys. Again I told them no and started to leave. Lastly, it was an extended warranty. I told that guy that he was betting it would not break down during the warranty period and I never bet on another man's game. They finally gave up on anything other than the agreed upon price. They will try anything for a buck. This was not on my most recent m/h purchase.

[tropical36]

Standing by for the results of all this advice....:@

[old_guy]

used rv's used cars and trucks are the money makers for rv dealers. it the new ones that have the narrow money margin. tell them no deal and walk.the 595 add on is pure profit for them

[dougrainer]

When a Dealer charges a PDI fee, I would ask for a itemized list that details what that includes with a detailed check off that EVERYTHING on that list has been checked and verified to be correct. NO DEAL unless that list is supplied and you have the option to cancel that deal with FULL refund of any money put down if when you arrive and inspect that RV, ANY of the PDI items are not to spec. PDI charges are how most Internet dealers pad their profit. IF any Dealer "gives" you a full Tank of Gas or Diesel, well, you were SCREWED on the deal at the get go. IF you negotiate a full tank of Fuel, then that cost will be hidden in the deal and you WILL be paying for that $200 to $500 in fuel. FULL LP should always be include regardless of price. That will cost them less than $50. $600 for a Diesel PDI will be about 4 hours labor, not including the cost of Labor and Materials to fix defects found. It is very difficult to go thru a USED Diesel and check chassis and coach items in 3 to 4 hours. Now, if they are only checking appliances and other operational items, then that is within the time frame. That is CHECKING only, not fixing the items that need fixing. You could also ask and have a signed contract that states if you find ANY item on the $595 PDI checklist defective, then you get a full refund of the $595. Then they still must check and fix the items that are defective. If you are traveling a long distance and you find defective items, have in the contract they will pay for you to stay in a Hotel while they fix the items. Doug

[Dale_Traveling]

For a used coach, (and maybe a new one) unless the dealer prep includes bumper to bumper 12 month/12,000 mile warranty, full fuel tank, full propane tank, 12 month roadside emergency assistance and a $100 Amazon Gift Card I would instruct them to drop it or I walk.

[Community Alumni]

Tell the dealer; Hasta la vista, baby!

[Triker33]

No to the dealer prep. And they fix everything FREE you find wrong on the final walk through before you sign the papers.

[mccsix]

I found that adding the exact amt of prep to my discounted offer usually allows both to be "happy". Just don't tell them that or you'll open up the back/forth negotiations again.

[1968mooney]

Junk.

[NCC-1701]

I would not pay prep fees...see my comments in your other post on fees, like the paperwork fees some of these big guys try to charge.

Only you can determine if you are willing to walk away. In my case, when they pull out the old "fees" play, I am willing to walk. Never had a dealer that did not remove them.

[midnightsadie]

X2 out the door price only. and tell them your deducting a buyer pick up fee.

[TheLuvShack]

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

[DownTheAvenue]

If you negotiated a final price and ten discovered a add on dealer prep fee, merely tell your salesman to lower the sales price by the amount of the prep fee, and then add that prep fee so the final "out the door" price is the same. Tell the salesman if they will not do it, you will not by the motor home. I bet they do it!

That dealer prep fee is just a way to make an additional profit by sticking a last minute charge onto the deal at the end after you have been worn down and emotionally involved in the purchase and more likely to agree to the charge. It is a sneaky but sophisticated strategy that many dealers use.

[Bruce_Brown]

Not a chance am I paying dealer prep after the deal is done.

As far as walking away, absolutely. They will not let you get too far away before they decide the $595 ripoff isn't that important.