Really -- $1,500 for PDI ! Seriously???

[LetsRV]

Recently retired and have had some thoughts about getting new (or newer) motorhome for future travels.

Looked at a very nice MH at a Camping World location today. Listed on the sticker was $1,500 for PDI. I told the salesman he had to be kidding. He told me that everyone has been doing it for many years and it is always included in the price but they just happen to disclose it.

Hmmmm, if everyone does it then it must be built into the MSRP and therefore he was charging me twice as I didn't see any discount on the MSRP pricing.

Is this really where things are now days?? $1,500 for PDI on a motorhome??

[msmith1199]

bigcitypopo wrote:
There is something fundamentally wrong with charging for a PDI... The dealer and manufacturer should be on the same page " the unit is in perfect working order... So we have no warranty issues"

And as a token of out belief in the product we carry and sell. I will go over every inch with you and make sure it is right..

This is similar to the trick airlines are currently playing on people. They want to give the illusion that their ticket prices are lower than the next guys so they lower ticket prices but charge you extra for all the other stuff; checked bags, meals, a pillow, etc. RV dealers want to give you the illusion of a lower price and then tack on these extra charges. When people shop around they generally don't ask about all those extra fees.

[rk911]

Sooner Schooner wrote:
Just spent the weekend in Dallas/Ft.Worth area looking at motorhomes, two very big, well respected dealerships have it in writing "no charge" for PDI or anything else. We came close to a purchase and we were given the final price, and it included PDI, full propane and fuel tanks, wash, wax, fully detailed, etc. So, just because they charge it, doesn't mean you have to pay it.

don't kid yourself....it's in his overhead and you're paying for it. ain't nuthin' free.

[Sooner_Schooner]

Just spent the weekend in Dallas/Ft.Worth area looking at motorhomes, two very big, well respected dealerships have it in writing "no charge" for PDI or anything else. We came close to a purchase and we were given the final price, and it included PDI, full propane and fuel tanks, wash, wax, fully detailed, etc. So, just because they charge it, doesn't mean you have to pay it.

[John___Angela]

Exactly. Also, I suspect the 1500 dollars is a dealership averaged cost on a PDI between new and used units. (not walk thru) A 6 or 7 year old used motorhome is going to have a PDI costing a lot more than 1500 bucks...at least in my experience.

[Trap]

rk911 wrote:

Sooner Schooner wrote:
I am shocked by the amount of people who think all these extra fees for nothing in return is okay...

I don't think anyone is saying or thinking that. at least I know i'm not. my point has simply been that the dealer has overhead costs and those costs will vary from dealer to dealer. some dealers will not add in those costs on top of the negotiated price while others will. but don't think that because a dealer hasn't added on those costs and fees that you're not paying for them. just like you're paying for that "free" wifi at the campground in your camping fees you're paying doc fees, PDI fees, put-my-kid-thru-college fees when you buy an RV. negotiate the best price you can and compare bottom lines.

You are absolutely correct, the out the door price is all that matters, doesn't make a bit of difference to me how they get to that price, just what the price is.

The dealer with a $1,500.00 PDI may have a better price than the one with the all included cost. Either way you are going to pay for it.

[rk911]

Sooner Schooner wrote:
I am shocked by the amount of people who think all these extra fees for nothing in return is okay...

I don't think anyone is saying or thinking that. at least I know i'm not. my point has simply been that the dealer has overhead costs and those costs will vary from dealer to dealer. some dealers will not add in those costs on top of the negotiated price while others will. but don't think that because a dealer hasn't added on those costs and fees that you're not paying for them. just like you're paying for that "free" wifi at the campground in your camping fees you're paying doc fees, PDI fees, put-my-kid-thru-college fees when you buy an RV. negotiate the best price you can and compare bottom lines.

[dougrainer]

topflite51 wrote:
PDI = Pre Delivery Inspection.

No where does it say that it is meant to be an all encompassing training session for the consumer. If you cannot understand the user manuals maybe you bit off more than you can chew. Some of the best training one can receive is by reading the manuals, that is why manufacturers go to the expense of writing and printing them. PDI's are just that, inspections. My mother complained to me that the PDI she received did not cover all the functions of using the convection oven, my response was "Mom did you expect them to cook you a roast? Did you try reading the manual?" I won't write what her answer was.:b

Correct. There are 2 different labor ops for a dealership
1. PDI
2. Retail customer delivery/Walk thru
Both are seperate items, but are INTERNAL and the customer never sees this part of his paperwork. UNLESS you are paying for it from some of "those" dealers:B Doug

[topflite51]

PDI = Pre Delivery Inspection.

No where does it say that it is meant to be an all encompassing training session for the consumer. If you cannot understand the user manuals maybe you bit off more than you can chew. Some of the best training one can receive is by reading the manuals, that is why manufacturers go to the expense of writing and printing them. PDI's are just that, inspections. My mother complained to me that the PDI she received did not cover all the functions of using the convection oven, my response was "Mom did you expect them to cook you a roast? Did you try reading the manual?" I won't write what her answer was.:b

[Sooner_Schooner]

I am shocked by the amount of people who think all these extra fees for nothing in return is okay. What happened to "quality control"? We call a $100K rig an "entry level" RV, but it is still $100,000! When you pay for a new rig, I see nothing wrong with expecting everything to work when you buy it. The technician who built it or installed something needs to do the job right the first time, and I am not paying $1500 for them to show me it works. For those of you with all that extra money to spend, I'm sure the dealer really appreciates it.

[bigcitypopo]

There is something fundamentally wrong with charging for a PDI... The dealer and manufacturer should be on the same page " the unit is in perfect working order... So we have no warranty issues"

And as a token of out belief in the product we carry and sell. I will go over every inch with you and make sure it is right..

[dougrainer]

wilco wrote:
Dealers and pricing systems certainly differ and some are more "transparent" than others. Anyway here's my recent experience buying a new "leftover" 2012 coach.

The coach had been on the lot for some time and the dealer was "motivated". Over time we negotiated down to what he claimed was his actual dealer cost. (I believe this to be true since we were at approximately 65% of MSRP). I raised my eyebrows at a $2000 PDI charge that he would not negotiate.

His explanation...the coach manufacturer insisted that, if they were to honour the warrantee the coach had to be fully operational and as close to cosmetically perfect as possible when it left the lot. They had a long checklist that they had to complete, sign and send in. The idea here was that the manufacturer would of course cover any failed parts etc. as a warrantee item, but the dealer was responsible for minor wear and tear items or damage that might have occurred while the coach was on the lot and any final adjustments that the coach might require.

At this dealership, sales and parts/service operated as independent entities and therefore the sales department was charged for any work done by service. (Most car dealerships work like this).

What was done for $2000:

- checklist was completed and all systems checked as operational (water was added and plumbing checked, batteries topped up and so on...the tech even came looking for me since I had the remote control with the docs package and he wanted to check the DVD player.
- a number of minor cosmetic items that had accrued on the lot were repaired
- the awning was adjusted to make it deploy properly
- several hours were spent calibrating the levelling system (needed a reset/reboot)
- locate and tighten a leaking water fitting in the bathroom
- fuel and propane tanks were filled
- dealer paid for the first coach service (oil/ filters etc.) (at a truck centre)
- dealer paid for having coach weighed (at moving company)
- dealer paid for wheel alignment once coach was loaded (at a truck centre)
- cleaning person spent at least 3-4 hours cleaning everything inside and out

None of these things were "free" to the dealer and likely not covered by the manufacturer either. In short, I don't think in this case that they made much profit on the $2000 fee. One way or another, it was my money and think I got good value for it.

\
Curious. 6 days ago, you posted you just had your 1997 Thor weighed. You now state in the past 6 days you purchased a new 2012 model?????? The ONLY part of this post that is in error is this-----NO OEM requires a PDI to keep the OEM warranty in effect. Yes, there are a LOT of lot rot/damage that is NOT covered by the OEM warranty and the dealer is responsible for all that repair or maintenance. The LONGER a unit sits on the lot, the more things will need repair that the warranty does not cover and the PDI people are supposed to find and fix. THIS type thing is where some RV'ers get the shaft. They go out of there home state to buy that great deal and then return to the local dealer with a laundry list. A LOT of those items are NOT warranty and the RV'er will have to pay for those items. Those items are the responsibility of the selling dealer. Doug

[JALLEN4]

CountryCoachrv wrote:
All you expert negotiators amuse me. The salesman is going to get the best of you no matter how clever you think you are. If you want the RV and you show any enthusiasm for it then you are toast. Best deal is to do your research in advance and let them know what you are willing to pay, if they don't accept then you dust off your boots and head on down the road to an honest dealer.

Does that mean that having a perceived lower price is the definition of an "Honest" dealer?

[CountryCoachrv]

All you expert negotiators amuse me. The salesman is going to get the best of you no matter how clever you think you are. If you want the RV and you show any enthusiasm for it then you are toast. Best deal is to do your research in advance and let them know what you are willing to pay, if they don't accept then you dust off your boots and head on down the road to an honest dealer.

[wilco]

Dealers and pricing systems certainly differ and some are more "transparent" than others. Anyway here's my recent experience buying a new "leftover" 2012 coach.

The coach had been on the lot for some time and the dealer was "motivated". Over time we negotiated down to what he claimed was his actual dealer cost. (I believe this to be true since we were at approximately 65% of MSRP). I raised my eyebrows at a $2000 PDI charge that he would not negotiate.

His explanation...the coach manufacturer insisted that, if they were to honour the warrantee the coach had to be fully operational and as close to cosmetically perfect as possible when it left the lot. They had a long checklist that they had to complete, sign and send in. The idea here was that the manufacturer would of course cover any failed parts etc. as a warrantee item, but the dealer was responsible for minor wear and tear items or damage that might have occurred while the coach was on the lot and any final adjustments that the coach might require.

At this dealership, sales and parts/service operated as independent entities and therefore the sales department was charged for any work done by service. (Most car dealerships work like this).

What was done for $2000:

- checklist was completed and all systems checked as operational (water was added and plumbing checked, batteries topped up and so on...the tech even came looking for me since I had the remote control with the docs package and he wanted to check the DVD player.
- a number of minor cosmetic items that had accrued on the lot were repaired
- the awning was adjusted to make it deploy properly
- several hours were spent calibrating the levelling system (needed a reset/reboot)
- locate and tighten a leaking water fitting in the bathroom
- fuel and propane tanks were filled
- dealer paid for the first coach service (oil/ filters etc.) (at a truck centre)
- dealer paid for having coach weighed (at moving company)
- dealer paid for wheel alignment once coach was loaded (at a truck centre)
- cleaning person spent at least 3-4 hours cleaning everything inside and out

None of these things were "free" to the dealer and likely not covered by the manufacturer either. In short, I don't think in this case that they made much profit on the $2000 fee. One way or another, it was my money and think I got good value for it.