Haggling on used RV from dealer

[lacossarnold]

We're about to spring for our first RV (a fifth wheel bunkhouse) and have found a 2015 used one that we like at a local dealer that lists for $30,500. I'm horrible at haggling. What should we aim for for a purchase price? Would we get more value if we pushed for stuff (e.g. add a washer/dryer or give us $xxxx credit in your store?) than if we just tried to get the price down? Our plan is to go in with $10,000 cash plus a preapproved loan.

Thanks all! Really looking forward to joining the RV life. We've rented a couple of times and my grandparents (both sides) owned one growing up but this will be our first one of our own.

[midnightsadie]

great advice remember a sales person is NOT YOUR FRIEND, they want your money. and will lie to get it.

[SidecarFlip]

Ralph Cramden wrote:

guidry wrote:
Low price is $28,000 and dealer lists it as $30,000. I'd bet he paid about $18-20,000 to the prior owner either in trade or cash. So, I'd start at $23,000 depending on what you find needing fixed or repaired. Good luck

I'd bet on that 18K to 20K also.

Mr. Cramden is right on. RV's as a rule, sell new for nowhere close to MSRP which is a pie in the sky figure anyway and, the depreciation curve on a new RV is pretty steep so I'd offer a low ball price as well.

We are in the off season anyway and most dealers want to move stale stock.

Get in there and do what I PM'd you about and if it passes muster, still offer a low price and see what happens. Dealers 'deal'. Thats what the business is all about.

[Ralph_Cramden]

guidry wrote:
Low price is $28,000 and dealer lists it as $30,000. I'd bet he paid about $18-20,000 to the prior owner either in trade or cash. So, I'd start at $23,000 depending on what you find needing fixed or repaired. Good luck

I'd bet on that 18K to 20K also.

[Ralph_Cramden]

bikendan wrote:

lacossarnold wrote:

bikendan wrote:
You need to also inspect the roof carefully.
Most common area for water intrusion.

Thanks, someone else PMed me info on tricks to check that. It does have a 12 year roof warranty on the EDPM roof. Is that good?

12 year roof warranty is only good for original owner, non-transferable.

"Is the Alpha Systems Roof warranty transferable to subsequent owners?

No. The warranty is only valid for the original owner who purchased the unit “new”."

Add to that even if the warranty is still in effect it does not cover sealants, adhesives, moldings, any resulting damage, or labor.....only the membrane itself which is almost the cheapest piece of the puzzle.

Most never take the time to read all the gobbilygook in that big folder or bag.

[bikendan]

lacossarnold wrote:

bikendan wrote:
You need to also inspect the roof carefully.
Most common area for water intrusion.

Thanks, someone else PMed me info on tricks to check that. It does have a 12 year roof warranty on the EDPM roof. Is that good?

12 year roof warranty is only good for original owner, non-transferable.

"Is the Alpha Systems Roof warranty transferable to subsequent owners?

No. The warranty is only valid for the original owner who purchased the unit “new”."

[dodge_guy]

Just remeber, no one ever paid MSRP for an RV. Usually 30% less. So their used asking price should be 30% less than that. Meaning if their used asking price is based on the original MSRP then I would offer 30% less than that!

I’ve seen used RV’s going for almost as much as a new one.

[SidecarFlip]

Grit dog wrote:
Note, not all dealers will entertain your haggling. If they don’t, screw em and move on.
Case in point, went to impulse buy a car almost a year ago. Low balled them around $10k off sticker. They wouldn’t budge past the 3 or 4 They had it marked down.
It’s still sitting there and now $11k off advertised. When I get some time I’m going back .... at $15k off! See what they say.

Did the same with my last buggy but offered CASH. They balked, I headed for the door and viola, they changed their minds.

I hate payments anyway.

[Grit_dog]

Note, not all dealers will entertain your haggling. If they don’t, screw em and move on.
Case in point, went to impulse buy a car almost a year ago. Low balled them around $10k off sticker. They wouldn’t budge past the 3 or 4 They had it marked down.
It’s still sitting there and now $11k off advertised. When I get some time I’m going back .... at $15k off! See what they say.

[Grit_dog]

old guy wrote:
I used to sell tt'ers. ask 25% less his asking price and settle for 10% if the haggling goes the distance. also ask for a 10 to 15% discount in the store, if he wants to sell you a TT he will give a store discount. my brother in law is great at haggling, he goes in prepared to know what the car or TT is worth and gives a price. gives him name and number and in about a week he gets a call for him to come in and get his car or tt

Might be the first on topic response! Lol
Agree with above. Don’t act excited about it like you have to have it. Don’t tell them
Your story or they’ll think you’re desperate and have you hooked.
Look at the the comparables like you have and go in at at least $5k below asking price and see where they’ll settle at.

[lacossarnold]

bikendan wrote:
You need to also inspect the roof carefully.
Most common area for water intrusion.

Thanks, someone else PMed me info on tricks to check that. It does have a 12 year roof warranty on the EDPM roof. Is that good?

[bikendan]

You need to also inspect the roof carefully.
Most common area for water intrusion.

[guidry]

Low price is $28,000 and dealer lists it as $30,000. I'd bet he paid about $18-20,000 to the prior owner either in trade or cash. So, I'd start at $23,000 depending on what you find needing fixed or repaired. Good luck

[Mickeyfan0805]

lacossarnold wrote:
It’s got R9 sidewall insulation and depending on options, either 414 top and bottom or R14 plus another R14 worth of radiant insulation (one of the things I want to check when I go back). The roof is EPDM with a 12 year warranty. We brought the family the first time but I like the idea of spending more time there. The quality seems good (e.g. solid wood cabinets, etc). Any other hints?

I'm not a full-timer, but some of the things that come to mind are things such as water heater type and size, tank heaters, tank size, refrigerator size (is it a full fridge or a smaller rv-style fridge) does it have enough toilets for your family, etc... My wife and I talk about camping for 2-3 months at a time in retirement, and these are the things I think of in relation to our current unit. Ours is great for a couple weeks, but I'd never spend months in it because of the inconvenience of a 6 gallon water heater, small fridge, small shower, etc...

[SidecarFlip]

Lippert is always questionable quality.