rv shows

We have purchased both at an RV show and local dealer. Didn't save much at the show, maybe could've done better with another dealer. It was our first RV and looking back, was definitely an impulse buy.
Our last purchase, we knew what we wanted, looked a different dealers and found one close to home. We feel great about our purchase.
Lesson learned from us: RV shows are great if you know 1) exactly what you are looking for, 2) you know your prices, 3) research interest rates if you are financing 4) and how to deal with high pressure sales.
I'm glad we purchased local as we now have a relationship with our dealer and they are not far away.
If you know the exact unit you want or even considering, go to the RV show and do some comparison, won't hurt. But always be willing to turn around and walk away...you just may get a better deal in the long run.
Enjoy your search....I get the "I want" sooooo bad at those RV shows!!

Just my own personal experience: I think the answer to your question is - maybe...

In our two years looking, dreaming, and comparing I think we found it both ways. Some dealers had "show specials" that I could research and see we're pretty good (but maybe they only applied to the units they had on display?)

One dealer quietly told me that they'd give me the show price any time when I mentioned up front that I just could not pull the trigger right away.

In another case the show price was actually higher than what I already knew I could get the rig for elsewhere - and I mean I could buy it thousands less elsewhere. That same dealer pretty much lost my business forever because I met the same guy three dirfferent times, three times he told me a different story, and three different prices. Im not talking about three years apart either.

(Sorry - short rant starts here)
The final straw was when I visited that last dealership in person, ask a question about The price of the camper I wanted with the Arctic package option and was talked down to/almost treated like a kid. Took my business elsewhere and saved money in the process while getting exactly what I wanted and not what he wanted to sell... Folks that want to make a sale should learn to not judge a book by its cover and treat customers and their questions with respect...
(Rant ends here with apologies.)

Sorry I'm long winded. If you know the brand/floorplan you want do your research online and get a good feel for what it ought to sell for. If you are still looking for the right brand and floorplan I think the shows are a great place to see and learn and maybe even to buy. Do take time to talk to the factory reps if you can - just don't take everything at face value. You can save yourself a great deal if you do your own research. At least you won't have to wonder if you really got a good deal or not.

I've personally never done this, but I've head that sometimes RV show representatives will sell the floor models at a decent discount, so they don’t have to pay for them to be moved back to their storage facility.

In general, you should always do your research before showing up. I wouldn't even talk to the dealer until you know the wholesale value of the camper. If you go to a show bring a smart phone, so you can look stuff up as you walk around.

Use the show to see what you like then if you can wait 6 to 8 months there will be left overs, still new for alot less. I was at the 2012 show looking at a winniebago tour list 369k I think. I said to the salesman I can buy this motorhome next year for 279k, he said no way.
I was right. Of course I can,t afford that, but if I could thats how I would buy.

Ken

I agree with the other poster who said to gather information and visit around before hand. We bought after a show. A lot of dealers were running specials, throwing in some extras. We also discovered a local credit union was running a good finance rate during the month of the show. And I called around to compare the rate, and it was about a point lower than others.

APT wrote:
RV shows are great for comparing lots of RVS floorplans, brands/construction/quality. They rarely have the best prices, though. Few people beat the the handful of high volume/so called wholesale dealers. RV Direct, RV Wholesalers, Lakeshore RV, etc. My advice is to go to the show to narrow down what you want. Get some quotes from the dealers above. Compare with your local dealer to determine is the prices are worth the drive/delivery from above.

I respectfully disagree in part, yes shows are great places too compare floor plans however i have bought 2 at shows and got super deals. I have compared with RV Wholesalers and RV Direct and each time my local dealer was right on the money with them. I did not have to say match RV Direct or anyone else, there price was spot on each time. Why go to someone out of town or state for that matter who doesn't care if you ever talk to them again when you can support your local dealer and have a great service department to back you up!

We would go to the shows when looking. As stated, a great place to see a lot of rigs and compare them and floor plans.

However, you can also get as good, if not better deals away from the show.

Too much high pressure "show price only and incentives" to get your name on the dotted line!

You will always find at least as good a deal, if not better away from a show.

I had a similar experience a couple years back at a show in the fall. The dealer started adding oddball fees after we shook hands, then he was coy about explaining what they were, so I backed out.

I almost made a purchase at the Dallas show, but realized they were trying to pull some shenanigans on me so I walked. I am so glad I did. Wound up getting the same trailer almost $2000 cheaper at a dealer a couple of hours away. The dealer at the show told me I was getting special show pricing and incentives that I would not get anywhere else.........yeah, right. My experience was not good at the show, but I enjoyed looking at all the different brands and floor plans. Your experience may differ.

We went when we were looking, just to look. Did more research & went again with just a few models in mind, just to be sure. Went a third time with intentions of buying, if everything was right. It wasn't.

Eventually bought an almost new, 6 month old trailer, private sale.

Have been to a show a couple of times since. Happily, we have not seen anything that we like better than what we have. Fun to look though.