When is an RV purchase final?

[Travel_n_Wrestl]

Not real knowledgeable on this type of stuff but...here goes. We signed papers for the loan doc last week. Loan was approved yesterday. We are supposed to do our walk through on Monday. However, we have seen some real bad reviews of the dealership that sold us our TT (specifically service) and have also noticed our same trailer for sale for 3K less that what we paid. I asked several times about MSRP and was given a number higher than what the dealer suggests. I am assuming after, doing a little research, the number I was quoted included delivery (2500) and a dealer prep fee. What looked like a good deal (~25% off MSRP) is not looking like such a good deal now (~10% off MSRP).

Chalk this up to being a bad consumer. I took the dealers word about MSRP including freight which I am now quite sure is not the case. Should have been more patient.

Since we have not taken delivery, are we locked in at this point? We did put 500 down as a deposit which is supposed be added to our down when we go sign papers and do a walk through next Monday. Or do we still have some options, like voicing my displeasure and requesting some options we didn't have, like a roof ladder, battery cut-off, TV, etc.? Can we still walk away?

[drsteve]

Lwiddis wrote:
Sam, written contracts memorialize the handshake. Travel does not dispute the deal he made. He is seeking to void the deal on the technical legal issue of the writing. Think of him squealing if the dealer wanted more money than the handshake deal and claiming no writing. Having Travel's cake and eating it too?

"If it's not written down, it doesn't exist." -- Judge Judy

[naturist]

DownTheAvenue wrote:
This is a time when you need to ask an attorney licensed to practice in your state and who is familiar with consumer law. I am an attorney, but not familiar with California law, so I can be of no help. Gather every document you signed and let an attorney look at it. Expect to pay $250 to $350 for an hour of his time.

This. Right. Here. Except I am not an attorney anywhere. Best $250-$350 you'll ever spend.

[Lwiddis]

Sam, written contracts memorialize the handshake. Travel does not dispute the deal he made. He is seeking to void the deal on the technical legal issue of the writing. Think of him squealing if the dealer wanted more money than the handshake deal and claiming no writing. Having Travel's cake and eating it too?

[samsontdog]

Lwiddis wrote:
When? When you put out your right hand and the dealer puts out his/her right hand...

Handshake use to mean something when I was growing up nearly 80 years ago. Not much any more. Only when you sign a legal binding contract
now days

[Lwiddis]

When? When you put out your right hand and the dealer puts out his/her right hand...

[gjcummings]

You should have been given a copy of everything you signed. Your answer will be in those documents. Read them very carefully. If you signed anything similar to "Contract for Sale" or "Sales Contract" your specific rights will be listed therein.

[Walaby]

One thing to think of, do you plan on using this dealer for warranty work/service/repairs? Not saying it's worth 3K just for that, but if you walk, possibly lose your 500 deposit, and then buy elsewhere and then show back up with the same trailer, looking for them to work on it for you, how do you think they will react? Hard enough to get good service without adding to the problem.

I think you should be able to negotiate some concessions. You just need to figure out when you've gotten enough.

Mike

[Trackrig]

Talk to the other dealer and make sure their price is really an "out the door" lower price that includes the freight, dealer prep, taxes, and everything else.

Think where you'd be if you did manage to cancel this deal, go to the other dealer and find out they're really higher when all is said and done. Then what do you do, try to go back to the first dealer?

Bill

[John_Wayne]

Tell him you found the same trailer for 3 K less match the price or you will walk

[doxiemom11]

We had something like that happen to us. If you did the financing yourself, and not thru the dealer, immediately talk to your loan officer. What they did with us is take back the cashier's check that had been prepared for the private party sale/purchase and show that loan as paid in full, then processed a new loan when we bought something else. The seller backed out on us and was trying to get more money than had been agreed on. They had even faxed a signed buy/sell agreement to our credit union. Could have fought, but wasn't worth it and we were probably better off with the next unit we found.

[NYCgrrl]

Travel'n'Wrestle wrote:
Not real knowledgeable on this type of stuff but...here goes. We signed papers for the loan doc last week. Loan was approved yesterday. We are supposed to do our walk through on Monday. However, we have seen some real bad reviews of the dealership that sold us our TT (specifically service) and have also noticed our same trailer for sale for 3K less that what we paid. I asked several times about MSRP and was given a number higher than what the dealer suggests. I am assuming after, doing a little research, the number I was quoted included delivery (2500) and a dealer prep fee. What looked like a good deal (~25% off MSRP) is not looking like such a good deal now (~10% off MSRP).

Chalk this up to being a bad consumer. I took the dealers word about MSRP including freight which I am now quite sure is not the case. Should have been more patient.
we have not taken delivery, are we locked in at this point? We did put 500 down as a deposit which is supposed be added to our down when we go sign papers and do a walk through next Monday. Or do we still have some options, like voicing my displeasure and requesting some options we didn't have, like a roof ladder, battery cut-off, TV, etc.? Can we still walk away?

Sounds like you signed the loan docs but have not signed off on actual possession. As such it probably doesn't change much from one part of the country to the other: you own nothing and still can walk away from the deal if you want.

As for the dealer's costs.....I can't say much on this because I purchased directly from the manufacturer. I will say that you should ensure you are comparing apples to same fruit as per the 3K price differential..meaning is it exactly the same unit as far as amenities not just model; does the new dealer's closing costs differ? Is the new dealer closer or further away from you? Is the loan transferable AND does the loan give you a bargaining chip to work w/ the current dealer?

HTH

[Travel_n_Wrestl]

westernrvparkowner wrote:
..Remember, it is the job of the dealership to sell you a rig at the best profit they can achieve. They aren't obligated to offer you the lowest price possible. Keep it civil and professional and you should either get your money back or get close to the price you want.

Absolutely. They are running a business. I don't fault them for trying to turn a profit. Like I said, not my best effort as a consumer. Just trying to figure out where we stand. And I operate by the old saying "You get more with sugar than vinegar"

[westernrvparkow]

If you haven't signed the documents and given them your money, you are almost assuredly able to walk away. Getting the deposit will be a function of the law, the customer friendliness of the dealer and what was done to get the trailer ready for you. If you had them add a bunch of items, ordered it in from the factory or had them trade with another dealer for it, they are going to resist refunding your money. If it was a stock unit and you have changed your mind a day later, they are likely going to refund your money.
Suggest you tell them you are considering buying a different style of unit and want to take time to make a firm decision. Don't tell them you are going to go buy the same unit from a different dealer. Maybe you can even tell them you were went over your budget and just plain decided you are spending more than you want to. Tell them you did some research and the internet is pretty clear you shouldn't be paying $2500 for a delivery charge. They may try and lower the price to earn your business.
Remember, it is the job of the dealership to sell you a rig at the best profit they can achieve. They aren't obligated to offer you the lowest price possible. Keep it civil and professional and you should either get your money back or get close to the price you want.
As for bad service reviews, that is par for the course. Service is a stressful endeavor and people often lash out. I would be more concerned about a dealership that didn't have any bad reviews regarding service. That would indicate they had figured out how to scrub bad reviews. There isn't a vehicle service entity anywhere that hasn't had unsatisfied customers.

[Travel_n_Wrestl]

Figured it would be up to state law or statute of some sort. Thanks for replying. There were some definite issues with the trailer considering it was new...finish type stuff (loose trim, loose threads, etc.) that we took pictures of, sent to the dealer, and have requested be fixed before Monday. I guess we will find out if they were done, if not, hopefully that clears us enough to walk away if we don't like what we hear/see.

As far as docs we only signed loan papers to have them find financing. They did find me a half a percent lower interest rate than what we walked in with from a credit union at least...lol

This is so much more stressful than buying a car! But it will be worth it come Memorial Day when I am sitting by the lake enjoying a Bloody Mary under the awning on my new trailer...where ever it may come from 😉

[DownTheAvenue]

This is a time when you need to ask an attorney licensed to practice in your state and who is familiar with consumer law. I am an attorney, but not familiar with California law, so I can be of no help. Gather every document you signed and let an attorney look at it. Expect to pay $250 to $350 for an hour of his time.