RVIA seal Noob

The RVIA does charge the member companies a certain amount per unit for the seals (and an associated fee to fund their Go RVing ad campaigns), besides their annual membership fees. Member companies agree to pay up and put the seals on all the units they make for sale in the US and Canada, as I understand it.

At least as of 2013, the total fees assessed ranged from $62 to $90 per unit, depending on the type of RV.

wa8xym, right. But do some dealers try to get away with charging a fee for it as if it is an extra feature or requirement to an uneducated buyer? That is what I am weary of and am trying to avoid.

RVIA RV Industry Assn..

Are you a member of any fraternal ordinations. Moose, Elk, Rotary Club, ____ Do not post the answer unless it is "Yes, the ARRL". in which case HI. So am I.

Even FMCA (family Motor Coach Assn) and Good Sams qualify for this post.

Why I ask.. You pay an annual fee. You get to display the card, enjoy the "Benefits" if any, and get the news letter mailed to you or E-mailed.

Now in some cases you have to make some promises, in the case of RVIA you promise to make a quality product.. But Not to turn out trash.
But then you get to slap on the seal

The fee is paid BEFORE the trailer or Motor home is made.

I might add that like the BBB or the C of C... RVIA collects complaints, and investigates them.. IF they find a company using say Grade 5 bolts in a place where Grade 8 is called for.. Well.. No more RVIA seals till they clean up their act.

The manufacturer passes the RVIA fee along to the dealer and the dealer passes it along to the end buyer. Even if it isn't spelled out as a separate line item on the invoice, it's still included in the price. As said, the "out the door" price is all that matters.

DCamp84 wrote:
Ok great thank you. So if I see a line in the deal for a RVIA seal charge, I'll tell the salesperson I'm not paying it.

The line items on a sales agreement don't mean much. If the bottom line is the amount you are willing to pay then make the deal. Let the dealer break it down by line item any way they wish.

What you should be doing is negotiating an OUT THE DOOR PRICE other wise known as bottom line deal.

GO in make your offer as an out the door price plus actual sales tax and ACTUAL DMV FEES.
Look at the document and see if the price matches your offer.
They may separate the total into many parts but make sure the totsl is exactly what you offered.

DCamp84 wrote:
Ok great thank you. So if I see a line in the deal for a RVIA seal charge, I'll tell the salesperson I'm not paying it.

That's exactly what I would tell the salesperson. Don't hesitate to question anything the salesperson/dealer tells you.

Ask lots of questions BEFORE you sign any papers or give them any money.
Someone on the forum will have the answer.

Make sure you have enough tow vehicle to pull the trailer you are considering. Don't listen the sales people when they tell you your F-150 will pull anything on their lot.
Do your homework before buying.

Enjoy your search and keep us updated on your purchase.

Ok great thank you. So if I see a line in the deal for a RVIA seal charge, I'll tell the salesperson I'm not paying it.

Correct....and if you are buying from a dealer, don't let them add a bogus RIVA sticker charge to the deal.

Good luck with your search and welcome to the Forum.

Yep, it's a one time fee paid by the manufacturer. The cost is sometimes broken out in the retail sales documents. It does not apply to used units...