Test Driving RV

[gayleg]

I called to set up appointments to test drive 2 RV's on our short list today (which would entail a 4 hr round trip)and was told I couldn't drive them without making an offer. Is this happening elsewhere? One dealer earlier in the week allowed us to drive without this restriction and was very gracious and helpful. The other two dealers were not. This is in Colorado. Just curious if this is becoming normal business practice.

[AprilWhine]

Hmm, a bit unrealistic of the OP.

When we bought the bus in my sig, we did not drive it personally until after we paid for it. Our test drive consisted of the salesman doing the driving as we went anywhere directed.

However, we bought from someone with an established business and a very good reputation. It was explained before the deal that due to insurance, we would not be able to personally test drive the bus.

Now, three years and around 50,000 miles later, we are still very happy with the purchase and would do it again.

[jdog]

pitch wrote:
Did you establish any kind of relationship ship? I sure wouldn't let any Tom Dick or Harry walk on to my lot and take a drive just on a whim. twenty minutes to an hour of intercourse would probably work to establish your credentials.

I'll pass on that! You go ahead and have "intercourse" with the male salesman. Not my thing!

[Bucky_Badger]

mockturtle wrote:
Unless I totally misunderstood the OP, the four hours refers to his drive to the dealership and back.

You are probably correct. But the OPs need to come back to posts they
Start.

[mockturtle]

Unless I totally misunderstood the OP, the four hours refers to his drive to the dealership and back.

[Trap]

deleted

[pwcdfrcamper]

I also agree that a test drive should happen, but not for 4 hours. Seems to be a very long test drive. I have driven many different types of vehicles in my life and never needed more than a half hour to find out how it rides. IMO

[BruceMc]

Look it up in your Funk & Wagnalls:
Intercourse: Interpersonal communication, any kind of human communication and/or interaction

B^)

[AO_hitech]

An hour, huh!?!



Sorry, just couldn't help myself... :E

[drleen]

pitch wrote:
Did you establish any kind of relationship ship? I sure wouldn't let any Tom Dick or Harry walk on to my lot and take a drive just on a whim. twenty minutes to an hour of intercourse would probably work to establish your credentials.

Yes, I suppose that would help in establishing credentials. My wife might not be too happy about these newly established credentials, though.

Dustin
MPLS
'14 Itasca Navion on order

[JALLEN4]

People on this Forum sometimes seem to have a double standard on this issue. Many people have expressed the opinion that they don't want to purchase a unit that has been test driven by a number of strangers. Many don't want to sell their own unit and face the need for strangers coming to their home and wanting to test drive their motor home. They express fear of inexperienced people driving a large vehicle and the personal safety issues involved.

It is in fact a two way street. These dealers are simply wishing to establish, from a perfect stranger on the phone, that they are actually a potential buyer of a unit and have some reasonable price where a deal could be struck. From experience, I can assure you multiple vehicles are stolen every year using the test drive ploy. Some few salespeople lose their lives every year during these activities. Dealers lose their very higinsurancece deductibles every year when test drivers wreck their unit and refuse to pay.

It is a serious world out there and to expect a dealer to say "Yeah, come on down and play with our inventory" to someone on the phone and without previous contact is just poor business practices. If the situation was reversed, any intelligent consumer would try to protect themselves. Just because they are in the business to sell does not exempt them from possible problems. There is nothing more frustrating than giving a lengthy demonstration and test ride only to discover the customer either has no possibility to buy or expects a price $50,000 lower than reasonable.

[Dog_Folks]

If you put any money down at all, for any reason, without a test drive, then I have some real nice waterfront,(cough,swampland) for you to buy here in Florida.

I would not be offended if the dealer used another means, to make sure I was not a "tire kicker."

There are other dealers with the same unit, although they may be further away.

[mlts22]

I can see a balance. For example, I want to test drive a Trend just to see how it handles on Texas roads and the wind gusts from the semis on I-35 and TX Highway 45 with the 18 wheelers hitting triple digits. However, I can completely understand a dealer reluctant to let anyone off the street drive an expensive rig that even if insurance did pay for damage, it would be hard to sell. There is a Beavis & Butthead episode that is about this topic. I don't mind the salesperson coming along, because what I'm looking for is if I can one one-hand the steering wheel versus white-knuckling it, and that isn't exactly Fast & Furious driving.

Not sure what to do in this case, as I understand both sides of this issue. Maybe offer to insure it completely for a day on one's own insurance?

[Bucky_Badger]

mockturtle wrote:
Good grief, no one is going to let a person drive off unaccompanied in an RV (or a car). These dealers are insured--they should be able to let you do a test drive with a sales or service person on board. If not, just keep looking.

not for 4 hours tho:B

[mockturtle]

Good grief, no one is going to let a person drive off unaccompanied in an RV (or a car). These dealers are insured--they should be able to let you do a test drive with a sales or service person on board. If not, just keep looking.