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.

[pitch]

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.

[dspencer]

Sounds too me like an over agressive salesman. I bet if you called there bluff on it they would fold like a cheap tent. If not i would go on to the next one. I've never heard of that in the RV business. If the salesman doesn't back down i would ask for the sales manager or general manger and i bet that policy goes away very quick. Now if you were setting down to numbers some places might want you to put a deposit with an offer but that is entirely different.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I wonder if this is how they defense against people driving their inventory - then ordering from an online source?? I can't exactly blame them - especially if it's someplace where they use road salt. Detailing an RV is work....and then to have it undone and not make a sale can be frustrating?

Make a lowball offer and see if they want to play?

[Bucky_Badger]

Maybe they don't want all kinds of people going on 4 hour road trips with their rvs

[kkmack]

We've had something similar happen to us at a consignment place. They wanted our credit card number. They claimed it was to hold the unit for us so it wouldn't be sold before we could get there to see it and drive it. If we didn't like the unit, we would not be held to it.

We declined the unit after seeing it. They wern't supposed to charge our card, but somehow it accidentally got entered and billed. I was pretty pissed! When I complained, our money was refunded. We did not purchase anything from them.

[BurbMan]

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
What's the problem? :h

They want you to make an offer, make an offer and go for a drive.

An offer is not a contract. Tell them what they want to hear and go for a drive. If they want to play games play the game and have fun. 🙂

gayleg wrote:
I couldn't even make appointments with the other two unless I was prepared to write a contract contingent on driving approval.

Once you do that then they have you stuck. If you drive it and don't like it you can pick another coach but you can't pick another dealer.

If it was me, I would just show up there and ask to look at the coach you wanted to see, and if it was worth driving ask to drive it. Dollars to donuts they let you take it for a spin. maybe the fact that you are calling in advance to set up an appointment has them thinking that you are a tire kicker and not a serious buyer....I can't imagine that a dealer would stay in business long by not allowing test drives without a signed contract first.

Guaranteed if you drive your current coach up there they will immediately figure out that you are a serious buyer and you won't have a problem driving anything on the lot.

[jdog]

Went to a used car lot one time looking at a used Corvett. While I was looking they wanted my keys so they could look at my trade in. After looking for awhile, I wanted to drive the Corvett. No way, we can't let you! I asked for my keys and car, finding out they were out driving it. Never went back there again. Years later, the owner opened a new car lot. Turned out to be a reall crook selling the cars at inflated prices.

[wny_pat1]

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
What's the problem? :h

They want you to make an offer, make an offer and go for a drive.

An offer is not a contract. Tell them what they want to hear and go for a drive. If they want to play games play the game and have fun. 🙂

They probably want a non-refundable deposit too! I find a different dealer.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

What's the problem? :h

They want you to make an offer, make an offer and go for a drive.

An offer is not a contract. Tell them what they want to hear and go for a drive. If they want to play games play the game and have fun. 🙂

[gayleg]

All the dealers are in Colorado, one north of Denver one south. One was a small independent dealer, the other one a large national dealer. The one dealer where we drove 2 of our choices, was great. It is a large national chain. They had both coaches out and ready to go. I couldn't even make appointments with the other two unless I was prepared to write a contract contingent on driving approval. I agree it's crazy. Just wondered if it was becoming a national trend or something local. Thanks for the responses.

[PRodacy]

I've never heard of such a thing. One thing is certain - I'd never even consider buying from a dealer who treated his customers like that. Sounds like a jerk to me.

[robsouth]

Offer them $10.00.

[txdutt]

Just curious, what town & dealers would ask you something like that here?

[mockturtle]

Hard to believe. Also hard to believe they would sell any motorhomes at all! :h

[gayleg]

The bad part is, there are no other dealers with the coach I want to drive. I've owned motorhomes for 30 years, this would be my 4th. We were looking to move up since retiring. It would also be cash. I did congratulate the sales manager on having such a successful business. We may just wait and stay with what we have for the time being
2006 Tioga SL 31W