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camperforlife's avatar
camperforlife
Explorer
Mar 01, 2014

We were THAT close!

Went to the camper show and fell in love with the perfect trailer, a Heartland Sundance 322RES. There wasn't anything we didn't like except the price. Fast forward 3 weeks and I find out that a local dealer has a 2014 Heartland Sundance 332RES that was used for 6 weeks and then traded on a new 40' motorhome. After 4 days of back and forth with the dealer we settled on a price 14k under the new one, almost too good to be true. Obviously the dealer made plenty on the 180k motorhome they sold. The morning we were going to sign the papers the DW got up and looked me in the eye and said "I don't want to spend the money, I love the trailer but I can't spend the money".

Do you know what? We have been married 35 years and anytime something like this happens, we eventually look back and realize that we made the right decision. I feel bad about not getting the trailer but I never doubt the decision when we aren't 100% in agreement.

If anyone is looking for a great deal on the trailer, let me know and I will forward you the dealer information.
Seeking Advice
  • Go_Dogs's avatar
    Go_Dogs
    Explorer
    Mar 01, 2014
    I respect you and your wife for holding back. I, for one, believe in 'gut feelings'. Plans change. Unexpected illness, accidents, family issues, etc. So, maybe you passed on a good deal, so what. If you negotiated one good deal, you certainly have the skills to negotiate another one.
  • camperforlife's avatar
    camperforlife
    Explorer
    Mar 01, 2014
    Weldon wrote:
    $14,000. is a tremendous savings for a well built trailer. If you can think about it some more, discuss the plus and minus of the purchase do so. After that if the decisions are the same just forget about it.


    Thanks, we really did go through all that. The money wasn't that big a deal for me. Today we can easily afford the trailer. Something just wasn't sitting right with her, call it a gut feeling. Who knows, we may have some major financial hit tomorrow. I am about 5 years from retiring. This would have been our perfect retirement trailer but then again we can only guess what 5 years will bring.
  • michigansandzil's avatar
    michigansandzil
    Explorer
    Mar 01, 2014
    Weldon wrote:
    $14,000. is a tremendous savings for a well built trailer. If you can think about it some more, discuss the plus and minus of the purchase do so. After that if the decisions are the same just forget about it.

    X2. Seems like a really good deal that you might regret not going after. You decide to get a TT next year and you might spend 14K more. But if you can't swing it, then you can't and some other time and place will be more appropriate.
  • Weldon's avatar
    Weldon
    Explorer
    Mar 01, 2014
    $14,000. is a tremendous savings for a well built trailer. If you can think about it some more, discuss the plus and minus of the purchase do so. After that if the decisions are the same just forget about it.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Mar 01, 2014
    Story reminds me of a friend of mine, A Celtic Musician.

    She went to the RV store and looked all over, Nothing struck her fancy, Then she happened on the back lot, There sat a pair of Leprechaun Motor Homes she'd not seen yet, they were just in that morning and not yet inventoried.

    Celtic Musician, Leprechaun.. Yup. She left in one of them.

    Last time I met her she had just gotten the call from the bank, approving the loan on her house (She had been living in the Leprechaun full time) and, since then... Well I have heard things.. Looks like her music has done well though.
  • BTPO1's avatar
    BTPO1
    Explorer
    Mar 01, 2014
    Oasisbob wrote:
    You are a wise man to listen to a wife of 35 years. We have a saying at out house. "If mama ain't happy none of us will be happy". Let it go. It is just a trailer.


    x2, Have tried to teach my 30 year old son the same quote, but he hasn't caught on yet.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Mar 01, 2014
    iawoody2 wrote:
    x2

    Boxer Lovers wrote:
    You'll find THE right rig at the right time. There is something to be said for collective wisdom and restraint. Too bad our elected officials in Washington haven't discovered that fact.


    X3

    Right one at the right time for the right money.

    We found ours 250 miles North, well worth the wait.
  • camperforlife's avatar
    camperforlife
    Explorer
    Mar 01, 2014
    fla-gypsy wrote:
    Oasisbob wrote:
    You are a wise man to listen to a wife of 35 years. We have a saying at out house. "If mama ain't happy none of us will be happy". Let it go. It is just a trailer.


    Wise? Heck, you mean he had a choice? I think not.


    I really don't feel that way. I can honestly say I can look back 35 years and can't remember a single time that I felt bitter or cheated because "she didn't let me buy something". I have ridden motorcycles since I was 16. Anytime I have traded bikes I know that she really wishes I would give it up but she knows that it is important to me and she doesn't say a word.

    This is how I look at it,we would be buying a recreational vehicle and if there is something about it that makes one of us uneasy, it won't be very recreational. We have a great trailer now so I am not missing out on a thing.
  • FunnyCamper's avatar
    FunnyCamper
    Explorer II
    Mar 01, 2014
    we almost pulled the trigger a few times on 'campers we loved'. after we settled on the toyhauler we love and own now, I look back and say GLAD I DIDN'T BUY THOSE OTHER ONES :)

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