Buying in the winter

[Kansas_couple]

Will get a chance to go to Omaha this Saturday. Planning to go to the CW in Council Bluffs to take another look at the travel trailer I want to buy. Right now the website has it listed at a price about $2000 less than what the dealer wanted for it last spring. And it is a 2014 model.

I am fully aware if I buy I would not be able to fully camp in the thing until the weather warms up (I'm sure it's winterized at this time) but I wonder if getting it for a (possible) off-season price might be worth doing a deal at this time.

Has anyone else here done anything like this?

And please, no sarcastic answers from members in Arizona or Florida!! 🙂

[campincandice]

We bought ours the end of October, and struck a wonderful deal - made the mistake of falling in love with a unit way above our self-imposed budget. When we got the price we basically said, "it is certainly worth that, but about 8K over our budget". Several weeks later they contacted me and offered it for 500 over our budget - sold! It came out to 39% below MSRP

So yes, winter is a wonderful time to deal.

[chip_litch]

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:
This is just an opinion - because I certainly don't live in a snow covered state

But I would think dealers will make better deals to move a few units in the winter than in the spring when a lot of people are thinking about RVs.

They have to move X number of units to keep the doors open, keep their staff productive.

I could be wrong - but that's my opinion.

After buying in summer peak season, in the future I will only buy in the winter.

[jimw606]

If it is in your driveway, you can do a lot of "making it yours" during the rest of the winter.
You might ask for an extended warranty for a few months also.

[summerhouse]

We bought our 2009 Class C motorhome in November and our current 2014 Class A the end of November, both here in Michigan. I was very pleased with the deals we made on both and indefinitely think I made a better deal by purchasing when I did. Particularly on the 2009 due to market conditions at the time.
With the Class A we just purchased, we had it fully re-winterized after doing a full pre-delivery inspection and then drove it home where it is sitting in our driveway until spring. We then re-checked it fully before driving it off the lot.
I have full confidence that you can make an excellent deal now.
Do your research on the particular unit you want. Research what they have recently been actually selling for in our area. Then I would offer 5% below that. Offer it in person if possible. Dealers hate to have you walk out. Make your offer, make it in a confident manner. Be prepared to go ahead and walk out. If they don't accept your offer and allow you to walk; they will call you.
Our dealer didn't let me walk out.
I held firm to both my offer on the new unit, and what I wanted for our trade-in. I was there for 2 hours. I walked out with the deal made at my original offer.
I think you can make it happen. To us, it was worth having it in our driveway, versus there lot for the next few months. Good luck.

[darsben]

Please realize you are NOT dealing with CW directly. IF IRC Camping World sales outlets are franchised independent operators so you get no great benefit from dealing with them.

But if you are not leery of dealing with an unknown entity who may or may not be reliable go for it. Just do not expect Camping World to back up any verbal assurance from the dealer. GET IT ALL IN WRITING accept nothing less than a fully functional unit BEFORE you take it off the lot or sign the final papers. Make sure everything is working before you leave even it it means cooling your heels at the dealer for a few hours before leaving with the unit. Until they get your money you are in control. After they have your money you are at their mercy.
Take the time to get a fully functional unit before leaving so we do not have to read another post from you about how you are being jerked around about warranty work. There are to many posts involving many dealers including Camping World on the subject.

REMEMBER NO VERBAL PROMISES! Perfect rig before you sign final papers and/or give dealer the money.

The dealer IS NOT your friend he is out to get the most money he can with the least amount of work. MAKE HIM EARN HIS MONEY

[Lantley]

I ordered my current unit in late December. I let them know I was a serious buyer prepared to pull the trigger if the price was right. The dealer was very eager to deal. I got a very competitive price and a great trade in offer.
I think the cold weather off season strategy definitely work for me. The dealer was eager to have some cash flow. My unit was special ordered so the dealer did not have to inventory my unit very long. I got a great deal (I think LOL) and the dealer got a winter time sale. It was a win for both of us.

I don't think winter RV shopping is for everyone. You must know what you want and not have many questions. It can be hard to window shop and tour units during the winter. However if you have already done your homework and know exactly what you want. Dealers are more eager/hungry for sales during the off months.

[MM49]

Kansas couple wrote:
Will get a chance to go to Omaha this Saturday. Planning to go to the CW in Council Bluffs to take another look at the travel trailer I want to buy. Right now the website has it listed at a price about $2000 less than what the dealer wanted for it last spring. And it is a 2014 model.

I am fully aware if I buy I would not be able to fully camp in the thing until the weather warms up (I'm sure it's winterized at this time) but I wonder if getting it for a (possible) off-season price might be worth doing a deal at this time.

Has anyone else here done anything like this?

And please, no sarcastic answers from members in Arizona or Florida!! 🙂

I drove through Council Bluffs last week end. It was very cold, -5F. I would low ball offer. My impression was the only money moving in the area was in ethanol production. You might get lucky.
MM49

[Iraqvet05]

We bought our TT about a month after an mid January RV show in Kansas City and got a good price. They took a little off the internet price, then came down to the price they had at the show then came down with a final offer after I showed them a quote from another dealer. Sales maybe a little sluggish in the snow belt so you may get a better deal.

[colliehauler]

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:
This is just an opinion - because I certainly don't live in a snow covered state

But I would think dealers will make better deals to move a few units in the winter than in the spring when a lot of people are thinking about RVs.

They have to move X number of units to keep the doors open, keep their staff productive.

I could be wrong - but that's my opinion.

I agree and have bought during the winter.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

This is just an opinion - because I certainly don't live in a snow covered state

But I would think dealers will make better deals to move a few units in the winter than in the spring when a lot of people are thinking about RVs.

They have to move X number of units to keep the doors open, keep their staff productive.

I could be wrong - but that's my opinion.

[wmoses]

lf it is the floor plan you like and the prices is right, then who cares a whit what others think? Go for it.

[DutchmenSport]

Well, I just returned from a week's vacation in Florida, so I'll not be too sarcastic! I guess my 5 days in Florida qualifies me for a temporary Snow Bird status! I'm back in the snow again today! BUT, I've had no association with Arizona yet, so I can only be half-sarcastic! :B

My opinion? Go for it! Actually, if you live in a cold weather state you can still use your camper a lot (driveway camp) with no water in it. You'll have a lot of fun, and you'll learn a lot about it, especially in cold weather! And if you don't spend time in it, nothing lost. (But I bet you will).

Right now, prices are good. Last years models are going out, next years are coming in. RV shows are planned all over the country right now, so lots and lots of people are buying right now. Indianapolis is having their annual RV show in about 2 weeks. And we're buried in snow right now.

If the price is right, you have somewhere to store it, and the irons are "hot" ... go for it! If you wait, you just might talk yourself out of it later. Sometimes we have to all be a little crazy to buy a new RV. If we REALLY logically thought about what or why we do, no one would ever buy any!