Buying New at Used Prices?? Yep, through Costco!

[LeoandLil]

So you are here for advice on buying a travel trailer. That is a good start and you'll get lots of great advice here (along with some silliness, of course). Whatever you finally decide on, my recommendation is to check into purchasing it through Costco. I did, and saved a couple thousand dollars over several local dealer's "best prices", and was about the same as the local dealers wanted for two year-old used trailers. In my case, I had to drive out of state to pick it up, but for me it was worth it. Just use the following URL: "www.costcoauto.com/rv/" Click on "locate a dealer" then enter the unit you are looking for and they will match you up with the dealer nearest you. In my case it was Colerain RV in Dayton. OH. I had a fantastic sales person! She (Amy) was excellent, it was a ridiculously easy transaction and the service folks were very thorough during the inspection process. Buying new, but at wholesale pricing, allows you to use a new trailer for a year or two and trade-in or trade-up without the typical risk of a big loss. Be safe and Happy camping!

[museumman]

lbrjet wrote:
You don't need Cosco to save money buying from an IN or OH dealer.

A bit far for me to drive but is there a tangible reason those two states offer lower prices if they actually do.
I wonder if you found the best price on the exact type of unit you wanted to purchase and called almost any dealer with a price to beat that one could not get the desired results, a lower price. Of course the distanced dealer is also thinking that he will not have to worry about warranty etc.

[museumman]

Again I find the subject matter of a post secondary to a common thread throughout the conversation. The discussion about getting and not getting service support for legitimate warranty claims or just fair treatment depicts a nightmare of irresponsible and unscrupulous attitudes consistent through out the entire recreational vehicle manufacturing and sales industry. Wonder if a little federal legislation is not in order? something in the line of "Lemon Laws".

[lbrjet]

You don't need Cosco to save money buying from an IN or OH dealer.

[SoundGuy]

LeoandLil wrote:
By the way, in case anyone is doing the research, I can't say enough good things about the Freedom Express by Coachmen. I am approaching the end of my one year warranty, and am having a hard time coming up with a reason to have it inspected and/or repaired.

Love the trailer / love the dealer.

Good to hear it, this is our 5th season with our own 192RBS. My local dealer is the second largest Coachmen dealer in Canada and the 192RBS is currently his most popular model - can't keep them on the lot. 😄

[LeoandLil]

Thanks for all the great feedback on my original post. I especially loved the query about whether it has "Kirkland" printed on the side. That was hilarious!:B

Of course, your opinion regarding Costco may vary, I was only telling folks what worked out EXTREMELY well for me.

In my case, I not only bought new and saved 2000 dollars compared to a two year old unit (exact same model) up front, but I also saved an additional 1000 dollars in taxes because of a quirk in the state titling laws that resulted in neither Georgia nor Ohio collecting sales tax.

Kinda like the "bank error in your favor" Monopoly card!

By the way, in case anyone is doing the research, I can't say enough good things about the Freedom Express by Coachmen. I am approaching the end of my one year warranty, and am having a hard time coming up with a reason to have it inspected and/or repaired.

Love the trailer / love the dealer

Safe travels and Happy camping everyone!

[ktmrfs]

If it is at all like the costco auto program you will get a decent price, little hassle, easy to deal, but I've found that a credit union buying service or haggling directly with the dealer will equal or beat the costco price.

[mtofell1]

Costco program is only as good as the dealer they can find to take their program. I've used it for autos and had great luck. I tried it for my RV purchase and the Camping World affiliate were a bunch of clowns. No follow up when asked to research something, couldn't answer my questions, didn't know what they had on their lot. I was trying to buy a trailer from them and finally got frustrated and went elsewhere.

[Huntindog]

jackquontee wrote:
I drove 2 thousand miles round trip to Wisconsin to save myself 5-6K dollars versus what dealers in my state were selling the Aliner Expedition for. While it was a hard trip (I was reminded I ain't as young as I used to be) I don't have one regret.

X2 While my trip was more than double yours, I also saved twice as much. When I first saw the possibilty, I asked my brother if he was up for a road trip, with my picking up all expenses.
H readily agreed, so I set the wheels in motion for the purchase. We drove straight thru fro Phoenix AZ to Sylvania Ohio. IIRC is was about 32 hours. We took turns driving while the other one slept. We got to tour the plant and see my model being built. The pics I took that day have been a valuable resource as I did mods over the years.
We camped our way home, stopping to see some sights. My brother still talks about what a great trip it was.

He may just be buttering me up for when it is his turn to go get a new RV.:B

[jackquontee]

I drove 2 thousand miles round trip to Wisconsin to save myself 5-6K dollars versus what dealers in my state were selling the Aliner Expedition for. While it was a hard trip (I was reminded I ain't as young as I used to be) I don't have one regret.

[BadgerMcAdams]

2012Coleman wrote:
I'm wondering if it says "Kirkland" on the side...

Probably not...Sam's Club would get mad, then they would have to start offering a similar line of trailers with their Brand on the side...Almost like NASCAR anymore 😉

[2012Coleman]

I'm wondering if it says "Kirkland" on the side...

[DallasSteve]

Huntindog wrote:

I have often gotten to the head of the line with this approach.
Whether it is a table at a restaurant, or an RV repair, or any other thing that has a wait.... It often magically disapears when you speak the universal language. Money talks. More money talks louder.

Money Talks. That is a great song. I haven't heard it in years. I've got to add it to my MP3 collection.

Come on, come on, love me for the money
Come on, come on, listen to the money talk

[profdant139]

LeoandLil, that is a great tip -- I never would have thought of shopping for a trailer at Costco!

But since it's from Costco, do they only sell giant sized trailers? Do I have to buy three of them at a time? And do they hand out teardrop trailers as snacks? 😉

[camperforlife]

LeoandLil wrote:
So you are here for advice on buying a travel trailer. That is a good start and you'll get lots of great advice here (along with some silliness, of course). Whatever you finally decide on, my recommendation is to check into purchasing it through Costco. I did, and saved a couple thousand dollars over several local dealer's "best prices", and was about the same as the local dealers wanted for two year-old used trailers. In my case, I had to drive out of state to pick it up, but for me it was worth it. Just use the following URL: "www.costcoauto.com/rv/" Click on "locate a dealer" then enter the unit you are looking for and they will match you up with the dealer nearest you. In my case it was Colerain RV in Dayton. OH. I had a fantastic sales person! She (Amy) was excellent, it was a ridiculously easy transaction and the service folks were very thorough during the inspection process. Buying new, but at wholesale pricing, allows you to use a new trailer for a year or two and trade-in or trade-up without the typical risk of a big loss. Be safe and Happy camping!

Colerain is a good dealer with locations in Cincy, Dayton and Indy. I read about a lot of people who drive long distances to buy from Indiana and Ohio dealers. I'm just use to having many good dealers to pick from within a two hour drive. It helps living in the middle of where the majority of the RV's are made.