MSRP Question

Even in automobiles, there may be different MSRPs for identical vehicles due to different manufacturing dates. There may have been a price increase on that particular model (there have been anecdotal reports of increasing costs due to tariffs, and demand for RVs has been strong, so it is not unlikely that manufacturers have increased prices). It might be as simple as one rig has sat on the lot and is an old price unit.

troubledwaters wrote:

delwhjr wrote:
They should show you the build sheet from the manufacturer...

Forget the build sheet, ask to see the invoice.

This is a discussion about MSRP; the invoice is a totally different black hole.

Just as in the auto industry, the invoice does not show the real amount a dealer pays. It can be useful as a bargaining point but it has its drawbacks as well.

Although there is no federal mandated MSRP sticker required for RV's, Section 5 of the FTCA requires that if sales material specify a specific item, that item must be true. So, under Section 5, if they use a Manufactures Suggested Retail Price, the manufacture must have actually suggested that retail price. The dealer can't make up any MSRP unless the actual manufacture made that suggestion. I have sued this before to force a no profit sale under threat of a lawsuit.

So, you have to look and see if the M in MSRP actually says "Manufacture" or if it says Market. Additionally, manufactures of non motorized RV's can provide a suggested retail range which means two identical travel trailers could have two different MSRP's so long as they are within the actual range.

And let us not forget that some States have stricter consumer protection laws concerning advertisements and sales materiel.

As mentioned, RV dealers are as bad as the buy-her-pay-here used care salespeople, but I fault the consumers who spend more time researching porch lens color over the sales protection process.

To add to the confusion, there are those among us who like to brag that they got 30-50 percent better deal than anyone else. Same folks who get over 30 mpg when towing uphill. Good advice about checking Internet pricing but be aware, that price may have been "for one unit that we sold last week, but we will be happy to find you another. It may be a little higher".

deltabravo wrote:

Atlee wrote:
Unlike the auto industry, there is no Federally mandated MSRP sticker on any RV. If an RV actually has one, it's made up by the dealer.

DITTO.

Every build sheet I have seen at a dealer, there's always a hand written "suggested retail price" or a typed up / printed number that is a different typeface (font) as the rest of the build sheet, which makes it obvious that the dealer added this number on their own.

You have evidently never looked at Rockwood / Flagstaff. This does not come from the dealer.

delwhjr wrote:
They should show you the build sheet from the manufacturer...

Forget the build sheet, ask to see the invoice.

Atlee wrote:
Unlike the auto industry, there is no Federally mandated MSRP sticker on any RV. If an RV actually has one, it's made up by the dealer.

DITTO.

Every build sheet I have seen at a dealer, there's always a hand written "suggested retail price" or a typed up / printed number that is a different typeface (font) as the rest of the build sheet, which makes it obvious that the dealer added this number on their own.

Perfect opportunity to get them bidding against each other to get the lowest price. Keep in mind though that after sales service and convenience is worth paying a little extra for.

Research on Rv trader the RV you're interested in to find a price to compare the dealers to. Also, deal only in the Out The Door price this way there are no hidden fees and it's easier to compare between the two dealers. We went out of state to purchase as the local dealers wanted to play games, we saved $3000.

The games don't end with the MSRP either. Nothing is etched in stone with an RV purchase. Dealers are free to be as creative as they wish with finding ways to increase their profits.
Best suggestions
Get the full pricing package from the dealers you are considering when you are entering the dealership. Fees and add on's can be a killer. Some examples from a dealer in Ashland that I visited,,,
PDI or walkthrough,,, $450
Documentation,,,, $399
Dealer prep,,,,,,, $1500
Shipping,,,,,, $1500
And their advertised sale price was only good if you financed through them.

That dealer had advertised a great price on the Trailer, but by the time they were done, the deal became horrible.

There are some dealers that are up front on their pricing, use the web, search for the make and model you want, then visit dealers sites, the ones that are "no fee" dealers will usually make that prominent in their ads. I know the one I used in Ringgold Va. (Danville) did and also happened to have a better price even without considering the fees than the corporate chain locations I had visited.
Happy hunting.
Russ