MSRP vs. Actual Price Paid

greytdogs · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Location: TX

My wife, greyhounds, and I are new to the world of RVing and thinking of becoming full-timers in the not too distant future. We are just beginning our search for a fifth wheel. I'm sure it has been discussed here many times but I can't seem to find any posts on it.

What would be a reasonable discount to pay off of MSRP for a fifth wheel? Is there a website for RVs like Edmunds.com for car buyers that gives you the price you can expect to pay off of MSRP? Thanks for any input you have on this.

Motor31 · Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 7:07 am Post subject:

Hi there and welcome.

The amount of discount depends on the brand and sometimes model of RV. Example: in our experience and in talking to others, it seems Teton has none; they hold firm on the price stated including options. Others have room to adjust the price and it all depends on which dealer you talk to as well as the time of year. I have seen several times the figure of 15% to 20% is where you should start talking to a dealer about an RV on their lot.

Just like cars, you'll get your best deal with the more research you do. Do not limit yourself to one dealer or even brand. When we bought our first RV (used), we got a very minor amount off of the "sticker price." Our last RV was discounted more than 25%. We also spent about a year deciding what we wanted and put out bids via e-mail to 8 dealers in 5 states. They were informed it was definitely a competition and we had all the options listed on our rig including factory order numbers for them. We got one bid at MSRP and 6 others below including 2 very close. We were prepared to travel and talk so they knew we were not limited to any area's dealer. This worked out well to us. Any brand that had no room to talk or dealer that held firm on the price we walked away from.

First thing for you to do is look over what is really out there. Decide what you want in floorplans and options, then start to talk to dealers about prices. Do not be in a hurry to get an RV. Take time to decide what will do for you. You'll also take far less of a hit in depreciation by buying used for your first (or 10th) RV as well.

Good luck and have fun looking. Don't let the salesman pressure you into anything and DO NOT believe that any given truck will "tow anything on their lot." They'll tell you that just to make a sale.
_________________
Mike, Nancy and the Fuzzies
2005 MS 38 RL3
2001 Volvo MH (HDT)
2004 R1150RT (piggyback)
1996 Jeep Cherokee (toad)

greytdogs · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Location: TX

Thank you so much for your reply. We looked for the first time today and realized immediately that a Class A is right for us and our dogs. This particular dealer came off the MSRP 19% just in casual conversation. It was a Fleetwood Discovery. We intend to look at all of them we possibly can. We are not into high-dollar Class As. Thanks for the advice to take it slowly. We certainly will. I'd like to visit with you about internet connection sometime. I notice you are a Direcway installer. Thanks again.

elh3946 · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1650 Location: Sioux Falls, SD

Another source of information is the RV Consumers Group. This is the only non-profit group that rates all types of RVs for safety, durability, value, etc. While it certainly shouldn't be used as your *only* source of information, it will help you narrow down your choices. You can then concentrate on one or two brands/models instead of being confused by hundreds of choices.

greytdogs · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Location: TX

Thanks ELH, I'll check it out. I ordered the CD.

Chuck · Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 94

I cannot endorse the RV Consumer's Group. The prices are high for some of its products. Some RVers rave about the service. Others feel exactly the opposite. I would advise proceeding with caution.

Chuck Woodbury, editor
RVtravel.com
&
Host: Better Business Bureau DVD, "Buying a Recreational Vehicle."
_________________
Get the latest RV news headlines on Twitter.
http://twitter.com/rvtravel

Sign up for the RV Travel.com weekly newsletter, now in its eighth year:
http://rvtravel.com/RVnewsletter.shtml

Chuck Woodbury is the editor of RVtravel.com

greytdogs · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Location: TX

Thanks for your input. I have not been very satisfied with the information I've gotten and have even spoken with them about how they do it.

flparker · Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Florida

This website might help:
http://www.nada.com/
New & used vehicle pricing & information for all types of
-cars, trucks & SUVs
-motorcycles
-boats
-classic cars
-recreation vehicles
-manufactured homes

Tom&Jacci · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2

We're definitely newbies, but I can tell you that we saved 20% on a 2007 Jayco Featherlight just this past weekend. We were pleasantly surprised! Also, I think it helped because we told the dealer the monthly payment we were looking for and not the price of the trailer.

Good luck!
_________________
Tom & Jacci

wsweet2 · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 8

One of the replies referenced the RV Consumer group. I went to the local library, checked out the book, and used it as one of many sources including the various forums. Bought in 03 an 04 Excel and have been very pleased.

tripinon · Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 4:27 pm Post subject:

http://rvtravel.8.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=517

That's a connection to the old forum. I'm not blowing my own horn Very Happy

but the discussion on that link was very informative to me and is a short/long story of our journey to ownership.

Take a look at it and take your time in your purchase. Cool

_________________
Tripinon
2003 Country Star Class A
Full-timer
http://tripinwithtripinon.blogspot.com