Thanks so much, everyone, for having been so helpful!
If a fifth wheel is priced about 30% below NADA, low retail at a dealership, does it mean that there is something wrong with it and that it is priced accordingly?
For instance...a rig that lists for 40K on NADA is being offered for 30K.
Thank you!
-- Edited by two 4 the road on Thursday 7th of November 2013 10:00:05 AM
Terry and Jo said
10:55 PM Nov 3, 2013
As mentioned elsewhere, NADA is only a guideline and is usually a price based on the unit being in perfect shape. Less than perfect? Less in price.
One thing I'll mention is that I've never used NADA for anything.
Terry
Lucky Mike said
12:13 AM Nov 4, 2013
Note:
NADA is Based and Reflects The Value Upon the MSRP
Most Vehicles are sold 20 to 30% below the MSRP when they are new....so if it is used and the price is 30% below NADA it should be close or in impeccable shape to get me to buy it while some one is waving a book price at me.
Most dealerships and salesman cannot give you any factual history about what your buying other than the NADA price. They only know the holding lot at the auction they bought it at or that its on consignment and the owners name is private.
your always going to get a better deal and more facts buying a private sale.
two 4 the road said
06:13 AM Nov 4, 2013
Well...let me restate that....what could it mean if the price is 30% lower than the going price for the same unit?
The Bear II said
09:26 AM Nov 4, 2013
I check prices on several sites for the same or similar units for comparison. I check RVTrader.com, RacingJunk.com, PPLMotorhome.com, Craigslist, EBay to see what folks are asking for their RV's. I watch to see how long the ad stays on the site and watch for price reductions.....this will give me a starting point for negotiations.
If being sold privately, I always offer 50% of what I see the value of the RV at based upon my research. Using your example a rig is list for 30K but my research shows 25K is the average price. I will offer 12K and go up to 20K if I really want the RV (same with other vehicles). I may do the same with dealers but have found they only will sell at 5 to 10% discount below asking price (New RVs). Used are 10 to 20% discount.
Due to current financial conditions a lot of folks just need to get out from under the monthly cost of their toys. This may be why you are seeing a 30% discount over NADA or it could indicate a major fault with the RV. If you are uncertain, It's always best to have an independant inspection completed before buying an RV.
-- Edited by The Bear II on Monday 4th of November 2013 09:27:18 AM
-- Edited by The Bear II on Monday 4th of November 2013 09:27:52 AM
two 4 the road said
09:56 PM Nov 5, 2013
How do I have an independent inspection done?
Lucky Mike said
10:31 PM Nov 5, 2013
you call a reputable RV servicer and ask............... Make sure they are not affiliated with the seller....and depending on the region see if they are certified
two 4 the road said
01:50 AM Nov 6, 2013
The only ones that I see in that area are other RV dealerships that offer RV servicing. Then there is one independent place. I am assuming that we hire someone who is not from another dealership??
Lucky Mike said
02:55 AM Nov 6, 2013
Hire a competent service tech from any place you choose........the place your buying it from shouldnt have any problems letting anyone inspect it......if they do walk away
Of course going to the competition they are going to want to know why your not buying from them. Try calling around and asking who is the best Tech in the area without giving out to much info.....then hire him
Jack Mayer said
07:43 PM Nov 6, 2013
Let me see - offer HALF of the listed value on an RV? Well I guess you can do anything, but anything I have for sale - and right now that is my 5th wheel and a Jeep - and someone offered me half of the price I would not even bother to respond. I seriously do not recommend that as a strategy for something you are interested in. JMO.
SnowGypsy said
08:09 PM Nov 6, 2013
I think you could start with an offer of 50% with a dealer but to offend the seller with such a low ball offer could put one at a disadvantage. We had a couple of people offer extremely low offers on the last house we sold and the realtor called and asked if we were going to accept or counter and we said "no". We were seriously looking to sell and only had time for those that were serious about buying. I could surely see adjusting the price after an inspection where costs for repairs that were not easy to detect in the beginning were substantial which they surely can be. If I go to a dealer that is asking twice what the RVs were probably worth, I would just go up the street to another dealer. Always be suspicious of what looks like is a good deal but that no one snaps it up. Good deals don't come up very often and many people are just sitting and waiting for them even often having left their information with the dealers to let them know when something they were interested in becomes available.
MarkS said
10:22 PM Nov 6, 2013
I made offers of 60% on Montana's and the final price was very close to that. On coaches that are not manufactured in such large numbers, the best price I could get was in the 70 to 75% range. I suggest that you shop nationwide on the interweb to find your best price. For example, I found a coach here in California for MSRP 114K, negotiated to 94885 then found the identical coach in Ohio for 76900. I don't have to tell you who we are dealing with. They will put it in my front yard for $4200 in shipping.
SnowGypsy said
10:12 AM Nov 7, 2013
Since the price is lower, you can expect that there is something that is putting people off to some degree, maybe the taped underbelly if they aren't able to tell them what is going on under there and there are tons of RVs for sale in FL. Sometimes they reduce one to bring people in to look, car dealers do this too and then they will try to redirect you to a higher priced item. We have had this happen with car dealerships and RV dealerships, the redirecting, but doesn't work unless you let your guard down. You have to lock your heels in.
-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Thursday 7th of November 2013 12:44:07 PM
Jack Mayer said
04:59 PM Nov 7, 2013
I did not say half of the asking price. I said half of the book value, or the average sales value. Some dealers do mark things up higher than even the MSRP on new trailers so the buyer can think they got that "great deal". That was not the subject though.....
I just had someone offer me $3K cash for my Jeep that is worth in the 18K area. Actual selling prices of comparable equipment. They do not even get an answer.
el Rojo and Pam said
05:44 PM Nov 7, 2013
Maybe it would be less stressful for you if you concentrated more on what you like and your budget rather than the deal. Buying rv's for personal use is not a money making enterprise, we all lose money on every one we buy.. it's hard to put a dollar value on the quality time with your wife and the outdoors.
I'm not saying this to be rude or mean, just trying to get you to look at it from a different point of view.
two 4 the road said
05:59 PM Nov 7, 2013
el Rojo wrote:
Maybe it would be less stressful for you if you concentrated more on what you like and your budget rather than the deal. Buying rv's for personal use is not a money making enterprise, we all lose money on every one we buy.. it's hard to put a dollar value on the quality time with your wife and the outdoors.
I'm not saying this to be rude or mean, just trying to get you to look at it from a different point of view.
My purpose for starting this thread was that I was concerned about the low price....wondering what is wrong with it.
el Rojo and Pam said
06:01 PM Nov 7, 2013
Sorry, I misunderstood.
Lucky Mike said
07:08 PM Nov 7, 2013
Suggestion:
If you are intent on buying a used unit for the first time.
Go to a dealership and look at new units only.Go to an RV Show.....go to a rally and attend the seminars....... This will give you a perspective of what it is like when it came off the assembly line and while looking at used units it will help you identify problems.....it will give you an idea of pricing and it will let you know what you really want.
and it really needs to be done in that order......If you dont it will be a very expensive lesson
Sorry to be blunt but I dont want you to hurt a viable dream by an uneducated guess on a strangers recommendation........IMHO (I will be banned for this)
two 4 the road said
08:49 PM Nov 7, 2013
SnowGypsy wrote:
Since the price is lower, you can expect that there is something that is putting people off to some degree, maybe the taped underbelly if they aren't able to tell them what is going on under there and there are tons of RVs for sale in FL. Sometimes they reduce one to bring people in to look, car dealers do this too and then they will try to redirect you to a higher priced item. We have had this happen with car dealerships and RV dealerships, the redirecting, but doesn't work unless you let your guard down. You have to lock your heels in.
-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Thursday 7th of November 2013 12:44:07 PM
Thanks, no worries! We are not impulse buyers in the least! Our tendency is NOT buy than to buy. We are curious about this one due to it being a MS and its low price. We are not in a hurry....we have let it sit there for over two weeks already, and now it looks like if we do go, it will be next week.
We do not fall for any kind of pressure tactics or manipulation. When they do, we are out of there! I hate the line, "IF you buy today....." I know that deals will always be there.
two 4 the road said
08:53 PM Nov 7, 2013
Lucky Mike wrote:
Suggestion:
If you are intent on buying a used unit for the first time.
Go to a dealership and look at new units only.Go to an RV Show.....go to a rally and attend the seminars....... This will give you a perspective of what it is like when it came off the assembly line and while looking at used units it will help you identify problems.....it will give you an idea of pricing and it will let you know what you really want.
and it really needs to be done in that order......If you dont it will be a very expensive lesson
Sorry to be blunt but I dont want you to hurt a viable dream by an uneducated guess on a strangers recommendation........IMHO (I will be banned for this)
We have seen new units....both at the dealers and at an RV show.
Thanks so much, everyone, for having been so helpful!
If a fifth wheel is priced about 30% below NADA, low retail at a dealership, does it mean that there is something wrong with it and that it is priced accordingly?
For instance...a rig that lists for 40K on NADA is being offered for 30K.
Thank you!
-- Edited by two 4 the road on Thursday 7th of November 2013 10:00:05 AM
As mentioned elsewhere, NADA is only a guideline and is usually a price based on the unit being in perfect shape. Less than perfect? Less in price.
One thing I'll mention is that I've never used NADA for anything.
Terry
NADA is Based and Reflects The Value Upon the MSRP
Most Vehicles are sold 20 to 30% below the MSRP when they are new....so if it is used and the price is 30% below NADA it should be close or in impeccable shape to get me to buy it while some one is waving a book price at me.
Most dealerships and salesman cannot give you any factual history about what your buying other than the NADA price. They only know the holding lot at the auction they bought it at or that its on consignment and the owners name is private.
your always going to get a better deal and more facts buying a private sale.
I check prices on several sites for the same or similar units for comparison. I check RVTrader.com, RacingJunk.com, PPLMotorhome.com, Craigslist, EBay to see what folks are asking for their RV's. I watch to see how long the ad stays on the site and watch for price reductions.....this will give me a starting point for negotiations.
If being sold privately, I always offer 50% of what I see the value of the RV at based upon my research. Using your example a rig is list for 30K but my research shows 25K is the average price. I will offer 12K and go up to 20K if I really want the RV (same with other vehicles). I may do the same with dealers but have found they only will sell at 5 to 10% discount below asking price (New RVs). Used are 10 to 20% discount.
Due to current financial conditions a lot of folks just need to get out from under the monthly cost of their toys. This may be why you are seeing a 30% discount over NADA or it could indicate a major fault with the RV. If you are uncertain, It's always best to have an independant inspection completed before buying an RV.
-- Edited by The Bear II on Monday 4th of November 2013 09:27:18 AM
-- Edited by The Bear II on Monday 4th of November 2013 09:27:52 AM
Of course going to the competition they are going to want to know why your not buying from them. Try calling around and asking who is the best Tech in the area without giving out to much info.....then hire him
Since the price is lower, you can expect that there is something that is putting people off to some degree, maybe the taped underbelly if they aren't able to tell them what is going on under there and there are tons of RVs for sale in FL. Sometimes they reduce one to bring people in to look, car dealers do this too and then they will try to redirect you to a higher priced item. We have had this happen with car dealerships and RV dealerships, the redirecting, but doesn't work unless you let your guard down. You have to lock your heels in.
-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Thursday 7th of November 2013 12:44:07 PM
I just had someone offer me $3K cash for my Jeep that is worth in the 18K area. Actual selling prices of comparable equipment. They do not even get an answer.
I'm not saying this to be rude or mean, just trying to get you to look at it from a different point of view.
My purpose for starting this thread was that I was concerned about the low price....wondering what is wrong with it.
Sorry, I misunderstood.
If you are intent on buying a used unit for the first time.
Go to a dealership and look at new units only.Go to an RV Show.....go to a rally and attend the seminars....... This will give you a perspective of what it is like when it came off the assembly line and while looking at used units it will help you identify problems.....it will give you an idea of pricing and it will let you know what you really want.
and it really needs to be done in that order......If you dont it will be a very expensive lesson
Sorry to be blunt but I dont want you to hurt a viable dream by an uneducated guess on a strangers recommendation........IMHO (I will be banned for this)
Thanks, no worries! We are not impulse buyers in the least! Our tendency is NOT buy than to buy. We are curious about this one due to it being a MS and its low price. We are not in a hurry....we have let it sit there for over two weeks already, and now it looks like if we do go, it will be next week.
We do not fall for any kind of pressure tactics or manipulation. When they do, we are out of there! I hate the line, "IF you buy today....." I know that deals will always be there.
We have seen new units....both at the dealers and at an RV show.