Have an appointment on Saturday to talk about ordering our future home!
NurseJudy said
02:08 PM May 19, 2014
I have been silent for a few months because I have had two serious illness and recent deaths in my family. My brother, who was diagnosed with ALS in March 2013 passed away on March 6, 2014. And my mother, who was in excellent shape for 80, suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm on December 7, 2013 & was hospitalized for 4 months, finally losing her battle fore recovery on April 11, 2014. My sister and I have been dealing with settling her estate and liquidating her belongings. While this has been a very long 4 months, I was blessed with the ability to spend almost every day with my mom from the first day of her illness until her last. I was also able to be with my brother when he went on to his peaceful "new home". Now it is time for my husband and I to get serious about getting ready for the next chapter in our lives.
My mother has left me with a small inheritence that will make it possible for us to get our "rig" now and start part-timing until my son is ready in a year or two for us to leave full time (he is in college now). We decided a few months ago exactly what we want, and now have an appointment on Saturday to order our new home. I want to know from all of you very helpful and educated friends what questions should we ask and what should we get in writing? My husband is a great negotiator so I'm not worried about getting a good deal, but we have never bought an RV before so we want to make sure we don't miss anything! Thanks to all of you for your help. I am very excited!
Life is short, live every day to the fullest! Live, laugh, love & have fun!
Judy
cherylbrv said
02:41 PM May 19, 2014
Welcome back, Judy. I'm so terribly sorry for your losses and the pain you and your family have suffered through these past few months. But you are right in that it was wonderful you could spend quality time with them.
I can't offer any advice as I haven't bought my RV yet (when my house closes in hopefully just a few more weeks, we'll be buying a used one and hope the inspector knows what to ask and look for). Just want to wish you all the very best in starting your next chapter!
Terry and Jo said
06:32 PM May 19, 2014
Judy,
If you've done the research and know what options it is that you want, you should get, and insist on it if they hesitate, a complete list of options with the ones you want marked in some way. It is sometimes referred to as a price or build sheet and will have each option with that option's price listed. Once all of that is done, see what they give you as a price that is compared to the MSRP of the coach with the added options.
With many RV's and dealers, it shouldn't be unusual to see a 20% to 30% drop in price from the MSRP price. I'd say that if it is less than 20% to 25%, I'd walk away and find another dealer or brand.
In our case, we bought our Mobile Suites from the same dealer that we had purchased two other RV's from, so we were very confident with our dealer. All through the process of looking at options and the prices that they could cause, our dealer kept telling us to not worry about MSRP as the price would be a lot less than that. I don't remember the exact numbers right now, but I think we came in about 28% off of the MSRP.
Terry
NurseJudy said
08:01 AM May 20, 2014
Thanks Terry, that is exactly what I was looking for. I'll keep everyone posted on how it goes! Wish us luck!
Lucky Mike said
08:18 AM May 20, 2014
Keep in mind any promises they make to you should be in writing......even the simplest " I will take care of that" can be a problem once ownership is transferred
DenJen12 said
11:29 AM May 20, 2014
First, so sorry for both of your losses!! You were lucky to be able to spend that precious time with them before they passed on.
Second.....
Absolutely agree with Lucky Mike!! Everything you discuss with them is only as good as the paper it is written on Not to say that all dealers are crooked....but I go in assuming the worst so that I am either not disappointed or incredibly impressed.LOL...Every single option should be written down and priced.....every standard should also be written down (some things that come standard these days, were only thought of as options in other models. always want to be sure you aren't getting bamboozled) NEVER pay MSRP on a unit! I did a search for our current unit and found the price varied by almost $40,000 with some dealerships. Research the warranty offered by the manufacturer (wouldn't hurt to see if you can find a specified owners forum for said brand and do a little snooping for questions to take in about the particular model/brand). EXAMPLE: We just currently purchased an Open Range unit. Before jumping fully in, I found the owners forum and did a little snooping around about the brand. Seeing how likely they were to take care of issues or would they give the run around? Got a good notion of how the units hold up to full time living or whatever use you may have for it and what to expect. It's also a great way to see what options people have ordered and what some say you can live with out...(obviously your choice in the end, but always nice to see and hear what others think that have actually experienced it).
Good luck on your purchase! Never leave the dealership feeling uncomfortable about the decision you made! Even if you have to tape the conversation...LOL...JUST JOKING!!! Get it ALL in writing!!
WestWardHo said
07:16 PM May 20, 2014
Wow. Welcome back Nurse Judy and we share with many others here your sadness with losing two beloved family members in such a short time!
I agree with others that you get ever single promise in writing and don't let them tell you they can't put it in the contract. When you go to the finance/contract meeting is when it gets tough. Watch very carefully for add ons that you didn't agree to and you probably don't want to buy an extended warranty from a dealer and the WILL try to sell you one.
Others may disagree with me but I'd try for 30-40% off MSRP which is often a fake number anyway.
Welcome back.
Sherry
Camper Chronicles said
04:30 PM May 22, 2014
As someone who recently went through this I would say trust your feelings. If the deal doesn't feel right go home and sleep on it then keep looking. We passed on our first choice this way and I am so glad we kept looking.
NurseJudy said
06:34 PM Jun 1, 2014
We did it! Signed the contract & ordered the new home this week. 2015 heartland bighorn 3010re. Can't wait, hoping to have her home early August. Made plans for our first trip 2nd week of September to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. Hooray! Happy dance!
cherylbrv said
06:58 PM Jun 1, 2014
Congratulations on both counts (RV and anniversary)! May you also have many happy memories!
I have been silent for a few months because I have had two serious illness and recent deaths in my family. My brother, who was diagnosed with ALS in March 2013 passed away on March 6, 2014. And my mother, who was in excellent shape for 80, suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm on December 7, 2013 & was hospitalized for 4 months, finally losing her battle fore recovery on April 11, 2014. My sister and I have been dealing with settling her estate and liquidating her belongings. While this has been a very long 4 months, I was blessed with the ability to spend almost every day with my mom from the first day of her illness until her last. I was also able to be with my brother when he went on to his peaceful "new home". Now it is time for my husband and I to get serious about getting ready for the next chapter in our lives.
My mother has left me with a small inheritence that will make it possible for us to get our "rig" now and start part-timing until my son is ready in a year or two for us to leave full time (he is in college now). We decided a few months ago exactly what we want, and now have an appointment on Saturday to order our new home. I want to know from all of you very helpful and educated friends what questions should we ask and what should we get in writing? My husband is a great negotiator so I'm not worried about getting a good deal, but we have never bought an RV before so we want to make sure we don't miss anything! Thanks to all of you for your help. I am very excited!
Life is short, live every day to the fullest! Live, laugh, love & have fun!
Judy
I can't offer any advice as I haven't bought my RV yet (when my house closes in hopefully just a few more weeks, we'll be buying a used one and hope the inspector knows what to ask and look for). Just want to wish you all the very best in starting your next chapter!
Judy,
If you've done the research and know what options it is that you want, you should get, and insist on it if they hesitate, a complete list of options with the ones you want marked in some way. It is sometimes referred to as a price or build sheet and will have each option with that option's price listed. Once all of that is done, see what they give you as a price that is compared to the MSRP of the coach with the added options.
With many RV's and dealers, it shouldn't be unusual to see a 20% to 30% drop in price from the MSRP price. I'd say that if it is less than 20% to 25%, I'd walk away and find another dealer or brand.
In our case, we bought our Mobile Suites from the same dealer that we had purchased two other RV's from, so we were very confident with our dealer. All through the process of looking at options and the prices that they could cause, our dealer kept telling us to not worry about MSRP as the price would be a lot less than that. I don't remember the exact numbers right now, but I think we came in about 28% off of the MSRP.
Terry
Second.....
Absolutely agree with Lucky Mike!! Everything you discuss with them is only as good as the paper it is written on
Good luck on your purchase! Never leave the dealership feeling uncomfortable about the decision you made! Even if you have to tape the conversation...LOL...JUST JOKING!!! Get it ALL in writing!!
I agree with others that you get ever single promise in writing and don't let them tell you they can't put it in the contract. When you go to the finance/contract meeting is when it gets tough. Watch very carefully for add ons that you didn't agree to and you probably don't want to buy an extended warranty from a dealer and the WILL try to sell you one.
Others may disagree with me but I'd try for 30-40% off MSRP which is often a fake number anyway.
Welcome back.
Sherry