Fraser in YYZ
East York, Canada
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Joined: 10/16/2006
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After sales service is king!! Buy local.
Fraser
DW
2 sons 13+16
2008 Jayco 213 Exp
2005 Dodge Durango 5.7 Hemi Magnum
Factory tow package
Prodigy brake controller
Husky WD hitch with friction anti-sway
McKesh tow mirrors
A bad day of camping is better than ANY day stuck in the city!!
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emmmw
Virginia
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Joined: 02/24/2007
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Personally, I'd tell him to pack sand. Nearly $3000 pure profit so he'll give you service to make yet more profit? Typical thievery I've seen in the RV industry. With the price of gas and the companies that are going out of business because of the cost of RVing, I can't see them telling you they won't service you... especially when you contact the manufacturer. I've had no problems by not buying locally.
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MichDoc
Michigan
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Joined: 01/02/2006
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emmmw wrote:Personally, I'd tell him to pack sand. Nearly $3000 pure profit so he'll give you service to make yet more profit? Typical thievery I've seen in the RV industry. With the price of gas and the companies that are going out of business because of the cost of RVing, I can't see them telling you they won't service you... especially when you contact the manufacturer. I've had no problems by not buying locally.
I was waiting for this answer (or one like it) to come up. Everyone knows that there is a certain percentage of the population that makes its decisions on "bottom line" only. Unfortunately, there are other variables that some don't take into consideration, beyond just service. A friend of mine works for a marine supply dealer, and is constantly talking about the people that come in wanting service on something that they bought elsewhere - on line, from catalog stores, ebay, or just your local discount house with the slogan "our prices can't be beat" - none of whom provide after purchase service. His company will direct the "customer" back to the manufacturer for service, and won't get involved unless absolutely necessary. If pressed, they will tell the person to bring the boat or product in and they will get to it when possible (usually during the slow season, well after the boating season is over), because their REAL customers come first. Keep in mind that even though the economy is down somewhat, people are still coming in for service. And, the first thing a service company is going to cut in order to stay in business is labor. Therefore, you may be right that the competition is there to repair your rig, but the personnel may not be. So the mechanics they still have will be used to help the people that bought there as well. Personally, I will be happy to spend a few extra bucks to be able to go back to the seller with the product that I bought from them if problems arise. And to say "I've had no problems by not buying locally" needs to be followed up by the obvious disclaimer: YET!
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Vulcaneer
Northern New England
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Joined: 10/17/2007
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Your dealer already found a couple of discrepancies. This points out that he is knowledgable. Regarding the hitching hardware. Assume the delivery charge from RV direct is figured in too. As all the other miscellaneous charges, from both parties. Just so you make a fair comparison. You might also expect to pay in full at RV direct, upon order. Some wholesalers have that requirement. Read the fine print. Where your dealer probably will work with a much lower deposit. Do you need financing? Who has the better deal for that aspect too.
I am sure there are plenty of satisfied buyers from RV direct. Dealer indicated he may be able to get closer on price. Give him a chance. Do they both have a unit ready to go? Our are they ordering? What is the delivery date? If dealer has it on the lot, you can see what you are getting. Same trailers can have different fit and finish. I like to see what I am buying. And I like to develop a good relationship with the people that will be taking care of me after the sale. So I lean heavily toward the dealer. And would pay 10% or more than RV direct. Your dealer gave you all good answers.
2006 F350 V10 4X4 SC SB SRW 4.30 22,500 GCWR
Keystone Sprinter 33'9" 12,500 GVWR
Pullrite Super Glide 18K
Super Duty, Super Cab, SuperGlide
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bkc650
Troy, MO
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Joined: 06/18/2008
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I will have to agree with most of the responses. I have my 5th unit on order and with the previous 4, they have ALL required at least one trip back to the dealer. These have been from 3 different dealers based on drivables and TT and TH....depending at the time on what we wanted and what they carried.
The 3rd unit made so mant trips back to continually correct a cbale slide out issue that the dealre and manufacture worked out an agreement to replace, yes replace my 05 TT with a new 08 TT with a gear slide vs the floating cable slide.
I know this is rare, however, for me picking a dealer that understands CUSTOMER SERVICE is difficult to put a dollar value on.
(We are now going from TT to an 09 TH as we started the quad thing)
Good luck
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jmplunkett
Louisa, VA
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Joined: 08/29/2003
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There's a balance to strike between cost and local purchase with many factors to be weighed:
Actual $ to be saved vs cost of travel to pick unit up and pull home
Towing experience vs distance and risk to a newbie.
Ability to fix small things vs depending on dealer service
Local dealer's reputation - do they stand behind what they are promising pre-sale
In our case, the savings were ~$7k; I'm not a towing newbie or an RV newbie, but haven't had one in a number of years; I'm pretty handy at fixing minor problems; the local dealer for us has a so-so reputation. We bought from those 'guys in Albany' and camped our way back to Virginia and had a great time getting familiar with our TT.
safe travels,
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wingrider6
Central Illinois
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Joined: 11/19/2003
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Personally I think both sides are correct. Everyone does things differently. I have a friend who does some things different that I do and has told me numerous times that I am wrong. No I'm not! Buying locally is right. Buying from RV Direct (or similar) is right. It just depends. Like I tell my friend--his way is right, for him. My way is right--for me! I try to buy local if possible but have no qualms about buying "long distance." Just depends on the situation. Last year I bought a new fiver, the dealer was five hours away. I tried to buy from the local dealer but he had nothing I wanted. The "long distance" dealer had exactly what I wanted and a price I thought was right--I would have been stupid to buy local when it would have had to be something I didn't want.
Dave & Dee
2006 40' Open Road
2008 F-350 Dually V-10 4:30
2 yrs USA Big Red One Vietnam Retired USAF
Retired teacher after military
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marobrown
Crystal City, Mo
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Joined: 03/10/2007
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Thank you for all the responses. Hearing all the different opinions gives us a lot to think about. We are relatively new at all of this haggling, so it is nice to hear from others who have experience with this type of thing.
Davina
2004 Ford F-150
2006 Starcraft 2409
Camper Modifications and Pics
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pammi
Westland, MI
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Joined: 04/04/2007
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Are you looking to trade in your PUP? When I was looking for my HTT, I was trading in. RV Direct and RV Wholesalers offered a great price but didn't take trade-ins. I would HIGHLY recommend buying local. Service after the sale is much more important than you'll ever know. I moved across the state of MI and once moved, needed service on my PUP. Didn't think anything of taking it in to a local dealer. The local dealer took 3 months to fix my furnace. I neglected to tell him that I had just moved there and he took his dear old time. Then charged me storage charges when I took an extra day to pick up. Wow, was I mad. Then I found this forum and I understood why he was such a prick to deal with. And I was innocent in that situation  )
2004 Rockwood Roo 23B (new to us)
2006 Nissan Xterra
When we camp, it's DH & me mostly. Occasionally step-daughter (16) comes, though not necessarily her choice 
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PopBeavers
San Jose, CA
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Joined: 03/19/2005
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I always thought that service should be first come, first served. Nearly all businesses work this way, except the RV business. I never see anyone cutting in line, or getting pushed to the end of the line, at car mechanics, banks, grocery stores, dentists, etc. Why is this so unique to the RV business?
According to this dealer, he does not provide service to trailers purchased elsewhere. Suppose you had purchased the trailer a year ago when you lived in a different state, and then moved to your current location. Would this dealer still say that since it was purchased elsewhere, then you will have a long wait before he can work on it?
I have never understood that business approach. Apparently he makes money on sales and does not make money on service. It appears he only offers service because the manufacturer requires that he does so.
Wayne in San Jose
TV1:2002 Chevy 1500HD 4wd Crew Cab,Valley Odyssey brake ctlr,McKesh mirrors
TV2:2008 GMC 2500HD long bed 4wd Crew Cab,GMC brake ctlr,GMC mirrors
TT:Trailmanor 2720
Honda 2000
Yamaha WR250R,Polaris Sportsman 700 X2,Polaris Scrambler 500
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