Making an Offer

[Azusateach]

If I'm feeling feisty I might make an offer on a new KZ Coyote (16').  The "original" price the dealer is listing is about $18K, but they're selling it for $14,480.  Still sounds high, but I don't know how much I can offer without sounding like a fool.  What's a good rule of thumb to follow when making an offer?  I'd also like to use my PUP as a trade -- I know, I know, I'll take a hit, but again, I think if I do this right it might not be so bad.  

Thanks for your help!

Also -- is the Coyote "related" to the Aerolite?  Both have 16' models with identical floorplans.

[brainpause]

25% off MSRP is usually considered a decent deal. 30% or more off MSRP is usually considered a great deal. I'm assuming the 18K price is already below MSRP. However, 25% off 18K is 13500, and 30% off is 12600. If they are already off the MSRP with the 18K, 14K might not be so bad. Heck, make a silly offer, and  see what happens.

OTOH, I have a couple of thoughts that I'm sure will open a can of worms, and some folks will disagree (which is fine, of course).

If and when I buy a trailer, I want the dealer to make a little money. I don't want them to put me on the back burner if I need a repair. I also don't want them to hate dealing with me, if I only bought something that made them to small of an amount.

The other side of this thought is: It is their responsibility to take care of themselves, and make sure they make the right amount on the trailer.

Having grown up in service and sales, the folks that were easier to deal with were often (probably unintentionally) helped more.

Larry

[jawilson]

If I'm feeling feisty I might make an offer on a new KZ Coyote (16').  The "original" price the dealer is listing is about $18K, but they're selling it for $14,480.  Still sounds high, but I don't know how much I can offer without sounding like a fool.  What's a good rule of thumb to follow when making an offer?

brainpause has got it just about right (we differ in our description of 25% off, which I consider to be real solid; 30% is a good deal, so we agree there  .

But there's a stumbling block to making certain you get a good deal; the RV industry does not have to produce MSRP stickers like the car industry does. Therefore, the dealer can, in essence, "make up" a price and say that's the list. And it's legal.

Now, I'm not insinuating this dealer has done anything like that, but if you want to know what the real MSRP is you can contact K-Z. They have a spreadsheet listing the actual "suggested" prices for there units. Once you know the optional features this particular unit has you can price it accordingly and know if 18K is legit.

Also -- is the Coyote "related" to the Aerolite?  Both have 16' models with identical floorplans.

No, K-Z and Thor are two different companies. Those floorplans are similar (or even identical) for 2 major reasons;

1 - If a manufacture finds a floorplan that the consumer wants, the other manufacturers will copy it.

2 - Realistically, how much can you do in a 16' trailer? There options are a bit limited on where they can place things by the amount of space they have to work with.

[Azusateach]

Well, call me "taught".  

I bit the bullet & made an offer on the coyote, based on what NADA said my PUP was worth & what Brainpause said about the 25%.  The salesman I talked with wanted to give me $2000 for my PUP and took NO discount on the Coyote.  I was so stunned I said thanks & hung up.

I called back today & spoke with the finance guy, who "educated" me on the way dealers have (?) to price used PUPs.  Don't know that I totally agree, but I now understand.

All of this is to say that a Coyote isn't in my near future, and when I decide to get a new trailer, I'll definitely sell my PUP myself.  

Whew ...

(Maybe I'll get a motorized lift put on my unit ...)

[wavery]

Don't expect to get a realistic offer over the phone. The dealer doesn't take you seriously unless you show up in person. Once you're there, they'll do practically anything to keep you from leaving without making a deal.

[Azusateach]

I was there on Saturday, told the salesguy that I needed to think & do some "homework" & I'd call him back.  He's the one who blew me off -- the finance guy is the one who gave me the info.  Nobody asked me to bring in my PUP to see what it might be worth, so I'm figuring that they're right when they tell me it's not worth it to them to take it in trade & I'd be better off selling it myself.

[griffsmom]

Geez, it's hard enough trying to keep up with the Deeses, DK&threeses and the Vikingses, but now we've got to keep up with the Azusateacheses too! :eyecrazy:

 
Good.  Maybe it'll get us moving toward a hybrid that much more quickly.  I've called the Starcraft dealer that is 5 miles from our house and asked them to call me when they get a new '06 model in so we can "just look" at it.  I also want to visit West Coast RVs in Pomona to "just look" at the Roos again--without having to drive all the way out to Beaumont!  The last time I told Dave that we were going to an RV dealer to "just look," I had a PU camper in front of my house in under a month.  So...what dealer are you going to Laura?  :J

[TheViking]

Geez, it's hard enough trying to keep up with the Deeses, DK&threeses and the Vikingses, but now we've got to keep up with the Azusateacheses too! :eyecrazy:
 
 
 Good. Maybe it'll get us moving toward a hybrid that much more quickly. I've called the Starcraft dealer that is 5 miles from our house and asked them to call me when they get a new '06 model in so we can "just look" at it. I also want to visit West Coast RVs in Pomona to "just look" at the Roos again--without having to drive all the way out to Beaumont! The last time I told Dave that we were going to an RV dealer to "just look," I had a PU camper in front of my house in under a month. So...what dealer are you going to Laura? :J

 
 I thought Dave said you guys were going to a Harley dealer

[griffsmom]

I thought Dave said you guys were going to a Harley dealer

Interestingly, I've told Dave many times that he can buy a Harley...right after he buys a $1,000,000 life insurance policy with me as sole beneficiary so that I won't lose the house when some driver in a hurry cuts him off and he becomes another sig alert statistic on a Southland freeway.
 
As you can see, Dave is still Harley-less.  And I still have my husband alive and well.  Not such a bad trade-off in my opinion.

[griffsdad]

Yo Quiero Harley!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chasd60]

The price seems awful high to me. I paid $13475 new for my 2004 Trail-Lite Bantam B23S fully loaded with just about every option and it has a slide.

[TheViking]

The price seems awful high to me. I paid $13475 new for my 2004 Trail-Lite Bantam B23S fully loaded with just about every option and it has a slide.

Remember, we are in California. If you can live in it, it's gonna cost you.

[griffsmom]

I was going to post a simliar sentiment, Brian.  Things do cost more out here on the left coast.  That being said, $14,500 still might be a little on the high side for their smallest floorplan.  Laura, do you think you could get them to drop it another thousand?  Either that, or maybe they could throw in some extras, if it's not already fully loaded, or give you an extended warranty.  

 
How exciting and nerve-racking all at once.  I can't wait to see what you and Brandy show up in at Guajome!!

[zamboni]

When Kelly and I were Hybrid "sightseeing" last summer, we'd decided on what we wanted (Jayco 23B) after visiting every hybrid in this region, including brands I'd never heard of (but they often had the exact same floorplan and even "number" name as other brands).

The dealer had the camper listed at over $21K, and from talking, the most he'd do would be maybe like $19++, and this was for a 2005.  2006's were already being sold in the midwest and east, and this 2005 had issues - slide was crooked, black water drain dipped LOWER than the takeout valve, etc.

So, we opted to sell our PUP on our own, first.  Since we weren't in a hurry, we did not try to negotiate with the sometimes-absurdly-lowball offers.  Finally sold it in August (via Craigslist, to a fellow in Carmel).

A month later was the regional RV show.  Bought the 2006 Jayco from the same dealer (only one in this region), for $17.  They did not have the hybrid at the show, but gave me "show price".

Moral of the story:  RV shows can give you the best deal.  Sell your PUP first, and know exactly what brand/floorplan you want before you go to the show.

[griffsmom]

That's great advice, Glen.  The only problem is that we only get one major RV show down here in So Cal and it's not until October.  We actually ran into Laura at last year's show.  We were checking out the Roos!