How to get the best price on a Fleetwood Popup?

[NU7J]

I'm planning to purchase a new Fleetwood popup camper within the next year or so.  I live in the Seattle area.  This is probably a stupid question but here goes...Do you typically pay the list price at a Fleetwood dealer, or do you haggle over the price as though you are buying a car?  How come the prices at the local dealer (Apache) are so much higher than at the Peco dealer in Atlanta?  

http://www.pecocamping.com/

Please offer suggestions re: how and where to buy a Fleetwood popup.

I would also consider buying a used popup but the prices I have seen for used Fleetwoods are higher than new ones at Peco.  (Apparently Fleetwoods hold their value very well).

I am planning to take a long trip across country next summer, so if I can't get a fair deal locally I am willing to buy one at Peco or in some other region of the country.

Thanks,

Tom

[wynot]

I'm planning to purchase a new Fleetwood popup camper within the next year or so. I live in the Seattle area. This is probably a stupid question but here goes...Do you typically pay the list price at a Fleetwood dealer, or do you haggle over the price as though you are buying a car? How come the prices at the local dealer (Apache) are so much higher than at the Peco dealer in Atlanta?  

Having had a brief period of insanity as an RV salesman...
 
How do you know what "list" is?  RVs don't generally come with manufacturer's stickers, so you are relying on what someone tells you that it "lists for".  I know, I used to create the list price.
 
General rules of thumb-
 
1) If the dealer doesn't have to provide service, or simply doesn't have a service dept, you will pay less - which is where some of these volume places save the $s.
 
2)  Yes, haggle.  There is probably a lot of slack in the price.  If you are willing to buy, they are probably willing to haggle.  What I have been hearing about and experienced from the sales end is that a lot of dealers are getting tired of folks "shopping" the deals, so you might have trouble with statements like: "Just give me your best price (bottom line)."  Since you would probably be saying that to everyone, most won't bite, just to lose the deal, when you go back to your local dealer, who then meets that price.
 
Hope that helps.

[Recumbentman]

NU7J........... Welcome to PUT
your best bet in getting a good price would be in the off season when dealers are trying to clear there lots for the new PU's coming in. it is said that prices are a bit lower back east because of shipping charges. but as most people will tell you, that a good dealer is more important than saving a few bucks.
good luck on your search. and don't stop looking at the used PU's. especially at the end of a camping season. many people buy one and after giving it a try decided to move on to something else. you never know what you might come across.

[TheViking]

Stealing one is always the way to get the best prices.  :yikes:

[trumpet87]

I'm planning to purchase a new Fleetwood popup camper within the next year or so.  I live in the Seattle area.  This is probably a stupid question but here goes...Do you typically pay the list price at a Fleetwood dealer, or do you haggle over the price as though you are buying a car?  How come the prices at the local dealer (Apache) are so much higher than at the Peco dealer in Atlanta?  

http://www.pecocamping.com/

Please offer suggestions re: how and where to buy a Fleetwood popup.

I would also consider buying a used popup but the prices I have seen for used Fleetwoods are higher than new ones at Peco.  (Apparently Fleetwoods hold their value very well).

I am planning to take a long trip across country next summer, so if I can't get a fair deal locally I am willing to buy one at Peco or in some other region of the country.

Thanks,

Tom

Tom,
Prices on Rv's in general are higher west of the Mississippi.  We were told this by 2 different dealers (one ours) in 2 different areas.  If you'd be willing to drive to SW Indiana for a good deal on a new one, our dealer (we didn't buy from him, bought used, but still order stuff from him) has the lowest prices on new P-ups I've ever seen.  He tends to be $1500-$2000 less than any other Coleman dealer.  He has no fancy showroom, just a small gravel parking lot with a repair/parts garage (not even air conditioned)!  He does service them and installs air, etc. on them. He is honest and knows his stuff about them; has been there for many years.  Let me know if you would like more info on this.

[NU7J]

Thanks for the info.  Yes, please pass along the name and tel number of your dealer in IN.  

Thanks,

Tom

Tom,
Prices on Rv's in general are higher west of the Mississippi.  We were told this by 2 different dealers (one ours) in 2 different areas.  If you'd be willing to drive to SW Indiana for a good deal on a new one, our dealer (we didn't buy from him, bought used, but still order stuff from him) has the lowest prices on new P-ups I've ever seen.  He tends to be $1500-$2000 less than any other Coleman dealer.  He has no fancy showroom, just a small gravel parking lot with a repair/parts garage (not even air conditioned)!  He does service them and installs air, etc. on them. He is honest and knows his stuff about them; has been there for many years.  Let me know if you would like more info on this.

[67L48]

...a lot of dealers are getting tired of folks "shopping" the deals, so you might have trouble with statements like: "Just give me your best price (bottom line)."  Since you would probably be saying that to everyone, most won't bite, just to lose the deal, ...

This is a great summary of everything that is wrong with the industry. Yep, the nerve of some people who actually shop for the best deal, rather than buy from the closest dealership.  And the gall of some would-be buyers who cut right to the chase and ask for a rock-bottom price.  It's as if some of these people don't even want to play all the dealership games anymore.  Well, screw off, who needs those people; damn customers seem bent on ruining the business model!

It's boarderline offensive to me that a dealership would really tire of people engaging in active shopping or would shy away from stating a price.  There are any number of ways to combat this, however.  Find a different competitive advantage (service); use the old Saturn "the price is the price" approach; etc.  But to complain about savvy, better informed customers?  That's just lame.

Welcome to the real world, a capitalistic society that is ever approaching a state of perfect information exchange.

As I've said before, it appears as though the RV sales model is stuck on the auto sales model of the 1970s and 80s.  A Ford Dealership, e.g., used to act like this -- a local monopoly, "I'll only tell you the low price if you promise to buy."  Now, I can go directly to Ford and see invoice prices (and verify it to the one-time rogue sites like Edmunds).  And, if I don't like my local Ford dealer's prices, I only have to drive about 15 minutes to the next one.  There are about 30 dealerships in a 2 hour radius.

RVs aren't there yet and the competitive pressures don't seem to be as high (there are NOT 30 Fleetwood dealerships in a 2 hour radius; and most don't advertise) . Information isn't as readily available -- as was noted: what is MSRP for a Fleetwood Model X?  I can't find it. So, it's still a bit easier for the dealerships to pseudo-collude.

So, you have an industry that is trying hard to bury information about its own product in an age where every other industry is embracing (either by choice or by force) the move toward perfect information exchange. It's kind of disturbing.

Oh, and 10-20% off dealer price (list, MSRP, whatever you want to call it) seems to the standard, depending on time of year and other variables.

Good Luck.

[flyfisherman]

Remember that old cliche for business people ... "location, location, location"?

Well, for popup camper buyers it's "time of year, time of year, time of year"!

Nothing so much inspires RV dealers to want to sell some of their old inventory as that of a chilling north wind blowing in the late fall.


Fly

[emtownsend]

So, being a nooby to Pop-up camping, I find this info very useful.  Thank you.  
How can I get a loan on something with a variable price?  Is there such thing as a Nada or Kelly Blue Book for pop-ups?
I live in an area where there are about 5 or more RV dealerships within a few miles (Spokane Valley, WA).  I guess I should just start looking but I have been hesitant due to the lack of information on cost.
Thanks again!

[EileenG]

Yes, the Kelly Blue Book for RVs is NADA.com. It is very similar to KBB and very helpful, especially arming yourself w/info before approaching dealers whose prices appear to be quite overinflated. Since you are a nooby, you may want to consider a used PU to get the hang of it, see what you like, or don't like, on your PU, and then laying down the big bucks for your dream PU a little later down the line. Just a suggestion.

We were avid tent campers for20 year s, then bought a used PU three years ago. I love my PU! But I must admit, there are a few things I am considering now that seem almost luxurious in a newer PU than the one I now have (like hot water, furnace). We average approx 1 trip per month year round and would certainly get our use out of a few niceties.

Welcome to the PU world, and good luck in your shopping.

EileenG
2005 Toyota Tacoma
1994 Fleetwood Avalon
Southern CA

[emtownsend]

Thanks for the advice Eileen.  Do you feel there is a ballpark for model years that I should stay within when looking at used PU's?  Like 2 years, 5 years, 10 years.... Just in case there was some significant improvements in the industry during those times.  Does that make sense?  Thanks!

[SherryandFamily]

I don't know about everywhere, but here in Virginia I have found that the best prices are in the Fall, and at the RV shows in February.
At the shows the dealers and the dealership usually throw in a little extra, free sceen room, free AC, etc.

Good luck finding the perfect popup!
Sherry

[beacher]

Tom,
Prices on Rv's in general are higher west of the Mississippi.  We were told this by 2 different dealers (one ours) in 2 different areas. ......)

And you believed it!??  It's not true!

You can purchase ANY RV West of the Mississippi for the same or less than on the other side of the river!  The reasons?  "Big City" Competition, Capitalism, Simple Greed, and the Free Market Economy.

In Southern California you can purchase a PU for the same price or less than PECO!  There are many PU dealers between Sacramento and SanDiego.  They all want your business and will compete with each other to get it.  It's not uncommon to pay less than 20% to 30% below "list" price.  When dealer's are trying to move previous year's inventory to make room for the latest models, up to 40% off is not unheard of.

If you have multiple dealers within a 200 mile radius of your home, you too can negotiate and haggle for a better price than "list".

[EileenG]

Do you feel there is a ballpark for model years that I should stay within when looking at used PU's? Like 2 years, 5 years, 10 years....

Well, when you find the make and model you like, you can then research pics to see which years body style, or what have you, may have changed. Just be aware that the older the used PU you get, the more wear and tear may have occurred (loose/broken door handles, the pegs on the underside of the dinette seats may have been broken off, possible rips/tears in the screening or canvas, privacy curtains may have ripped and been repaired, etc.)
 
It seems like most people using this website love their PUs and are pretty diligent about caring for them, but that is not the case w/everyone. When we bought ours it was 10 years old and in good condition, but was stored in someone's backyard (black widows and spider webs on the underside) :eek: We have garaged ours since the day we brought it home, and oil and clean it each trip inside and out. Price was definately a big consideration for us and we are happy with the PU we chose in our price range :#
 
Get the word out to friends and family that you are in the market. Friends of friends may have one for sale and you can work a deal privately. We bought ours from my brother-in-law's friend. He brought it to my sister's, set it up, and left it overnight for us to look at, sleep in and check out. Smart move on his part, we bought it!
 
Good luck,

[wynot]

This is a great summary of everything that is wrong with the industry. Yep, the nerve of some people who actually shop for the best deal, rather than buy from the closest dealership. And the gall of some would-be buyers who cut right to the chase and ask for a rock-bottom price. It's as if some of these people don't even want to play all the dealership games anymore. Well, screw off, who needs those people; damn customers seem bent on ruining the business model!
 
It's boarderline offensive to me that a dealership would really tire of people engaging in active shopping or would shy away from stating a price. There are any number of ways to combat this, however. Find a different competitive advantage (service); use the old Saturn "the price is the price" approach; etc. But to complain about savvy, better informed customers? That's just lame.
 

If you want my opinion (since I wrote the comments that this was replied to), I personally think that all RVs should come with a factory window sticker and price gougers should lose their dealerships.  And I would be more than happy to offer up my former employer.  After all, I quit, because I wouldn't lie to people.  The truly successful salespeople at our place were the ones who wouldn't tell prices and were blatant a**holes to force customers into buying.  In fact, that was what I was told I had to become by my sales manager.  And the worst part?  Those same salespeople were making killings on what people overpaid, whereas I couldn't convince people with a reasonable price (well below what those guys got for the same units).
 
I don't think that the automotive and RV markets are that far apart in how customers also try to play salesmen with loads of manure either.  Most customers will spend a weekend or two trying to get prices then go right back to their local dealership and tell them to meet or beat the lowest price.  The "customer" will tell the salesperson that they will definitely buy from the lowest priced dealer, but they usually don't.  They'll buy as local as they can, despite the hundreds of miles they may drive shopping - BECAUSE they will use their shopping prices to force the deal at home.  They also may just buy when they get tired of shopping period.
 
We used to get used as a lunchtime rest area for curious people who saw the large lots from the interstate - yet we had to treat obviously non-buying "prospects" as potential customers.  The belief in the dealership management was that "The person wouldn't have stopped by if they weren't interested in buying!"  One learned real quickly to find out where the customer was from and proceed accordingly.