buying online

[heather]

How do make sure I'm getting a good reliable rv or trailer when duying online?

[heather]

Excuse me BUYING online. Possible Frueded slip(duying)!

[leeman]

Heather, I really am not sure about buying online. Guess it depends alot on where and what you are buying. I shop alot online, but as soon as I get an interest in the product, I will go physically look at it.
When buying new from a dealer, you put a lot of trust in the dealer, but buying used, you just never can trust a picture, so I would be kinda cautious about buying something used online.

Leeman

[seatinkers]

I found our RV online but before we bought it you really have to go and see it. One thing I did learn even though nothing bad happened when we bought ours and next time if I do find another one online that I am interested in is to pay the $300.00 - $400.00 to have it checked over by a licensed RV dealer's service area. They will go over a coach and check everything for the fee and it is well worth it considering the amount you will pay for the RV. Also, try and get an extended warrenty.

Then don't forget to check the NADA book for RVs online for the price. Some people get sucked into buying one and ending up owing more than what it is worth and that is sad. Take your time and check them all out. Oh, another thing...If you are fulltiming and buying an RV I found one rule that is a great rule when you go to buy one. If you and your mate are standing back-to-back in the RV and your butts touch you don't want that one LOL.

GOOD LUCK in buying your RV and safe travels when you get it.

[viking1470]

find it hard to fathom (deep subject here) that someone would buy a large ticket item like an RV on line -- me, gotta see it and feel it b/4 I dig in me pocket for me "greeN" --- just my two cents

[johnw]

I'd be careful about buying a NEW rv online. Why buy an RV from a place 1000 miles away to save $1,000 or so? While it might sound awefully tempting now, what happens when you need warranty service? Chances are more often than not, your good old local dealer--the one you passed by to save the $1,000 is going to tell you to make the 1000 mile drive back to where you got it to get it serviced. Most want no part the work, due to low reimbursement rates from the manufacturers, increasingly RV dealers are refusing to do warranty service on RVs bought elsewhere--and unlike the car industry--they have no legal responsibility to do so.

[johnw]

I'd be careful about buying a NEW rv online. Why buy an RV from a place 1000 miles away to save $1,000 or so? While it might sound awefully tempting now, what happens when you need warranty service? Chances are more often than not, your good old local dealer--the one you passed by to save the $1,000 is going to tell you to make the 1000 mile drive back to where you got it to get it serviced. Most want no part the work, due to low reimbursement rates from the manufacturers, increasingly RV dealers are refusing to do warranty service on RVs bought elsewhere--and unlike the car industry--they have no legal responsibility to do so.


ADDITION--

That's why the internet guy can afford to sell it to you so cheaply--he knows he is not going to have to deal with you when there are problems.

[kwahq]

online, definitely shop around and only buy from a seller that you are willing to visit to inspect unit......I didn't and purchased from BEST PREOWNED RV in Houston and S.C.........boy did I get taken as a first time buyer!!!!!!!
stay away from these folks, they are dishonest and their actions will only cost you money ans possibly your life!!!!!!!!!
you can contact me for details if needed, research and find a honest seller, no dont only go by their bogus feedbacks.

[thecarrgang]

Buying on-line is quickly becoming the preferred way to shop, even for big ticket items. If you go with one of the on-line dealers that has a good reputation you will be fine as long as you know what you want and have them order it the way you want it. Service after the sale can be an issue deoending on what manufaturer you choose. Going a 1000 miles or more to buy is worth when your going to save several thousand dollars, but not just a couple because by the time you factor in travel and expenses your really not saving. I bought our Cedar Creek Silverback from a dealer a good ways from us, but I take it to a dealer that does not even sell Cedar Creek. They are however an authorized warranty center for Forest RIver. Just do your home wrol and you will be fine.

[corey1]

How do you like your Cedar Creek? My husband and I and our 10 year old are looking at a 36 ( I think!) to go full time in a few years.

[thecarrgang]

We have the Cedar Creek Silverback 33 LBHTS and love it..It a well constructed 5er and suits us very well. Thank goodness no major issues to speak of to date.

[goindoc]

We bought our Itasca Cambria from a dealer on-line, saved almost $12,000 (as an aside the one we bought was a 2007, the one our local dealer had was a 2006. I asked for his best out-the-door price. I even told him we would use the numbers to shop around). Well worth the 400 mile trip. Had warranty work by a dealer here with absolutely no problem. No questions asked. I just needed to provide them with the Itasca number

[kd8wdave]

How do make sure I'm getting a good reliable rv or trailer when duying online?

Like another poster said, YOU need to look at it. The best advice is to 'educate' yourself a lot, go slowly (don't be in a hurry to buy!!). figure out HOW you think you want to RV, what is important and what is not. Are you handy with repairs or are you at mercy of shops?. There is a lot to it. I spent more than 7 months looking for my unit. Did I get a good price?, maybe but I knew I was going to have to spend time working on it(bought it used). From some of the other forums I have visited , there is a higher than normal percentage of issues even with a NEW rig. I don't know why, but seems to be more negative than positive when dealing with dealers and the mfr. I personally visited two dealerships while I was looking and I was not impressed with salesman nor their tech's. At least the ones I talked to did not seem to know their product very well and the salesmen tried to 'hide' stuff from me and that I did not like.
Again, go slow, educate yourself and trust nothing a salesman says. Even a private seller(if you're looking at used) may hide something, so you have to beware.

Good luck

[seatinkers]

Do you know the mark-up price on an RV is 48-50%. We learned this from a former salesman. I again am looking to buy a new/used RV and I am looking online. The sorry thing that I see with these dealers is:

-People buy the RV and when they try to sell them they are asking more money then what they are worth because of the loans they talk them into. They pay full price and let them make a hugh profit off them and the minute they drive it off the lot it depreciates alot!!...it's really sad.

-You can buy from a dealer but then when you have a problem they are all the same you pay for it eventually either with money or your time in waiting forever to get anything done. Then you have to hope they know what they are doing and that they do it right the first time.

We are fulltimers and even if you weren't you still have to deal with something going wrong. If you are on a trip and you need something repaired how do you go to your RV dealer you bought off of?

I do agree that you should go and see what you are thinking of buying. If you are really interested in buying then have them do a certified technician/mechanical report that they can do for $300.00 at a RV dealership. This checks and lists everything in and on the RV and informs you of any problems. I would even pay for this if they didn't if I was seriously thinking of buying the RV.

I guess when all is said and done you really just need to know what you are doing.

[chickyandchucky]

Do you know the mark-up price on an RV is 48-50%. We learned this from a former salesman. I again am looking to buy a new/used RV and I am looking online. The sorry thing that I see with these dealers is:

-People buy the RV and when they try to sell them they are asking more money then what they are worth because of the loans they talk them into. They pay full price and let them make a hugh profit off them and the minute they drive it off the lot it depreciates alot!!...it's really sad.

-You can buy from a dealer but then when you have a problem they are all the same you pay for it eventually either with money or your time in waiting forever to get anything done. Then you have to hope they know what they are doing and that they do it right the first time.

We are fulltimers and even if you weren't you still have to deal with something going wrong. If you are on a trip and you need something repaired how do you go to your RV dealer you bought off of?

I do agree that you should go and see what you are thinking of buying. If you are really interested in buying then have them do a certified technician/mechanical report that they can do for $300.00 at a RV dealership. This checks and lists everything in and on the RV and informs you of any problems. I would even pay for this if they didn't if I was seriously thinking of buying the RV.

I guess when all is said and done you really just need to know what you are doing.
While I agree with some of what you said, there is not a markup of 48% to 50%, unless the dealer is in a state - Fl - where they are allowed to remove the Maroni label with the MSRP and replace it with one of their own that has their markup!
Also, sometimes the loan is high because the purchaser traded in a coach with a large payoff and it was, had to be refinanced! Another thing to consider is that any motorhome is also a vehicle and when you drive it off the lot, you automatically lose a percentage of the sale price! That is true for ANY vehicle!
You do not have to return to the selling dealer for warranty work or for repairs when the warranty is expired - just contact your manufacturer for info in where to take it.
We have a 2004 Neptune and found the radiator with evidence of a leak. We contacted Monaco and were directed to Colton Truck Terminal in Colton, CA, which was only 20 miles from the campground where we were working. Monaco has a recall on the aluminum radiators they put into some coaches and if that one begins to leak, they do a replacement at their cost. Colton Truck folks took us right in at the appointed time and 24 hours later we were on our way with a new steel radiator which will no doubt outlast the coach.
Just be courteous, reasonable and use common sense and respect when dealing with a dealer or repair shop - you get a lot farther.
I do agree no one should ever buy an RV without looking it over and having a certified RVIA tech go over it.
P

[loron]

We bought on-line a new Safari from a dealer 600 miles away, We did research like units locally. Saved $3000. Worth the trip to Houston. I don't think the Dealer is important as the Coach Builder. Things are going to break. Your chances of getting anything fixed even from your selling Dealer in a reasonable time are pretty remote. Our Experience with Monaco (SAFARI) has been outstandidng. A good releationship with the Service Techs at the builder is a must. On several occasions (Rear Monitor) (Dash Air Valve) (Microwave/Convection Oven) they are willing to send your replacement parts and you install. (They save the labor and you save the headaches) This has saved me hundred of dollars with multiple trips to "Service Dealers" and avoids tying up your unit for weeks in some cases. The builder includes return shipping and packaging.

On a trip through Houston we stopped at our "selling Dealer" for minor repairs and were told to get in line for the next service date which was three weeks away!!!

The best service yet was from Safari as our Ice maker (Norcold) quit working and a local Norcold Service dealer replaced the unit, after three trips to verify it wasn't working. They replaced the icemaker but later sent us a bill for $90.00 for labor as they claimed the warranty covered parts only. I sent a letter to Norcold, (which has never been answered) and a copy to Safari. Got a letter from Safari yesterday stating that the Norcold refusal was in error and they had settled the matter with Norcold and the local camper source. This is on a 2005 unit which is out of Mfg'rs Warranty.

Safari's Service Tech's will also assist on the phone while doing repairs!! (guiding the removal of the Microwave). Best service I've ever received from anyone!!!!

[racerx]

You wont. Don't do it. Find a coach on line then go see it, touch it, and DRIVE IT.
Buying on line costs you $$$$. Dont be missled.
Scott

[majsaj]

We found our first motorhome, a new Holiday Rambler Neptune XL, online last month and purchased it from Terry Labonte RV in Greensboro, NC. We live apprx 1000 miles from there near Branson, MO. Because TLRV is also a Chevrolet dealership, we were able to trade-in our TrailBlazer (husband hated it.)

About the transaction: We communicated by phone and email extensively before making the buying trip. They were extremely helpful in sending all the information we asked for and in arranging financing. Our salesperson stayed with us all through the delivery, including the walk-through by the service manager. He even took us to lunch and helped us set-up for the night in a local campground and went through all the steps (we are newbies!!) The next morning our chassis batteries were dead so he met us at the service center and made sure new batteries were installed and all our questions were answered before we headed home.

We discovered on the way back that the coach was in need of a serious front-end alignment. We called our local dealership for service and found this not covered by warranty. Upon calling TLRV, we were told to take the coach to a local truck/chassis dealership and they would reimburse us directly for the cost, which they did within 10days. All in all we are very pleased with our out of state buying experience. We have been camping several times since coming home with no problems. We love the coach.

Some background: We had been looking at all the major brands and driving them whenever possible over the last year. We repeatedly tried to work with our local HR dealer, who, interestingly enough, is also a Chevrolet dealership, to no avail. Their prices were too high, they didn't make much effort on financing and really didn't want to take our vehicle in trade.

In our case, our online purchase was very successful. The best advice we would give is to check-out the dealer, get as much information as possible and communicate with them extensively prior to making the purchase. Also, drive the vehicle and make sure everything is working properly before signing on the dotted line.

Good luck!:)

[donnie]

IMHO, Im not sure Id take a chance on buying a big ticket item online if I couldnt at least see and test drive it.
I have shopped online for parts for my truck and car without any trouble.
Like was previously posted, if its possible to see it, touch it, drive it, then it might be worth it.
We did find ours online but the dealer was about an hour away.

[ladyliberty]

I also found my unit online at ebay, but I was only looking at units that were within 100 miles of me because I wanted to touch, it, feel it, hear it, and drive it, before I parted with any of my money! I had a wonderful transaction and got a wonderful buy on a sweet unit that was well loved and cared for! I reccommend looking online but do your research and do not purchase sight unseen!