Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
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Joined: 01/29/2007
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Enjoy the new 5er!
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar
Life is short, why not spend it in an RV!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
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tjholyoke
Maine
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Joined: 08/23/2007
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Coming from a rural state, we have very limited options when looking for motorhomes. What few dealers we have left in the state are selling mostly travel trailers and fifth wheels. So, we did lots of online research. Traveled to Massachusetts twice to look at some online deals, but passed on them. Bought our first motorhome in Florida, and our second in Ohio.
We gave our local dealers (2) several opportunities to match/come close to what we found online. The first basically said they would rather write off vehicles as a loss than to sell them for less than they paid. Can't say I understand that, but I do know they still have 2003 models on the lot. Must be waiting for an ice storm to write it off on insurance! The second didn't have the model we wanted and couldn't match the price we found on anything close to it.
Anyway, I do want to thank the second local dealer for helping us out with some warranty issues. I think they know that soon the warranty will be up and we may need more services in the future.
We investigated the wholesalers as well, and the deals were great. Our budget just couldn't quite handle the difference between new and "new" but an older model year. So, we went with a dealer that had an old model year on the lot to mark down. Paid less than NADA and didn't have to be upside down in financing.
I am happy for those of you with lots of local choice. I am thankful for the Internet for providing options to those of us in rural areas. I hope that many local dealers will keep changing with the times and that manufacturers will continue to work to make warranty service available around the country regardless of where the purchase was made.
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mark1228
Helena, MT
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Joined: 04/19/2008
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As I have mentioned, I am an rv dealer. I love the line- "use your local dealer as a showroom, then buy online out of the area." Then you wonder why local dealers won't do your warranty work! Why not give your local dealer a chance as many others have mentioned here. On one hand, the "local dealers" get lambasted here for not competing on price, on the other someone else says they saw the invoice and notes the large discounts the "wholesale" dealers get. I dont blame a consumer for getting the best deal they can, all I ask is give the local guy a chance before buying online. Then, if you still decide to buy online, don't get angry when you don't get great local warranty support.
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AO_hitech
SF Bay Area
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Joined: 08/09/2004
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One thing I have wondered about deals with them is how do you handle the PDI? If I were purchasing a new RV I would not pay for it until I completed a VERY through PDI. Is that just not an option with them?
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I_rv2
Illinois
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Joined: 01/13/2008
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ao_hitech>>how do you handle pdi with them
I assume by "them," you mean out of state dealers and/or RV Direct and RV Wholesaler ... I can only speak for RV DIRECT.
RV DIRECT had me pay in full when my Jayco was "off-line" at the factory. I admit that was a slight "leap of faith."
But it was my fourth rv ... and to be honest with you, I felt pretty sure there wasn't much I couldn't fix myself, aside from a major slide-out problem, if the need should arise.
I did get a thorough PDI at RD DIRECT's Des Moines (IOWA) RV dealership. They had prepped the trailer ... and I could find nothing wrong with it ... and still have not found a problem with my Jayco. I also felt with Jayco's two year bumper-to-bumper warranty, I'd have plenty of time to iron out any issues, should they arise.
I'd tell you more about how smoothly my PDI and delivery went with RV DIRECT, but somebody would then jump me for being an RV DIRECT plant.
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JoyandCon
Franklin, WI
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Joined: 06/01/2004
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Purchased from RVDirect and the full payment before delivery was scary, but I PM'd several Forum members and they had the same feelings, but said everything was handled professionaly.
I made the the leap after giving my local dealer a chance, but they were $3900 more plus charge $250 for the PDI.
I don't understand dealers that charge extra for PDI's. If it is costly add it into the price and don't insult us.
RV Direct at the time of my purchase used the Charger company in Elkhart to do the PDI. They were great to work withas is RV Direct.
Always got an answer promptly.
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mark1228
Helena, MT
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Joined: 04/19/2008
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You are being charged for the PDI either way, why is it an insult to disclose what the actual charge is?
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AK.Hillbilly
Alaska
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Joined: 05/12/2008
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when you bought from RV direct, did they barter? Was wondering about the details of dealing with them?
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Mallo
PA
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Joined: 07/09/2006
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AO_hitech wrote:One thing I have wondered about deals with them is how do you handle the PDI? If I were purchasing a new RV I would not pay for it until I completed a VERY through PDI. Is that just not an option with them?
I bought from AK Recreation down in Texas they are a dealer and the PDI was very through.
The issue I ran into was time compression. There was one thing I needed fixed but had ice storms coming in from the west and had to be back east in time for work. Could I have have taken vacation time and extended to get the work down. Yes but I opted to roll out of Texas knowing I'd have to fix the hot water heater down the line. That repair went well yes I did have to call Atwood to work it out but they worked with me and all is good.
RV Direct and RV Wholesale also have lots and will do PDIs at least according to the posts on these forums from folks who have bought from them.
Mallo
Eloise - 2000 F350 7.3 DRW XL, Reading Flatbed, King Ranch Leather, AIS, MBRP 4" Ex
The Chinese Princess - 2007 Hitchhiker II LS 32.5 LKSBG
Your Kung Fu is weak!
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AO_hitech
SF Bay Area
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Joined: 08/09/2004
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Mallo wrote:RV Direct and RV Wholesale also have lots and will do PDIs at least according to the posts on these forums from folks who have bought from them.
I'm glad it worked well for you. And it seems to for many people. I would just want to do my own PDI, regardless of what the dealer has done. Everything I found that was wrong would need to be fixed BEFORE I purchased the unit. It appears that is not possible when purchasing from "them".
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