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bcbouy
100 mile house
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Joined: 03/15/2014
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before my wife retired,her company used to puchase products from Atlas,who supplies the rv industry with parts.the markup is a minimum of 100% between the wholesale/retail according to the pricing catalogue.now i have to hold my tounge every time i need to step into a dealers parts dept.because i know for a fact how much i'm being gouged.
2012 ram 2500 hemi crew cab sb 4x4 2015 northstar 850 sc 14.5 g3 guide custom fly fishing boat
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BurbMan
Indianapolis, IN
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Joined: 09/20/2001
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You can buy a $0.05 nut from the hardware store, put it in a bag that says "Marine and RV" and charge $5.00 for it. I paid $100 for a propane alarm at a CG store once because our would not stop sounding off and I didn't want the whole family sleeping in a TT with no propane alarm. You want it right here, right now, you're going to pay a premium.
Personally, I would be thankful that you were able to find a flush valve AT ALL, so that you could fix the toilet and enjoy your trip, rather than complaining that it cost 5x what they get on Aamzon.
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RetiredRealtorRick
St. Augustine Beach, FL
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Joined: 04/17/2020
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To all that belly-ache about markups, all I can say is "if you only knew".....
Just as an example, I was in the jewelry business for a number of years. Markups then, as they are now, reached 1000% on many items (that's 10x if you're fuzzy on the math), especially diamonds.
Do a little research, and you'll find that markups in many industries make those RV parts markups pale in comparison.
. . . never confuse education with intelligence, nor motion with progress
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Tyler0215
Iowa
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Joined: 03/13/2013
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A toilet valve is something you only buy if you need it now. Proably a higher markup on an item like that, than on an item that may be an impulse buy.
The price seems high, but what are you gonna do?
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ford truck guy
Pennsylvania
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Joined: 03/22/2008
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schlep1967 wrote:NamMedevac 70 wrote:never buy an RV at an RV show. Experience counts. See you at the rodeo
When we were shopping for our first travel trailer we almost fell for the "show special" price of $23,000. We held off and made some calls to other dealers over the next few weeks. Bought the same unit better equipped for $14,600.
That show price is SPECIAL for one side of the deal.
IT ALL depends on what type of show.... IF it is a manufacturer show, you COULD get a good deal.. IF it is a dealer show, no deal...
The Manufacturer will have reps there to make the final decisions on costing...
Me-Her-the kids
2020 Ford F350 SD 6.7
2020 Redwood 3991RD Garnet
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bob_nestor
murphy
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Joined: 05/08/2005
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Spade Cooley wrote:We both purchased the new valve system from a reputable dealership in the area for $56 with tax and installed it ourselves. When I get home I see the same valve is for sale on Amazon for $9.99 with free shipping. I know these dealers need to make a profit to maintain their store but this much of a mark up is outrageous.
You could have continued your camping trip without a working toilet and fixed it when you got home. But that probably wasn't considered an acceptable option, so you paid for the convenience and availability of the part when you needed it. And yes, similar if not identical parts may be available on Amazon or eBay at much lower prices with "free" shipping, but you have to be careful because many of them ship directly from factories in China and can take weeks before they arrive. One way or another there are costs involved - time, money, convenience, etc.
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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Joined: 08/23/2005
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Amazon is no bargain if you need the item right now.
Maybe the dealer should have said "Sorry I don't have any toilet valves, but I can order you one!"
I assume you needed that valve right away vs. waiting to save a few bucks.
As to mark up and Rip Off.
Amazon orders valves 1000 at a time. The dealer may order 5.
Those valves then have to be shipped, inventoried,taxed and sold.
This is all to make it possible for the valve to be available locally vs. at a Amazon warehouse across the country.
The real secret is a good dealer knows that a few RV'ers will not use anti freeze and have a freeze issue. An experienced dealer knows there will be demand for toilet valves in the Spring because a few RV'ers will not properly winterize their rigs and require a new toilet valve.
Luckily the dealer knows more about the parts business than Amazon otherwise there would not have been a valve available at any cost.
I would not fault the dealer for making a profit, I would fault the OP for not winterizing properly.
Consider it a lesson learned......Anti freeze is foolproof and cheap insurance otherwise you can gamble and face the consequences in the Spring.
* This post was
edited 03/29/22 04:49am by Lantley *
19'Duramax w/hips,12'Open Range,Titan Disc Brake
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Beaker
Brevard, NC
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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I recently replaced a WFCO converter charger for $213. The dealer wanted $296.
$140 service call
39 labor
458 converter
16 shipping
$653
44 tax
$697 total
No grease included.
2008 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
2010 Cruiser 26RK
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time2roll
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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So open up a dealership already and only charge half. See how that goes.
Otherwise stick to Amazon. Easy to check price using the phone before a decision is made.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
675w Solar pictures back up
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RetiredRealtorRick
St. Augustine Beach, FL
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Joined: 04/17/2020
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time2roll wrote:So open up a dealership already and only charge half. See how that goes.
Otherwise stick to Amazon. Easy to check price using the phone before a decision is made.
^^ Fully agree ^^
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