discounts on new motorhomes?????

10071 Views 58 Replies 20 Participants Last post by time-traveller, Jun 7, 2009

ethnatkev

Discussion Starter · Jun 4, 2009

hello, I just wanted some tips on buying a new motorhome, if anyone has done this before, here are my questions,

up to what percentage of reduction in price is acceptable to ask for without sounding cheeky, would you say 10% off the new price or more or less? I don't want to offend the dealer but would like to get off as much as possible.
and also, should I haggle on the price and then ask for freebies or all at the same time?
and is it normal to get extras chucked in when you buy new or is that not a normal procedure?
sorry for so many question, thankyou and any replies would be greatfully appreciated, thanks

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DTPCHEMICALS

· #2 · Jun 4, 2009

Start by asking for a huge discount as there are going to be many unsold vans at the end of the season. Plenty of 08 models about. You will probably not get discount you ask for but it is easier to lower than higher
the discount you feel is ok
Shop around. do not buy a van purely on the discount offered, make sure that the whole van is right for you.

Look at some recent used models, some have really low mileages and you save a fair bit of brass.

If going for new fiat based van check for reverse judder , well documented in mhfacts

Best of luck

Dave P

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ethnatkev

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 4, 2009

hello thanks for that fast reply,
when you say a huge discount, what would you ask for on, for example, a £30.000 motorhome, brand new?
this is just an example figure so I can work out roughly what to ask for when I decide on the one I want to purchase
and would you then also ask for freebies, sorry to ask so many questions, but do not want to buy and then feel I could have done more,
thankyou

time-traveller

· #4 · Jun 4, 2009

ethnatkev said:
hello thanks for that fast reply,
when you say a huge discount, what would you ask for on, for example, a £30.000 motorhome, brand new?
this is just an example figure so I can work out roughly what to ask for when I decide on the one I want to purchase
and would you then also ask for freebies, sorry to ask so many questions, but do not want to buy and then feel I could have done more,
thankyou

You'll always feel as if you could have done more.
If they give you one, you'll that you should have asked for two !

DTPCHEMICALS

· #5 · Jun 4, 2009

Have a figure in mind say 15 % discount. If you are offered 10% it may be a good deal, or start scratching your head, stand up and ask a simple question, give me your lowest figure you have only one chance to secure my order today. You may be stuck at 10 % but it is better than nothing.
Great if you have no part ex.
It once took me 6 hours to buy a car. The sales man said are you going to lose the purchase of this lovelly car. My answer was are you going to lose the sale of this lovelly car and let me walk.
deal done extra £500 saved.
Do not be embarrassed it is your cash.If it is to be on finance the dealer will receive comission on that.

Cheers
Dave p

ethnatkev

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 4, 2009

thanks for that, could do with someone like you to haggle for me!

what has put me off is we went to a dealer and liked a 2008 motorhome, when we put an offer in, which was 30.000 for the vehicle, and we offered 28000, he said,

"well we might as well end the conversation here and now then"

and to be honest he made us feel like we were being really cheeky and going in too low,
he wasn't having none of it and more or less told us to go and find one elewhere,
the thing is we were prepared to up the price and we told him we would be buying all the extras off him, but he didn't even come back with a counter offer!
he was quite arrogant and stubborn, so it has sort of knocked our confidence a bit, (won't mention what dealer it is although I would love to as he really wound us up) still will try to see if we have more luck next time, thanksfor your reply.

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JohnsCrossMotorHomes

· #7 · Jun 4, 2009

Hi,

You can always come and have a chat to us! No promises but we are certainly not arrogant.

Peter

framptoncottrell

· #8 · Jun 4, 2009

It may not be relevant to a UK purchase, but at Dusseldorf I had no problem getting 10-12% off all the big marques without haggling. I reckoned 20% was not out of the question on some models reaching the end of their production run.

The important thing is not to have your mind made up as to what you want to have before starting haggling. You must have the 'Exit' door as your final bid - salesmen can spot the pre-committed buyer before they have even stepped out of their car.

Good luck.

Dr (musical, not medical) Roy

P.S. My son-in-law is Turkish Cypriot and I reckon he can out haggle anyone - I might try hiring him out......

georgiemac

· #9 · Jun 4, 2009

He is obviously very well off and doesn't need to sell his vehicles - don't forget as soon as you drive a new vehicle of the forecourt you lose the 17% (or is it now 15%) VAT it really is worth looking for a good used model, we have had two - in the first case we got more in part exchange for it than we paid for it. The second one was just 6 months old 3000 miles and about £12,000 less than a new one - great value.

GerryD

· #10 · Jun 4, 2009

JohnsCrossMotorHomes said:
Hi,

You can always come and have a chat to us! No promises but we are certainly not arrogant.

Peter

We came and have to say that we didn't feel too welcome or that any sort of deal other than the initial basic deal would be entertained. First time we have ever requested figures without being asked any personal details or more than make, model and mileage of our van.
Whilst I would not go back to our last dealer, they do show more interest when you ask about pricing.
Gerry

ethnatkev

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 4, 2009

from the last reply, and my last disaster, I sort of get the feeling that the dealers don't really like to budge much on the initial price. maybe I should not go for new and look for a seconhand newish one from a private seller, as they obviously do not have the staff, premises etc to cover costs on... but I sort of trust a dealer a bit more as you have some sort of comeback if things do go wrong, I will try a couple more to see how I get on, thanks for the replies

CliveMott

· #12 · Jun 4, 2009

Dealers are really struggling to sell new motorhomes at the moment.
Look around until you find the van you want at a dealers. Don,t mention part exchange, just talk cash purchase and whatever first inducement they offer just laugh! At the moment you should expect to end up with 12% off the screen price for a cash purchase. Before you shake the dealers hand just remind him for that price he has to include the wind out awning, a SOG, 3 years warranty, servicing and habitation checks and an additional Leisure battery - then he can have a deal. If they won,t play leave them your phone number / business card so they can phone you having thought about it. It took one dealer 2 weeks to reconsider for a friend but eventually they came round as the "stock" was costing them money.

Dealers are currently making more money out of nearly new vans.

C.

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philbre

· #13 · Jun 4, 2009

ethnatkev said:
hello, I just wanted some tips on buying a new motorhome, if anyone has done this before, here are my questions,

up to what percentage of reduction in price is acceptable to ask for without sounding cheeky, would you say 10% off the new price or more or less? I don't want to offend the dealer but would like to get off as much as possible.
and also, should I haggle on the price and then ask for freebies or all at the same time?
and is it normal to get extras chucked in when you buy new or is that not a normal procedure?
sorry for so many question, thankyou and any replies would be greatfully appreciated, thanks

haggle like crazy & be brazen enough to walk away

done properly you'll get a massive discount so dont be shy

if you give me £200 for every £1000 I get off his original price, I'll haggle for you.........................

oldenstar

· #14 · Jun 5, 2009

Dealers are really struggling to sell new motorhomes at the moment.

I went into Alan Kerr's today ( I know, I know) and according to him (
and seperately his Sales Manager) they sold 49 motorhomes last month.

Don't know how many were new but he has several 2 and 3 year old vans presumably changed for new ones.

Remember this is a one town dealer, though he has 2 locations about a mile apart.

Paul

JohnsCrossMotorHomes

· #15 · Jun 5, 2009

CliveMott said:
Dealers are really struggling to sell new motorhomes at the moment.
Look around until you find the van you want at a dealers. Don,t mention part exchange, just talk cash purchase and whatever first inducement they offer just laugh! At the moment you should expect to end up with 12% off the screen price for a cash purchase. Before you shake the dealers hand just remind him for that price he has to include the wind out awning, a So g, 3 years warranty, servicing and habitation checks and an additional Leisure battery - then he can have a deal. If they won,t play leave them your phone number / business card so they can phone you having thought about it. It took one dealer 2 weeks to reconsider for a friend but eventually they came round as the "stock" was costing them money.
Dealers are currently making more money out of nearly new vans.
C.

Dear Clive,

Any dealer doing a deal like that will not be around for much longer and where is the after sales service and habitations coming from then?

To clarify your comment about struggling with new vans............ not at Johns Cross!

Peter

ethnatkev

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jun 5, 2009

I am even more confused now than when I started off! everyone says haggle but the dealers say no chance, WHO DO I LISTEN TO???? do you haggle or not????
please help, thanks

oldenstar

· #17 · Jun 5, 2009

My personal view is that it is better to buy at one of the big shows if the decision does not have to be instant.

There you have a large selection of dealers and manufacturers and if you know what you want you can do the rounds. Two days at the show, the first for investigation, sussing out, getting prices or price to change etc.

Go home, sleep on it and decide on the second day.

NEC is best of course - Huge choice.

(Sorry Peter)

Paul

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peej

· #18 · Jun 5, 2009

At the moment you should expect to end up with 12% off the screen price for a cash purchase. Before you shake the dealers hand just remind him for that price he has to include the wind out awning, a Sog, 3 years warranty, servicing and habitation checks and an additional Leisure battery - then he can have a deal.

Thats interesting because thats almost exactly the deal we got. We got £5000 off a £39000 list price and then got a Cobra alarm, reversing sensors and cycle rack included (value > £1000)

Peter

CliveMott

· #19 · Jun 5, 2009

Peter,
Good luck with the business,you sound like you are bucking the trend.
The business I am still in (now very part time as a consultant) has been discounting industrial vehicles by as much as 60% off, less than half price.
Some MH distributors of European vans even use an exchange rate of 1.25 for starters - then offer 10% off.
So I guess the message is haggle hard, know how much you are prepared to pay and be prepared to walk away.

The other suggestion is to make sure that any promises made by the charming salesman and special requirements agreed are clearly written on the contract.

It worked for us!

But you should always get a better deal on stock vehicles as its their (or their banks) money tied up.
c.

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ethnatkev

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jun 5, 2009

thanks for that, I think I will try one of the shows, but do you stand any chance of getting a better deal? as according to clive you should get all the above, but then the dealer is saying no one would do a deal like that,

I don't want something for nothing, but I would like a good deal without offending the dealer. When I purchased my new car I got around 10% off and a new dvd player, maybe for motorhomes
the profit margin is lower for the dealers.

I think being in the motorhome trade sounds like a good trade to be in a recession as they seem to be the only trade not having to offer better deals,
maybe I should take it up as a business and keep one for myself in the process!!! it would save me all the hassle of looking for one, thankyou for all your replies but I am now getting a real headache over looking for this motorhome, I think I will go to a show and have a look there, thanks again

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