Negotiating a discount when buying new from a dealer

[KatTab]

We going to buy a new trailer. We are not going to buy used. We have shortlisted our preferred models. We have reasons to be very specific, so there are circa 10 dealers, all in the West, who have 2025 stock and are about to receive 2026 stock. Currently they are offering circa 20% discount off rrp, mostly with the same four extra options. However, buying is easy. What we are concerned about is selling in 2-5 years time. There is a huge amount of both new and used stock for sale. As an example, one of the models we are looking at, has been for sale with a dealer for 242 days and they don’t have their 2026 stock yet. That is truly frightening. However, we have already delayed buying a trailer because of market conditions, but we are not getting any younger and don’t want to keep waiting past this Fall.
We have looked at business reviews of the market and feel that we need to get 50% off rrp to make it viable, understanding that there is significant depreciation on a new trailer, regardless of market conditions.
I have intentionally not mentioned any manufacturers or dealers, as this is a nationwide issue.
For our own logistics, we will not buy until October. We then wish to set off RV’ing for the winter, so don’t want to wait to order a trailer. We can of course, simply contact all relevant dealers and ask them for their best offer. But I think we need to be a bit cleverer than that. We don’t need finance and we are not tied to a geographic area.
I would appreciate your input on this issue. Having worked in sales for many years, I feel for the companies, but we are focused on our own future resale. Thank you for your thoughts on tactics.

 

[Jireh Financial]

Good morning,
Just wondering how you arrived at "50% off to make it viable" and what that means. Just my opinion (based on experience) but it seems like expecting 50% off is a bit of a stretch. Generally there is not a 50% mark up even to get to MSRP. Trying to predict resale values a couple years down the road is very difficult. Several things come into play that affect used values and finding a consistent pattern or crystal ball for that is very difficult. Values have been up and down even in just the last couple years.
I hope you find the model you want and it all works out.
Ken

 

[Underboss]

We going to buy a new trailer. We are not going to buy used. We have shortlisted our preferred models. We have reasons to be very specific, so there are circa 10 dealers, all in the West, who have 2025 stock and are about to receive 2026 stock. Currently they are offering circa 20% discount off rrp, mostly with the same four extra options. However, buying is easy. What we are concerned about is selling in 2-5 years time. There is a huge amount of both new and used stock for sale. As an example, one of the models we are looking at, has been for sale with a dealer for 242 days and they don’t have their 2026 stock yet. That is truly frightening. However, we have already delayed buying a trailer because of market conditions, but we are not getting any younger and don’t want to keep waiting past this Fall.
We have looked at business reviews of the market and feel that we need to get 50% off rrp to make it viable, understanding that there is significant depreciation on a new trailer, regardless of market conditions.
I have intentionally not mentioned any manufacturers or dealers, as this is a nationwide issue.
For our own logistics, we will not buy until October. We then wish to set off RV’ing for the winter, so don’t want to wait to order a trailer. We can of course, simply contact all relevant dealers and ask them for their best offer. But I think we need to be a bit cleverer than that. We don’t need finance and we are not tied to a geographic area.
I would appreciate your input on this issue. Having worked in sales for many years, I feel for the companies, but we are focused on our own future resale. Thank you for your thoughts on tactics.

50%? If you are looking to not lose money, do not buy a depreciating asset. Buy a cd. RVing is a hobby and a lifestyle.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

I would approach it as a “here is my best offer, when you are ready to move the trailer let me know”.

Based on the markup I would be shocked if you got anything over 30-35% discount over msrp.

We didn’t want to take the initial big depreciation hit on a RV, so we bought used from someone who took immense pride in the RV and had it at the factory once or twice a year for maintenance.

Will be watching this thread to see if you can exceed a 30% discount.

Best of luck.

 

[Rosy]

If you want to take less of a hit on depreciation, buy a used RV that's a couple years old.

As a bonus, the previous owners will have worked through all the headaches of whatever wasn't done correctly at the factory.

 

[BGMAC]

I know you said you don’t want to buy used, but as everyone else has said many issues of new will be resolved. There is also a great opportunity to purchase one below “blue book” value. There a quite a few thought they were ready of the lifestyle, but were not. Many change their priorities and want to get out quick to pursue other things. Anyway, my two cents.