Newmar Factory Pickup (FPU/CPU) and Dealer Deliveries

[RKins]

@Neemer - Congrats - beautiful coach. Enjoy. What happens to your old coach? I didn't know Newmar took trade-ins

 

[Neemer]

@Neemer - Congrats - beautiful coach. Enjoy. What happens to your old coach? I didn't know Newmar took trade-ins

I had a local buyer whom I handed the coach off to. It worked out well for all concerned.

 

[AbdRahim]

Congrats. Beautiful coach.

 

[Jabber Jaw]

Beautiful coach, & fantastic color selection!!
Enjoy!!

 

[FloridaSon]

Sharing my FPU story from June 2017:

I ordered my coach on impulse after visiting a local RV show one rainy weekend. Stepping inside a "bus" for the first time I was amazed at the space inside with slides out, a microwave, residential refrigerator, shower, washer/dryer, oh wow! After very little shopping and going straight to what my local dealer had at the to of their line a Newmar Ventana 4037 order was born. After 3 months of no sleep having never RV'd before wondering if I just made the biggest mistake of my life and wondering if I should forfeit my 10% deposit, I pursued.

I did a two day drive from Richmond, VA to Nappanee figuring I'd go straight to Newmar and get a peak prior to going over to Oakwood where I would spend a sleepless night the night before Newmaristmas. I drove to the Camp Newmar area slowly peaking around the corner nervous to find my coach, would I be happy or not? I checked each coach, mine wasn't there, I didn't know it would be hiding inside building 16. I met others and took a long tour of one person's 2015 DSDP learning of all their mods (probably where I got the virus) and the Amazon cart started growing out of control immediately. Mind you my new Chevy Colorado I had to buy for this as I couldn't tow my Honda Pilot was stuffed. Someone said don't get things until you need it. Yeah right! I've been shedding those unneeded and unused things for two years now!

Off to the hotel I went still with a pit in my stomach. I arrived at Camp Newmar the next morning and checked in. I was told to go to Building 16 and Jonas had his head sticking out the door withh a grin welcoming me. Nervous as can be! Walking through the front section to the back section and there she was! Wow was I amazed! What a presentation. I didn't want it to ever leave there, I would just camp right there. I told Jonas that I never had a RV before and was there to learn everything. I was introduced to Dennis who would be my victim for the week. Someone else was supposed to shadow him but that never happened.

I could not have been happier with the time and attention to detail Dennis had with me. We spent the entire first day on interior systems and checking every square inch, he found things I didn't which I was amazed. You'd think the typical business side is not going to mention problems if the customer doesn't find them...this was not the case. The first night you sleep in your coach (if you want) and of course I did. What an experience. I learned about the polished tiles when stepping out of the shower almost wiping out so bath rugs were critical acquired from the local Walmart. Day two was all exterior systems. Boy was I getting the fire hose treatment and trying to figure all this out, so new, so different. I flew fighters in the Air Force with cockpits littered with switches all around me, this was just like an aircraft having to learn all of the systems but without the intense training or manuals.

Day 3 they started fixing the findings and answering my repeated questions when I couldn't remember the answers. We finally went on the first drive, I did have the opportunity to test drive a Ventana prior to placing the order which was good and the salesman was great giving me tips. Wednesday afternoon I figured I'd better drive it so I went to Walmart with it. Terrifying! Even worse was having to back in at Camp Newmar into my site with all the experienced coach owners watching. No one was harmed in the parking of the coach! Day 4 I had some things installed such as SeeLevel and cellular booster antennas, WiFi ranger, etc. The RV satellite folks came from Elkhart to change DirecTV to Dish and introduce me to the costs of RV services oh boy! Day 5 was pretty much cleanup but I mentioned that the steering wheel didn't seem aligned properly so we went for a drive and that was corrected. I was cleared off and drove to the Air Force one place to get the coach side system installed which was way out of my way for the drive home, poor planning on my part but I did it. I boondocked on the side of their building which I had to back into in the dark which was equally as terrifying as before. I left later than expected and did an 11 hour drive home arriving around 1:30 AM but wired from the new coach'itis. I had to do a fuel stop and that was a challenge learning where I could get off and clear bridges and gas station overhangs, of course back then everything had to be 50 feet or higher! I made it to a TA and that was daunting going into a truck stop for the first time at around 11:30 at night and it was intimidating! I survived!

It was an absolutely amazing experience from meeting the other Newmar owners to the time with Dennis and Jonas and all the time they spent with me without even looking like they were tired of me! I asked other owners if tipping was allowed and the answer was typically do what you feel is right. So I tipped. I prefer living a life of generosity rather than leaving feeling like I should have done something or I didn't treat someone right. The moral is do what you feel is right, no one can even tell you an amount or what to do, that is up to you.

FPU was worth every penny due to the issues found that my local dealer would have taken months to figure out. Yes, it's unfortunate we pay to Q/A our own coach but it is worth it to leave with as near a perfect coach as possible. I will do a FPU for any and every coach in my future and will not think twice about it. There is so much value in this opportunity regardless of your experience in my opinion.

Neal, this is a great story that eases my mind. Thanks for sharing. I am looking at a January pick up and get to overnight in downtown Orlando. If the shortages don’t hit me. All the best.

 

[AbdRahim]

The price was negotiated in the sale. I paid $2k in Feb 2017.

$4k in 2020

 

[Jabber Jaw]

The price I negotiated in 2019 was $3k in July of 2019!

 

[Jabber Jaw]

Noticed replies reference NEWMAR (FPU/CPU) program in "Gus2000's" post about Ceramic coatings, and thought We could have more discussion about CPU in this thread.

1) In 2019 "fees were negotiable, and I paid $3,000.....I believe the fee was $5,000
2) Some commented that the fees were not negotiable. True or not?
3) Others have paid varying amounts, so it would seem the fees "may" be negotiable!
4) I believe @Joe Hogan commented about a $6,000 fee when he picked up his new Dutch Star.
5) And was there a comment that the fee is now $6,500?
6) At what point does one feel the "fee" is no longer worthwhile?
7) Is the education garnered & the fixes/repairs done while there, justify the expense?

I believe that the $3,000 I paid was certainly worthwhile, due to the education received, and the repairs/fixes that were done during our 5 day stay.
Were I to buy another Newmar, would I pay the significant increase in the FPU/CPU fee? I honestly don't know. Part of me says "Yes" because of the services received, and part says "No" because the expense is now more than double.

There is no right or wrong answer....it is what is right for each of us, as individuals!

 

[Neal]

I suggest keeping the thread on topic of Ceramic coating and paint correction. Feel free to start a new thread on FPU/CPU as desired.

Woops, I didn't realize this was the different thread. Never mind.

 

[Neal]

Thank you @Jabber Jaw as the other thread was off topic going into factory pickup etc.

 

[Neemer]

My order was discounted by 28% and that included FPU, which at the time was $5K. As part of the total, I consider it discounted.

It was worth it to me. Up until last Nov, this coach had been near flawless. I do not trust any dealership to present me with a coach in the condition Newmar provided me.

My experience with my Winnebago class B bears that out.

Would I pay $10K for FPU on a new one? Probably. Considering a new DS is about $200K more expensive today, $10K is a rounding error. (OK, not literally, but you know what I mean)

 

[Underboss]

1) In 2019 "fees were negotiable, and I paid $3,000.....I believe the fee was $5,000

In 21 it was not negotiable, nor now according to 3 dealers. From what I was told, it was never really negotiable, the dealer found somewhere to get a discount

2) Some commented that the fees were not negotiable. True or not?

True - read above

3) Others have paid varying amounts, so it would seem the fees "may" be negotiable!

Read above

4) I believe @Joe Hogan commented about a $6,000 fee when he picked up his new Dutch Star.

I was quoted 6k by three dealers. I never planned on doing it, was curious

5) And was there a comment that the fee is now $6,500?

6k on a SS in the last few months

6) At what point does one feel the "fee" is no longer worthwhile?

At 4k I had no interest in doing it. I do not believe in rewarding them for something they should be doing. I have a warranty and many issues I can fix once diagnosed, otherwise its a 2 day drive to Nappanee

7) Is the education garnered & the fixes/repairs done while there, justify the expense?

Maybe for a first timer. or someone really upgrading and its all new to them. A good dealer like NIRVC have a pretty thorough PDI and let you stay on site a few days.

Just my personal opinion

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Chris, our Newmar plant tour guide, mentioned FPU is now $9,995 MSRP.

 

[AbdRahim]

These prices are getting out of hand. Cost of almost everything quality RV doubled in five years? Many pensions - no increase. Today many companies have eliminated pensions. Somewhere it has to slow down.

 

[Jabber Jaw]

Each time there is an increase like this; I wonder how many, or what percentage of folks are taken out of the marketplace? I'm reasonably sure there is no way to really know, but it has to have a negative impact.
I'm referring to "price increases" announced by the manufacturer, or suppliers, or the "FPU" expense!

FPU price at Newmar has doubled in five years! On my 2020, it was $5,000 negotiable (I paid $2,800)
Now it's $9,995, and supposedly not negotiable......No way would I pay that!

Class "A" coach ownership expense has come close to doubling, sometimes more than that, to even tripling!!
My income (retired) damn sure has not doubled or tripled!!