We hope you all had a great weekend RVing, or maybe you ventured to your local dealer to view your dream RV. At Campers Inn we strive to be the campers trusted resource and we know that purchasing an RV is a big decision one that requires research. Like every big purchase sometimes walking into a dealer can be a daunting task especially if you are new to the RV lifestyle. You may fear that you will end up with an RV that doesn't fit your needs and budget from a dealer that sees you as a sale not as part of the family. In this blog we have are laying out the top 5 tips on how to control the RV purchase process.
How To Control The RV Buying Process
1.) Do your RV Research
Before you step foot in a dealership we suggest that you do your research. Know what type of RV will fit your needs, what brands of RV’s you like, what floor plans may work for lifestyle and what options you want. Know what you want before you head to the dealership will not only make the buying process easier but it will also keep you from getting talked into an RV that doesn’t fit your needs.2.) Buy From a Reputable RV Dealer
Not only should you research the type, brand and floor plan of RV you want, you should also research the dealership you plan on visiting. Before heading to the dealership visit their website to learn about the dealerships culture and the brands that they carry. Ask yourself, are you able to not just learn about the dealerships inventory but also who they are, what they believe and how they started? Do they have testimonials from past customers regarding their buying experience? Does the dealer not just provide a great line up of RV’s but also additional information about the RV lifestyle?Visit review sites to see others experience at that dealership. When reading reviews remember to take them with a grain of salt some people will review a business only when they have had an issue and few people review a business when they have had a great experience. If you see a bad review check to see if an employee from that business has responded to try and resolve that situation. Not every dealership can make 100% of it’s customers happy but they should at least try and reach out to that customer.
After you have done your research and head to the dealership keep an eye out for the following criteria that will signify this is a dealership you can trust.
Are you greeted warmly as you walk in the door
Does their staff take pride in their appearance with good personal hygiene
Is the staff knowledgeable and well trained
Is the dealership clean, well lit and secure
Does the dealership host a parts and service department
Is their business office secure
Are the RVs on the lot clean and organized
Do you feel at ease at the dealership
Always purchase from a dealership that takes pride in the products they carry, their staff and the building they operate out of.
3.) Sit down with your sales person before viewing available RV's
After you are introduced to the sale person who will be assisting you in finding your RV ask to first sit down with them and explain your RV needs and budget. A sales person who immediately ushers you outside to view inventory without asking how you plan on using your RV, what your budget is, what options you are looking for and the type of RV you are interested in is not invested in finding you YOUR perfect RV. Sitting down with a sales person first also give you a chance to learn about them and whether they are trust worthy and knowledgeable.4.) Know your RV budget
Possibly the most stressful part of the buying process is the negotiation after you found your perfect RV. Before you walk in the dealership make sure you know your budget, if you are going to finance, what you are willing to put down and what you are willing to spend on addons (parts and warranty). Knowing what your price range is will prevent you from being talked into buying more RV than you can afford. Also vocalize what your price range is to your sales person, the mark of a trust worthy sales person is they will show you something in your price range rather than trying to bump you up into an RV with a higher price and a higher commission for them. If both you and your sales person know your budget you will be surprised how easy the negotiation process becomes!5.) Meet the Management
During your RV purchase process make sure that you meet the sales manager. They should sit down and introduce themselves but if they don’t ask your sales person to introduce you that way they can put a face to the name on the quote. Establishing a relationship with the sales manager will help level the playing field and you will know who to ask for should a problem arise after the sale.
With these five tips you can take the stress out of buying an RV and remain in control, after all RVing is FUN and so should be the purchase process! If you are looking to learn more about purchasing a Pre-Owned RV specifically make sure to check out our E-book! New to the RV lifestyle? Check out this post about RV Jargon and Terms!
