Good Video of Why Your Salesman Doesn't Know Jack About RV's

[RVMichael]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qw4LSuejUs

[Bob Denman]

It's too true to be funny...

[Long & Winding road]

Yeah, all new RV'er should see video this before they purchase one. Its touches on stuff that I had to learn slowly off of this forum. Luckly I was learking around on this forum for about a year before I pulled the trigger. I knew every little detail on my walk though - they young kid that was showing stuff had no idea about most of it. He just had a general overview.

[RVMichael]

To my dealers defense, they did throw in about a $70 "Starter Kit', most of which I found out was junk, LOL.

[Long & Winding road]

Yeah I think CW gave me $100 credit towards whatever I wanted - So I got some good stuff (I bet I spent $200).

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Long & Winding road

Yeah I think CW gave me $100 credit towards whatever I wanted - So I got some good stuff (I bet I spent $200).

We got a $200 voucher for "free" stuff.
The only problem: we ended up spending over $600!

[K0LCB]

Good advice! I agree, few in the industry are RVers! He didn’t mention that an RV is a rolling earthquake

[RV Pirate]

Looks like they're too busy to cut the grass.. Wait, didn't he say they are constantly moving rv's in and out? Makes you wonder how grass grew there in the first place...

After a 5 min. conversation with your salesperson, it becomes painfully obvious that they have no idea about rv's or the lifestyle.

[TurnerFam]

RVMichael hits on some good points.

...it's awfully easy to 'compare' the RV industry to the every Car industry, but there is almost NOTHING to compare, other than something is being sold. It's like comparing buying a car to buying a HOUSE - if you've ever done the later, you know what I mean.

Yes, I would disagree that no 'camper' or 'rv' comes with all the stuff you need to get started, as many, many dealers not only provide a 'basic' package of a sewer hose, tp, and another few items, many also go far beyond that, certainly based on the price point of the unit - ours was purchased in TX at Motorhome Specialists and they not only gave us a 'starter pack' of the usual goods, but a fully loaded 'tool case' with most any tool you'd ever need to work on your rv - very nice.

I'll admit that you probably, or certainly, will need more than the basic starter pack, but the common mistake most new buyers make, those who've never owned an rv, or done much rv camping, is to feel that they must rush out and buy 'everything' possible that they 'think' they might need. Usually you don't really 'need' as much as you fear, especially those who are mostly weekend campers at parks and campgrounds with water and electric.

If a new person to the RVing world asks my advice, when purchasing a new RV, I give them the strongest advice I can: get the experience you can before you ever leave the house - meaning, park your rig in your driveway, if possible, DON'T plug it in, DON'T hook up to water, and test your skills by 'dry camping' for a few nights without cheating and going back into the house.
You soon realize what your RV can, and can't, do when you don't have anything to 'hook up to'. You'll quickly find out what works on battery power, or an inverter, and what doesn't. You'll also quickly find out if you can actually be 'comfortable' without all the 120v electrical amenities we are so accustomed to, or sometimes even running water.
All that is just to test your reserve, but also to give you a quick primer in what DOES work when you DO plug into power, and attach to a water spigot, or even a sewer outlet.

When you 'know' the differences, camping can be much more enjoyable because you 'know' what to expect when you are heading out, what the 'plan' for, and what needs go with that type of camping - whether off-grid totally, with only 'some' hookups, or even when you have 'full hookups' galore!

and, test and learn to use your Inverter and Generator, if you have either, before you leave the driveway - run the generator, find out what works when it's on. Turn on the Inverter - find out when and how it does it's 'magic', and whether you need it on all the time, or if you just need it for 'every now and then' travel situations.

Most of us have learned from experiences, mostly the bad ones, because they are quick teachers and stick with us! You may be one of those, too, regardless of what great advice someone, or everyone, has given you. I'm not a book learner, I'm a DO learner!

[Pete'sMH]

Ppersonallly, I’m glad they DON’T provide everything you need to operate an RV when you buy one. I’ve had 5 RVs over the years and, obviously, only one was my first one. I’ve always transferred my accessories and my selections have evolved over the years with changing needs and experience. With only one exception the dealer gave us a store credit with our RV purchase and I think that’s the right way to do it. There ARE some excellent and experienced salespeople out there and my advice for anyone looking for their first RV is to find one.

[lwmcguire]

Originally Posted by TurnerFam

RVMichael hits on some good points.

...it's awfully easy to 'compare' the RV industry to the every Car industry, but there is almost NOTHING to compare, other than something is being sold. It's like comparing buying a car to buying a HOUSE - if you've ever done the later, you know what I mean.

Yes, I would disagree that no 'camper' or 'rv' comes with all the stuff you need to get started, as many, many dealers not only provide a 'basic' package of a sewer hose, tp, and another few items, many also go far beyond that, certainly based on the price point of the unit - ours was purchased in TX at Motorhome Specialists and they not only gave us a 'starter pack' of the usual goods, but a fully loaded 'tool case' with most any tool you'd ever need to work on your rv - very nice.

I'll admit that you probably, or certainly, will need more than the basic starter pack, but the common mistake most new buyers make, those who've never owned an rv, or done much rv camping, is to feel that they must rush out and buy 'everything' possible that they 'think' they might need. Usually you don't really 'need' as much as you fear, especially those who are mostly weekend campers at parks and campgrounds with water and electric.

If a new person to the RVing world asks my advice, when purchasing a new RV, I give them the strongest advice I can: get the experience you can before you ever leave the house - meaning, park your rig in your driveway, if possible, DON'T plug it in, DON'T hook up to water, and test your skills by 'dry camping' for a few nights without cheating and going back into the house.
You soon realize what your RV can, and can't, do when you don't have anything to 'hook up to'. You'll quickly find out what works on battery power, or an inverter, and what doesn't. You'll also quickly find out if you can actually be 'comfortable' without all the 120v electrical amenities we are so accustomed to, or sometimes even running water.
All that is just to test your reserve, but also to give you a quick primer in what DOES work when you DO plug into power, and attach to a water spigot, or even a sewer outlet.

When you 'know' the differences, camping can be much more enjoyable because you 'know' what to expect when you are heading out, what the 'plan' for, and what needs go with that type of camping - whether off-grid totally, with only 'some' hookups, or even when you have 'full hookups' galore!

and, test and learn to use your Inverter and Generator, if you have either, before you leave the driveway - run the generator, find out what works when it's on. Turn on the Inverter - find out when and how it does it's 'magic', and whether you need it on all the time, or if you just need it for 'every now and then' travel situations.

Most of us have learned from experiences, mostly the bad ones, because they are quick teachers and stick with us! You may be one of those, too, regardless of what great advice someone, or everyone, has given you. I'm not a book learner, I'm a DO learner!

Great advice, it people follow it then they will be glad

[Cason61]

Originally Posted by lwmcguire

Great advice, it people follow it then they will be glad

Must had somethin in my rash berry tort this morning, but I'll work on this subject here. Any of you folks remember those old report cards we used to get? Like it had a subject pass or fail and maybe 3 slots below that added to the overall grade of that subject? And then you got what the teacher tells your parents about you on the last page? Has anyone thought about transferring that WAY to showing out an RV? Like which key works to enter the RV, which for the compartments, the hood, bunk bed compartment. Sign off then move on, Then start the RV, operate the auto lift, raise and lower the bunk bed, operate the back up camera, side mirrors, radio, GPS, heat, A/C. Then operate the slide(s), the awnings, windows, use all the propane /electric appliances, what extra materials to keep the doors closed, use of the lights and where the switches are located.... etc, etc, etc. Like they show us what it is, how it works and what to do if it doesn't with the owner signing the report card that they showed it. Add a DVD to this and I think that might help. Some things that are not needed for your model can be ignored I guess but this might help the 1st time buyers. Might even be 3-4 pages too. I know, RV 101, 202.