It's a "Catch 22" scenario. Most manufacturers require the dealers to purchase upfront, all products they wish to inventory. Small dealers simply do not have the capital to do this. There are no "floor plans" available thru the manufacturers and there is no "Captive Finance" options either, such as Ford Motor Credit, etc. GM, Ford, Daimler...all the big car guys have floor plans whereby the dealer can inventory an approved level of debt at no cost for a few months. Cost of goods sold will not allow deep discounts for the small guys. The CW's and General RV of the industry have deep pockets and can carry the debt load. They must turn inventory fast, thus...deep discounts generate quick sales. They will inventory tons of models and people will drive hundreds...sometimes, thousands of miles to get what they want. Small dealers are charged with "cleaning up the mess" of warranty issues back home and they simply choose not to do so. It's more of a "getting back at the manufacturers" as it is not taking care of buyers. As I've always stated...until the manufacturers get their arms around this, nothing will improve and the after sale experience will continue to plague us, and it's consistent across every brand.
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Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
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