Dealership question

Imflynt

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Joined
May 18, 2024
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17
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DUBUQUE
Hello, first time posting, first time RV owner, we are in the process of buying our first RV , we live six hours from the dealer that we are buying it from we are discussing and dealing mostly over the phone, one of the things the sales person told us is that we need to pay a non listed $2000 inspection fee for the vehicle, this RV was transferred from another dealership and they feel that they need to go through the vehicle again and they want us to pay, i’m just curious is this legitimate? I understand that Thor has some quality control issues however I feel that things would be covered under warranty and this does not justify paying a $2000 inspection fee on top. Thanks for your help!
 
Rv checklist is an app to use.
If you fail to check any box, tell them to get stuffed and walk away.
IF
You don't tell them to get stuffed, as you should, about that $2,000.

And most of all;
Congratulations on finding this forum before purchase.
You are 1:500

Better to ask now than to whine later.

Thanks for being aware.
 
My guess is that there isn't any "inspection." It seems like a dubious way for the selling dealer to up their profits, maybe even flat out fraud. Ask for copies of other inspections that have been done when a vehicle is transferred so you can see the types of issues the inspection finds. Also, ask what is done with the inspection results. Who pays for any necessary items found on the RV? Are they going to reduce your price if they find problems that need repair?

Instead, why don't you propose that you pay for your own pre-sale inspection using an independent inspector? Then you can use the results to further negotiate price or repairs. There appear to be lots of services available with NRVIA certified inspectors. A quick Google search shows a few in my area of Texas, all seem to do inspections FOR LESS than $2000 even if you have motor oil, transmission, and coolant tested.
 
My guess is that there isn't any "inspection." It seems like a dubious way for the selling dealer to up their profits, maybe even flat out fraud. Ask for copies of other inspections that have been done when a vehicle is transferred so you can see the types of issues the inspection finds. Also, ask what is done with the inspection results. Who pays for any necessary items found on the RV? Are they going to reduce your price if they find problems that need repair?

Instead, why don't you propose that you pay for your own pre-sale inspection using an independent inspector? Then you can use the results to further negotiate price or repairs. There appear to be lots of services available with NRVIA certified inspectors. A quick Google search shows a few in my area of Texas, all seem to do inspections FOR LESS than $2000 even if you have motor oil, transmission, and coolant tested.

What DR said above.

The don't inspect new coaches before delivery, why would they inspect an "already inspected" RV from another dealer (that THEY don't trust did the inspection).

Pre-delivery inspections are on the dealer side of the ledger. Don't pay them a cent until YOU are satisfied it passed YOUR inspection, And since you are a first time RV owner, pay a third party technician to do the inspection for/with you.
 
LOL! Be brave and tell this dealer you're cutting ties with them due to their unscrupulous behavior... AFTER you post your findings on social media. They should take the hint.

Then find another dealer.
 
Hello, first time posting, first time RV owner, we are in the process of buying our first RV , we live six hours from the dealer that we are buying it from we are discussing and dealing mostly over the phone, one of the things the sales person told us is that we need to pay a non listed $2000 inspection fee for the vehicle, this RV was transferred from another dealership and they feel that they need to go through the vehicle again and they want us to pay, i’m just curious is this legitimate? I understand that Thor has some quality control issues however I feel that things would be covered under warranty and this does not justify paying a $2000 inspection fee on top. Thanks for your help!

Is this Camping World? Hire your own independent inspector. Much cheaper and more reliable.
 
Hello, first time posting, first time RV owner, we are in the process of buying our first RV , we live six hours from the dealer that we are buying it from we are discussing and dealing mostly over the phone, one of the things the sales person told us is that we need to pay a non listed $2000 inspection fee for the vehicle, this RV was transferred from another dealership and they feel that they need to go through the vehicle again and they want us to pay, i’m just curious is this legitimate? I understand that Thor has some quality control issues however I feel that things would be covered under warranty and this does not justify paying a $2000 inspection fee on top. Thanks for your help!

As others have said it is just a dealer add on to increase profit. They should check the RV as part of the sale but usually don't. They know you live to far away to be much of a pest after the sale and most likely will just suffer with the problems. The independent inspector is a very very good plan since you are new to RVing. Don't use an inspector that they recommend. Find your own and pay them directly without going thru the dealership. Make sure the dealer fixes everything the inspector finds before you sign the sales papers. Once you sign you will be basically ignored by the dealership and if they agree to fixe something it will be on their terms. In other words, your RV will sit on their lot for months at a time and often when you pick it up the problem will still be there.
 
If you pay $2000 or buy from that dealership, you could be certified as insane.

First question I ask any dealer is the OTD Price (Out-the-Door) price with all fees spelled out in the quote before I start negotiating. If I see crap like dealer prep and other fees, I tell them those get dropped or I walk.

I just purchased a 2024 Dynamax Isata 3 24FWSFX. I did a 25-page PDI Check-List that I designed for this specific coach. It took my wife and I both 8-hours over two visits before I signed off on the coach. I did as good... and probably a better job... than an RV Inspector because this is a new generation Lithium powered coach with no generator or propane and I educated myself thoroughly plus I have owned other coaches so I know wha to look for in terms of potential issues. The other advantage of doing the PDI myself is I know how ever single system operates on the coach before I drive it off the lot.

However, since you are new to RV's you would want to higher an RV Inspector as recommended because the Stealership and the OEM will miss many issues that you will get to inherit once you sign on the dotted line.... warranty or no warranty. Once you drop significant cash, the last thing you want it for it to sit at the dealership for 6 months waiting for it to be fixed while the warranty clock ticks and you aren't using it.

The dealer that I recently purchased from is a small dealer. From the beginning they added no fees..... just the RV price and $311 for documentation, notary, registration, etc. After my completed PDI and I agreed to move forward with the purchase they didn't try to sell me..... an extended warranty..... a paint protection package..... an interior protection package...... a tire / wheel package.... or a pre-purchased maintenance plan. All they did was sell me a coach with no BS and that is all I wanted.

And finally.... if you purchase from a dealer who is several hours away, I would only take it to the Manufacturer Factory Service Center for warranty service. Their techs know your rig better than any dealer.... they have more experience on your model than most dealers..... they have access to parts.... and they know the weaknesses of what they build and where to look for problems you may not see. Make sure your Manufacturer offers Factory Service, where it is located and be prepared to use it if needed.
 
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So, I told the salesman we will not pay for inspection, at first he was bucky, I told him we will buy elsewhere, conversation ended. A bit later he called back and said his manager agreed to wave the inspection fee.
Later the finance manager called to finalize the deal and I told him I want an email stating the itemized out the door price and that I assumed it would be advertised price plus paperwork fee, plus I wanted the itemized inspection report.
We'll see how it goes, we will not be travelling till next Friday. I have other options out the if things change again!

Off the subject, Its hard to believe no class b RV comes with a spare tire! I have looked at options and will probably purchase a carrier and take off wheel and jack, its this normal? Is this what you guys did?
Thank again!
 
It's normal.
No spare has been a thing since always on certain class vehicles.
And
There is NO REASON to trust their inspection report.

Use rvchecklist and do at least three hours of checking.
 
we live six hours from the dealer that we are buying it from we are discussing and dealing mostly over the phone,

Thing 1.

Have you seen the RV in person to look over? If so what did the condition look like to you. If you have not seen, I would NOT assume that all will be well when you do see.

Thing 2.
The Dealer has already proven to you they will play games. Don't assume the games are over because you caught them at on shady sales tactic. There will be more. They may know it is your 1st RV and their job is to get as much money out of you ads possible. Assume they are very good about what they do, because they are. Nothing wrong or illegal about exploiting customers who don't ask questions or state their ground. Some people just see a payment they know they can pay, a shiny toy and sign on the line. Then the cry a foul blaming TMC quality.

Thing 3.
All may not agree with me, but my view is that if you can't learn how or can conduct your own PDI, you should NOT buy an RV. I don't even trust the Inspectors that I could have hired with such a purchase. Take your time, get a PDI Checklist and learn what it is and you personally go through that entire list. If there is something in your list that you don't understand as questions. I conducted 4 PDIs before I finally found one that passed. I was amazed at how some things found the Dealer's refused to fix or wanted to fix after the sale. I walked. Besides, your Day experience will be better if you already know how everything works.

You did not say, or I missed the year or if RV was new. All of the RV's I looked at were new. It was my 1st RV too. It did not take long to learn how to do the PDI. Just a lot of time and cooperative dealer to allow you to conduct it. i.e. Basically you just proving that EVERYTHING works. EVERYTHING assume NOTHING. Water heater, hot cold faucets every switch, every door, every light, battery cutoff, propane gas etc if you have.
 
PLEASE... save yourself much grief! HIRE an independent RV inspector. DO NOT rely on ANYTHING this (or any) dealer tells you about "inspections"! This cannot be stressed enough... especially for a first time buyers.

You are NOT purchasing a car. Purchasing a new RV is a unique animal. Many things/systems are BROKEN or non-functional when delivered to the dealer... YES on a NEW RV!! AND the rig will sit that way until a potential buyer comes along. Guaranteed... the salesperson's goal is to get you to sign BEFORE anything is fixed. Then you'll be posting on forums about the nightmare you just created for yourself.

So... follow Judge's advice above. He KNOWS! And... hire that INDEPENDENT inspector... NOT the dealer's flunky. The few hundred bucks spent on a qualified inspector is money well spent!
 
If you pay $2000 or buy from that dealership, you could be certified as insane.

First question I ask any dealer is the OTD Price (Out-the-Door) price with all fees spelled out in the quote before I start negotiating. If I see crap like dealer prep and other fees, I tell them those get dropped or I walk.

I just purchased a 2024 Dynamax Isata 3 24FWSFX. I did a 25-page PDI Check-List that I designed for this specific coach. It took my wife and I both 8-hours over two visits before I signed off on the coach. I did as good... and probably a better job... than an RV Inspector because this is a new generation Lithium powered coach with no generator or propane and I educated myself thoroughly plus I have owned other coaches so I know wha to look for in terms of potential issues. The other advantage of doing the PDI myself is I know how ever single system operates on the coach before I drive it off the lot.

However, since you are new to RV's you would want to higher an RV Inspector as recommended because the Stealership and the OEM will miss many issues that you will get to inherit once you sign on the dotted line.... warranty or no warranty. Once you drop significant cash, the last thing you want it for it to sit at the dealership for 6 months waiting for it to be fixed while the warranty clock ticks and you aren't using it.

The dealer that I recently purchased from is a small dealer. From the beginning they added no fees..... just the RV price and $311 for documentation, notary, registration, etc. After my completed PDI and I agreed to move forward with the purchase they didn't try to sell me..... an extended warranty..... a paint protection package..... an interior protection package...... a tire / wheel package.... or a pre-purchased maintenance plan. All they did was sell me a coach with no BS and that is all I wanted.

And finally.... if you purchase from a dealer who is several hours away, I would only take it to the Manufacturer Factory Service Center for warranty service. Their techs know your rig better than any dealer.... they have more experience on your model than most dealers..... they have access to parts.... and they know the weaknesses of what they build and where to look for problems you may not see. Make sure your Manufacturer offers Factory Service, where it is located and be prepared to use it if needed.

Congratulations
Nice looking rig.
Let us know how the non generator massive 600 ah lithium performs

https://youtu.be/py65f0GQxoU?si=ApQsvLqBfgAfXzoS
 
The RV is a 2023 new old stock with 500 miles, so I assume it has been sitting?

Sounds good, really appreciate the help and eye openers, I am an experienced mechanic with autos new and old and handy at home, I dont hire contractors to do the work I learn it and do it myself, and of course there is always a learning curve, but yr right combine the two and its a totally different beast, the home on wheels, which I have no experience besides common sense! Thank you all for the info and guidance, I think, hopefully have advanced my learning curve!
I will let you know how it goes, next weekend!
 
But,
If you hire the pro inspector, or if someone knowledgeable on this forum is located near you
You'll be buying the short course on;
One way valves inserted wrong
Roof joints
Tape vs goo
Tail light leaks
Soft floor
Tire dates
Battery dates
Toilet seals

And all the other crap that happened from a unit sitting on a lot.

He'll open the ac unit and make sure the intake and exhaust are set correctly in their frame.
They'll know if the slide sounds wrong for it's size.

They'll give hell to the dealer you'd rather not.

Good cop
Bad cop.

I say this because you are competent and can look over a shoulder to learn all that becomes pertinent.

I say often
"I'm smart enough to do this job
Which
Makes me smart enough to hire a pro to do this job".
 
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The RV is a 2023 new old stock with 500 miles, so I assume it has been sitting?

Sounds good, really appreciate the help and eye openers, I am an experienced mechanic with autos new and old and handy at home, I dont hire contractors to do the work I learn it and do it myself, and of course there is always a learning curve, but yr right combine the two and its a totally different beast, the home on wheels, which I have no experience besides common sense! Thank you all for the info and guidance, I think, hopefully have advanced my learning curve!
I will let you know how it goes, next weekend!

Brand new sitting on a Dealer lot means MORE USED by people that don't own and Dealers that don't care. I know from 1st hand experience because I knew exactly what brand new model, color and year I wanted. My problem, or real world challenge is the fact that I wanted the lowest price for the same. Dealers sold the RVs at the lowest price based on age sitting on lots.

90% of items that failed my PDI was cause by sitting or people breaking things, misusing or abusing equipment like the slides or hydraulics.

Also unless you plan to buy local and this coach is not you will need to find an Inspector that is local to that Dealer. How do you really know who is who? In my cases, I had no Inspectors that I talked to that gave me a warm fuzzy. I usually just had business card or some names floating around a few RV Dealers. It can't hurt trusting someone ( only money) but the same true for their $2000 Inspection ( just money) some have spare money to pay and some don't.

You are a mechanic so you have that technical skillset to balance that all out. I view things somewhat differently. My goal of PDI was not to catch Mfg failures that could occur, but was to capture all of the should have been known items not operational or functional. I admit I did not properly inspect the roof (lack of knowledge). If I was buying used I would have thought differently.

For perspective we had 50 plus items on one punch list, my Mother if patient would have identified 30 of those. I am sure we missed some because an expert may have had 70 or then again ( and more likely) the expert may have only found 15. Only 10 of what I identified they may have viewed as an issue and maybe 5 other things I was not smart enough to find. We knew when it was the right time to buy because the RV we found has zero issues after our over anal 6 hour PDI. If I had missed something, I would have had a year to find.

To be clear, I would NEVER buy a Used RV without trusting someone to inspect or survey, it is no different than buying a used boat.
 
Thanks again guys for the insight, I hired a certified independent inspection, he will do a compete inspection of the Class B RV, I will get a report with photos and if there is any reflags he will call immediately!
This will be done at the dealership, they will have it hooked up to electrical and water. The dealer had no problem with this!
 

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