Lesson 2: Lesson Two: Let's Find a Dealer, Buy That RV And Get On The Road
To find that perfect dealer we need to look at several factors at the various dealerships, then we need to discuss the aspects of actually buying that perfect RV. Next we need to talk in-depth about getting ready to get on the road! Recommended reading: "Support Your RV LIfestyle" by Jaimie Hall. Get this book, and let it be your lifestyle "bible".
Let's Find a Dealer
Now that we have decided to purchase an RV, let's try to find a good all-around RV dealer. In the quest to find that perfect RV dealer remember there is only one hard and fast rule. It is YOUR MONEY; you need to be in charge. Don’t lose sight of that fact, no matter what is said or done during any of your visits to RV dealers, whether you are looking or buying. The purchase of an RV is a serious undertaking not to be taken lightly. The amount of money involved here, in most cases, is second only to your “brick and mortar” home.
Let’s go to some RV lots that we are considering and take a look at them. As we approach the lot does it look inviting? Is it well lit at night? You might need to do your shopping then. Are the flags and banners fresh and bright? Is the lot clean and well kept? Is there adequate parking for customers? Are the RVs set up and open so you can see them? Go in them? Walk around them? You need to be able to see what you are looking at from all sides and angles. I know that space is money to the dealership but Murphy’s Law says if you can’t see it while you are looking, then this is what will need attention after you buy the RV and that is when you will have wished you had looked at before.
As we exit our car look to see if the sales people are crowded around the showroom door like vultures. Not that this is particularly bad - I just don’t like having to walk through them every time I might want to go through that door. Besides they should have something else to do. Does anyone acknowledge you? How long did it take? If the person that greeted you was a sales person, did they offer you a business card when they introduced themselves? How are they dressed? It doesn’t have to be coat and tie but neatly dressed shouldn’t be too much to ask. A nice touch would be a shirt with their name and the dealership logo on it. Do they ask if they can assist you? When you say you are just looking does their attitude change?
Ask them first to show you around the lot, behind the scenes so to speak. Ask to check out the inside showroom. Is it open and well lit? Well appointed, neat, clean? With RVs open and powered up and literature available for the unit inside the unit? Are the prices clearly marked on the units or do you have to ask? Is the show room big enough so that you don’t have to be on top of the other lookers all the time? Are there places to sit and think in the show room? You need space and time to be able to look and see everything in order to make smart decisions.
Go in to the parts and supply store. Is it well organized? Are the parts well marked? Are the parts and supplies clean or are they dusty and dirty? Do they have a catalog? Get one of these catalogs while you are here. Most of the RV stores use the same catalog; it just has their name on the cover. Spend a little time in here, just sort of take note of what they have and their prices. You will be back here many times.
Let's move on to the repair area. We hope our unit won’t spend a lot of time here but it should be clean and well organized. Do the mechanics have toolboxes to be proud of? Are they in uniforms? Are they clean? This takes a lot of space but is the shop set up so that you can visit your vehicle while it is being worked on without bothering the mechanic? Talk to the mechanics. Are they friendly and willing to talk? Are there other vehicles there being worked on?
Repairs on RVs seem to take forever and a good place to hang out is very important. Do they have activities for you to do while you are waiting? Some repair shops have organized activities for you to participate in while you are waiting. See the waiting room, is it clean? Is there plenty of comfortable seating, maybe a desk with a modem hookup? What do they have to eat and drink? At least they should provide coffee and water and a well-supplied vending machine. Better would be free snacks. Is there a place to eat near by? Better, do they supply lunch? I was nicely surprised to find that one of the repair facilities actually made a sandwich and chip lunch for those of us that were there. While you are there be sure and talk to some of the people in the waiting room. Most RV’ers are eager to share information with others and will tell you "like it is". Okay, this might be down the road a bit but let's say they don’t finish the repairs on our unit by the end of the day. Do they have camping facilities on site? If not, what arrangements are there for you to spend the night? Are there motels in the area? Do they provide transportation? One more stop: just take a look into the business offices as you pass. Are they organized, well kept or they messy and cluttered?
None of the above things makes or breaks an RV dealer. My view is that the more attention they pay to their lot, sales people and repair facilities the more apt they are to treat you the same.
OK, now go check out some RV lots … you can look at RVs while you’re there but don’t buy.
