Perhaps this has been done before or addressed elsewhere on the forum. If it has and I haven't found it, the mods are welcome to delete this thread.
I'm still very new to travel trailers but it appears their pricing has a lot of 'fluff' built into it. I've done enough pre-negotiating with various dealers to learn the MSRP and negotiated final prices vary by much more than I expected. It would be nice to get a list of what people are actually paying. This will help determine the floor pricing for each model and let others know that there is room to negotiate so they do not pay more of their hard earned money than necessary. That being said, a 'good deal' is one where both parties willingly agree to a transaction. So if negotiating is not your thing and you are willing to pay an asking price, then you did get a good deal for you.
I was curious if the mods would be willing to 'sticky' this thread. The thread over time would become a list of what individuals actually paid for their Camplite Travel trailer along with a list of options. I would suggest the following format. If others have a better format, please suggest it of course. If there is already a resource on the web that provides a rough idea of invoice pricing on these trailers, I would very much appreciate a link.
Camplite Model:
Year:
Dealer Name & State:
Optional Packages: (XL Package, for example)
Custom Changes: (additional power outlets, for example)
MSRP (if available):
Negotiated Price (pre-tax, since that varies by state):
I personally would be very curious to hear any recent prices on the Camplite 21BHS and 28BHS. If you prefer not to post it on this thread, please consider private messaging me.
Many thanks in advance.
There are too many variables for any real world feedback data to be really useful. Was it a factory order? An end of season order of a unit that had been sitting on the dealer's lot for 6 months? Brand new model that just came out with a lot of demand? Is it a big dealer with lots of inventory who moves it well (more discount) or a small isolated dealer with one or two in inventory (less). All of those factors will influence the actual sales price vs MSRP.
For LL products which tend to sell closer to MSRP than mass brands, I would shoot for 10-12% off of MSRP, maybe a bit better at the end of season off of the dealer's lot. You can look here for some guidance: http://www.dhrvcenter.com/livin-lite. Note the 5th wheel is advertised at less than half of MSRP and the 2014 8.5 TC is about 30% off. The former is discontinued and the latter has been sitting around at least a year.
David
[quote source="/post/15413/thread" timestamp="1442855013" author="@david"]There are too many variables for any real world feedback data to be really useful. Was it a factory order? An end of season order of a unit that had been sitting on the dealer's lot for 6 months? Brand new model that just came out with a lot of demand? Is it a big dealer with lots of inventory who moves it well (more discount) or a small isolated dealer with one or two in inventory (less). All of those factors will influence the actual sales price vs MSRP.
For LL products which tend to sell closer to MSRP than mass brands, I would shoot for 10-12% off of MSRP, maybe a bit better at the end of season off of the dealer's lot. You can look here for some guidance: http://www.dhrvcenter.com/livin-lite. Note the 5th wheel is advertised at less than half of MSRP and the 2014 8.5 TC is about 30% off. The former is discontinued and the latter has been sitting around at least a year.
David[/quote]You make an excellent point that there are many variables to pricing. I don't think anyone could argue with that. I would still be interested though since over time we might discover a few dealers that provide consistently good prices on Camplite trailers. For example, I have found a dealer 2 hours south of Dallas that has stated he would beat a highly negotiated price on a 2015 model I found elsewhere even if I custom ordered a 2016 model from him. If I do the deal and he lives up to his promise, I would love to reward him by potentially giving him other customers willing to travel to Texas to do a deal.
I've noticed some here have traveled to pick up their model. Perhaps we could then reward those dealers' lower prices with increased volume to compensate them with what effectively amounts to free advertising.
Again, your thoughts make a lot of sense. Some dealers will have models on clearance that they're willing to part with at extremely low prices.
David,
I would be interested in this information too. We are in the DFW - west side - and I have had preliminary discussions with the same dealer.
[quote source="/post/15419/thread" author="@aggie79" timestamp="1442861303"]David,
I would be interested in this information too. We are in the DFW - west side - and I have had preliminary discussions with the same dealer. [/quote]Howdy Aggie79...I assume you graduated from Texas A&M? If so, I'm also a fellow Aggie... Gig'em...
You might want to try using the forum search button using the term MSRP. The topic of real-world prices in relation the mythical MSRP in the RV industry has been discussed before and you'll get a couple pages of hits with threads. Those will lead you to more discussions. Lots of potential buyers are interested in "real" prices and I think this would be a great topic for a thread in the new forum FAQs (yet to be populated).
Quote from: @thedusty" source="/post/15420/thread" timestamp="1442861401Quote from: @aggie79" timestamp="1442861303" source="/post/15419/threadDavid,
I would be interested in this information too. We are in the DFW - west side - and I have had preliminary discussions with the same dealer.
Howdy Aggie79...I assume you graduated from Texas A&M? If so, I'm also a fellow Aggie... Gig'em...
Howdy and gig'em!
A few years back I built a teardrop camper. We hope to retire early in a year or two and have been looking for a travel trailer to take out for weeks at a time.
I am very particular about build quality and this has led me to LivinLite CampLite. I am not happy about discontinuing the Azdel or aluminum cabinet fronts and the hopefully temporary stop on customization but maybe these will change when we are ready to order next summer or fall.
A couple data points:
1) First one we saw in person, at a dealership west of Knoxville:
[img style="max-width:100%;" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/565/21612990682_fc9ca9dd9b_c.jpg"]
It was black, which we did not want. And we were turned off by what we saw as high pressure sales tactics. We told them we had seen lower prices online (see below) and they warned us that the dealer was notorious for "bait and switch".
2) This was the one referred to above, and the one we bought:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/635/21612974512_19d6f972e0_c.jpg)
We were prepared for the "bait and switch" and asked if we brought a certified check for the amount shown in the ad, if that would be the TOTAL total. Other than a $15 title transfer fee, it was. Sales tax was paid upon registering it in GA.
Bought my 2016 custom 21BHS at Sunnyislandrv for 27,900. Good people and great pricing. Well worth the 2000 mile drive to go get it.
I bought my 21-BHS at Sunny Island in Rockford, IL, as well. My salesman was Mike B. He was very helpful with the custom order that I wanted, and called the factory a few times while I was there to make sure that I was getting what I wanted.
[quote source="/post/15441/thread" author="@leslie" timestamp="1442943882"]I bought my 21-BHS at Sunny Island in Rockford, IL, as well. My salesman was Mike B. He was very helpful with the custom order that I wanted, and called the factory a few times while I was there to make sure that I was getting what I wanted.[/quote]It sounds like we've found a patter for those living near IL though...Sunny Island is easy to deal with.... Are you open to sharing the specifics of your custom changes and the price they ended up charging vs. MSRP?
Bought my 21BHS for $28,000 from a dealer in Lakeland, FL, about 30 miles from home. His sale price was $34,500, but I brought some Internet prices with me and said I'd drive to Georgia to pick it up. They met the price.
Doug
[quote source="/post/15457/thread" author="@djsamuel" timestamp="1442971880"]Bought my 21BHS for $28,000 from a dealer in Lakeland, FL, about 30 miles from home. His sale price was $34,500, but I brought some Internet prices with me and said I'd drive to Georgia to pick it up. They met the price.
Doug[/quote]We're getting some solid information on the 21BHS. Thank you for adding in your information. Hopefully this helps a few others save some money when they go to buy.
21RBS from a dealer in Buford GA. I did not haggle since they honored the internet price and even gave me a $200 gift card. $27900 plus Ga tax and title fees.
Good deal.
We would have bought at Southland - they were the first dealer we called, as a matter of fact. But at the time they did not have a 21BHS in stock, and I don't recall that they were getting any in soon.
I paid $15,900 for the 16DB. They threw in a $2.50 sewer hose, a $1.50 30/20A adapter, two sewer tabs, four sewer gloves and a bum Group 24 no name battery.
The roof leak was a special order... ;)
Camplite Model: 28BHS
Year: 2015
Dealer Name & State: http://nishnavalleycycle.com/ in Atlantic, Iowa. Bought it sight-unseen, but knew what we were getting. Had family from Iowa pick it up and meet us halfway between Tacoma and Iowa in Billings, Montana.
Optional Packages: XL Living Package.
Custom Changes: weight distributing hitch.
MSRP (if available): $41,549.
Negotiated Price (pre-tax, since that varies by state): $31,999.
It appears they have some great prices on CampLite 5th wheels right now... http://nishnavalleycycle.com/search-results.html?type=camper&make=livin%20lite
whoofit, $15,900. For a 16 DB? Was that used?
[quote source="/post/16865/thread" timestamp="1448851848" author="@silverfox"][/quote]No, it was new. Was a 2013 leftover in Feb 2015. Sure is used now though...
Another member here paid even less for the same deal.
Whoofit, how much do you think that would have sold for during the 2013 season as a new trailer?
Quote from: @silverfox" source="/post/16894/thread" timestamp="1449024685Whoofit, how much do you think that would have sold for during the 2013 season as a new trailer?
I gauge it by what Ammobob paid for his 2013 in 2013, then subsequently sold his for this year, $21k. There are some things that add cost like distance from the factory and market. My dealer was way up in VT on the CA border so delivery wasn't cheap. I also like to think that I have superhuman negotiating skills and could have gotten it for ~$19k or less but that was not tested. They were "blowing it out and breaking even @ $16,900" so they said. They came to $15,900 cash.
This was a cash deal. Actual cash, mostly twenties. It took a while for the nice lady to count it three times as she was short a bill on the first round.
This dealer was dumping the LL line and only had a truck camper left after we bought the 16DB.
The 16DB has been dropped from the LL line-up this year. It must've been undesirable. Works well for us! But only after some pretty intensive mods to the floor plan.....I knew that going in.
So would ordering it directly and picking it up at the factory save you money other than shipping? Do they give you much of a break or do you have to pay the full MSRP if getting it from the factory? For me, there are no dealers close and I plan to customize it some so a couple of extra hrs driving to get it factory direct is no big deal...if it would be a good deal. Would like to hear from others who may have priced it at a dealer and went the factory route or vice versa.
Quote from: @alpha6" timestamp="1449066980" source="/post/16903/threadSo would ordering it directly and picking it up at the factory save you money other than shipping? Do they give you much of a break or do you have to pay the full MSRP if getting it from the factory? For me, there are no dealers close and I plan to customize it some so a couple of extra hrs driving to get it factory direct is no big deal...if it would be a good deal. Would like to hear from others who may have priced it at a dealer and went the factory route or vice versa.
I live down in Dallas. My dealer said that delivery from the factory to his dealer lot is about $1,700. When negotiating with another dealer closer to Indiana, I was landing at a lower price of about $600 than my Texas dealer. Both dealers were given the same option list since this trailer would ordered. From what I could tell, the cost difference appears to related to delivery. I couldn't get either dealer to budge much further on price so I pretty sure that was the primary factor. (I could be wrong of course since I'm making some assumptions.)
So in summary, depending on where you live, you might be able to knock out a couple grand of delivery charge.
Quote from: @alpha6" source="/post/16903/thread" timestamp="1449066980So would ordering it directly and picking it up at the factory save you money other than shipping? Do they give you much of a break or do you have to pay the full MSRP if getting it from the factory? For me, there are no dealers close and I plan to customize it some so a couple of extra hrs driving to get it factory direct is no big deal...if it would be a good deal. Would like to hear from others who may have priced it at a dealer and went the factory route or vice versa.
Also I have a feeling you cannot purchase it directly from the factory. The dealers may get ticked if people can do that. You may be able to work with a dealer on price and then arrange for factory delivery and save the shipping fee. BMW as an example has a program like that allowing for factory delivery after purchasing from a dealer.
Delivery cost is a real factor in a dealer deciding whether ti carry a line or not. A rig from a distant factory is at a disadvantage on the lot and they won't move as fast. Higher base cost plus high delivery equals a lot mote capital tied up in inventory that doesn't move.
Yes it is. Time on the lot is a great motivator as is time of year too. More so in some regions versus others.
In case anyone has not seen this page of leftover deals I post it here. Not very up-to-date as my trailer #713 is still listed as for sale nine months later.... http://www.livinlite.com/dealerblowoutsale.php
Also wanted to add something else. Good deals are great and all. Due diligence as a habit is respectable. Missing out on camping because of being stingy, like I am, doesn't really make all that much sense though. I figure we will keep this trailer forever until we retire and get maybe a coach. The Camplite will still be solid then. That would be ~15 years from now. So a savings of $5k / 15 years is not even a cup of Joe per day...
When you think of it like that it is less attractive to wait. Those few thousand dollars are hardly remembered 5, 6 and ten years down the road.
You got a fantastic deal! Right time right place. I called that dealer in Vermont, they said they no longer sell Camplite. I asked why, they said they found that people did not want to spent that much money for a trailer. He said that he thought they made a good product though. I just purchased my 2016 13 QBB from a dealer in NH (from his lot)...scary to think of how much profit he made based on what it probably cost him. He didn't move much on his price and didn't seem to care if I purchased it or not. I think I got a better deal than what I would have paid if I ordered one in the spring though. I decide to purchase it now because I didn't want one with the new wooden cabinet fronts. (Just my preference).
[quote source="/post/16903/thread" author="@alpha6" timestamp="1449066980"]So would ordering it directly and picking it up at the factory save you money other than shipping? Do they give you much of a break or do you have to pay the full MSRP if getting it from the factory? For me, there are no dealers close and I plan to customize it some so a couple of extra hrs driving to get it factory direct is no big deal...if it would be a good deal. Would like to hear from others who may have priced it at a dealer and went the factory route or vice versa. [/quote]Just a quick FYI, on behalf of the factory...
You have to purchase and take delivery directly from the dealer of your choosing. We unfortunately are not equipped to have owners pick units up straight from here ( no hook ups, no "set up" help or personnel, an excess of horse manure lying around....just a few deterring factors ;-))
Now, you will definitely find different prices between different dealers, and some more willing to negotiate than others. I would recommend researching one that has an excellent service department and would be able to get you in short-notice if need be.
Best of luck!
"I would recommend researching one that has an excellent service department and would be able to get you in short-notice if need be."
Amen!
[quote source="/post/17110/thread" timestamp="1450019150" author="@silverfox"]You got a fantastic deal! Right time right place. I called that dealer in Vermont, they said they no longer sell Camplite. I asked why, they said they found that people did not want to spent that much money for a trailer. He said that he thought they made a good product though. I just purchased my 2016 13 QBB from a dealer in NH (from his lot)...scary to think of how much profit he made based on what it probably cost him. He didn't move much on his price and didn't seem to care if I purchased it or not. I think I got a better deal than what I would have paid if I ordered one in the spring though. I decide to purchase it now because I didn't want one with the new wooden cabinet fronts. (Just my preference). [/quote]Well alright! Congrats!
I spoke with him too. Up near Keene IIRC. He also had a 2013 16DB advertised in Feb 2015 but it was sold several weeks before I came along. He doesn't seem to stock much but at least he had yours! He is several hours closer to me in Central MA.
Have fun!
I found the unit I wanted in NC. Called the dealer and spoke to the salesman and he told me the SALE PRICE. I told him what the price was at several other dealers and he needed to come nearer to them. He called back several hours later with his ROCK BOTTOM PRICE. It was the price I wanted to pay so I bought it. He did mention that I seemed to know quite a bunch about the unit and the price so they did not bargain. Pays to be prepared.
Congratulations! What model did you end up buying?
2016 16 TBS with double axle and old style cabinets
Thanks, I'm from Tyngsboro MA. He's about 1 hour 45 min away from me. Started out with a tent years ago, graduated to a pop up, than to a bigger one, then came the travel trailer, then a couple of Park Models later and no kids we find ourselves looking for a small, easy to tow, fully appointed travel trailer. We saw it on his lot and liked it so much we purchased it. It's still on his lot because I haven't had time to put a hitch on my vehicle yet. Looking forward to using it this summer in the southern coastal Maine area.
Quote from: @popup2012" source="/post/17391/thread" timestamp="14516005912016 16 TBS with double axle and old style cabinets
Would you be willing to post the price you paid excluding tax so others can set their expectations based on real world negotiations?
I wonder if there is a way on this forum to allow folks to anonymously post prices paid on the models they purchased. Some (many) will be reluctant to "admit" the price paid unless it was anonymous. Price, model, and state where purchased would all be great info for future buyers and greatly help level the playing field in a game where the MSRP is meaningless and there is no pricing/buying service like there is for cars/trucks.
[p][font size="3" face="comic sans ms"]Merlin,[/font][/p][p][font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS"]
[/font][/p][p][font face="Comic Sans MS" size="3"]Members could logout, then sign in as guests.[/font][/p][p][font size="3" face="Comic Sans MS"]
[/font][/p]
[quote source="/post/17520/thread" timestamp="1452058794" author="@bgewin"]I got a 2016 21BHS for $29,200 but I had to pay to ship at $1200. I got at Sunny Island. Their advertised price was $30,900. I tried to buy from a local dealer in Denver but they could not match the price. I thought I got a good deal but based on other posts it sounds like you can get it a little cheaper. One thing to beware of is many dealers say it's a 2016 but it's got the older decor. [/quote]Across all of RVdom.. model year, and design/color/option changes, are not the same thing and rarely happen at the same time.
[quote source="/post/17494/thread" timestamp="1451972483" author="@james"][p][font face="comic sans ms" size="3"]Merlin,[/font][/p][p][font face="Comic Sans MS" size="3"]
[/font][/p][p][font face="Comic Sans MS" size="3"]Members could logout, then sign in as guests.[/font][/p][p][font face="Comic Sans MS" size="3"]
[/font][/p][/quote]Great idea. I forgot that guests can post. On most forums, that doesn't work. I'll see if that is a possibility here.