Real World Prices

[whoofit]

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...

[purdytj]

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

[silverfox]

whoofit,  $15,900. For a 16 DB?  Was that used?

[whoofit]

[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.

[silverfox]

Whoofit,   how much do you think that would have sold for during the 2013 season as a new trailer?

[whoofit]

Whoofit,   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.

[alpha6]

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.  

[thedusty]

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.  

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.

[thedusty]

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.  

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.

[pinstriper]

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.

[whoofit]

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.

[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). 

[christianm]

[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!  

[daplumbr]

"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! 

[whoofit]

[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!