To the moderators - Section for Negotiations/Costs?

[KandT-THOR]

Moderators, first thank you for building the "Friendliest Place on Web".  The amount of info I have learned here is enormous.

Many of the first timers to the site are looking at how to buy an RV.  They have no idea how to negotiate and are frequently get intimidated into purchases that might not be in their best interest. 

As someone who has posted in other sections about negotiations, I know this is often met with mild annoyance likely because it really doesn't "fit" in the section that I post it.  Also, if you aren't planning to buy in the next 6 months it is of little use to the member.

Do the moderators think it would be valuable to add a section about RV negotiations?  The section could include best places for parts, insurance, storage, tires, oil changes and shared experiences of the value or non value of someone who had an RV pre-inspection??

In short, it would be a spot to share how to make the RV experience more financially friendly.  .  Perhaps the column could even be called "Financially Friendly RVing".

Thank you in advance for your consideration. 

 

[PancakeBill]

Best time to negotiate is the 26th through the last of the month.  Sales Goals are either not yet met, or if met they want to exceed.  Be prepared to close before the end of the month, if you can't close till after the start, you lose your edge.  Have a reasonable expectation.  Do not make the first offer, no matter.  If you can pay cash, great, but consider finance, that will have two departments working for you, they have goals too.  Looks like no trade, that can help bringclarity to the selling price.

The next 6 days are golden time.

Not sure whether we need a section for this or not.  I am speaking from a number of years being on the other side of the table and being pushed for goals.

 

[KandT-THOR]

Best time to negotiate is the 26th through the last of the month.  Sales Goals are either not yet met, or if met they want to exceed.  Be prepared to close before the end of the month, if you can't close till after the start, you lose your edge.  Have a reasonable expectation.  Do not make the first offer, no matter.  If you can pay cash, great, but consider finance, that will have two departments working for you, they have goals too.  Looks like no trade, that can help bringclarity to the selling price.

The next 6 days are golden time.

Not sure whether we need a section for this or not.  I am speaking from a number of years being on the other side of the table and being pushed for goals.

Thanks Pancake - You would bring a wealth of knowledge to anyone making an RV purchase since you have been on the other side of the table.

I would envision the column also including items like best way to find an inexpensive camping spot and all the items I listed above.  In short, RVing is expensive enough.  Having a column dedicated to reducing costs could save someone 25% or more just by sharing ideas.  I know I shopped my insurance hard and found "my old friendly agent" was way over charging me!

 

[whiteva]

Not all dealerships are on a 1st to the last of the month. I know of several RV and auto dealers that run 15th to the 14th.  Best advice is find the model you like and shop the nation for best price/benefits. Of course no trade on the initial meeting. If the local dealer after 3 tries won't be the best deal, tell them what you have found at another dealer. My bride almost giggles when she hears "WOW, I really wanted to buy from you --- BUT I found the same thing 52 miles away"  Boats, airplanes, cars, guns ETC. never pay the first, 2nd or 3rd quote.

Being in a hurry will always cost $$$$. 

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Do the moderators think it would be valuable to add a section about RV negotiations?  The section could include best places for parts, insurance, storage, tires, oil changes and shared experiences of the value or non value of someone who had an RV pre-inspection??

Financially driven questions come up all the time so I can see how that sort of group labeling could be attractive. The difficulty I see is that just about everything ends up with a cost and where to buy it factor, so the section would end up being another catch-all topic. 


My experience on this and other RVing websites (24 years) says that attempts to focus a section or board on some one aspect of RVing are doomed to failure. Folks have widely differing thought trains and come at most any question or problem from a variety of angles.  And their approach can change dramatically with each new question.  When describing the information they seek, some think first about their brand name, others that it's a 5w or motorhome, still others about its technical category. Some are looking mostly for quality while others are price driven, and they often change from one of those to the other in mid-topic.  Sometimes it seems that no categories at all is the only sane method!

This is just my personal observation and does not constitute an official staff response.  The suggestion will surely get discussed in the back room.

 

[Larry N.]

I have to agree with Gary about the "widely differing thought trains" and "their approach can change dramatically with each new question" as needing careful consideration.I've observed that a lot right here on the forum, as well as with discussions with various people over the years. But it IS a subject that could benefit a lot of folks, though I'm not sure that a specific dedicated section of the forum is the right way to go (nor do I know what the right way IS).

 

[KandT-THOR]

You all raise very valid points.  RVing can be so darn expensive, I am just trying to think of a way we can use our collective brainpower to make it more affordable.

Personally, I would like to RV more and do more for less!!

As far as having different thought processes, I think we express those with EVERY topic! 

 

[ChasA]

I think this is a terrible idea.  I agree with Gary, it'll become a mess. You (K and T) stated it in your OP.... it could also include tires, etc..... and on and on.

 

[scottydl]

The topic of "Financially Friendly RVing" is a great one, as it can involve many aspects of RV ownership well beyond the purchase of the RV itself. However, I'm not sure it would be utilized enough to warrant its own forum section. Conversations on the subject (such as this one) are a great idea, very relevant and I don't think most budget-minded folks would be annoyed at the asking of those types of questions.

 

[Tom]

We've seen similar requests (different subjects) numerous times over the years. The subject often fizzles out &/or the requester loses interest in the subject. If the subject is really of interest, go ahead and start a topic or two and let's see how the discussion develops. I'm not a big fan of "sticky" topics, but a topic that contains a lot of useful information could be 'stickied' to make it easier to find.

As someone who has posted in other sections about negotiations, I know this is often met with mild annoyance likely because it really doesn't "fit" in the section that I post it.

I don't recall seeing such annoyance. If a message/topic gets posted on an "inappropriate" board (i.e. there's a more appropriate place for it), a staff member usually moves it without fanfare, and leaves a "moved to" link.

 

[KandT-THOR]

[quote author=Tom]We've seen similar requests (different subjects) numerous times over the years. The subject often fizzles out &/or the requester loses interest in the subject. If the subject is really of interest, go ahead and start a topic or two and let's see how the discussion develops. I'm not a big fan of "sticky" topics, but a topic that contains a lot of useful information could be 'stickied' to make it easier to find. [/quote]

Thank you for the consideration and I understand your decision. 

I appreciate all the moderators do for this forum and I am sure it is more work than I imagine!

Edit: Fixed quote tags.

 

[timjet]

There are many sections to this forum, each focus on different topics. Most come here initially to either learn about RVing or how to fix something. So this forum along with others were established to share information and help others learn either from our mistakes or experiences.
There is already a sub topic for New Comers and I think KandT will get a lot of what they are looking for there. If not posting a question there will likely get a quick response.

 

[X-Roughneck]

I think a well crafted "Subject Line" will Draw a Response to Any question asked posted in >> (General Category)..

..Coupled with a focused/defined question. 

It might get moved by a Moderator to (Shade Tree), but it will either get you banned or a response..

People here are great, but too busy with their own lives to come back and try to squeeze info from Original Postings with vague start up questions.  My opinion. 

A question posted like, I got a RV with Steel Belted tires, can you help me?      ..... Does not make people want to run to you 911 style.

I know I approached this "eXact Pricing Subject" prior to buying our first ever RV last year by both Questioning the boards, and I pinged a few folks on IM to ask for additional advice.  I reached out to some Old Pros and they replied....Thanks..you know who you are.... 

But, I will agree with the OP, to brand new or future RVrs this is a "Burning Question" because Pricing is crazy.  I did follow a pricing strategy I learned here that proved true.  I posted about this in depth, with one of my many ramblings here.

I am a self professed rambler.......and can be all over the map in my replies from self therapy to on topic responses and anywhere the day may lead me, but if I have a serious question,

I have learned to narrow the scope and stay focused in what I am asking. 

I think numerous people here have actually reminded me to stay focused and on topic now that I think about it?..Yep.  ;D

my $0.02

JD

 

[Tom]

[quote author=X-Roughneck]I think a well crafted "Subject Line" will Draw a Response to Any question asked ... Coupled with a focused/defined question.[/quote]
100% correct. Thanks for posting that.

 

[Isaac-1]

I have participated in many online forums over the decades, and 2 of the biggest mistakes I have seen that often end up killing message forums are:

Too many sub-categories, keep it simple, you don't need a separate board for talking about buying an RV, one for selling an RV, one for financing an RV, one for budgeting travel, one for insurance shopping, etc.    Instead have one "Financial Items" section to cover it all or even put it in General discussion or Off topic.  If you end up with too many sub categories, most people will ignore them and post everything under something like general discussion, I see this on another board I use about growing citrus fruit, there are sub categories for Sweet Oranges, Mandarins, Lemons, Limes, grapefruit, ... as well as planting, outdoor, container growing, green house, budding, grafting, rooting, hybridizing, .... In total 26 sub-categories, so what happens, 90% of topics have been started in general discussion, but apparently the administrators there did not get the hint of the real problem, as they have recently removed the general discussion option from the forum  .



The other big problem I see with many forums is: Too heavy handed of moderation, and forum rules, ie, No linking to information on competing sites, Only allowed to link to commercial products sold by board sponsors, etc.  One board I used to participate on had a rule about no linking to ebay items, which made it very difficult to answer a lot of questions involving people looking for parts for obsolete equipment.  So answers would be something like there is one listed over on that big auction site we are not allowed to talk about, but it is poorly listed, and you must search using its part number, not its description, etc.    Or some of the merchant sponsors sell it, but it may be available for less elsewhere (less being slang for it is half as much on Amazon)

 

[KandT-THOR]

I was thinking that a lot of people are struggling now and sure could use some tips on how to stretch a dollar a little farther.  All of this collective wisdom compiled in one spot sure would make it easy for someone to breeze through and shave some expenses off their budget. 

I get it though.  Not everyone is in the same tight spot.  I wish I was in a spot not to have to worry about money much as I do!

I always appreciate the forum and all the work that goes into it.  I am sure that it is more work on the moderators part than many realize.

 

[ChasA]

To some of us, money is not the most important thing in life.