Ok, I don't get this!

[1900_LE]

We've been looking for a 5th wheel camper for a little while now. These prices are ridiculous. Is it the sales people, or are consumers just plain ignorant? Example, I called about a '91 Coachmen today. Of course first thing I did was look up value on NADA. Talking to the salesman, he tells me they want 5999.00 for this camper. Marked down from 7999.00. Book value was about 2000.00. He proceeded to tell me that they had run it thru their shop to make sure everything worked ok. Well, that's a good idea. So I say, well book value is about 2 grand. He says that is just a guide to go by. Ok, I'll except that. But come on, even if they gave 2500.00 on a trade, who in their right mind would dump 4 grand into a 2000.00 rv? Am I missing the boat, or do folks REALLY pay that much more for something, meaning over the real value? If I took a RV into one of these places, they'd give book value. No need to tell me they have to make a living too. That's not what I'm referring to. It's the fact of the money he claimed they put into it. And then some [PoorWordUsage] will come in there and believe this bunch of malarchy. Can someone enlighten me?

[LightningBG]

My opinion is the NADA value is probably wrong.

The value of something is how much someone is willing to pay for something. If they can get 6K for it, its worth 6K. If you can find one for 2K, go buy it. If you cant find one for 2K, you'll know the book value was wrong.

[jentz]

RVs,Campers are overpriced,BUT people pay the price!

I recently purchased top carriers for a 1996 Palomino cabover popup.I've owned this since 1999 I paid 2000 in NorthDakota from a private party.

While making the purchase I asked the RV guy in Richmond,Mn. how much this camper was worth,He stated ask 3000 for it you should get it, most older than mine he said go for 2500 or right around there.

I started looking for a pull behind and now dont really want to sell mine to get one thats WAY over priced and not as nice as my little cabover.

[upnorth]

Just cuz they are asking a price doesn't mean they will get it. And The salesman is always going to say something to justify the price. I have been in used car dealerships and they wanted way over the KBB/NADA price and told them I would pay that price but not over, they say no I head for the door. I have got calls at home saying they would drop the price, and 1 guy actually ran to his manager and then caught me as we were getting into the car and said OK. If it something you want, it is worth a shot, if they want to sell it they may go for it. If they are selling new ones they may deal, as that is probably more than they will get at auction.

[Powerstroke]

You have to go look at it too. I realize that you're trying to do some homework, but when NADA for RV's came along it is such a [PoorWordUsage] shoot because there is so much in an RV that NADA can't quantify. Nada is worthless for RV's unless you're looking at motorhomes. Even then....

If you're interested in that model and floorplan, ask the salesmen to explain the price, look for comparables and Make him earn it.

A clean '91 might be worth $6000 and a beat up 2001 is only worth $2000. Its all in the inspection.

[titelines]

I always love how they use the NADA as if it's the Golden Rule when figuring out how much to give you for your trade-in, but when it comes to something like this, it's "just a guide".

[1900_LE]

You all have some very good points. But I would have to agree with titelines the most. What you bring to the table is worth nothing in their eyes, and what they have is perfect through-out. It's the same thing everyone goes through at a car dealership.

[jeffreyd]

The reason i think titelines is right on the "golden rule" aspect it is what the lenders are using to value the vehicle regardless of what it is. I was selling my quads and trailer to a buddy, he went to get a loan to pay them all at once and they could not find the trailer mfg in the "blue book". The trailer is made right here in Phoenix and i see them all day long. Long story short, i just set up a payment plan for him, he has used the quads off and on throughout the years and I know where he lives.

[Big Dave2]

We've been looking for a 5th wheel camper for a little while now. These prices are ridiculous. Is it the sales people, or are consumers just plain ignorant? Example, I called about a '91 Coachmen today. Of course first thing I did was look up value on NADA. Talking to the salesman, he tells me they want 5999.00 for this camper. Marked down from 7999.00. Book value was about 2000.00. He proceeded to tell me that they had run it thru their shop to make sure everything worked ok. Well, that's a good idea. So I say, well book value is about 2 grand. He says that is just a guide to go by. Ok, I'll except that. But come on, even if they gave 2500.00 on a trade, who in their right mind would dump 4 grand into a 2000.00 rv? Am I missing the boat, or do folks REALLY pay that much more for something, meaning over the real value? If I took a RV into one of these places, they'd give book value. No need to tell me they have to make a living too. That's not what I'm referring to. It's the fact of the money he claimed they put into it. And then some [PoorWordUsage] will come in there and believe this bunch of malarchy. Can someone enlighten me?

The trailer may only be worth $2000 but you have to add all the accessories to it to get the real value of the camper. There is no '91 fifth wheel that is only worth $2000 unless it is junk. It would be hard to find an empty gooseneck trailer that size for that amoun t of money then you have to add the camper and all the goodies inside. The 2 way refridgerator alone is worth almost $1000. The awning is probably worth another $500. You still have the plumbing system the electrical system, stove, oven, microwave, furnace, AC, water heater and more.

[kingfish689]

When it comes to campers it pays to shop around. Check with some local seasonal rv parks. there are always people in there looking to upgrade and you can pickup some good deals.

[bbqhead]

Tell them you will buy as is... But expect nothing if something goes wrong when you bring it home. That will save you a few bucks. Maybe....

randy