I’ve never made it a secret of the fact that I am no fan of the tactics of a great many RV dealers and RV salespeople. There are a lot of honest, ethical people in the RV industry. But we seldom hear about them, because the sad truth is that there are also a lot of liars and cheats out there. And those bad apples spoil the entire barrel.
However, sometimes the dealer is right. Here’s a case in point; I’ve been exchanging e-mail with a couple for about a year now, who have picked my brain about fulltiming, working on the road, and the best RV for their needs. They plan to go fulltime next summer and are getting close to purchasing their home on wheels.
Back in July they wrote to tell me that they had found the motorhome of their dreams and were negotiating with the dealer. I thought it was a done deal, but after coming to terms, and after the dealer made a couple of changes to the coach that they wanted as part of the deal, they got cold feet and backed out.
I got an e-mail from them a couple of days ago saying they like the dealer and have been back several times looking at other rigs on his lot and the dealer has been very good about showing them units and answering questions, and that they had found another one and they were about to make an offer. Great, I was happy for them. But they wrote yesterday to say they had made a deal, but just before signing the paperwork they backed out again, because they think if they go to the Tampa RV SuperShow in January they might find a better deal. This time around the dealer told them not to come back. They wrote, “I guess he doesn’t want our business.”
Well, I can’t say as I blame him. I’ve owned several businesses and I’ve always tried to go the extra mile for my customers, but something I learned a long time ago is that some customers are not worth having. These two fit that profile. I replied that I don’t think the fulltime RV lifestyle is right for them, because if they are that indecisive about everything in life they will never get out of their driveway because they won’t be able to figure out whether to turn right or left.
It’s Wednesday, so it’s time for a new Free Drawing. This week’s prize is an audiobook of Crazy Days in Big Lake, the third book in my Big Lake mystery series. To enter, all you have to do is click on the Free Drawing link or the tab at the top of this page and enter your name in the comments section at the bottom of that page (not this one). Only one entry per person per drawing please, and you must enter with your real name. To prevent spam or multiple entries, the names of cartoon or movie characters are not allowed. The winner will be drawn Sunday evening.
Thought For The Day – When you are arguing with a fool, make sure he isn’t doing the same thing.
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Nick Russell
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Damn Nick, that was harsh. Thanks for throwing us under the bus like that. Yes we did back out from 2 deals after agreeing to buy the campers. But it isn’t a deal until the paperwork is signed and money changes hands. Up until that time we can walk away if we want to and we did. Both of the campers were good for us and I never denied that the dealer bent over backward for us but that’s his job. If he don’t like it he shouldn’t be in business. We are the shoppers and we owe it to ourselves to find the very best deal. Maybe we will find it at the RV show and maybe not. Who knows? But until we are convinced we have the very best deal to be had we are going to keep right on doing the things we have been to get it. If an RV dealer don’t like that no problem because the place down the street is open for business.
Nick, you are right on with this one. As a former business owner I agree with you that some customers require so much of your time that they become a liability that a business owner cannot afford to carry them and he must let them go. Trust goes in both directions and if you make a verbal deal then you’ve made a deal in my book.
Wow, some folks just don’t get it.
AMEN TO THAT!! GOOD CALL.
Right on Nick. I also owned a business and I learned that if you give some people a $100 bill they will complain that it is green. Further more they talked about workamping and I for one would not hire them or keep them on as, I am sure they would find fault with everything in the work place.
Gotta agree with Nick. If you find a great, honest dealer you may not wish to burn that bridge. Plus show specials tend not to be the best deals out there. There are many buyers that you are competing with and the dealers know that.
Some people enjoy negotiating for the best possible deal and taking the time to find exactly what they want at what they believe is the best price provides a wave of pleasure that really can be enjoyable. The sales representative obviously got very frustrated but, that is what sales is about. You some times get the deal and sometimes you don’t. But a true professional never cracks and sends a prospect away angry, by doing so you have just guaranteed that all your previous work with the prospect was a total waste of time.
“Non-refundable deposit”
I could be wrong, But, there might be a parallel universe. Read Paul’s description about his 1200 NOCOLD today (Life Unscripted). Story sounds familiar especially the rain part etc.
PS Do you ever read the comments?
It’s one thing to take up a salesman’s time while looking.. but to get down to the wire TWICE on the deal and backing out.. well…. why keep wasting everyone’s time??? That salesman doesn’t make a penny until they sign a check. Wonder how many hours he put in with them for nothing?
I used to sell real estate, and you would not believe how many times I had to drop customers because they were “just looking” and never intended to buy no matter what. They liked being escorted around town on my dime, sometimes a free lunch in between house showings and all the while I could have been spending my time and money on customers who WERE interesting in buying!
I once heard a remark at a party “Let’s go look at houses in that town, could be fun, what the heck, it’s FREE”
Wow! I’m all for finding the best deal but, when you find it, take it. I don’t blame the dealer for cutting them loose. They are wasting his (and their) time. Walking away from a good deal once was understandable, but twice (unless there was an unresolvable problem) is ridiculous.
As a buyer, your responsibility is to find the best RV for you and negotiate a fair deal…not to find it yet keep searching until you’re sure no one, anywhere might possibly do a little better.
If their perspective is “there might be a better deal out there” they may never buy…there’s always the possibility of a better deal somewhere, sometime. If not the Tampa show, maybe the Hershey show…or maybe in another area, or maybe next year’s show…
Agreed. I can understand the salespersons frustration.
I’m not a business man and I can only comment on the fact that you are wasting your time and there time while making deals you have no intention of keeping. Looking and inquiring is the job of the salesman. Pricing a rig for the sale is another job. These folks have known about the Tampa RV show for how long and probably had intentions of going to it anyway. So why make the salesman go through all that paperwork just tell him no because you can get a better deal somewhere else? And then to do it twice is uncalled for in my book.
To me a deal is a deal and if I shake your hand that deal is done!
I was a small Contractor. I did remodels, kitchens baths, etc. People always wanted the best fixtures, counter tops etc. When it came time to purchasing them they sometimes would ask me how much they could save if they helped me? I would tell them that it would cost them extra if they did. Some people don’t get that other people doing the selling and work have to make a living. They simply don’t care. It is all about how much they can save at your expense.
I’m with Dave W, he is so right as I have walk the same walk. There are a lot of folks who think your time is worthless and that’s part of being self employed. As a small businessman I was the sales man and the mechanic doing the work. I had one customer who said I should hire some one to do my running around for supplies as my fees are two high for that purpose. Hello I’m small contractor.
agree nick!! My word is my bond.. If I tell u I like the deal an make the offer consider it sold!! Paper work is only a formality..
Rich Aigner,
Yes I read all comments. But I usually don’t have the time to respond to every one.
Well, I see why they call you “Bad Nick!” LOL
Not often, but occasionally in my business, I’ve determined that I’m unlikely to be able to please a prospective client and I’d rather tell them early on than after regretting doing business with them.
I would say to Steve and Nancy that the next time someone “throws them under the RV” anonymously by outing their commitment issues they could just keep quiet and none of us would know it was them.
Unless something changes drastically from the time the deal is made until the paper work is done the deal should go through.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Paul
Thank you. Now did ya read the blog I referred to? LIFE UNSCRIPTED
Too funny.
Now Steve and Nancy let the whole world know who they are so the RV dealers can “ban together” and not give them a great deal! or I guess they think and RV salesperson wouldn’t be reading these blogs.. … hmmm.
Moral, if people think you are %$#&^ dumb, don’t open your mouth and prove them correct!
I have to wonder, how would Steve and Nancy felt if the shoe was on the other foot.
What is the dealer had sold the unit that Steve and Nancy had agreed to buy, to another customer, just because they made a little higher offer on it.