Why do we pay dealer prep

Stepchild_7 · 06-09-2016, 05:47 AM

We picked up our 38FLSA in April and love it. We had to wait just over a week after the purchase to pick it up because the dealer had to get it ready to go. Despite the wait, it was not ready when we got there. We did the PDI and found a few minor issues, and the dealer informed us that the awning will only work with the remote. They couldn't figure it out, so they will fix it later. After taking it out a couple times, we have our punch list for them. My question is why do we pay dealer prep charges? I spent $1100 on dealer prep and still have a punch list. On top of that, we had to wait almost 3 hours after PDI because the bedroom slide didn't line up when we closed it up. That is the only thing that they fixed on the spot. Isn't that what the prep is for?

jloco · 06-09-2016, 06:15 AM

Did the $1100 include the freight as well? From what we read here, many things can slip by in the dealer prep. Especially now, during the height of the season, or if parts are required to remedy an issue. It seems to be the nature of the beast.

3'senough · 06-09-2016, 06:24 AM

Dealer prep is a $ grab. It's a way for the dealer to add to his bottom line. When you have issues show up during the PDI that should have been addressed prior to your arrival I would have taken a hard line with the manager.

Same thing is true with cars. I always negotiate them out now. Car/RV is still the same without it as the service level is still the same.

Redbird7 · 06-09-2016, 07:31 AM

Your RV is only as good as the dealer that preps it. Most dealers spens hours fixing and adjusting units when they arrive. Many problems will only show themselves until the trailer moves and is used.

wags999 · 06-09-2016, 07:39 AM

We paid no dealer prep. It's the same as doc fee at auto dealers, just a line item to pad their profit. I don't pay doc fees either, I've walked out of more than one dealership over this. They charge it, because most people don't push back.

SouthCo · 06-09-2016, 07:45 AM

Not all dealers charge dealer prep. Keystone RV in Pa didn't on our first camper and RV One didn't on our most recent camper...

Doesn't seem right you paid $1100 and things weren't ready to go. I'd not be happy.

Seann45 · 06-09-2016, 09:38 AM

With everyone wanting to know how cheap they can get the RV(or anything else) dealers have learned to give a low quote then add later all the charges back on and very few balk at this... I just take in a black marker pen and stroke out all the other charges if they don't like it I go elsewhere.. The other thing I have been known to do is just stroke out the bottom final everything in price and write what I will pay if they don't like it I go elsewhere..

jloco · 06-09-2016, 10:37 AM

Chances are if you paid freight, it may have been padded to include dealer prep. Has anyone ever seen the actual invoice from the freight company for delivery of their unit?

Cdash · 06-09-2016, 01:12 PM

We are all paying for dealer prep, whether we know it or not.

The reality is the the dealer has to sell the camper for more than it costs. "More than it costs" means that they make enough to pay for the building, the utilities, the staff and all the other overhead expenses. No matter what line items are in it, it is the final price that really matters to us. If you negotiate as far as you can go and are happy with that bottom line number, ignore the rest.

The bigger issue here is overall RV quality. As others continuously say, as long as we keep buying them, the manufactures will still keep cutting corners because they don't have a reason to change. If we stop buying, then they'll have a reason to change and will likely do so quickly.

**norty1** · 06-09-2016, 01:14 PM

Same reason you get a charge for "shop supplies" every time your car is in the shop. Those rags and hand cleaner are $$$

ResidentEvil · 06-09-2016, 10:57 PM

I can see paying a prep fee. The dealer does have to do work to the unit when it gets to their lot in order for it to be clean and ready to hit the road.

It's another thing to pay the fee and then the trailer not be ready to roll on the designated date.

When we bought our trailer, we had the dealer install an onan genset. They said it would take about a week before they could have it installed and we didn't need it for about two and a half weeks anyhow, so we set the pick up date for two weeks hence.

So I call on the day (Wednesday) to make sure we were good to go. They hadn't even started the installation. We had already booked a campsite for that Saturday, so we told them that they better have it done by Friday. When we picked up that Friday they subtly complained that they were there until about 11pm Thursday night finishing the install. Needless to say, I told them that was their own fault. I gave them a full week longer than they said they needed and they still didn't have it done. They weren't getting any sympathy from me and we're lucky that I didn't give them a harder time about it.

Drifter1959 · 06-10-2016, 07:53 AM

Wine a bit, you'll feel better.

You may also like: