Need a little help on destination charge and dealer prep

[Camperfred1]

Finally decided on a jayco 28 bhbe going to make a deal this week. My concern is the amount they want for destination charge and dealer prep . I have been getting a lot of different prices. Need all the help I can get. Thanks

[Crabman]

The destination charge depends greatly on where your dealer is. For example Dealers on the west coast must charge much more then dealers close to the factories. Dealer prep charges can be all over the place. Some do not itemize it, but its in the MSRP. Where you are and how much they want would be useful info in this discussion.

[3'senough]

Welcome. Destination charges depend on your location and in most cases are non negotiable. They may vary a little from dealer to dealer depending on volume and contracts with the carriers, but in most cases static. You would need to pick the unit up closer to the factory to save on them. Some on this forum have gone directly to the factory to get theirs.

Dealer prep on the other hand is a profit center. It's just like the old trick with the car dealers. Posted price then the paperwork prices. You can buy a unit without prep, propane and battery charges if you stick to your guns. Get a quote from another dealer in writing with all the fees or none for comparison and be prepared to walk away if you are not getting what you want. I refused to pay the $1000's in prep fee's and eventually they accepted knowing the profit was in the unit. They can vary significantly.

If you need hitch work that is over and above, but again negotiable. You loose all your leverage once you deposit and sign so make sure you have all the details ironed out in writing.

Good luck.

[clubhouse]

I just went though trying to quantify actual delivery charges to the dealer, there isn't a set rate like in automobiles. The most reliable information I received is the delivery driver is paid ~$1.30 per loaded mile from the factory to the destination...loaded miles are one way. Most drivers work for a transport company who I am sure is actually charging more than the driver is paid. That difference is harder to learn, but 20% is the number I used, making actual delivery cost closer to $1.55 a mile.

In California most dealerships list delivery charges at around $2500-$3000. Seemed reasonable considering we are 2000+ miles from Ohio where most RV seem to be manufactured.

[clubhouse]

Let me add...

When we were shopping recently I ended up buying private party used simply because I got a deal I couldn't refuse on exactly the unit I wanted.

However, initially I was negotiating similar units from 2 dealers. I started at Jayco website MSRP - 30% + $2k for delivery. One dealer agreed via email to that dealer, the other wanted about $1500 more. Ultimately I didn't close either deal, but 70% of MSRP plus reasonable transportation cost seemed like it was right inline with what they would take.

Granted we were looking at MSRP ~$33k do if what you are looking is more or less the % off MSRP may change a little simply because of how much profit exists to start with. I doubt a Swift SLX will get as good if a percentage off MSRP than an Eagle would.

[Salsa03]

Camperfred...


Look at the overall charged price for your unit, not the monthly payment....and such.... how much it costs total...

Some dealer have prep fees real high and they don't move on them (like the dealer I had)....but they get the unit price down a lot to start with,,..


My 2014 28BHBE was MSRP at 32,999, they lowered it to 25,900 and I was able to deal it down to 23,000

He then added his "I can't move on these" fees of 2,399 (prep, PDI, transportation)... so I ended up getting it for 25,399 total.

(Canadian dollars btw)