Learning about RVs is a long and curvy road with some dips along the way, and by dips, we don’t mean a dealership salesperson. Although, if we are honest, there are a few of them out there. More times than not, an RV salesperson is a wealth of experience and information. However, in talking to many salespeople across the country, we noticed a common thread. The following are the top 5 things to learn from an RV salesperson.
5 Things to Learn from the RV Salesperson
- Brand selling features. Each RV brand has its own value proposition such as quality, workmanship, budget-friendly, etc. Experienced salespeople know the differences between the brands and should be able to easily articulate those differences in a way that anyone, especially newbies will understand. Many times the differences between brands are found in things you can’t see. For example, how the body is attached to the chassis or how the side walls are attached to the roof. Each manufacturer has its idiosyncrasies that set them apart from their competition. A good salesperson will help you learn those differences.
- Related Article: RV Brands – How Do They Stack Up
- Match the right RV to the right person or family. This may seem pretty basic, but many times, finding the right RV for your style, use and budget can be trickier than you think. A good salesperson will take the time to get to know you and your family. They will learn how you intend to use it. Additionally, they should ask questions about where you will likely be traveling to and more. All of this will assist in narrowing down the options based on the answers and the overall budget. A good salesperson will help keep you on track by showing you units that meet your needs. Be wary of any salesperson that tries to push you to a certain brand or is trying to up-sell you a more expensive option. While RV pricing is negotiable, if it feels too good to be true, it probably is. Salespeople are commission based so the more expensive RV they sell you, the more money they make. The commission they could earn should never be the way a good salesperson approaches a customer.
- Related articles: Top 4 Questions When Considering an RV Purchase and 7 Tips for Finding the Right RV Dealership
- Tips and Tricks. Every salesperson like experienced RV owners has a memory bank of tips and tricks they have learned through the years. A good salesperson will impart this knowledge to you based on the type of RV you are considering/purchasing. For example, if you plan to travel across the US and want to stay in as many National and State parks as possible. In this case, they should advise you to select an RV 38’ or less. Some National and State parks may have a few spots larger than 38’ but they can be hard to get if you aren’t booking a year out. At 38’ or less, there should be no issue in accessing most parks.
- Maintenance. An RV salesperson should be able to give you an idea as to the maintenance required for the unit. Additionally, they should advise the expected costs of annual service as well as how much you should budget initially and overtime as the unit ages. Budgeting for an RV is more than just the initial purchase price. Avoid getting in over your head financially or ending up with a larger than expected service bill. Ask lots of questions and talk to the service department at the dealership to get a better idea as to what needs to be budgeted. Most RV owners reported their annual maintenance budget is $2-3k depending on the unit they own.
- RV Warranty. Not everyone thinks to ask in-depth questions about the manufacturer’s warranty. Providing proactive warranty information is where great salespeople stand out. The great ones will take the time to explain in detail the warranty included from the manufacturer. If you are buying a used RV, the salesperson should know about the third party extended warranty offered by their dealership.
Final Thoughts
Getting to know your salesperson is like any other relationship; take your time and ask many questions. If they don’t seem to know the answers or aren’t confident, it’s ok to ask them to call a manager or other salesperson to assist. RVs are a major investment. Be sure you are making the right purchase and getting all your questions answered. Most of all, never feel pressured to make a purchase.
