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Squirestrhn · 06-03-2019, 11:17 AM

Hello! We have been in negotiations with getting our first airstream. And I was able to get them down to 20600 off the msrp of 106759 of a new flying cloud bunk 30fb. Total 86142 before tax. Should I accept this or keep searching! Any help would be great! Thank you soooo much. Just want to make sure it’s the best offer.

Foiled Again · 06-03-2019, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squirestrhn

Hello! We have been in negotiations with getting our first airstream. And I was able to get them down to 20600 off the msrp of 106759 of a new flying cloud bunk 30fb. Total 86142 before tax. Should I accept this or keep searching! Any help would be great! Thank you soooo much. Just want to make sure it’s the best offer.

It is a very good price. Do you really want your epitaph to read, "... could squeeze a nickel til the buffalo sh.. in his hand"?

Why not waste the whole summer trying to get $400 more... or drive 1000 miles for it... or really just don't buy one at all and save 86,142!?

Sounded crabby there, didn't I? Truly sorry, but this is a "want" not a "need" so just be honest with yourself. Can you afford it or not? If saving a few hundred more is that significant, then this is overextending your resources.. If you break a leg and are out of work for six weeks will it get repossessed? Then you cant afford it.

SteveSueMac · 06-03-2019, 02:46 PM

^x2

Paula is (as usual) spot on - excellent perspective.

As it is, you’re looking at 19.3% off retail and the average people usually share is 20%. You’re at 96% of the average discount and summer’s wasting away.....

At the very least - ask what their bottom line absolute best price is out the door. If the current number works for you and they just won’t go lower - if it were me, I’d sign and tow! If you get a few more bucks off or some nice “freebies” added in - all the better. Believe me, you’re gonna blow a lot more than the $750 you think you might be leaving on the table if you got the full 20% - if you’ve never witnessed dollar bills in flight, get ready! [emoji3]

Enjoy the hell out of it too. Life is short. Go forth and camp!

Lily&Me · 06-03-2019, 04:14 PM

Thank you, Paula.

You, of course, hit the nail on the head once again.

Sounds like a good deal, and if you like the rig take it and go.

Maggie

**jcanavera** · 06-03-2019, 04:18 PM

Also keep in mind that while you may find a better deal elsewhere, you have to take into account the distance you will have to travel and the resultant expenses. Is the dealer you are talking to closest to you? If so, do you expect them to do your warranty work? Understand that while any Airstream dealer can service your new trailer under warranty, if you buy it elsewhere understand that the service folks aren't likely going to give you any priority in scheduling your service appointment. When you bring in your trailer, they know if you bought that trailer from them. I only know this because a service manager at a dealer has told me this.

They are very good about expediting travelers on the road with unexpected problems but if you expect quick appointments for a trailer you bought elsewhere, don't expect any favors to get you in quickly.

Jack

Squirestrhn · 06-03-2019, 04:37 PM

Thank you so much for the help! Since this was our first buying experience with an rv we were just worried about not having feeling of taking advantage of. I was just making sure we were on the right track with negotiations with pass user buying experiences, But they stayed pretty tight with the price but threw in a eaz lift sway package. Sooooo....

SteveSueMac · 06-03-2019, 05:16 PM

Sold! Pretty sign! Good for you! Happy camping!

Foiled Again · 06-03-2019, 08:16 PM

Good for you. Now to save some REAL money - don't buy a lot of neat new stuff for your Airstream. Old stuff you already have will do for silverware, dishes and pots and pans. Ditto for sheets, blankets, towels, rain boots, and stuff in general.

Time will teach you what you really need to have, and most kitchen gadgets are not needed. And a good broom is handier than a Dyson stick any day. And a small wet/dry vacuum is more versatile. It can even be used to blow leaves and dead bugs out of your fans. You can make coffee with a pan and a fine strainer but if you must have a Keurig, what gets left home? I have hoarding tendencies, and still have to purge about every 6 months, but if you start lean you will be happier. Map your useable storage space and be ready to convert a closet to shelving or vice versa. Know your dimensions before going nuts in the Container Store.

I have 4 pieces of cast iron. I should have two. Maggie, next time our paths cross you are getting the little corn fritter pan.

Souvenir buying. Pink flamingo stuff - The Trouble with Tribbles episode in original Startrek. But do collect a momento every month or so. One member recently commented that she uses mismatched fine bone china picked up for pennies at various flea markets.

Set limits on what youll buy for every trip.

bweybright · 06-03-2019, 10:07 PM

Another part of the where to buy decision:
Don't come back here bitching when the inevitable warranty issues come up and you aren't close to them and the local dealer says fine we will see you in 3 months.
There is more to buying any trailer beyond initial price....
Just be sure you are getting what you are bargaining for. Which currently appears to be lowest price.

Al and Missy · 06-04-2019, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bweybright

Another part of the where to buy decision:
Don't come back here bitching when the inevitable warranty issues come up and you aren't close to them and the local dealer says fine we will see you in 3 months.
There is more to buying any trailer beyond initial price....
Just be sure you are getting what you are bargaining for. Which currently appears to be lowest price.

or

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcanavera

Also keep in mind that while you may find a better deal elsewhere, you have to take into account the distance you will have to travel and the resultant expenses. Is the dealer you are talking to closest to you? If so, do you expect them to do your warranty work? Understand that while any Airstream dealer can service your new trailer under warranty, if you buy it elsewhere understand that the service folks aren't likely going to give you any priority in scheduling your service appointment. When you bring in your trailer, they know if you bought that trailer from them. I only know this because a service manager at a dealer has told me this.

They are very good about expediting travelers on the road with unexpected problems but if you expect quick appointments for a trailer you bought elsewhere, don't expect any favors to get you in quickly.

Jack

I vote for Jack.

Al

Rgentum · 06-04-2019, 10:07 AM

Way to go!!!

It sounds as if by considering the cost of the hitch, you got the proverbial "20% off MSRP" and thus joined the "I bought my Airstream at a bargain price" club.

alreardon · 06-04-2019, 10:38 AM

Make an offer at the end of the quarter June 30. Dealers report their sales quarterly so they will drop price to get the sale.

Foiled Again · 06-04-2019, 11:08 AM

BUT, remember some models are super popular and will go off a dealership's floor within 3 days.. He who dickers gets dicked! The Tommy Bahama is in its last year? A salesman will gulp and go for 10% off only if no one else is drooling in the doorway.

BTW, since we all know that the OP has come over to the silver side, we should now acknowledge that this thread is advising the next person teetering on the ledge.

Paula, pondering an initiation rally for the class of 2019 - 2020. Wheee!

uncle_bob · 06-04-2019, 02:13 PM

Hi

Right now is the *wrong* part of the season to find super deals on an AS. That said, the price sounds fine. To me, buying from a dealer you can trust is *way* more important than the last nickel or dime on the price. There is a lot of prep work done by the dealer prior to delivery. You very much want it all done properly. Same with the post sales training they will give you ....

Bob

redhat200 · 06-12-2019, 10:03 AM

Congratulations on your first Airstream! Let the adventure Begin!

brick1 · 06-12-2019, 11:21 AM

I think this time of year - model-year changeover - is great timing.

Atwebs · 06-12-2019, 05:11 PM

Congratulations. Now have fun. Make sure you are friends with the dealer before ou leave -they can make or break your experience if you get into a bind.

Only a couple of univerals: Be sure you have insurance before you start out. Practice towing and backing up until it feels natural and you aren't panicking or unsure of how your tow vehicle and trailer will move (empty parking lots work great!). Take time to set up and camp out at home or really close to home, you might discover an issue and it's far better to be close to everything. Then venture forth.

As far as everything else? Merely opinion... On that short maiden voyage decide what you do need and what you don't. There is a world of difference in each of our homes and that transfers to our trailers as well. Are you glamping or are you boondocking? Taking things out of your home or are you a food and clothes only type of traveler? Once you discover your style, you'll be able to select "stuff" that you need and of course, stuff that you don't!

ForteePlus · 06-15-2019, 06:23 PM

Thanks for this thread. We have been drooling the dealerships for a while now and wondering just what kind of deals might be available. Looking forward to taking the plunge within in the 12 months on a FC 30.

Happy travels!

uncle_bob · 06-16-2019, 07:54 AM

Hi

If you are shopping over a 12 month period, AS *will* have a discount out on remaining "old stock" this fall. If the trailer you are looking for is still on the dealer's lot, there will be a bit more knocked off the price.

The main downside is that it will be "last year's" trailer at that point and have been on the lot for at least 6 months. If you live in "snow country" you then will get to store it for the next few months. It still will be brand new and come with a 3 year warranty so it's not all bad.

Bob

Rgentum · 06-16-2019, 09:31 AM

When is the best time to buy to obtain the best discount?

1. End of the calendar year.

2. If not end of the year, then end of the quarter.

3. If not end of the quarter, then end of the month.

4. An hour or two before the store closes.

5. Best if no trade-in and all cash.

6. Even better if it's below freezing & there's snow on the ground.

What you are looking for is a unit that has been in inventory for months, is adding significant interest to the dealer's floor plan (ie, commercial loan from the bank to finance new units on the dealer's floor), and that the dealer is desperate to turn. On units like these, you should be able to obtain a discount anywhere from 20% to 1/3rd off if you're really lucky.