How do you answer when folks ask how much your AS cost?

[ltownshend]

I just tell them what we bought it for. If you don’t want to talk about finances (not that it’s top secret information or anything) just say that. This isn’t that complicated.

You don’t need to control their actions (by trying to persuade or deter them from buying an airstream).

[QE2]

I always feel that’s it’s slightly rude to ask someone how much something costs. I never answer the question directly. If they really wanted to know they can contact the dealer or check for sale adds. Sometimes I just say that they are really expensive and leave it at that. I don’t need to justify my purchase decisions to anyone.

[Jack46]

I just say that our 2011 FC 30' at new, was MSRP'd at about 100 times as much as my first car - a 1964 VW Beetle, purchased in 1969.

[GSansoucie]

We are coming up on our fist year with our 2019, but our 11th RV in the past 26 years. We get the "how much is it?" question a lot. I am uncomfortable saying anything with a price (MSRP or the 25% off we got) so I just say that they appear expensive, but well worth it.

[Skip Chell]

Just very quickly respond, “I don’t remember.” What possible come back or follow up question could they say?

[stevejones]

Not just the AS. Folks see my solar rig and want to know what that costs... Now we've had a bunch of work done by Ultimate Airstreams and I'm sure they'll want to know what that cost... I get asked what my truck cost. To me it's a bit rude. Some folks like to brag about how much they spent on things. To me it's personal. I usually say "it cost more than a Jayco". If they press further, I say "I'd rather not say". If they press further I say "if you have to ask you can't afford it".

Steve

[andyherman]

Haven't been asked but I'd tell them if they did - not a big deal . . .

[MacCoroner]

I tell them that my grandfather taught me that you buy quality once. And he had an Airstream.

Jim

[Halford1]

some would be able to say that they got their AS at NO COST! but not me!

[Alumillenium]

It cost me 2 paychecks...
Which leads to more prying, keep giving them rope...
How much is your paycheck??
Well that depends which month of the year...
More rope ... more stupid questions
Well what month did you buy it??
July. More rope...
And how much was your check in July?
(You have to decide for yourself when there's enough rope out there. Some folk need 3 feet and some 3 miles ain't enough!)
I'll drop the trap door here.
I don't know, I give all my checks to my wife.

Some people know the price of everything; but the value of nothing.

[Skip Chell]

Quickly, directly, and simply respond, “I don’t remember.” What possible comeback or follow up question could they possibly pose?

[Mansderm161]

I get asked all the time. I just usually say "quite a bit." The most recent, a gentleman came up in a beat up van and no teeth and wanted to look inside. I kindly said no, it's a mess right now. Then he said I'm thinking of getting one of these, are they expensive? Now I guess he could have been a "millionaire next door" but I doubted it. I said yes, they are expensive. Then he said well give me a ballpark. I said over 100K...and he was agape....with no teeth. So I don't know what kind of ballpark he was thinking, but he finally walked off after that. I've never had anyone at a campground ask me.

[Overstreet]

I cannot recall anyone ever asking us how much our AS cost.

However it reminds me of a story. I decided to get into kayaking. I told my friend that I was looking for a kayak. He took me into the garage and sold me his skinny quite fast recreational kayak for $200. I then turned around and spent $1,000 on support equipment for that kayak. The AS cost like that.

or maybe this story.....

I was at the local gun club. A friend was shooting his $6,500 custom made Parazzi shot gun. We thought that was kind of expensive. He said, "Oh no. The shot gun is the least of the expense. I shoot competition. That means I shoot practice two or three times a week. I shoot 100 - 200 rounds each time. I travel to meets. I spend money on entry fees, travel, food, a new car and entertainment. It doesn't take very long before the cost of the gun is minor. " The AS cost like that.

We just met with the contractor about the garage. :-)

[Sparkle]

I apologize if this is a repeat of an answer, I didn’t read all the pages, but I’m asked this quite often and it always surprises me. Anyway I reply that I don’t remember (this is true) and tell them the information is readily available online. I travel with 3 cats and don’t generally allow anyone to look inside, I don’t want the cats to escape. Yeah, people can be quite cheeky.

[northfayston]

Since we have a vintage trailer, I think it is important for folks to know the cost before they venture into a proper restoration. So I do tell them what it cost us for a proper from the ground up restoration. Sometimes I give them a linear foot cost, which ranges for materials and you do the work to hiring a professional. I also give them the range of new Airstreams. That could be an answer you could give. It’s easy enough to find out on line too. I don’t think folks need a snippy answer back. It is a different era about what you can ask or not.

[ShadyBill47]

No one has asked me this yet, but I have been giving my response some thought. I believe it will be "More than I wanted to, but, less than I was willing to pay".

I too have heard, and believe the saying, "Buy the best and you will never be sorry".

[Renascence]

My wife and I have been looking at AS for some time now - 6 months. We have yet to decide exactly what we want, but are getting closer - this year yet or next spring for sure. Exciting process!



We let it slip that we were looking at an AS and boy did we get questions and envious looks.


"I thought they cost thousands of dollars," and we politely smile and say yes they likely do. "What do you need that for?," and we say because we can/do.



My grandmother would say to me sometimes, "Ask me no questions and I will tell you no lies." A very wise person, missed dearly.


We all work hard for our money, it does not grow on trees or bushes - if you know where it does tell us we won't spill the beans - so how we spend it is one of our personal choices.


We have found the Airstream Forums members to be very helpful and the wealth and depth of knowledge invaluable.



Thank you to all who post in so many varied thread topics, it is truly priceless in terms of knowledge and hard earned wisdom.

[Banker]

I suggest they check Airstream.com for all the models and prices.

[RosenBob]

If they are family or friends I tell them and then mention that my nephew spent almost as much on an SOB and after a few years is ready to junk it.

[Urbanologist]

Every time I have been asked THAT question, the reply is the same: “You need to learn some manners.” — And direct them to the Internet. IF they are really interested they should track down the MSRP.