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

[cegardner]

I am never willing to share this It is not their business and I do not have to offer a response.

I have used. “Gosh that is really a personal wuestion!” Nothing after that

If they get insistent, “How much money do you
Have in your IRA?” You get the deer in the headlights look
I don’t think we need to feel obligated to give any information. People are not entitled to a response.
I have also just stood and not even responded
I do not feel the need to give a response or explanation to rudeness

[gklott]

Tell them your out the door price.

73/gus

[RGJZ06]

I'll just say, "if you are really interested I will give you the name of the dealership and salesman that I bought mine from". "They gave me an outstanding deal".

To me, the cost and what I paid is my business. I believe the reason they ask how much is because they look expensive. They are beautiful.

[Omnial]

“More than my first house”.

[Randonneur]

To Piggy Bank: Excellent response, and so true!

[cazual6]

It happens more often than not.

Most know it is pricey.

When I had my FC19, it was rounded and add upgrades. $60k + $15k

Now that I have my FC25, still rounded and add upgrades. $100k + $18k

Most will leave it at that. Heck, I could have said double or half, it is more of a flinch test really. Then the nodding of the head.

No one really cares how much, they are just curious.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

My typical answer is that they cost quite a bit and like any other RV they have their issues. Worth it to me, but maybe not to everybody.

I get the "do they still make those?" question probably 3X as often as any other question about the trailer.

Bob

[RickyJo]

I heard my mother ask a friend how much she gave to the church and her answer was very good!! She said "I'll forgive you for asking if you forgive me for not answering" This might seem a little rude if you just met someone but............

[Larry C]

Interesting comments in this thread......I also find it interesting that many of the younger, 1st time AS owners, rather enjoy bragging about their 2019 27'er, and their new 2019 Ford F-150......
For whatever it's worth
Larry

[Rgentum]

"Does the cost question come up often with you?"

Occasionally.

"And are you comfortable just sharing it right off?"

I tell them: "I went to my local dealer, Airstream Adventures NW, who gave me a price of $79,500 and adamantly refused to bargain over it. I thought that price was excessive, so I shopped AS dealers throughout the US for an identical AS and got the lowest price from Toscano RV, in CA: $70,750, which is what I paid them for it. It cost me a drive from Seattle to central CA to save almost $9K. I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

People say one of the advantages of buying "local" is to obtain good service from the local dealer when needed. Airstream Adventures NW has repeatedly provided me with good service on my Toscano-bought AS. That hasn't been a problem for me. I just have had a problem getting Airstream Adventures NW to negotiate their sales price on a new AS.

Same thing happened to me when the AS 33 came out. My sweetie got real excited about getting one. We went to AANW and looked at their AS 33 for sale. I asked "How much?" And got the answer "$158K." I asked if they would negotiate that price? "No." I went home and shopped for a new AS 33 online, and the lowest price I obtained was $119,950.

OK, I admit it. I've lived all my life buying and selling assets, negotiating prices, and bargaining. It just galls me to think of paying $9K to "buy local" when I can obtain the identical item elsewhere for some $9K less --- or, in the case of the AS 33, for some $40K less.

[Rltports]

My answer depends on the person asking. If they seem sincerely interested I’ll give them the time. On the other hand, I just politely move on. .
Sort of like contractors.. once had a guy giving me a price to reroof my house and he starts the conversation by asking how I could afford my house. Or, the HVAC contractor providing a replacement price for my AC unit. When he suggested a lower price if I would allow him to push the old unit over the cliff on my property. Life is too short.. just politely move on!

[dumbclub]

There have been some great answers given in this thread, but I’m surprised that some people feel that the “How much?” question is rude or offensive.

I believe that the folks who ask are genuinely curious and only want to know the price range of Airstreams in general, not how much I paid for my personal coach.

Seems like a fair question from anyone who is admiring the beauty of the thing and probably wonders if they might be able to get one of their own someday.

[Hermes]

I usually answer "Between 5-20% of what a Prevost Motorhome will cost you".

[kendrick.l.j]

I get asked more about the hitch than the AS but a surprisingly number of people don’t know that they are still being made. So I explain that currently Airstream has 10 different models of travel trailer ranging from rough mid-forties to slightly over $160k but occasionally you can find a good used one.
Just seems nicer to me than some flip response without actually saying what I paid.

[Lensman]

I have always found truth is the best policy. But then some folks "believe in facts not truth".

[gail lynne]

I agree with your response regarding airstreams are pricier but well worth it!
We have had our 2018 for a year have been asked that same question.
We tell them what we paid for it but truthfully we got ours with a 15,000 off deal. Ours is probably on the cheaper end of purchases for Airstream( just a 23 foot), but we tell people about what a good resale value it has, and lots of the other perks. Plus we DID NOT want to purchase a truck to haul it with. This one we bought best suits our needs as we can pull it with our diesel Jeep.

[Mike1997]

Having an older diesel I get that question a lot.

Usual answer is "first owner paid $137k in 1997 but its insured for $35k now".

Then chat usually moves onto maintenance and towing

[Bobfrapples]

To be determined.

Say back to them.. "How's your Slide Working? How much have you spent since you bought your Class A Diesel? Are the Tune-Up's and Maintenance still $5,000?"

[Atwebs]

Our answer is always "it's priceless!" and steer the conversation to more worthy topics.

[ASNavi]

In our case we had a trade in. It was a 24 foot motor home that had been on all the selling websites both local and national for about six months without selling. So it’s all about the difference. If they want more than that I just say they are expensive.