We were looking for our first van with a budget of 20k. We didnt expect much just something better than a tent. We found a little 17ft that I asked to have fitted with a new fridge a portable toilet and solar. On our way out of the van place we looked at what we would like for our next van. It was 20ft shower toilet full oven real wood and spacious. As we alighted from it we were told they would accept an offer on it........ yeah right not from uz tbey wouldn't. It was a 40k van. The next morning we got a pbone call from the van place to tell us the price on the van we had chosen. 18.5k was the total and I said we would go down and sign the contract. I had been doing my sums on how much money we had all up and it was just over 22k this was for generators and filling the van.
We got to the van place and we were met y the salesman. We went to the office a d before we signed for the van I took a deep breath and boldly .made an offer on the 40k van of 22k the salesman just looked at me and said no. Then he stopped, he said let me make a phone call.........he did and came back to us and told us we could have the 40k van for 22k.
You really need to be prepared to offer a lot less than they are asking. The next morning I got a call from a other van place that we had been to where we offered 17k for a 36k van and were told we could have it for 18k.
You just have to be bold....nothing ventured nothing gained
D&D they actually showed us the tradein sheet and they did make a loss. They traded the van for 25k we got it for 22k it had been on the lot for 12 months. This company sells more new vans than second hand ones. They were willing to take the loss.
Well done MarkandDeb. This is my approach with al my big purchases. You never know when they will say YES. To date only one used car salesman refused to do any further business. It was a Falcon wagon, he had $2600 and I offered him $1500. He told me to get lost and never come back. Fine, that's one out of many good deals. I even knocked off $200K off a house we purchased.
Never be afraid to low ball some one. The worst is they will say NO.
Larry
The phone call that the salesman made was to the accountant. The salesman said the accountant asked him if he wanted to wait another 12 months to make 1 or 2k if he did then fine, if not then put 22k in the bank today.
We later found out that our salesman was the business owner.
So far all it has cost them is a battery charger and a service call on the fridge. I don't want to go back to them with any little warranty stuff because I think they took a big enough hammering on the price.
We have travelled over 2000 kilometres in it so far and its fine.
The best thing is its all real wood, no plastic and the only bit of MDF or Particle board is the base of the bed.
All the cupboard frames are pine, the walls are wood veneer over plywood, there are no water leaks or stains from previous leaks. It has a Windguard aerial, that works superbly and full stereo and DVD TV a water pump and reverse cycle aircon.
Its a 2008 or 09 model Statewide van 20ft 6 long 8ft wide.
