Buying at a caravan/camping show

[Paul (SA)]

Hi guys,

I am looking to get a new CT this month and will be going to the Adelaide Caravan and Camping show in late Feb.

Has anyone had any success in negotiating a decent deal at these shows? I noticed quite a few demo stock get discounted and sold quite quickly, but what about buying brand new?

I am looking at a Jayco Swift OB with a few added mod cons.

Any insights/advice appreciated.

Cheers, Paul (SA)

[GU Rich]

Paul do all your homework before you go to the show, then you will nkow exactly what prices are current and work out if the show deal is worth it etc.

Rich

[discoteddy]

I'm with Rich on this one. Do your research and take the best quote you've got to the show, I'd be surpised if the show deal wasn't better!

Good luck with the purchase.

Cheers,

Disco Teddy.

[Eagle Outback]

Gday paul best advice i can give is to find a mate that's after one aswell, that's what we did last year, Adel caravan/camping show ordered two eagle outback's, with some frill's and got 4 grand off each off show price and we love it,flinder's again for easter week at wilpena then up to Arkaroola for another week can't wait good luck on your purchase

[Fun Police]

This is our plan too.  Off to the Canberra show then the Newcastle one.

Make it known to the ones we are interested in that we're keen to buy and whoever can impress SWMBO the most (within a budget), wins:)

[bussoboy]

when buying @ a show, no matter what the product, we go in on the last day and haggle.........the salesmen are tired, want to pack up & go home and will do anything the get rid of stock. this attitude got me my camper last year @ a heap of $$'s less than RRP.

will be attending the Gong, Rosehill, Penrith & Eastern Creek shows this year so look out Waeco & Thetford as you are both on my shopping lists..........lol

[Desert lover]

When we were in the market we went on the first day. We had done our homework and went knowing what we wanted and what the prices were.... ended up with a fantastic deal on our Challenge meridian and an excellent trade in on our other camper.   Came home ecstatic but then had to wait until after the show for it to be available.   Left three days later for 14,000km trip to Broome using the GRR and back via the Tamami.
Cheers,
 

[NatGav]

This is a really interesting topic..i think you can get lots of good specials at shows. Fridges, vacume sealer's, cooks stuff, equipment ect...
We are leaving in May for a 12 month adventure...I am pretty much a first time camper, so I'll be working it out while on the road. Before the big caravan show in Melbourne, I'm researching, getting brand, price and ideas so at the show i can haggle with the sales people and know when i'm getting a good deal.
The most important thing to remember i think is that they are there to sell their product, if your keen to buy you should be able to find a price that suits...
love this FORUM...

[fabulous]

We bought our camper trailer at a show in Melbourne, but we went to the dealer a couple of weeks earlier for a look around and asked questions etc.  We went away and had a chat and made out decision.  We went to the show and spoke to the same rep who had remembered us, he knew we were keen to make a deal on the day. 

We got a great deal on the camper and a great deal on the annex which we didn't plan on buying that day, but as mentioned got a good deal.

[wholehog]

The other option is to do as I did.
I bought my camper from the manufacturer, but it was being sold as a demo model, taken to various shows in a pantech ...
Saved about 4 grand off the price:)

[FZJ]

Agree with the posts above.I did loads or research,asked for info to be posted to me before the shows from manufacturers etc.Looked at the show website to see who would be there then narrowed my list down to about 6 makers, other wise its a bit overwhelming when you get there..I consider we got a good deal on the day at newcastle,but have seen better with ex demo stuff.(camel had some a few weeks ago).
I didnt make a decision on the day either,made sure I could call back from home after we had talked about the different ones and still get the deal.Less pressure.I got a couple of extras then as well at a great price.
Good luck

[Fun Police]

Any general feeling on say, a $20k setup, what kind of savings (or extras ) would be typical?

Or is that too tough/vague a question?

[FZJ]

Any general feeling on say, a $20k setup, what kind of savings (or extras ) would be typical?

Or is that too tough/vague a question?

Mine came with an annex gazebo with full mesh screens,and a few other goodies thrown in as the show deal about (2k) .Then I haggled  gal dipping and boatrack etc down to the nearest thousand ,so if i remember about $400 off....

[Jenko67]

Paul do all your homework before you go to the show, then you will nkow exactly what prices are current and work out if the show deal is worth it etc.

Rich

exactly what we did when we purchased our swan OB.. knew the prices before we went and better still i had cash so no mucking around with fiance etc.

[Bird]

I dont think there are any specials at shows anymore.. they may *appear* to be world beating outstanding never to be repeated prices, but yea just don't get suckered in.


But a bloke I spoke to said his best deals are on day 1, once he has recouped the fees for the show, the price can go up... but sell those first ones to pay the bills.

[Brett]

One thing to think of when going to buy at a show is all the excitement and buzz going on around you. This can get your emotions firing and you might buy something you may regret later.

As already stated do your research first and take your time. Don't let anyone push you into buying there show special. Most will honour this price a few days / weeks after the show.

[crackacoldie]

Paul,

Agreed with many above, do your homework.  Coming from SA it is well worth getting a quote from Halls Jayco in Mildura, I have no affiliation with them, however, they offer massive savings over the Adelaide dealer, when we bought, they were $8k cheaper than Adelaide and $6k cheaper than the show special.

www.hallssales.com.au

Worth a try.

Cracka

[Paul (SA)]

Thanks everyone. Some great advice here.

Will the sellers be expecting full payment on the day or is a deposit with the rest paid on delivery the normal way it is done?

[crackacoldie]

Thanks everyone. Some great advice here.

Will the sellers be expecting full payment on the day or is a deposit with the rest paid on delivery the normal way it is done?

Normally deposit for large sales.

[pauljygrant]

When we visited the show, we were not ready to buy, but when visiting the dealer a few weeks later, they were still prepared to give us the show special.
However, a quick phone call to Mildura saved us $2,000 on the show special. No doubt we could have phoned dealers further away and saved even more, but were happy with the price from Halls Mildura and made a weekend of it when it was ready to collect.
Paul