Posted 2010-02-05 12:20 PM (#116174) Subject: If it was you....
Member
Posts: 44 Location: british columbia,Canada
Custom ordering a trailer...would you get a price from several different dealers on building you that trailer? Does one company have more 'wiggle" room than another...or, on a custom order is the price from the factory standard and everyone has to add the same amount of mark up?I sure wouldn't want to offend one dealer or the other...yet having said that, i am sure we all want the most for our money?
Posted 2010-02-05 12:28 PM (#116175 - in reply to #116174) Subject: RE: If it was you....
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Not only price the same trailer from multiple dealers, but price the same trailer from different manufacturers as well. You will find a wide disparity in pricing for similar products.
Posted 2010-02-05 12:46 PM (#116177 - in reply to #116174) Subject: RE: If it was you....
Veteran
Posts: 123 Location: Indiana
Getting a price from several dealers is fine, if price is what you are concerned with. You will also need to take into count that service comes into play. If you have a local dealer and you buy out of state, that dealer has no obligation to service you. Since the out of state dealer won't ever see you again to take care of those little things that aren't covered, they can afford to shoot you a lower price. If the dealer is worth his salt, you won't be able to get the best price until you actually show up.
That doesn't apply if you are in an area where there is no local dealer. Then you can shop around without fear of "bad feelings".
Also, when getting prices, make sure that you are getting the same product. Sometimes they will drop an option just to show you a better price. You might want to get the "Total delivered price" not just the price on the unit.
I notice that you are in Canada. If you are buying in the states you will also need to factor in the costs of getting the unit back into Canada. If you are financing, you will have to pay the GST out of pocket when you get back.
Posted 2010-02-05 1:07 PM (#116178 - in reply to #116174) Subject: RE: If it was you....
Member
Posts: 44 Location: british columbia,Canada
Thank you..Yes, i have taken all the taxes etc into account. There are no dealers here..or even close...but i am buying an excellent brand of trailer so i don't see too many issues in the future. I also have a list of exactly what i want..so there is no fear of getting corners cut. The price I have does not include delivery..and that is a huge hit as well. Then there is always the exchange. I felt it was rude to shop around...but perhaps on this dollar amount, it will be very worthwhile.Thank you all for the replies
Posted 2010-02-05 3:47 PM (#116184 - in reply to #116174) Subject: RE: If it was you....
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
Rude to shop around? Since when? I bet those dealers shop around for office supplies,cleaning services,insurance quotes...why shouldn't you shop around for the best bang for your buck? I want to get quote from at least 3 dealers on the same basic trailer- then its up to you.
Posted 2010-02-05 5:50 PM (#116185 - in reply to #116178) Subject: RE: If it was you....
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447 Location: cedar rapids iowa
Originally written by spinnylena on 2010-02-05 1:07 PM
Thank you..Yes, i have taken all the taxes etc into account. There are no dealers here..or even close...but i am buying an excellent brand of trailer so i don't see too many issues in the future. I also have a list of exactly what i want..so there is no fear of getting corners cut. The price I have does not include delivery..and that is a huge hit as well. Then there is always the exchange. I felt it was rude to shop around...but perhaps on this dollar amount, it will be very worthwhile.Thank you all for the replies
I think if a particulaer dealer has gone above and beyond helping you and maybe keeping you from making some mistakes then some loyalty is warranted. I would still shop to keep them honest but I would not sell them down the river.
Posted 2010-02-05 6:28 PM (#116188 - in reply to #116174) Subject: RE: If it was you....
Member
Posts: 44 Location: british columbia,Canada
I agree Laurie...having been a salesperson myself, i do want to be loyal and will be. But, having said that, if you don't do a bit of shopping, they can charge you whatever they want.I'll see what numbers i come up with..and if the difference is very little, you can be sure i go back where i started!
Posted 2010-02-05 9:49 PM (#116195 - in reply to #116174) Subject: RE: If it was you....
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 383 Location: Texas
Definitely shop around. The way I see it if they are offended by you shopping around then they aren't giving you the best deal that they can. Shop different manufactures and dealers. If it's a custom build you need to have some sort of drawing and options list to get an apples to apples comparison. When I was shopping for my trailer I made sure I let them know I was shopping for the best deal and at several brands of trailers.
Posted 2010-02-06 3:49 PM (#116218 - in reply to #116174) Subject: RE: If it was you....
New User
Posts: 3
Location: SYCAMORE ILLINOIS
Why buy from a dealer try looking at factroy direct look at this site www.lazyjhorsetrailers.com we own one of these trailers, we have owned other trailers and found Trail Rider to be a high quality unit, and the price is about half of what you would pay for the high end trailers, I have been to the factroy on six occassions and have had some hands on experience with the manufacturing of these units.
Posted 2010-02-06 5:28 PM (#116222 - in reply to #116218) Subject: RE: If it was you....
Veteran
Posts: 213 Location: Virginia
Originally written by LAZYJ10 on 2010-02-06 4:49 PM
Why buy from a dealer try looking at factroy direct look at this site http://www.lazyjhorsetrailers.com/ we own one of these trailers, we have owned other trailers and found Trail Rider to be a high quality unit, and the price is about half of what you would pay for the high end trailers, I have been to the factroy on six occassions and have had some hands on experience with the manufacturing of these units.
Well, Mr. Phil Johnson, I would hope that you have been to the factory more than 6 times considering that this is YOUR website!! Since it is your company I would expect you to own your product and claim it to be high quality. I prefer to hear from unbiased owners who do not have a financial gain for promoting their trailers.
Posted 2010-02-06 6:15 PM (#116225 - in reply to #116174) Subject: RE: If it was you....
New User
Posts: 3
Location: SYCAMORE ILLINOIS
Sorry Pinkmouse, I do not own the company I have bought two trailers from them over the past five years, I was very impressed with them so I became a factroy rep they are a small company about 200 trailers a year I have owned other trailers over the years two exiss I am retried and spend a lot of time riding and camping and can say this is the best trailer I have owned I would not rep something I did not beleave in, Trail Rider set up the web site, I am sorry if I mislead you. Thanks Phil
Posted 2010-02-08 7:17 PM (#116284 - in reply to #116174) Subject: RE: If it was you....
Member
Posts: 44 Location: british columbia,Canada
I really did like the 4 Star and it seemed like a very well built trailer...the thing I ( personally) didn't like about it were the bars in the drop down feed doors. They are attached to the window and when the window is down, the point into the horse area leaving a gap on the top and sides. I know this may not be a problem for most, i just personally didn't like it. Also, i liked the construction of the floor better on the Bloomer. Again, nothing against the 4 Star...just personal preference.
Posted 2010-02-08 8:09 PM (#116286 - in reply to #116174) Subject: RE: If it was you....
Veteran
Posts: 188 Location: Ingalls, Ks
I don't think you'll be disappointed in your decision. I just bought a Bloomer last summer and one of the things I really like about it is the way the head side doors work. The windows are lightweight and easy to use. You can also open the doors and have full access to the horses. We no longer have doors falling open while going down the road because my wife or daughter didn't get the heavy one piece doors closed all the way. Platinum, 4star and Elite are all excellent trailers in my opinion, but Bloomer has some unique features that I truly like. Some say they're overpriced, but if you truly look at all the options, they're all priced fairly even. Kinda depends on what you want.
Posted 2010-02-10 6:02 AM (#116347 - in reply to #116185) Subject: RE: If it was you....
Regular
Posts: 92 Location: Harrisburg, PA
Originally written by laurie on 2010-02-05 6:50 PM
Originally written by spinnylena on 2010-02-05 1:07 PM
Thank you..Yes, i have taken all the taxes etc into account. There are no dealers here..or even close...but i am buying an excellent brand of trailer so i don't see too many issues in the future. I also have a list of exactly what i want..so there is no fear of getting corners cut. The price I have does not include delivery..and that is a huge hit as well. Then there is always the exchange. I felt it was rude to shop around...but perhaps on this dollar amount, it will be very worthwhile.Thank you all for the replies
I think if a particulaer dealer has gone above and beyond helping you and maybe keeping you from making some mistakes then some loyalty is warranted. I would still shop to keep them honest but I would not sell them down the river.
The way I handle that as a consumer is if price is critical to me, I don't let one dealer provide all of that outstanding service. I spend around on products where I intend to shop around.This may just be a crutch for me and my nature of loyalty, but if you are comparing dealers who both provide excellent service then it's all good. It's not fair in my mind to compare a dealer with little service (low overhead costs) to a full service dealer with the staff to go the extra mile.
If it was you....
Getting a price from several dealers is fine, if price is what you are concerned with. You will also need to take into count that service comes into play. If you have a local dealer and you buy out of state, that dealer has no obligation to service you. Since the out of state dealer won't ever see you again to take care of those little things that aren't covered, they can afford to shoot you a lower price. If the dealer is worth his salt, you won't be able to get the best price until you actually show up.
