The Manufactured Housing Forums

Well, I have been away for one month and I purchased my new manufactured home. You learn so much going through all the processes. I have always been a wheeler dealer but WOW this takes a lot out of a person. To the point I have a question for Murray and by the way Murray thank you in the past for all the info.

You gave me the good points and the bad when I was going to purchase a Norris, but I have changed my whole program. In 1 month I found my original floor plan (from 5 years ago) and it is now made by Champion. I purchased a 2,000 sq ft + 3 bedroom Meadow View from Champion (5/12 roof pitch, 8' ceilings, with the Ultimate kitchen).

Enough of the background, but this is what bothers me and I am to blame for letting it happen but I just wanted to get the deal done and get a home. It has been about 3 years of real hard bargaining. Sorry for all the ramblings.

Here is the story and I would like your suggestions please, I don't think the dealer has heard the last of me. For sure I want better for the next first time buyer.
I asked my dealer for a base price and they never really gave me one. We would go on to other things and then it would slide, I went to another Champion dealer in southern Ohio and he had the base price of $55,558.00 minus WV taxes on a handout in every one of his homes. Well I picked up one and take it back to my dealer in West Virginia. He still won't tell me the base price. I realize I should have walked but never. So I then asked the WV dealer for an itemized list of everything I was getting on the home w/pricing and I got it but it was like pulling teeth to get that. Well, when I got it I noticed at the top something whited out and I took a piece of paper and scratched it off and it read base price $35,445. My question does that mean that is what their base price was and they made $20,000 on me. I personally feel and would advise anyone if they can't show you a base price of some kind , LEAVE the establishment. I am so upset with this. I would lobby the WV manufactured home authorities to make this a law to show people the base price. I knew better, but didn't do better.

Any thoughts on this please advise. I love this forum.

Thanks again you all helped me a great deal.

VEE

Congratulations on making it to this point....

Obsessing with the dealer "profit" will do you no good now..I have not seen all the listed options...do they include a/c, skirting, set up as separate items..how about freight to the dealership..is that listed separately..how about other cost items he had to pay..there are many..

Even if he grossed 20K...I assume you shopped and this was what you wanted and could afford..remember the "profit" is only gross profit...not NET profit...some how he has to pay his sales persons...service persons..office personel..all folks you have and will need to deal with..I expect when you call him in the future..you will expect there be a phone..that someone answers..and some one to respond to you request..All paid for from these gross profits...Even if he made the above (which i doubt)...he made less than 25% margin...small indeed in the retail business..

Companies like Walmart run on 50 to 60% margin from wholesale cost...Do you think the last $100 you spent in Walmart was too high..I doubt it..Do you begrudge them for the $50 they made?...I know you do not..

It is not uncommon to have second thoughts and fears...If you have done your homework...you are confident you are getting all you want and need...Go for it...Relax and start packing...

Thank you Murray! I know I rambled a bit. Yes, air conditioning (4.5 ton) is included, along with a stone stucco under pinning. Freight was included, and the home is coming from LaGrange, Indiana to WV. This accounts for several hundred miles to move it. Also I got a floor to ceiling stone fireplace (woodburning), skylights in both bathrooms, and I mentioned the ultimate kitchen with all stainless steel appliances with sink and dishwasher in the island, leaded front door and sidelight, solid steel back door with storm and a patio door, plus the 3 1/2" ash crown molding. This will give you some idea of what I wound up with.

To get the home to where I want it, will be quite difficult for the delivery people. I may have paid too much ($84,000) but it is what I want and really like.

Yes, my dealer will be there to answer the phone. I guess I just got a little excited spending money. HaHa

Thanks again. I will just settle down and enjoy the home and I will keep reading this forum IT IS THE BEST. Perhaps I can help some first time buyer.

Thanks,

VEE

Thank you Vee for your story. I'm a little bit farther back in the process than you, so it is very helpful to hear from others like you about what they're doing. I'm feeling a lot of trepidation about the "bargaining" process. I am not a wheeler dealer at heart, and I find myself having such a pleasant experience with our salesman that I find that I already feel guilty even thinking about negotiating. I'd hate for him to lose commission! Am I being silly?

Thank you Tanya,

Good luck on your new venture of manufactured home hunting!!

This is how I would sum it up for you to begin your fascinating journey for a new home. This is how I did it. I went to several different dealers in different states and also to the dealer where I had planned to buy my home. I had a typed out list of what I wanted floor plan and all options. I read and knew all the standards of the homes that I was looking for. I got an itemized invoice list with prices from each of the dealers and then I got their base price (except from the one I purchased mine from, who would not give me the base price) from there I did a comparison chart with room sizes of the various brands along with the options and prices that I could come up with. I left my salesmen three times and came back and bought a home that I had never looked at before. So things do change.

I know I am rambling...but I griped about the commission my salesman made. I guess it wasn't so bad as he personally sent me to several dealers in other states to see what they had in stock for me to see. I could have purchased mine from any of them. So BOTTOM LINE...you look for the best deal and if he is a reputable salesman working at a reputable dealership he will want to get you the best deal.

Please let me know if I can be of help.

So happy dealing and keep me posted on what you decide on.

VEE

Thanks, Vee
Right now we're trying to find the right plot of land, and view some different models. Our dealership's lot recently sold a lot of models, so we may have to travel to see the models we're interested in. Palm Harbor's lenders were able to pre-qualify us for a great mortgage rate, better than we could find anywhere else so far, so that's great news. It increased what we can comfortably afford by 10,000! Trying not to think too far ahead, because the stress just gets too high. But thanks for your support, I'll keep you posted!
Tanya