price negotiations

[yvonne perkins]

This might seem stupid, but this is the first time we have considered purchasing a new manufactured home and I was wondering how much price negotiation you can do with the Solitaire dealerships? The salesman quoted us a price, but do they bargain off that price any at all or is it pretty much what you'll have to pay?
Thanks!!

[jgn]

Very well built home by the way. The one I visited is a factory owned location and seem to be priced well for the quality. The only way to see if they will move off of the price is to get a quote and make an offer. What you might want to consider is getting a base model quote and negotiate upgrades into the price. They are a no hassle builder and have a basic home and a set price for an upgrade package. It seems like they offer very few modifications to their layout but the custom package is worth the price.
Of all the homes I have looked at they are the most straight forward. Their construction is well above average and they actually treat you like an adult looking for a home instead of a kid looking for a used car. We told them what we were looking for, they pointed out the models that fit our needs gave us the keys and said "any questions just ask".

[LL]

i don't know how much negotiation they will do, but i visited 2 different dealerships. the 2nd dealership was 10,000.00 cheaper on the "asking price" than the first one. so, shop around a bit.

[rmurray]

The best way to get the best rpice is to shop 2 or 3 reputable dealers in your area...Do not be afraid to go as much as 200 miles for quotes...be sure to shop exactly the same home and options...tell each dealer what you are doing...They should give you thier best shot up front..

[jgn]

One of the problems of shopping for the best price is the lowest price isn't always the best way to go. Set up with a MH is just as important as the construction of the home and someone who will take a lot less (cutting his margins) may make up for it in the set up. When you shop a car for the lowest price you are getting the same product when you shop a MH from for the lowest you are only getting half the same product because the other half is the set up and follow through. Shop the price and use that to negotiate with the dealer who is the best overall but be carefull about just buying on price. A good dealer deserves to make a decent profit in order for him to remain a good dealer. I have a cheap older DW but because it was setup correctly 25 years ago, I have few problems.

[J.L.]

My daughter bought a new Solitaire about 3 months ago. She shopped Tulsa, Stillwater and OKC, Tulsa gave her a better price. However, that dealership leaves MUCH to be desired. It is difficult to get the repairs done. (Yes, there ARE repairs even on a 'new' home! Cracks in the sheetrock, loose faucets, on and on...) Several shingles blew off the roof when they delivered it to her land, they came back and replaced the shingles but with shingles of a different color. The first high wind blew those shingles off.....then it happened again. They have now been replaced and we are just waiting to see how long they last. One thing we did notice is there is nothing between the wooden roof and the shingles. Is there not supposed to be some type tar paper or any other kind of protection? Today she has take a LONG list of things that need repaired or replacing, hopefully this dealership will show more concern than we have had from them so far. Something else that I didn't expect was they remove the wheels and tongue and take them. Maybe that is normal now days. Anyway, just make sure the dealer you buy from is helpful and friendly.

[rmurray]

A couple of points....

Felt..tar paper under the shingles is not required and only offered by a few manufacturers...This is an important feature few consumers ever ask about..

Homes have been sold without wheels and axles for over 15 years..Most likely they were already used equipment and not useful for anything for you...The dealer would have been happy to sell them to you..Almost ALL good lenders require their removal..

You are making the point the the lowest price is not always the best price...Set up ability is much different from dealer to dealer..Service attitude is also much different...Remember..most of your warranty issues are with the manufacturer...NOT the dealer..Read your warranty papers and start communicating with the manufacturer...Be sure to communicate in writing and keep copies...Some manufacturers are starting to accept service info via email..check with your manufacturers web site to see if they do...Good Luck to your daughter..

[sheila]

I totally agree wth the best price isnt always the best price... I've seen my manager sit at her desk for hours and phone the rep from the manufacturer and try and figure out what sh could omit, to keep her commission up.


I am extremely tired today, and can not spell! Sorry all, you'll get the point, hehe

[randy]

Had anyone out there had any problems in the plumbing of the solitaire home.
Also what kind of plumbing is in the solitaire homes?

[Peggy Williams]

My daughter and her husband signed a contract for a new Solitaire home and just before it was to be delivered, they called and said it would be after the first of 2006 and maybe six months. They pulled off their contracts and made a deal with FEMA to build homes for Katrina victims. I feel very sorry for those victims, but does my daughter and her family have to suffer also. We gave them some land, they sold their home, drilled a water well, got electricity to the sight, a mail box and address, a loan at their bank and now they are left "high & dry". They had to rent a place and are using up what they had planned to pay down on the home. We are completely frustrated. They are having a lawyer to look at the contract, but there doesn't seem to be anything they can do. They were also told that if they wanted that model, they would have to pay $15,000 more. If this is legal, it certainly isn't morally right. Peggy Williams