Trying to get the best deal on a jayco swan

[Sicilianmama]

So we were originally planning on driving to Melbourne to buy an eagle outback with all the trimmings, I had gotten prices from Jayco Geelong and they were great. I then rang Brisbane Camperland just to see if they could come close, to my surprise they came close :0

We put down a deposit on an eagle under the provision we could go down on the weekend to check it out and make final decisions. After going down we decided to go for the swan over the eagle. I assumed the prices would stay competitive to Melbourne. We have not signed a contract as yet as we are waiting for a final quote from Camperland as they had to amend it as we had to delete the extended drawbar (wouldn't fit in garage). So I gave Melbourne a call today just to out my mind at rest that I was getting a good price. I was shocked that they were $4000 cheaper! Now I don't know what to do. I thought they would be a bit cheaper but I wasn't expecting that much! I feel bad haggling with Camperland after spending so long down there on the weekend checking stuff out. But $4000 is $4000!
So my question is, do they expect it? Is haggling acceptable when purchasing a new camper? They have the upper hand as we have already paid $1000 deposit but on the other hand I was told this was fully refundable if we wernt happy. Am I being unreasonable? Would you let it go or would you call them?

Ps they had originally told me freight to qld was $950 so I understand that inclusion, but that still means we are paying extra $3000 & for $950 that would cover fuel and accomodation for us to drive to Melbourne to pick it up ourselves...

[Travln]

Boy - there's an awful lot of Jayco dealers between Geelong and Brisbane!  They are all independent franchises so don't feel bad getting prices off different ones - since you have already got prices off the two furthest ones why not get some prices from others and then go with the cheapest - it is your money!

But we personally would then always go back to our LOCAL dealer and give them the opportunity to match whatever prices you can get elsewhere.  Besides supporting the local guy - it is also better for after sales service.

[Sicilianmama]

Yeah well I know they are there to make money, but surely the guy in Melbourne is still making money so imagine how much Camperland is making!

[Top.ender]

Bayswater in Melbourne are the manufactures and should be able to give you the best price. It,s your money so be honest and tell what you've been offered.If the dint play ball (I,d be surprised if they did,t) walk away.Good Luck

[Heiny]

So my question is, do they expect it? Is haggling acceptable when purchasing a new camper? They have the upper hand as we have already paid $1000 deposit but on the other hand I was told this was fully refundable if we wernt happy. Am I being unreasonable? Would you let it go or would you call them?

Haggling is acceptable when purchasing anything and $4000 is a fair difference, if they want the sale they will match it.

bubba

[JCOJ]

Just tell them that the others had phoned you as you had previous dealings with them and they gave you a quote that was $4000 less and see what their response is.  They can only say no - which is then their choice.  They then have nothing to complain about as you have at least given them an opportunity.

As for your deposit - you said they would give it back if you were unhappy, and you are.  Furthermore, the deposit was also for a Swan and not the Eagle so you should be entitled to it back in anycase.

[D4D]

Bayswater in Melbourne are the manufactures

Really?

[oldblade]

Best deal I got on my swan was the day I sold it


Sorry that didnt help at all

[bossxr]

We found that Bris Camperland weren't keen to do any deals unless the factory was throwing out a rebate. We got the feeling that they just couldn't be bothered as they had a captive market. We got our 2011 Swan Outback from Gold Coast.
Don't feel bad for them - business is business. They probably were keen to do the deal on the 1st order as it may have already been on their production run allocation in the specs you were after.

[Top.ender]

 

Really?
[mmmm..detect a note of sarcasm,you know its the slowest form of wit!/quote]

[goody59]

Best deal I got on my swan was the day I sold it


Sorry that didnt help at all

Not happy Jan???

[cancan]

I done some basic pricing for an expanda with camperland, bundy and gold coast and found camperland were the dearest although not in a position to buy so didnt press for best price.
with the expanda, gold coast agent mentioned you can save $1500 by picking it up in melbourne instead of freighting it up, thought that would pay for the shake down trip

[Sicilianmama]

Have rung around and got a few more quotes, Camperland is definately the best in qld, I was dissapointed with gold coast, weren't very helpful and price was a lot dearer. Have since spoken to Melbourne again and they stuffed up the quote :/ hence the $4000 difference, they forgot to include the awning and annexe so that will add about $2000 so then with freight would make $3000 and they hadn't included the install of electric brakes and rego which is another $600 so all up not much difference! I'm surprised how hard it is to get a quote from all these dealers, I spose they don't want you doing what I'm doing and shopping around. Makes it difficult to know if your getting the best deal though.

[jnik]

So we were originally planning on driving to Melbourne to buy an eagle outback with all the trimmings ...

After going down we decided to go for the swan over the eagle.

When we were considering a Jayco we went the other way ... picked the Swan based on the floorplan, but when we saw them in the flesh we felt the dinette was just too tight (the smaller dinette in the Swan to allow for the extra counter/cupboards is the only difference, right?).

We didn't end up with the Jayco in the end (we were too tight-fisted ... loved the amenity that the layout promised, but just more camper than we could justify).

Interesting to see that you went the other way (Eagle to Swan).

[Sicilianmama]

When we were considering a Jayco we went the other way ... picked the Swan based on the floorplan, but when we saw them in the flesh we felt the dinette was just too tight (the smaller dinette in the Swan to allow for the extra counter/cupboards is the only difference, right?).

We didn't end up with the Jayco in the end (we were too tight-fisted ... loved the amenity that the layout promised, but just more camper than we could justify).

Interesting to see that you went the other way (Eagle to Swan).

I'm pretty sure the dinette is the same size, the whole camper is slightly larger, that's where the extra room for the buffet comes in. That was something we looked at and compared and I'm pretty sure they are the same size, the dinette that is.

[Stozz]

Yes, I agree.  We have had a 2005 Outback Eagle and have recently upgraded to a 2011 Outback Swan. The layout is the same but the overall length of the Swan is greater.  There is the extra buffet unit in the Swan (good storage).  The dinette is the same size.  The "corner lounge" is slightly longer on the sides (hope that makes sense) which makes it more spacious/comfortable to sit on the side or in the corner.

Funnily enough, we refer to the buffet unit as the "$3,000 cupboard" as a bit of a joke, as it is the most obvious (but not the only) difference between the Eagle and Swan.  We have found this extra cupboard to be invaluable - accessible from inside the camper or from outrside by leaning inside the door. 

We are very happy with the Swan layout - but yes, it is bigger than the Eagle.

[Jacmark30]

Sicilianmama,

I also rang around particularly Camperland, Gold Coast and Bundaberg. When it came time to order Camperland came to the party on the price with a bit of haggling. When I first started to price them they were a bit on the high side, but when we had made the decision the swan was they way we wanted to go, and told them we were ready to place an order they were happy to negotiate.
Gold Coast or at least the sales rep we spoke to didn't seem that interested in helping, came across as though he was only there to sell full size vans!!
Bundaberg were close on the money but not worth the 4 hour drive to pick it up, and we thought come time for any work to be done it would be easier going back to where we purchased it from.

Picking ours up in 7 days!!!!!!!   
Good luck with the process!

Mark.

[Sicilianmama]

Yes, I agree.  We have had a 2005 Outback Eagle and have recently upgraded to a 2011 Outback Swan. The layout is the same but the overall length of the Swan is greater.  There is the extra buffet unit in the Swan (good storage).  The dinette is the same size.  The "corner lounge" is slightly longer on the sides (hope that makes sense) which makes it more spacious/comfortable to sit on the side or in the corner.

Funnily enough, we refer to the buffet unit as the "$3,000 cupboard" as a bit of a joke, as it is the most obvious (but not the only) difference between the Eagle and Swan.  We have found this extra cupboard to be invaluable - accessible from inside the camper or from outrside by leaning inside the door. 

We are very happy with the Swan layout - but yes, it is bigger than the Eagle.

Haha yes we agree on the buffet! But we reckon it will be worth the extra dosh, with two kiddies we always need extra space!

[Sicilianmama]

Sicilianmama,

I also rang around particularly Camperland, Gold Coast and Bundaberg. When it came time to order Camperland came to the party on the price with a bit of haggling. When I first started to price them they were a bit on the high side, but when we had made the decision the swan was they way we wanted to go, and told them we were ready to place an order they were happy to negotiate.
Gold Coast or at least the sales rep we spoke to didn't seem that interested in helping, came across as though he was only there to sell full size vans!!
Bundaberg were close on the money but not worth the 4 hour drive to pick it up, and we thought come time for any work to be done it would be easier going back to where we purchased it from.

Picking ours up in 7 days!!!!!!!   
Good luck with the process!

Mark.

Yay for you only 7 days! We chose to order ours for April next year, although I am wishing we could get it earlier as we are so excited!

Yeah I was surprised at the lack of help from the gold coast, we have been there to look and had little help & then made a few phone call inquiries and they are just not very keen on making a sale!

Camperland on the other hand have been very helpful.