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Old 03-16-2014, 06:25 AM   #1
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Taking delivery

We have ordered our new Navion Mercedes Sprinter and it will be ready in mid April.

I asked if I could travel to the Winnebago factory and drive my MH from the factory. The local Winnebago sales rep said that there was a $2,500 charge for this and Winnebago would not discount the delivery charge.

My concern is not so much cost (but the $2,500 add is crazy) but will the break-in be done properly. The Mercedes Diesel engine is a sophisticated engine and proper break-in is important.

I am concerned some yahoo will drive the unit hard to Texas and possibly drag a toad for the trip back. This can't be good for the engine.

What advise would you give me?
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Old 03-16-2014, 10:10 AM   #2
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I think the closest to driving from the factory would be if you purchased it from Lichtsinn RV which is about a mile from the factory. Maybe check with them and see what the best offer they can make for the same motorhome.
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Old 03-16-2014, 10:42 AM   #3
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Taking delivery

Thanks but I have contracted with Camping World in Houston a month ago and my MH is currently being built at the factory.
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Old 03-16-2014, 11:09 AM   #4
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You (and everyone else buying a car, truck, motorhome, etc.) get to pay a fixed delivery charge. Doesn't matter if it goes to a far away state or to the dealership right next to the factory, every unit has the same $$ charge.

Can't imagine your dealership trying to tell you you'd have to pay yet another fee for getting it yourself.

I'd say (since you must, anyway) pay the delivery charge you are obligated to pay just like anyone, then try insisting you are going to pick it up yourself. Might work!
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Old 03-16-2014, 01:58 PM   #5
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As mentioned above, it is not an extra charge. You pay that whether you take delivery at the selling dealer or at the transporter in Forest City. You will actually not be picking it up at the factory, but if you take delivery and live in it for a couple of days, you can take it to the factory to get things fixed if necessary.
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Old 03-16-2014, 11:32 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by SeeTheUSA View Post
You (and everyone else buying a car, truck, motorhome, etc.) get to pay a fixed delivery charge. Doesn't matter if it goes to a far away state or to the dealership right next to the factory, every unit has the same $$ charge.

Can't imagine your dealership trying to tell you you'd have to pay yet another fee for getting it yourself.

I'd say (since you must, anyway) pay the delivery charge you are obligated to pay just like anyone, then try insisting you are going to pick it up yourself. Might work!
I have to disagree, it appears as a delivery charge and is dependent on how much it cost for fuel, tolls and whatever. I have seen the charge be different on the exact same MH due to where the delivery is at. the further away the more it is.
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Old 03-17-2014, 07:38 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by SuperGewl View Post
I have to disagree, it appears as a delivery charge and is dependent on how much it cost for fuel, tolls and whatever. I have seen the charge be different on the exact same MH due to where the delivery is at. the further away the more it is.
Not sure what you are looking at, but a new vehicle destination charge is government mandated . . . it must appear on the manufacturer's invoice (otherwise know as the "window sticker") and is identical for all like-models (no matter if it is delivered one mile or many hundreds of miles). A good example would be the purchase of a new Winnebago . . . if you buy it at a dealership in California or at a dealership in Forest City, IA., "just one mile from the Winnebago factory," the destination charge would be identical.

If there are any other "delivery charges" attempted by a dealer for a new vehicle, I'd be inclined to either question it or run!

Here's an article that gives a bit of insight (is about cars, but applies generally to wheeled vehicles):

Automotive Tools Tips Advice - Kelley Blue Book
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Old 03-17-2014, 09:53 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by SeeTheUSA View Post
Not sure what you are looking at, but a new vehicle destination charge is government mandated . . . it must appear on the manufacturer's invoice (otherwise know as the "window sticker") and is identical for all like-models (no matter if it is delivered one mile or many hundreds of miles). A good example would be the purchase of a new Winnebago . . . if you buy it at a dealership in California or at a dealership in Forest City, IA., "just one mile from the Winnebago factory," the destination charge would be identical.

If there are any other "delivery charges" attempted by a dealer for a new vehicle, I'd be inclined to either question it or run!

Here's an article that gives a bit of insight (is about cars, but applies generally to wheeled vehicles):

Automotive Tools Tips Advice - Kelley Blue Book
The fee itself isn't mandated. The fact is that if there is a fee it must be itemized:
the U.S. government has required this fee be itemized on the sticker based on the fact that it is a direct cost, above and beyond the "overhead"

Beyond that the fee is only standardized to a delivery range of 2,000 miles. The manufacturer can add an additional amount for delivery beyond that range. Winnebago expressly states that there can be additional charges beyond 2,000 miles. This added cost generally applies to vehicles delivered to some Canadian Provinces, Alaska, and some South and Central American countries. If the dealer orders a sufficient number of vehicles the additional fee can be waived.

Winnebago "delivers" several (sometimes dozens) of motorhomes each year to a company called Great Alaskan Holidays. They don't charge an additional delivery fee because the units are delivered by "volunteers" who drive them from Forest City to their destinations in Alaska. The "volunteers" get the free use of the motorhome for the trip. They pay for their own food and fuel.

In this case it sounds like the dealer still wants to collect the delivery cost and the cost of the Pre Delivery Inspection without actually taking delivery or doing the inspection. According to the dealer Winnebago will be charging the standard delivery charge as well as the cost for the PDI no matter who it's delivered to or who picks it up.
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Old 03-17-2014, 10:54 AM   #9
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Driving it from Lichtsinn would allow you to break it in. And if you have the time you could stay in the area staying a few overnights while driving a loop in the area looking for problems that could then be taken care of at the factory.

My concern is not so much cost but will the break-in be done properly. The Mercedes Diesel engine is a sophisticated engine and proper break-in is important.
I am concerned some yahoo will drive the unit hard to Texas and possibly drag a toad for the trip back. This can't be good for the engine. What advise would you give me?
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Old 03-17-2014, 11:09 AM   #10
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I would contact the Winnebago people at the Service Administration by phone or e mail. They can advise you as to whether or not you can pick up your motorhome at the factory, and whether or not there are additional costs. You might also want to ask about whether the dealer is charged the transportation fee and whether they can collect the fee for the PDI if you pick up the unit at the factory.

Here's a link to the "Contact" page on the Winnebago site. The Service Administration number is an 800 number in the middle of the page.

Contact
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Old 03-17-2014, 01:33 PM   #11
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What your are seeing is a very significant factory pickup fee deliberately designed and priced by Winnebago to create a barrier to and discourage factory pickup. I have seen posts like yours in the past and it is highly unlikely you will get it altered. You will also pay the regular delivery fee as well just as the local dealer does for the "one mile from the factory" trip. When you visit the Winnebago factory, you will see they really have no facilities for delivery per se but do have a large and booming service facility that beyond the waiting room - is not accessible by the public. I don't recall ever seeing any concerns about abuse of a new coach during delivery on these forums. Perhaps if I missed them, others can offer comment. All of Winnebago deliveries are handled by a professional delivery firm and I suspect they are equally concerned with proper delivery of the coach as you are. In any event, anyone wanting limited mileage on a Winnebago coach on delivery has to purchase from a dealer close to Forest City.
Good luck with your new coach - I'm sure you will be satisfied if you have it delivered.
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Old 03-17-2014, 02:44 PM   #12
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I don't believe Winnebago sets any fees to discourage picking up a coach at the factory. Several dealers we spoke to when going through the ordering process even touted the fact that we could pick up our new coach at the factory if it was closer to us than the dealer.

The place where we bought our new motorhome from was almost an equal distance from our house as the factory. However the price was several thousand dollars less than the dealer in Forest City.

The standard delivery fee applies to all dealers whether they are 1 mile or 2000 miles from the factory. Automobile manufacturers use the same system to make the playing field even for all dealers. If they charged for delivery any other way the closer dealerships would have a distinct advantage.

The factory has better maintenance facilities than any dealer I've ever seen. We've been allowed in to talk to the technicians working on our coach and later to inspect the final product. They also have a final inspection building geared to check out and operate every system installed on every Winnebago built coach.

When we picked up our last coach at the dealer the rep said he knew nothing about the entertainment system. He was willing to make an appointment for us at the factory so we could learn how it operated from people who test them every day. At the factory we met with one of the senior product training managers to go over some of the changes between our old motorhome and the new one. Everyone went out of their way to make the purchase and delivery process a pleasant experience.

I do agree that the people who deliver the coaches are professionals and do not in any way abuse coaches they deliver. We went on a caravan several years ago with a woman who delivered coaches for several years. She was as professional as they come. I wouldn't have any second thoughts about having a new coach delivered to the dealership.
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Old 04-26-2014, 06:43 AM   #13
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Bobmac is correct....While pricing a new Adventurer 37F I contacted Lichtstinn (SP) and the sales person confirmed the delivery fee applies no matter where you pick it up and it was to protect Winnebago dealers from having people buy from the factory or close to it. I am retired and was going to buy from Lichtstinn if they would waive the delivery fee if I pick it up, they would not and offered to have it delivered to me!! Why the heck would I do that??!! It absolutely is to discourage people from buying close to factory to save dollars. Also, although there may be "professional" delivery drivers, my experience with a Forest River delivered vehicle was bad including interior damage. JK Texas, if you can go pick it up yourself, do it. you are going to pay the delivery fee anyways but the PDI and the trip home will allow you to identify any issues right away.
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Old 04-27-2014, 09:18 AM   #14
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I wouldn't buy a new coach with one or 2 thousand miles already on it, yes I would say some of the drivers don't care and will not treat it as their own.
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Old 04-27-2014, 12:54 PM   #15
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Bobmac is correct....While pricing a new Adventurer 37F I contacted Lichtstinn (SP) and the sales person confirmed the delivery fee applies no matter where you pick it up and it was to protect Winnebago dealers from having people buy from the factory or close to it. I am retired and was going to buy from Lichtstinn if they would waive the delivery fee if I pick it up, they would not and offered to have it delivered to me!! Why the heck would I do that??!! It absolutely is to discourage people from buying close to factory to save dollars. Also, although there may be "professional" delivery drivers, my experience with a Forest River delivered vehicle was bad including interior damage. JK Texas, if you can go pick it up yourself, do it. you are going to pay the delivery fee anyways but the PDI and the trip home will allow you to identify any issues right away.
How many dealerships do you think would exist in California, Texas, Florida or any other state if the delivery fee was calculated by mileage rather than a flat standard fee? The automobile industry has long had the same policy. It eliminates the possibility of a hand full of mega dealerships within a few miles of the factory. The manufacturers want a nationwide dealer network. Not just a handful within a few miles of the production facility.

Also take into account that if all the sales were generated within an area surrounding the production facilities there wouldn't be any parts or service support outside that area. How long would a company last if there was no service available in Washington, South Carolina, or any other state more than a days drive from the factory?

In order for them to remain in business there needs to be a nation wide distribution and support network. That wouldn't exist without leveling the playing field. Charging a flat delivery fee is one way to allow outlying dealers to competitively price their inventory.

As I mentioned earlier Winnebago isn't trying to discourage factory delivery. They're more than happy to do it. Just don't expect to get it cheaper because of it.
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Old 04-28-2014, 06:08 PM   #16
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I too have issues about someone I do not know driving my vehicle. Will they slow down in inclement weather, will they slow down if there is grit on the road?

Who knows?

I did talk to a fellow I know who worked as a test driver for Kenworth.

He says not to worry about the engine. He said Cummins puts each engine on a Dyno and runs it up. It will sit there for 20 minutes while the technicians run it under load and ensure it is producing the HP and running within the specs that it is designed for.

New trucks were delivered to the owner who went out with the truck and went to work.

The engine is governed so I do not have concern with drivers running the stuffings out of it. The delivery service pays for the fuel so they will run a fine line between time and fuel economy.

What I would be the 'most concerned' about is where the driver sleeps, etc. I watched a special about trailer and MH delivery and it was stated the driver is not allowed to sleep in the unit. I would find it hard to believe the driver will go back to his car and climb into the back seat when there is a nice bed hooked to the front of his car.

As with anything there are drivers out there who will follow the rules and those who like some of us will hope for forgiveness rather than permission.

Bottom line is it is best not to know and keeping your imagination under control.
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Old 04-29-2014, 07:40 AM   #17
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That may be true for diesels but not gassers. They get some operation after install but not nearly what you describe for diesels. Who knows what they do when they drive up hills, high revolutions for the engine and the tranny may take a beating. Their only incentive is to get it to destination as soon as they can so they can do another one.
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Old 04-29-2014, 10:42 PM   #18
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I wouldn't buy a new coach with one or 2 thousand miles already on it, yes I would say some of the drivers don't care and will not treat it as their own.
I had a salesman tell me that they did not count the miles from the factory to the dealership (the warranty started when I picked up the machine) and if anything was damaged during the transit the dealership would fix it. (If the windshield or paint had a chip, etc, etc, etc).

Somehow I got the feeling how to tell when the salesman was stretching the truth.
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Old 04-29-2014, 10:44 PM   #19
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RayCyn778 - Agree - I am not comfortable either.
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Old 04-30-2014, 07:12 AM   #20
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I had a salesman tell me that they did not count the miles from the factory to the dealership (the warranty started when I picked up the machine) and if anything was damaged during the transit the dealership would fix it. (If the windshield or paint had a chip, etc, etc, etc).

Somehow I got the feeling how to tell when the salesman was stretching the truth.
With the Ford chassis the warranty starts when the vehicle is delivered to the retail customer. The mileage is noted on the contract. This is considered the 0 point. When we bought our 2001 Adventurer the dealer sent a form to Ford with the mileage on it at the time we picked it up. Ford extended the warranty 3 years and 36,000 miles from that point.

When we bought our 2013 Adventurer they did the same thing. This time the warranty is extended from the date and mileage 5 years and 60,000 miles.

As for delivery drivers, at least the company that delivers for Winnebago hires full time responsible professionals. They take pride in the vehicles they deliver and treat them well. In fact they're better drivers than most owners we've met on the roads.

When a unit arrives at the dealership it's immediately inspected by the dealer. Any problems or damage are reported to both the delivery company and Winnebago Industries. No driver is going to remain employed by the delivery company very long if they abuse the units they're delivering.
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