BEWARE: Numbers Trickery at Camping World
Please keep in mind that the only reason I am giving them 2 stars instead of 1, is that I believe the salesperson was completely innocent in this very deceptive game! My wife and I arrived at Camping World Chattanooga on Sunday around 1100. As COVID's economy has made a huge dent into our budget, yet we still love the outdoors, I was hoping to pick up a small pre-owned camper around 10-12K. We met our salesman while we were looking and explained this to him. He had a 2017 Jayco Jay Feather 16XRB, which really caught our interest. He told us it listed for $14,999, but it was a unit that was forced upon them from another Camping World in Kentucky, so make an offer. We looked the unit up and down and decided to do just that. As we sat down to talk numbers I explained our situation very openly and honestly to the sales rep, who actually admitted he was fairly new. We sat down, and waited for his return. He shared the "starting numbers" with us. Selling price was $14,999.00, Vacation Pack was $695.00, Hitch Work was $995.00 and $45.75 for tag & title, and of course sales tax, which all equaled $18,357.44. This number was not in our budget, so he reminded me to make offer. I made an offer of $10,500 plus tax and tag & title, which like his buyer's order included Vacation Pack and Hitch Work. He left table to meet with sales manager. Salesman comes back 15 minutes later and said sales manager made a counter offer of $14,000.00 plus tax and tag & title. Still out of what my wife and would have felt comfortable spending. We talked a little and decided to go up a bit. I offered $12,250.00 plus tax and tag & title. He then countered again with $13,000.00 "As Is",to which I could not do because I needed the Hitch Work. I then made my last offer of $13000.00 plus tax and tag & title and specifically wrote down includes 2 tires, Vacation Pack and Hitch. The salesman took offer to management and came back asking if I could give up the tires, because Camping Worlds tire prices are too high. I agreed to take the deal, without the tires for $12,800.00 plus tax and tag & title which included Vacation Pack and Hitch Work...no tires. We thought we bought a camper. The problems started when the salesman came back with the paperwork pack. We start signing everything and then get to the numbers. The selling price got back to $14490.00 plus all the extras!!!!! When I thought I was negotiating in good faith, it meant NOTHING to Camping World Management!!!!!! We left and went to calm down and eat some lunch. Camping World succeeded in their plan to make us "fall in love" with the camper, so we finished eating, went back and offered them $500 more or $13,300.00 plus-plus and the manager came out and said no. He did not care that HE had agreed to the $12,800.00 plus-plus number. No integrity to himself, no integrity to Camping World, and total disgust of two people that negotiated in a very open and honest manner. I took pictures of the handwritten buyer's order and the buyer's order they tried to sneak in on my wife and I. If the Chattanooga newspaper would like to print this story, I will be glad to provide them with all the proof they need!! read more