Buying in Europe

[Ebbo]

having read Jims guide to buying a MH on here, which has some very good advice I might add, I wondered if anyone had any experience of negotiating a price reduction in France? basically will the advice in the book work for me here?

 

[Lot lover]

I have not read the book. Generally speaking the French set a price that they are convinced a product is worth and are not inclined to deviate.

Despite that we negotiated a discount when we bought our MH from a dealer.

Sometimes it is better to ask for extras rather than a price reduction.

Sorry if I am trying to teach granny etc.

 

[Charente16]

Agreed trying to get a discount off a French dealer is well nigh impossible, but in the current circumstances who knows. As Lot Lover has said they are normally willing to 'throw in' some extras'. Just make sure you know what extras' you want before you sit down with the dealer. In their rush to secure a deal from a 'hooked punter' they will proberbly agree to some high value items (Spare wheel and tyre) as well as the usual Reversing camera and TV which costs them very little. If you want a Navigation System/Gas Bottles or whatever, check - out the 'retail price beforehand (Narbonne Accessories) and get further discounts on those items.

Good Luck

Robert

 

[Ebbo]

Generally speaking the French set a price that they are convinced a product is worth and are not inclined to deviate.

this is pretty much what I thought but just wanted to know if anyone had tried it successfully

I'll try the extras option if I cant get a discount.

 

[Lenny HB]

Always easy to get a good price in Germany or Belgium so why not buy from there.

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[klaatu]

We've bought in France twice now, and also got the impression that trying to negotiate a discount was a waste of time, so we didn't.

When we bought the current one, we got a discount of a few thousand euros off the advertised price without asking. I have no idea why and I didn't ask!

 

[Ebbo]

OK been to another dealer nearby and we have seen the perfect van for us, ticks all our boxes, but am a bit confused as it states there are 4 berths but only 3 seats.
when I checked the spec sheet it said 4 beds, 3 seats, yet there were 2 extra seats with seat belts fitted apart from the driver and front seat passenger, is this normal ? could this be correct , how is the 4th person expected to get there?

answers on a postcard to.........

ok post on here instead

 

[Ebbo]

Also asked at this dealer about getting a discount on the price and was promptly told that the price you see is the price you pay, and that applys to every van and everybody!

 

[Allanm]

There was no negotiation on the price of our van ( France) though the purchase price was considerably cheaper than a similar van in the U.K. and we paid €1 for an auto satellite system with TV and solar panel to be fitted.

 

[Ridgeway]

Options and upgrades are the way to negotiate in many countries, here it's the same. My car dealer hated it when i would turn up with an excel of the price list and upgrade quotes that i had from their service dept. The head line price often stayed the same but i usually managed to get some things thrown in, bike rack, service at 12 months, vignette, 2yr hab control etc. Start with a huge list and be happy to accept 2 or 3 items from it. Few ideas:

Tow hook
External BBQ gas point
Bike rack
Awning
Radio upgrade
External shower (if you have a dog)
2nd leisure battery
Solar panel install

I assume you don't have a trade in ?

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[Ian Bosman]

I have not read the book. Generally speaking the French set a price that they are convinced a product is worth and are not inclined to deviate.

Despite that we negotiated a discount when we bought our MH from a dealer.

Sometimes it is better to ask for extras rather than a price reduction.

Sorry if I am trying to teach granny etc.

The idea of purchasing in France is bound up with red tape as apparently you need a French bank account. The Germans make it easy as you go with the dealer to the taxation office in Germany to complete the transaction and only when that is done is it yours. Look up on line for this subject as there are plenty of people who have done it.

 

[corconx]

having read Jims guide to buying a MH on here, which has some very good advice I might add, I wondered if anyone had any experience of negotiating a price reduction in France? basically will the advice in the book work for me here?

We bought in Paris at the show in 2016. Taking delivery in August 2017

Obviously at the Show there were offers on. Most we would add in any case but the Satellite was only a 65cm (ok for French programmes) but not for UK. SO we negotiated an 85cm instead. Other bits were installed in UK. With stop at Vanbitz on drive home to Cornwall to have Growler fitted.
The Dealers we used were excellent and as Dethleffs we’re delayed on build it mucked up our collecting it. But they covered our expenses for flights, car hire etc.
Best of luck

carol

 

[eurajohn]

Always easy to get a good price in Germany or Belgium so why not buy from there.

Totally agree with that suggestion, I've done that (buy van from Germany) three times since living in France.
Your problems start when registering (immatriculation) in France, it used to be a slightly intimidating visit (or perhaps several) visits to the Prefecture, but now it is all done on line.
The system appears at first glance to be easy and straightforward but with my last one a few months ago, despite having all of the required paperwork my application was rejected, simply asking for more documents, several weeks of to and fro messages on the web site, (there is no way you can actually speak to anyone) and my requesting what additional documents were required and them telling me I'd have to get a "réception à titre isolé " basically a single type approval, I reluctantly went along to the DREAR in Laval. A very helpful man advised me that my application had all of the necessary documents needed, other than the attestation was in German and not French.
I contacted Frankia got the attestation in French and within a day had my registration.

As you doubtlessly know (or will find out) the French love their paperwork and at times it can be downright bloody annoying.

 

[TonyEmm]

Generally speaking the French set a price that they are convinced a product is worth and are not inclined to deviate.

Sometimes it is better to ask for extras rather than a price reduction.

That sounds like a very Portuguese approach! ?