Can Kit Prices be Negociated?

[Paul Dow]

Sorry if this has been asked a hundred times before, but I'm new to this
group and didn't see it in existing messages.

I was wondering if most or all kit plane prices are fixed, or can they
be negociated like when purchasing a car?

As far as I can see, there are often special Show Prices for many of
them where either a discount is offered, or there are additional options
included in the base price.

Thanks,
Paul

[Rob Turk]

"Paul Dow" > wrote in message
news:Tk7hd.1075$ep3.585@lakeread02...
> Sorry if this has been asked a hundred times before, but I'm new to this
> group and didn't see it in existing messages.
>
> I was wondering if most or all kit plane prices are fixed, or can they be
> negociated like when purchasing a car?
>
> As far as I can see, there are often special Show Prices for many of them
> where either a discount is offered, or there are additional options
> included in the base price.
>
> Thanks,
> Paul

You can always try, but squeezing the last drop out of the deal may not be
worth it. When building a kit you will most likely need the help of the
dealer quite regularly. I'm sure he will be much easier to deal with later
on if you didn't try to get that last $ out of him, which will make your
building experience a lot more joy.

Besides, the kit is only part of the cost. A general rule seems to be 1/3rd
for the kit, 1/3rd for the engine and 1/3rd for the rest. I read this a
while back, and it matches my experience. That said, if you manage to get a
10% discount on the kit, you'll save 3% on the entire project. A happy
dealer will easily make up for that 3% during the building process...

Rob

[Lou Parker]

"Rob Turk" > wrote in message >...
> "Paul Dow" > wrote in message
> news:Tk7hd.1075$ep3.585@lakeread02...
> > Sorry if this has been asked a hundred times before, but I'm new to this
> > group and didn't see it in existing messages.
> >
> > I was wondering if most or all kit plane prices are fixed, or can they be
> > negociated like when purchasing a car?
> >
> > As far as I can see, there are often special Show Prices for many of them
> > where either a discount is offered, or there are additional options
> > included in the base price.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Paul
>
> You can always try, but squeezing the last drop out of the deal may not be
> worth it. When building a kit you will most likely need the help of the
> dealer quite regularly. I'm sure he will be much easier to deal with later
> on if you didn't try to get that last $ out of him, which will make your
> building experience a lot more joy.
>
> Besides, the kit is only part of the cost. A general rule seems to be 1/3rd
> for the kit, 1/3rd for the engine and 1/3rd for the rest. I read this a
> while back, and it matches my experience. That said, if you manage to get a
> 10% discount on the kit, you'll save 3% on the entire project. A happy
> dealer will easily make up for that 3% during the building process...
>
> Rob




What you may want to try instead of negotiating is to ask the kit
dealer if someone is trying to back out of a deal. They may loose
their deposit and it could be put toward your purchase. You will
probebly end up writing a check for the entire remainder, but this way
the dealer doesnt' loose anything, you get a discount and both of you
are happy to do business with each other.
Lou

[Kyle Boatright]

"Paul Dow" > wrote in message
news:Tk7hd.1075$ep3.585@lakeread02...
> Sorry if this has been asked a hundred times before, but I'm new to this
> group and didn't see it in existing messages.
>
> I was wondering if most or all kit plane prices are fixed, or can they be
> negociated like when purchasing a car?
>
> As far as I can see, there are often special Show Prices for many of them
> where either a discount is offered, or there are additional options
> included in the base price.
>
> Thanks,
> Paul

Depends on the manufacturer. Van's ain't gonna negotiate. A small volume
manufacturer might, but if word got out, they wouldn't like it.

If you're looking for a DEAL, try the secondary market. Lots of partially
assembled kits can be found for a good price. In the old days, when an RV-6
tail kit was $900, I bought a tail kit where the guy had more or less opened
the box and closed it back plus about $1,000 in tools he'd purchased. My
total cost was $600 and the guy (who lived 200 miles away) drove 100 miles
to meet me and carry out the transaction.

Keep your eyes open in Trade a Plane if you're interested in that kind of
deal. If you're interested in a popular kit, something will show up.

KB

[Roger]

On Sun, 31 Oct 2004 10:16:10 -0500, Paul Dow >
wrote:

>Sorry if this has been asked a hundred times before, but I'm new to this
>group and didn't see it in existing messages.
>
>I was wondering if most or all kit plane prices are fixed, or can they
>be negociated like when purchasing a car?
>
>As far as I can see, there are often special Show Prices for many of
>them where either a discount is offered, or there are additional options
>included in the base price.

Probably not on the kit price as most come from the manufacturer and
they may even have a waiting list.

OTOH as Kyle said, you might want to look into the secondary market.
It seems to me, that some where I read that well over half the kits
are never finished. That means there are a *lot* of kits out there
from *almost* finished to still in the crate. There are also estates.

I purchased my G-III from an estate. It was the complete kit with
every option available at the time it was purchased and even a few
updates. The only work done was the inventory. They opened up the
box, (very big box), did the inventory and closed it back up. It
wasn't cheap, but still it was way less than the new kit price.

One of the members from the Saginaw EAA chapter has purchased several
RVs in various stages of completion and then finished them. He was
getting so he could build one pretty fast. <:-))

I think he's moved to Florida or Texas now.

Some times the manufacturers will point you to some good bargains. It
is after all to their benefit to get the most of their kits flying
they can in addition to selling them.

Another source would be a builder's group mailing list/reflector. You
should be able to find one for virtually any of the more popular kits.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com
>
>Thanks,
>Paul