Buying an RV from a Private Seller

Just as the RV Dealer isn't your enemy - the Privateurban jungle. Live and prosper by the law, or live and
Seller can be your best friend. They don't have ANYpay a higher price... still by the law. (I can't believe I
appreciable overhead built into the sale, other thanjust wrote that)Higher motivation = Lower selling
the cost of their advertising, and/or any repairs orpriceMost private sellers are very IMPATIENT. They
refurbishing to be done to the RV.The private seller iseasily tire of the phone calls and missed
usually much more motivated than a dealer. Theyappointments. Many times they tire of NO phone calls
only have ONE unit on which to concentrate theiror ANY appointments to view their RV. This quickly
efforts. Many times their sole intention is to ridmotivates them to consider any and all GENUINE
themselves of the burden of their no-longer-neededoffers.Many times these sellers have found an RV
RV.In RARE cases, they are WISELY selling bythat they wish to purchase upon the sale of their
owner so they can move on to a unit more suited topresent unit. They worry that if their RV doesn't sell
their present needs and desires. This allows them toquickly they'll miss the opportunity to buy their
sell their RV for a higher price than a dealer wouldTARGET unit. This also makes for a very motivated
allow them on trade-in, while still offering a bargain toseller.Most of these sellers realize that if they can sell
their potential buyers.Purchasing from a Private Sellertheir RV for a little more than the RV dealer is
can work to your advantage in many ways:1. Loweroffering on trade-in, they will come out ahead. This is
overhead = Lower selling price.2. Higher motivation =a win-win situation for both buyer and seller. They
Lower selling price.3. No over-pricing to allow forare willing to accept a little over wholesale for their
trade-ins.4. More complete vehicle history.5. A moreRV, and you able to purchase the same unit for
personal transaction.Because of these benefits,MUCH less than if it were for sale by an RV dealer.No
buying an RV from an individual may allow you toOver-Pricing to Allow for Trade-InsHopefully you
save thousands of dollars over buying a similar unitrealize that an RV dealer will ALWAYS take a
from a dealer.You MUST however do your duetrade-in at, or even BELOW wholesale. Also, that
diligence prior to the actual purchase. Any faultysame dealer's "sale price" will nearly ALWAYS be set
systems left unchecked or untested will likelyHIGHER than the actual RETAIL price of any
become your own burden unless discovered PRIORparticular unit. This is done to allow room in the price
to your purchase. In other words: "Caveat Emptor"...to show the buyer a retail price for their trade-in.We
or "Buyer Beware".For now, let's take a look at someknow that there was a time you may have traded a
of the advantages of buying an RV from a privatecar, boat, RV or something else to a dealer (of any
seller.Lower or NO Overhead CostsMost individualkind) and thought you actually received RETAIL on
sellers will incur minimal selling costs when selling "byyour trade-in.You DIDN'T - EVER! If you don't accept
owner". Most of these costs will come fromthis for ABSOLUTE truth, then we have failed in our
advertising in local newspaper classifieds, Internetefforts to educate you in the dealer/individual sales
advertisements or other forms of marketing.Whenprocess.Complete Vehicle HistoryMost RV dealers
compared to the costs incurred by an RV dealer, theDON'T want you to contact the previous owner of a
individual has a major advantage. First of all, theyused RV. Go ahead and try it... Next time you're
have no commissions to pay upon the sale.looking at a used RV, ask the salesman if you can
Commissions in the RV industry are commonly set atcontact the previous owner. You'll be amazed how
approximately 20% of the gross profit.In otherthe salesman can come up with excuses NOT to
words, if a salesman sells an RV for an averagecontact the previous owner... at least not until the
profit of $5,000 - Then $1,000 of that is going to thesale has taken place.It may be reasons of privacy; it
salesman as commission. This is not a concern for themay be against company policy... it will, however be
private seller, therefore sales commission ALONE canvery entertaining.Private RV sellers normally have a
be a potential gain of $1,000 or more to the buyer.much different philosophy. They're TRIHILLED to
(Not to mention the other $4,000 the dealer gainedprovide complete records of service work,
over his wholesale price)Also, because of the minimalmaintenance, storage information, etc. If they don't...
or nonexistent overhead of the individual seller, profityou might want to ask a few more questions. This is
is commonly NOT a motive for selling. In MOSTa good indication of a negligent RV owner. They may
cases, the sellers simply want to rid themselves ofbe passing their headache on to you. Do your
the unit. This usually translates into THOUSANDS ofhomework and ask for as many details about the
dollars in savings.While most private RV sellers will tryunit's history as possible.A more personal
to achieve a RETAIL sales price when the unit istransactionOne of the most gratifying aspects of
initially offered, they rapidly tire of the stresses ofbuying a used RV from an individual is the personal
the sales process and lower their "perceived" valueaspect of the buying process. As a result of your
of the RV. In other words, when they start the salesinvestigation of the RV, you become intimately
process, they have an unrealistic impression of theirinvolved with the seller.Hopefully, the RV you are
RV's value. After dealing with prospective buyers forconsidering has been the seller's prized possession.
a minimal amount of time, they rapidly becomeThey have loved it and taken care of it. They have
educated on the true value of their RV.Seriously,(hopefully) kept complete records on each and every
think about your own experiences. How many timesrepair, improvement and service work done on the
have you tried to sell something for a premium price,vehicle.Selling their prized RV is practically the same as
only to accept a lower, yet HONEST offer for muchlosing a child to college. In many ways, these
less than your original price? It all goes back to theconscientious sellers may seem to be sizing you up as
old saying: "One in the hand is worth two in thea potential owner of their pre-loved RV. However, at
bush." In other words, fatigued sellers WILL accept athe right time, and for the right price... They'd more
bargain price if the offer is GENUINE. It ends theirthan likely sell it to a carnival.Barry Wilder
suffering - so to speak.The key is to FIND thesePresident - Best Rate, Inc.Barry Wilder has been
fatigued sellers when they are weak. Just as theassociated with his family RV business for over 25
predator on the African Plains seeks out the weakeryears. He is currently the owner of Best Rate
and slower prey, you must find the weary seller -Financial Services, providing loans and refinancing for
and strike when they are at their weakest point.RVs, boats and aircraft. They also provide RV and
Ruthless -yes... Unethical - no. It's the law of theBoat Warranties.