Buying an RV for Sale by Owner

Learn how to buy and finance motorhomes for sale by owner.

(Part 2 of 2)
Go back to Part 1

Most private or "For Sale by Owner" RV sellers are very impatient. They grow frustrated with the many, or not so many phone calls and missed appointments to view their RV. This unfamiliar and often frustrating process quickly motivates many private RV sellers to consider any reasonable offers.

Many times private sellers have payments to make or have already found an RV they wish to purchase upon the sale of their existing unit. They worry that if their RV doesn't sell quickly, they'll miss the opportunity to buy their new and improved unit. All these factors can make for a very motivated seller.

One of the most gratifying aspects of buying a used RV from an individual is the personal aspect of the buying process. As a result of your investigation of the RV, you become intimately involved with the seller.

Most of these sellers realize that if they can sell their RV for even a little more than the RV dealer is offering on trade-in, they will come out ahead. This situation is a win-win situation for both buyer and seller. They are willing to accept a little over wholesale value for their RV, and you able to purchase the same unit for MUCH less than if it were for sale by an RV dealer.

No RV Dealer "Over-Pricing" to Allow for Trade-Ins

Hopefully, you understand that an RV dealer needs to make the trade-in allowance at, or even BELOW trade-in, or wholesale value. Also, that same unit's new "sale price" will nearly ALWAYS be set HIGHER than the ac RETAIL price for the same RV. This universal practice allows the dealer to add enough mark-up in price to show the eventual new buyer, a retail price for their trade-in.

We know that there was a time you may have traded a car, boat, RV or something else to a dealer (of any kind) and thought you actually received RETAIL on your trade-in... You DIDN'T EVER! If you don't accept this for ABSOLUTE truth, then we have failed in our efforts to educate you in the dealer/individual sales process.

Complete Motorhome Vehicle History

Most RV dealers DON'T want you to contact the previous owner of a used RV. Go ahead and try it - Next time you're looking at a used RV, ask the salesman if you can contact the previous owner. You'll be amazed how the salesman can come up with excuses NOT to contact the previous owner - at least not until the sale has taken place. It may be reasons of privacy; it may be against company policy - it will however, be very entertaining.

Private RV sellers normally have a much different philosophy. They're THRILLED to provide complete records of service work, maintenance, storage information, etc. If they don't - you might want to ask a few more questions. This is a good indication of a negligent RV owner. They may be passing their headache on to you. Do your homework and ask for as many details about the unit's history as possible.

A More Personal RV Transaction

One of the most gratifying aspects of buying a used RV from an individual is the personal aspect of the buying process. As a result of your investigation of the RV, you become intimately involved with the seller.

Hopefully, the RV you are considering has been the seller's prized possession. They have loved it and taken care of it. They have (hopefully) kept complete records on each and every repair, improvement and service work done on the vehicle.

Selling their prized RV is practically the same as losing a child to college. In many ways, these conscientious sellers may seem to be sizing you up as a potential owner of their pre-loved RV. However, at the right time, and for the right price - They'd more than likely sell it to a carnival worker.