Time to buy and how pay - RV-Dreams Community Forum

schubi · RV-Dreams Community Member

Time to buy and how pay

Dave MW · RV-Dreams Family Member

Stefan:

I would be willing to accept payment in the form of a cashiers check. Don't be surprised if the seller wants to verify that the cashier's check is not stolen before the title is transferred. The seller may want to look up phone numbers themselves instead of using phone numbers you provide. This may take a day or two. In the mean time, you can check the VIN or serial numbers on the RV to make sure there are no liens against it.

Dave

Russ Ranger · RV-Dreams Family Member

When we purchased our first RV from a private party we both met at our credit union / bank and did the transaction on their location. He drove the RV there and we went inside. They cut the cashiers check right in front of him. We went back out and I drove away in our new to us RV.

It all worked out fine.

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

It sounds like you will be buying from a private party. I don't think that prices will change all that much from one season to another. The new model year here usually starts in the fall, so when you get here we will be maybe half-way through the 2018 model year. The older the vehicle, though, the less that means. Our 1993 ages with the calendar, so it just turned 25.

As for the finances, I'd suggest that you find a US bank that has offices in Germany and talk to them about opening an account for the purpose of having the money to buy the coach, other vehicle, and pay the necessary taxes. I think you would want something like Bank of America, which has offices all over the US. You can access your account from any BofA office. You and the seller could meet at the bank to do the transfer. Buying a car or truck would be less of a hassle IF you buy from a dealer. They will accept your check (as long as it is on a US bank).

schubi · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks all for the postings.

Russ, when you drive away with the RV do you have a own insurance or you had already registered the vehicle ?

Thats one of my Problems, for example when i buy a RV from private in Atlanta an we stay in Washington. I drive to Altanta, go with hin to the Bank of America (for example my bank) and transfer the money to his bank. I must check the title if ist free....

the RV is registered in Montana. So i must send it to the Company in Montana. Is there any way that I can take the vehicle to Washington before ?

otherwise I would have to go to Atlanta again.....

Russ Ranger · RV-Dreams Family Member

My whole transaction was done in Washington, so I have no idea about state to state. I had notified my insurance company ahead of time, so I was covered from day one.

My credit union had a man that specialized in vehicles and he was there to lead us through the paperwork. I knew him from several other transactions through the years. He was a professional that had worked in the auto industry his whole working career.

I would look for the same type of person to help with your transaction.

Credit Unions are a little more customer service oriented than is Bank of America. I've banked with both through the decades.

Just a quick note to anyone suffering through cold weather.... we too are suffering with our coldest day this Winter in Mazatlan.... it topped out at 77....Brrrrrrr. The Mexicans are all wearing their jackets and hoodies.

-- Edited by Russ Ranger on Wednesday 10th of January 2018 03:57:16 PM

Powerstroke2000 · RV-Dreams Community Member

I'm just going through this now, albeit, I'm in Canada and the motorhome is in the USA. We have 'many' hoops to jump through in doing so, which has nothing to do with the money exchange (although the Canadian $ is worth 30% less) as it is moreso to do with the vehicle being checked out in the US side of the border to check the title, then on the Canada side (pay a $300 RIV fee at the border, as well as the taxes) then take it in where they will check to make sure it has seat belts and daytime running lights (it's the law in Canada for the daytime headlights to be operational if it's going to be registered in Canada). When registering/licensing we pay the taxes all over again (pay the same % twice!) and then wait for the government to send a sticker to place on the vehicle from the RIV. (Registrar of Imported Vehicles).
By then, they've squeezed every nickel from you, so you save to then go on a holiday with your 'new to you' motorhome. :)

LiveSmallWander · RV-Dreams Community Member

schubi wrote:
Hi,
we are come from Germany. In a few month we start the full time tour during the States. So we have questions...
Can someone tell me if the Prices to buy an RV changes during the year ? In Germany the Prices in autumn and winter are very low, in the springs high.
Second question:
how i can pay the RV, when i buy from a private seller or a dealer ? Opening a bankaccount and transfer the Money from my bank is the first step, i think. And then...Cashier check ?

Thanks a lot
Stefan

Stefan,

First, I love that you will be coming to explore the United States. I often think a large amount of our own here don't ever see much of this beautiful country. I wish you wonderful travels.

Second, yes, the prices can change, but it all depends on the location in the states. For example, in Florida, buying in November will have you paying the highest prices because that's right after hurricane season and when the real season in Florida is just beginning. However, if you buy up north in Indiana or Ohio in November, you'll likely get a better deal because the camping season is over with.

Finally, you can pay with a cashier check, with cash or possibly with PayPal, depending on the dealer/private party.

Hope this helps!

Benjamin Ehinger

Travelers · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hi

I’m new to this forum, i’m from Canada as well looking to maybe buy in the US as ther’re more choices. Could I get more info

what is involved, I know that HST has to be paid. In your post it seems as you hade to pay twice which makes no sense.

arcaguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

From an old banker - I would look into transferring the money by wire transfer. Talk to your bank before you go shopping - nearly all banks won't do wire transfers on a phone call without some sort of pre-arrangement but with pre-arrangement it can be done. Find the RV you want, do all of your pre-purchase inspections and then have your bank wire transfer the money to the seller's bank. The other way where you go to the financial institution, will work but only if your financial institution is local. Since you live in Germany this is doubtful, maybe Deutche Bank has a local office. The risks for you, the purchaser, is that you transfer the money and the seller then refuses to transfer the title because once a wire transfer is done, it's done. A written purchase agreement before the money is transferred will protect you somewhat. Another way would be to have the money transferred to the sellers financial institution in your name and not give the seller the money until the title is transferred. In this case you would need to make arrangements with the seller's financial institution. Just my thoughts but it can be done you just have to be careful and have cooperative financial institutions and make arrangement beforehand.