Dealer or Private Sale -- Which is Best - RV-Dreams Community Forum

foxriverguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dealer or Private Sale -- Which is Best

mikeway · RV-Dreams Family Member

Greetings,

I would buy from a dealer for the simple reason you "normally" recieve some sort of 30 day warranty. Then drive the heck out of during those 30 days. That worked for us, both times. Dealer service usually includes a "walkthrough" that may or may not be just a cursory explanation of your coach systems. Another dealer benefit includes ownership transfers with manufacturer. That is, notifying the manufacturer of the sale and perhaps moving the warranty and so on. A last benefit is some of the dealer percs. We received our RPI and Thousand Trails memberships when we purchased.

Regarding interstate dealers: we have purchased both used coaches from large dealers, one in Seffner, FL and one in Coburg, OR. That said, watch them. The first dealership seems to have changed hands and missions repeatedly. The last time I talked with them I thought I was in a "we tote the note" used car dealership. Deal with them like you would a car dealership. The life time supply of hot dogs may not be worth it.

I know there will be other opinions on this one.

Mike

jmayleben · RV-Dreams Community Member

I may be the exception but I would prefer to deal with a private individual. We looked for a used rig for about a year before we settled on the year and model that we wanted (2000 Winnebago Adventurer 35U). I then spent about 9 months surfing the web and trading emails with numerous people before finding the unit that made the most sense to us. While we were prepared to fly across the country for the "right deal", we found one within an hour of home. We were able to buy it for about 65% of the best price we could find from a dealer. Yes, there were a couple of undisclosed issues but they have been small and easy (cheap) to fix.

It helps that the unit we settled on was driven by a gentleman who would clean the engine compartment after each trip. I think that we did more damage to the rig on the drive home then he did in the first 5 years of ownership

I did have two friends who are mechanics spend time going over it.

The key in buying used is to determine the unit that fits your needs and then patiently search out the "right" one.

John.

Roz · RV-Dreams Family Member

Both of the above are very much on target.

Deciding on the brand, model and floor layout (and in that order) makes sense no matter who you end up purchasing from. Additionally, have a certified RV Tech inspect the RV once you have found a serious contender. This tech is being paid by you to find what is good and what is wrong. This is equally important whether you are considering the purchase from a dealer or from and individual. If the individual offers to have a tech survey the RV, politely decline. In that instance, the tech would not be paid by or working for you.

We have purchased two MH and learned a good bit about human character RVs.

Roz