We are just in the beginning stages of researching with the hopes of purchasing a Class A in 6 to 8 months. While many of my questions have been answered as I have already spent countless hours on the Internet, I am also becoming a bit overwhelmed. Today I discovered the National Multi List Service and noticed that these are private sellers with prices on their units substantially less than those of dealers. Which would you recommend? A dealer or a private seller and why? The more I learn the more I realize that I need to learn. We are interested in a used home and I already know there are many things to look for. Any advice will be most greatly appreciated!Thanks in advance.

With a dealer, you can expect that EVERYTHING on your coach will be in working order, or they will make it so. Hence the higher price.With a private sale, things that are not working are cause for negotiating a lower price, as YOU will likely have to pay to fix things, or fix them yourself, after taking possession of the coach.

If YOU have the knowledge to thoroughly inspect a motor home to insure that everything is working correctly, or the knowledge to diagnose what is not working, you will be better off buying from a private party, that has kept complete records. If you read this forum you will find many instances where the dealer has not taken care of warranty repairs or instances where the coach has set at the dealer for weeks waiting for repairs, while the monthly payments go on. If you do not have this knowledge, then it really doesn't matter too much who you chose. You take your chances and hope for the best.

I have purchased from both and after the money changes hands neither are motivated to fix a problem. Moral of the story is to do a thorough walk through with everything operating and check it all. This saved me hundreds on my last purchase. If you are not RV savvy take the rig to a reputable service department for a check over. Money well spent. Best of luck

Thanks so much. Already good advice! As I said we are just starting our research and looking. We have been to three lots, two where we got excellent service although they knew we were just beginning to look and were a few months out of purchasing and then one where - well, even if they had the grandest coach in the world we wouldn't buy from that salesman!

A big factor will be if you have a trade- in. From your post I would assume you do not. A dealer's price is inflated somewhat to give them some "wiggle room" on a potential trade and if you do not have one the private seller is an excellent option for you. Of course what the previous posters have said about inspections and verifying condition are very true.

Private Sellers vs. Dealers | Good Sam Community

Lantley
Nomad
Nov 05, 2013
rgatijnet1 wrote:
If YOU have the knowledge to thoroughly inspect a motor home to insure that everything is working correctly, or the knowledge to diagnose what is not working, you will be better off buying from a private party, that has kept complete records. If you read this forum you will find many instances where the dealer has not taken care of warranty repairs or instances where the coach has set at the dealer for weeks waiting for repairs, while the monthly payments go on.
If you do not have this knowledge, then it really doesn't matter too much who you chose. You take your chances and hope for the best.

Good advice,However if you lack the knowledge buying from a dealer will be more beneficial. If you are not knowledgeable enough to evaluate a rig buying private is buying blind. The same applier to a dealer purchase except you have a short warranty.
hermy
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
A big factor will be if you have a trade- in. From your post I would assume you do not. A dealer's price is inflated somewhat to give them some "wiggle room" on a potential trade and if you do not have one the private seller is an excellent option for you. Of course what the previous posters have said about inspections and verifying condition are very true.
Gauke
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
Thanks so much. Already good advice! As I said we are just starting our research and looking. We have been to three lots, two where we got excellent service although they knew we were just beginning to look and were a few months out of purchasing and then one where - well, even if they had the grandest coach in the world we wouldn't buy from that salesman!
Oasisbob
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
I have purchased from both and after the money changes hands neither are motivated to fix a problem. Moral of the story is to do a thorough walk through with everything operating and check it all. This saved me hundreds on my last purchase. If you are not RV savvy take the rig to a reputable service department for a check over. Money well spent. Best of luck
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Nov 05, 2013
If YOU have the knowledge to thoroughly inspect a motor home to insure that everything is working correctly, or the knowledge to diagnose what is not working, you will be better off buying from a private party, that has kept complete records. If you read this forum you will find many instances where the dealer has not taken care of warranty repairs or instances where the coach has set at the dealer for weeks waiting for repairs, while the monthly payments go on.
If you do not have this knowledge, then it really doesn't matter too much who you chose. You take your chances and hope for the best.
paulcardoza
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
With a dealer, you can expect that EVERYTHING on your coach will be in working order, or they will make it so. Hence the higher price.

With a private sale, things that are not working are cause for negotiating a lower price, as YOU will likely have to pay to fix things, or fix them yourself, after taking possession of the coach.

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