When we buy an RV, which is the better route to go? Dealer or private party? Here are just a few things that I could think of.. In terms of:1. Financing2. Extended warranteesOr anything else that you can think of....

Same way you would purchase a vehicle........Depends on your financial situation.Do you have cash?Can you get your own financing?As for 'Extended Warranty (really just a service contract).....most are overpriced way overpriced.

Never purchased a vehicle from a private party.

One plus for purchasing at a dealership is:If you have to finance your purchase a dealership can offer assistance in obtaining a loan. They call and jump thru the hoops for you and prepare the paperwork instead of you running around to banks yourself.Some dealerships offer warranties on used vehicles some don't.If you buy from a private party, you can purchase a used RV warranty from places such as Good Sam.I have bought used RV's from both dealerships and private parties and have never had a problem.That all said there can be lemons in both sectors.Good Luck in finding the perfect RV for you and your family. :C

just remember when you buy used, the previous owner didn't think it was worth what you have to pay for it. sort of like "winning" an auction. you paid more for the item than anybody else in the world would. :)bumpy

Buying used is a bit of a gamble for a newbie. As a newbie are you knowledgeable enough to evaluate a used RV? If you have the knowledge then dealer or private really doesn't matter. Warranties , financing can all be obtained for both sources. If you lack the ability to evaluate a unit then buying new is a better option.

Purchase from dealer or private party? | Good Sam Community

drae0814
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
Buying from a dealer used was the best way for me to go the unit is check from top to bottom and you save half your money buying used. Plus i have been able to ask question as the big dealers would love for you to buy from them again
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Sep 20, 2013
MookieKat wrote:
In our state....some dealers charge as much as $500 for 'doc' fees. I suppose that it could be a point of negotitation.

There is also sales tax...8% for us....on all new and used with dealers. However...I spoke to an AL dealer who said no sales tax idpurchaed and financed from them. So it varies by state.

yep, AL will not charge an out of stater the registration tax. you will pay it however when you title /license/register it in your home state.
and yes, the first thing I do is draw a line thru the doc fees, etc. car dealers lately that I am familiar with have dropped that to $100.
bumpy
MookieKat
Explorer
Sep 20, 2013
In our state....some dealers charge as much as $500 for 'doc' fees. I suppose that it could be a point of negotitation.

There is also sales tax...8% for us....on all new and used with dealers. However...I spoke to an AL dealer who said no sales tax idpurchaed and financed from them. So it varies by state.
Lantley
Nomad
Sep 20, 2013
Bumpyroad wrote:
MookieKat wrote:
Actually, in our area...the private party and dealer prices have been the same, except that there would be no sales tax and doc fees with the private party. .

I thought in most states, or at least from my experience, you don't pay sales tax on vehicles, the state gets their cut from the licensing and registration fees/taxes.
bumpy

I agree the taxes and fees are the same dealer or private party. Either you pay fees at time of purchase from dealer or you pay fees at time of registration to DMV if private party.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Sep 20, 2013
Goldstalker wrote:
New smells better than used hands down. Buy new and just air it out for a few days or spray some Febreze or something not really something to worry about IMHO.

gee, they used to sell aerosol cans of "new car spray". perhaps there would be a market for "old car spray" for those supersensitive to stuff.
bumpy
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Sep 20, 2013
MookieKat wrote:
Actually, in our area...the private party and dealer prices have been the same, except that there would be no sales tax and doc fees with the private party. .

I thought in most states, or at least from my experience, you don't pay sales tax on vehicles, the state gets their cut from the licensing and registration fees/taxes.
bumpy
mark5w
Explorer
Sep 20, 2013
MookieKat wrote:
Thanks for the input, but this thread is meant to be for private party vs. dealer for purchasing.

You'll learn you can't always control the direction of the thread.
MookieKat
Explorer
Sep 20, 2013
Thanks for the input, but this thread is meant to be for private party vs. dealer for purchasing.

The issue that I have with new smells thread is here:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27193341.cfm
Goldstalker
Explorer
Sep 20, 2013
New smells better than used hands down. Buy new and just air it out for a few days or spray some Febreze or something not really something to worry about IMHO.
MookieKat
Explorer
Sep 20, 2013
Actually, in our area...the private party and dealer prices have been the same, except that there would be no sales tax and doc fees with the private party.

We looked at a craigslist fifth wheel and it was musty smelling. We have seen 5ers at dealerships and there have been musty smelling ones and fresh smelling ones. I don't think that there is much difference between the two venues. Trading in is for convenience. some people do not want to go through the hassle of trying to sell privately....having people come to your house, waiting for the right buyer, etc.