Purchase from dealer or private party?

I'm glad that I bought my used TT from the dealership as a beginner. I was also lucky that they really stood by their sale. It came with a 2-month warranty, and I had to take it back for a couple of minor issues. I've also spent a lot of time on the phone with them, and brought it in several times for free help on somethings that I missed on the walk through (information overload)

I doubt there is a hard and fast rule as to whether buying from a dealer or private party offers the best deal on a used RV. Dealers are in a better position to make repairs, offer warranties, and arrange financing. A dealer has to make a profit, but perhaps that's somewhat covered by what he allowed on the trade-in and the sale price of another RV. Private parties can be in a variety of circumstances, some wanting to sell quickly for what they can get, others being able to wait even if their asking price is unrealistic. The condition of used RVs can vary tremendously, too, no matter who is selling. It's the end of the model year, so dealers might be a little more flexible, but it usually pays to check all your options.

I loathe dealers and warranties as well for the most part. I've bought exactly 1 vehicle from a dealer in my entire life. Financing is not a problem thru a credit union for anything worth getting a loan on.
That said I do all my own work on things. Maybe different if I needed a warranty.
Guarantee with the $ I've saved over the years I could "warranty" any major failure on any of the vehicles of toys I have and still be way ahead financially.
That said go to the dealer and buy new. If folks didn't buy a lot of new stuff there would be no good selection of used stuff for me!

There is also another way to look at it, as I and many others did.

After looking at both options I settled on the third option, as outlined in the CLICKY in my signature. :B

If it is a gelcoat finish, you can apply a product such as NewGlass2. This is a product used in the boating industry to correct oxidation and restore the shine. Go to thgeir website for more info.

Jim

How do we know when the exterior is too far gone to be polished up? I am not talking aboit leaks but the outer shell itself....the fiberglass.

I don't think I have much of an option....I want to buy used in order to avoid the new smell and also for the same money I could get a much better quality trailer

MookieKat wrote:
When we buy an RV, which is the better route to go? Dealer or private party?

Doesn't make any difference....what matters is the condition of the unit you are buying (and the price.)

We bought our first RV (a Trail Lite B+) from a dealer. I'm not sure it was even offered but we did not and never would get the extended warranty. It was in good shape and we had no problems with it for the year we used it.

We sold it online and we're "private sellers". There was nothing wrong with it that we knew of. That's not saying it couldn't have laid down along the road on it's way to it's new home but as far as we knew there was nothing mechanically wrong or problems with the RV systems.

Do your research and this forum is a great place to start. Learn what you can about the unit you're interested in and investing in an RV inspection could avoid a lot of hassle.

Good luck!

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.