buy from dealer or private seller

[soozcna]

We are looking to buy a newer model class A . We have never bought from a private seller, only dealers. Need some opinions on experiences of buying from Private seller. Which is best, dealer or private? Thanks!

[valhalla360]

BB_TX wrote:
With a dealer, you will likely get less accurate information about the RV. But with a dealer, you MIGHT be able to get undisclosed problems corrected by that dealer. Make sure about what they will do before buying. But price is likely going to be higher also.

Used RV dealers pretty much always do "AS IS" contracts...don't count on them doing squat if an issue shows up after the deal is made.

I wouldn't count on it with a private sale but you'd be surprised how many honest guys will just take care of something minor.

[valhalla360]

A1ARealtorRick wrote:

midnightsadie wrote:
I like private I think they tell you more about the rv and the truth, whats a dealer know about a rv that comes to the lot, really he knows nothing, so he lies his way threw it. buying from a private goes easy things taken care of at the bank. and no hidden fees. and most the time can be bought at a better price from a private.

So, only dealers lie their way THROUGH it, right? Certainly a private owner would never EVER misrepresent or lie about anything, would they? 😉

Anything is possible but I would put my money on the private sale to be more honest.

And with the private sale, you don't get them trying to add dealer prep and other fees after you cut the deal.

[dougrainer]

Nutinelse2do wrote:
Sorry Doug. You are incorrect. In Arizona, there is no tax when you register a privately bought vehicle, be it a motorcycle, or a million dollar motorhome

Yes, registration is expensive....As Desert Captain mentioned, but no, no sales tax

Well you did not read and understand my post. I STATED there is no sales tax. What I posted is HOW Arizona GETS its money. People like you have no comprehension of how insidious the Gov is. Just because they state no sales tax and they think how much better Arizona is. THEY GET THEIR POUND OF FLESH---ALWAYS. They just call it something else and some people have no clue. It still come out of YOUR pocket. And goes to the Government. Doug

PS, Texas has NO state income tax. BUT, Texans pay a higher property tax, but not as bad as a State Income tax.
And what I listed is straight from your State website

[Desert_Captain]

Nutinelse2do wrote:
Sorry Doug. You are incorrect. In Arizona, there is no tax when you register a privately bought vehicle, be it a motorcycle, or a million dollar motorhome

Yes, registration is expensive....As Desert Captain mentioned, but no, no sales tax

Thanks, you beat me to it...

I have purchased a car, 2 motorcycles, 1 popup and a 22' TT and a Polaris Rzr from private parties here in Arizona and have never paid a dime of sales tax. Yes, the registration fees are initially onerous but as noted they drop a bunch every subsequent year, my Class C is almost 7years mine {purchased used from a dealer} and the fees have dropped considerably.

I also enjoy paying approximately 1/4 the property taxes and far less income tax vs what I paid in southern California not to mention that utilities, groceries etc are all a lot cheaper here. Arizona has been a good fit for us as retired folks and the ability to golf, camp, ride my bike or Rzr about 350 days a year is priceless and yes I know, it's a dry heat... much like a Pizza oven.

:B

[Nutinelse2do]

Sorry Doug. You are incorrect. In Arizona, there is no tax when you register a privately bought vehicle, be it a motorcycle, or a million dollar motorhome

Yes, registration is expensive....As Desert Captain mentioned, but no, no sales tax

[dougrainer]

Desert Captain wrote:
The issue of sales tax was mentioned earlier in this discussion. it is worth researching to know where you stand in any given state. Here in Arizona there is no sales tax in any private party transaction. That would represent a serious savings over buying from a dealer and paying around 8 percent.

:C

Base Registration Fee: $8 + $1.50 air quality research fee + vehicle
license tax (assessed value of 60% of the MSRP -
reduced by 16.25% each year).
So, Arizona may not get the sales tax, but they DO get you to pay a large registration fee.
Do you pay sales tax buying car private seller in Arizona?
Yes, you will pay tax on the purchase of the used car. However, you do not pay tax to the private owner at the time of the sale. You pay tax to the DMV when you transfer the title and register the vehicle.
So, you DO PAY, just not at time of transaction. Doug

[RetiredRealtorR]

midnightsadie wrote:
HEY aiarealtor most think your business has lots of not so perfect sales people to.

Do "most" really think that way? You must know hundreds of thousands of people to make that statement.

And yes, there are imperfect people in EVERY profession, and I realize that too (two o's).

But thanks anyway for your timely input. It will certainly be of help to the original poster. :C

[ppine]

Lower price and more honest answers with private owners.
I did by my last trailer from a dealer, because the price was pretty fair and it saved me a long trip out of a state.

[Two_Jayhawks]

Private. I've purchased 2 used units from owners & both transactions went well. Both were honest, helpful, and helpful after the sale. I also sold both of those units private sale and want equally as well. Still talk with both the guys that have my old coach's also.

[dougrainer]

1. You pay sales tax on the state you register the unit. Texas got smart years ago and they use Kelly Blue Book for determining sales tax on Cars and Motorhomes. No more "I paid $100 for it". If the vehicle is truly junk or way below market value, YOU have to prove it's value. Very hard to do.
2. Salesman Lie? I have been in the RV business for 50 years. 41 as a RV Technician. We go thru our used units before sale. You would be amazed at what the former owners did not disclose when they traded in the unit. We even had a customer trade and his used unit had 6 new Michelins. When he returned to close the deal, the Tires were removed and old junk tires were installed. After he was caught he left and returned with the 6 Michelins installed. I would trust a RV dealer way more than a private seller. At least with a dealer you can get it checked out by someone else a lot easier and in most States you may have Legal recourse for any bad result. Going after a Private seller is harder.
3. Buying a Motorhome AND NOT HAVING IT CHECKED OUT BY AN INDEPENDANT MECHANIC IS FOOLISH. House and Chassis Doug

[midnightsadie]

HEY aiarealtor most think your business has lots of not so perfect sales people to.

[Desert_Captain]

The issue of sales tax was mentioned earlier in this discussion. it is worth researching to know where you stand in any given state. Here in Arizona there is no sales tax in any private party transaction. That would represent a serious savings over buying from a dealer and paying around 8 percent.

:C

[BB_TX]

With a private seller, you MIGHT get more accurate information about the RV. And you might not. But likely will get a lower price. But if it turns out there are problems with it you will have little recourse but to pay to fix them. Or litigation.

With a dealer, you will likely get less accurate information about the RV. But with a dealer, you MIGHT be able to get undisclosed problems corrected by that dealer. Make sure about what they will do before buying. But price is likely going to be higher also.

[way2roll]

There are pros and cons to both. Buy from the one that has the model you want at a price you are willing to pay. The rest is just noise. The structure of the deal is slightly different - a dealer is better equipped to set you up with tags, financing, inspections, maybe some service perks etc. Privately the money exchange will need to be sorted out - if the bank holds the title is there a closing process at their bank etc. Every deal is different. A dealer may have an edge on convenience of the transaction but neither are overly complicated deals. If private just make sure it's a secured transaction through a bank or other trusted exchange. If a private seller had a unit I wanted at my price it wouldn't hinder me in the least.

[RetiredRealtorR]

ferndaleflyer wrote:
I would never buy a used unit from a dealer. Dealers like real estate sales people as a rule know nothing about what they are selling. Just in it for the money!

Thanks for that observation! Of course, as a Realtor I resent it. How dare you paint with such a wide brushstroke. Ask your doctor how much he makes, ask your CPA how much he makes, ask your financial planner how much he makes --- of course, NONE of them are in it for the money! 😉 I take pride in my knowledge of the industry and the products I am representing. Maybe that's why I've been in it for so long, and have so many repeat customers and referral customers. Before you slam another profession, please take time to think first.