Checking out El Monte rental sales

[D_E_Bishop]

I have read a lot of posts regarding the purchase of a rental unit and after PMing IAMICHABOD and discussing his experience with El Monte RV, I went to look this afternoon. We are not quite ready to buy but, I was interested in the various rigs they have for sale. The one I liked best from the online ads is the 2005 Jamboree 31W. I looked it up on NADA and the notes on that year and model state that a awning and some other items are standard equipment. I understand that rentals are special ordered without things like awnings, my question is does one deduct from the NADA price because they don't have those items? I feel I should deduct them from the low retail price before making an offer. What do you Guys think?

The salesman that I met with is named Howard and a nice guy but not an RVer. He said I was the first person who ever asked him what brand of converter/charger was in the rig in his 17 years selling RVs. In fact I had to explain what I was talking about. There were several other things I asked about that he was totally in the dark about. Other than that it was a really nice experience and he showed me what I wanted to see, even the one rig that he knew I was just interested in seeing what it looked like. Way out of my stated budget.

I pretty much settled on the Jamboree due to the storage. Most of the "C"s they have only have the one really big rear storage area and that causes the bed to be really high and hard for the DW to get into. Speaking of She who must be obeyed, she came up with this wild scheme, when we finish refurbishing the S&B, sell our condo, buy a Winnie VIA and spend a year traveling around the country and then when we're through touring, go home, sell the VIA and buy a "C" that is big enough to travel with the DGKs and maybe even their Mum on occation. That may be a viable thing but one thing that is important right now is that I spend a lot of time keeping the Bounder running smooth.

[gotsmart]

D.E.Bishop wrote:
Actually yes the price is low in comparison to local prices, however, it is NADA Average Retail. I guess you are all correct, make an offer and see where it goes. What I really like about the rig is that functionally is reminds me of an "A". There is a lot of outside storage, the one big, three door rear compartment is not there. The rigs with that storage have raised the bed so high my DW needs a stool to get into bed at night. She hates that feature. So maybe this weekend she'll go look with me.

If there is no basement door on the back of the MH - AND - if the foot of the bed lifts up for under-bed storage then the MH is likely configured like mine, with the water tank against the back wall of the MH, under the head of the bed.

[Mocoondo]

The way NADA works is that you place check marks in the boxes denoting installed features or options. You would not deduct from the base price if an option is absent. You denote absence of an option by not checking the box. I suspect, however, that the asking price will be significantly lower than any figure NADA will come up with, awning or no awning.

And if El Monte is asking full retail plus value of options for one of their retired rentals, then they are asking way too much.

I find that Cruise America prices their retired rental units at between $6-8,000 below NADA low retail before any "options" are checked.

Rentals are great values because you can buy them for thousands of dollars below fair market value. They are NOT a good deal if you are paying full retail.

[D_E_Bishop]

Actually yes the price is low in comparison to local prices, however, it is NADA Average Retail. I guess you are all correct, make an offer and see where it goes. What I really like about the rig is that functionally is reminds me of an "A". There is a lot of outside storage, the one big, three door rear compartment is not there. The rigs with that storage have raised the bed so high my DW needs a stool to get into bed at night. She hates that feature. So maybe this weekend she'll go look with me.

[garyhaupt]

" I feel I should deduct them from the low retail price before making an offer."

If I am interpreting your comment correctly, it's already a low price...and you want to offer less. Oh sure...go for it.



Gary Haupt

[beckid]

I think you have to consider the price and mileage, condition of the RV and compare to the same unit at another dealer that has everything NADA says it's supposed to have. Then weigh your options.

[ronfisherman]

Make a offer. All they can do is say no or make a counter offer.

[D_E_Bishop]

Okay guys, lots of warnings but not one answer to my question,

"I have read a lot of posts regarding the purchase of a rental unit and after PMing IAMICHABOD and discussing his experience with El Monte RV, I went to look this afternoon. We are not quite ready to buy but, I was interested in the various rigs they have for sale. The one I liked best from the online ads is the 2005 Jamboree 31W. I looked it up on NADA and the notes on that year and model state that a awning and some other items are standard equipment. I understand that rentals are special ordered without things like awnings, my question is does one deduct from the NADA price because they don't have those items? I feel I should deduct them from the low retail price before making an offer. What do you Guys think?"

Maybe I should put it this way. NADA says there should be an awning and a outside entertainment system and a couple of other things. Of course being a rental those things weren't on the rig.

Question; Should I decuct the cost of the standard items that are not there from the asking price if I make an offer?

I think that would be fair. Of course if I found any other problems I would have those fixed or deduct the cost of those too.

[Shipper]

beckid wrote:
I asked for and got the 38 pages of service records that began the day they took delivery in 2008 of the brand new coach, and spent an entire Saturday poring over them and making sure every oil change, generator service, new tires and brakes, and engine service was completed in the specified range Ford recommends.

Service records are very important and a real plus when available, but nothing tells you who used the RV and how it was used. You have no idea how many dogs, cats, or other critters of all shapes and sizes were in the RV during its rental life. Of course I'm sure they would change out the mattress (it's probably a law), but I would bet some don't.

If you buy from an individual, preferably the first owner, you have a reasonable chance of finding out how it was used. Most individuals keep service records, but even if they don't you can usually track them down.

Don't assume that an RV is cheap just because it was a rental unit, you might be surprised at just how low an individual will price his unit to get rid of it. Don't feel that something is physically wrong for them to get rid of it-they may have other circumstances that force them to sell.

[beckid]

I purchased the rig in my sig from El Monte RV in late Feb. this year, and I have all good things to say about the purchase, the service, the coach and the price of the coach. I asked for and got the 38 pages of service records that began the day they took delivery in 2008 of the brand new coach, and spent an entire Saturday poring over them and making sure every oil change, generator service, new tires and brakes, and engine service was completed in the specified range Ford recommends. I noticed that there were more than a couple body repairs - obviously because a renter had backed into or scraped something. But the body and paint look brand new - I've had numerous compliments on it - and people cannot believe what great shape the coach is in. There were a couple "little things" that needed attention - like the microwave carousel rollers were missing a wheel, a couple screens needed attention - really simple things - and EMRV happily took care of everything. I even have the e-mail of their service Supervisor and communicated with him directly on a couple things. I really couldn't be happier with the deal I got and the condition of the coach. Taking it to the Tetons in 23 days 12 hours 1 minute and 30 seconds...but whose counting? OP if you have questions feel free to PM me!
Becki

[Shipper]

Why buy something that you know "has been rode hard and put up wet"? There are lots of good used units owned by well intentioned folks that, for one reason or the other, want or need to sell their RV. The more they need or want to sell-the lower the price.

Don't be afraid to look some distance from your location because pictures and correspondence tell a lot. Most people are honest in their comments if you ask the right questions.

Although some people may be ignorant with their owned RV, they will make a good attempt to take care of it. As stated above, most rental customers probably don't care. Good luck with whatever you do!

[gotsmart]

To the OP:
Hire an RV tech that does service work on both the house and chassis to inspect whatever rig you are seriously interested in. The tech will call out all of the defects that need to be addressed and give you the list. You can use it to (try to) lower the price or demand that the sale won't be completed until the repairs are made. Also have the tech review the vehicle's service history and recommend any service (oil, tranny, differential, etc) that should be performed before you complete the sale.

Why? Because once that former rental unit leaves the lot they will wash their hands of you. Outside of servicing their rental fleet, they are not a retail service center. Service after the sale is something that they don't want to do or expect to do. Other than maybe a replacement for a missing window screen, or a cabinet handle, or possible a replacement pancake light - expect a very cold shoulder. Been there, done that.

BTW - the Cruise America salesperson that sold me my MH is a clueless seat warmer - and told me directly that they knew nothing about RVs.

Also, there's a good chance the included warranty is pathetic. Carefuly read what it covers. If it is not listed then it's not covered. I did not opt for the extended warranty on mine because the language in it didn't make any sense. IMO, poorly written warranties are a Pandora's box for denying claims.

[Earl_E]

All I know (and I shouldn't admit this) is that my son rented a MH when we traveled together on an RV trip to Yellowstone. He drove that MH to places I would never take one...rough roads, steep grades. The generator wasn't working correctly but he ran it the way it was. I'm not advocating his practice, but I sure wouldn't buy a rental if they are treated that way month in, year in and out. My son only used it for two weeks...but months or years? I'd be scared to death to buy one.