Selling Privately vs Trading
After only a year with our 2017 Outback 325BH we are thinking about downsizing to a smaller bunkhouse model. No problems or issues just want smaller. We have no lien on the title so selling outright i...
Forum Discussion
I worked in RV sales for a long time so here it is from an "insider".
Trading is fast and convenient but you will either pay too much for the new camper or take wholesale actual cash value (acv) for you current camper if you don’t approach the deal correctly. The dealership will either take money they would have otherwise used for discounting the sale price and use it to give you an over inflated trade figure or they will discount their sale price steeply and only want to give you bare wholesale.
Keeping in mind in most states you get a tax credit for your trade in and it is not free to advertise your camper for sale (other than craigslist and Facebook which isn't full of big money buyers). So as long as you’re netting out ahead taking into consideration tax credit and advertising cost you will come out better selling the camper on your own at least from having to spend a bunch of time negotiating at a dealership. With it sold you will be in a better position to negotiate a much better selling price on the new camper with less hassle.
If you do decide to trade do not tell the dealership about your trade, they will try to trick you into admitting you currently own a camper asking questions in small talk like "what do you camp in now" or “what is your favorite park to visit” most people slip up and tell them what they have currently. It is in the training taught at almost every RV dealership in America. Wait till after you have negotiated a selling price on the new camper your happy with then put the trade on them. This is called a “trade bogie” and they will hate it but it allows you to have the upper hand in negotiating. You’re going to have to negotiate all over again except this time it’s on the value of your trailer not the sale price you guys have already agreed on. Typically they want to give you 60-70% of wholesale as actual cash value. They need to make a fair profit on your camper after reconditioning cost but you can still get as much as possible for yours. Also do not hesitate to price shop online just make sure you know what fees that they are adding to their advertised price. Also paying cash isnt a neigotating tool like people think as the dealer makes money if you finance with them. If you are financing let them know upfront and let them know you will give them a shot at your financing if they can match/beat your local credit unions. This is a great tool to get a more aggressive selling price as they will hope to make up some lost profit in the back end (financing and warranties).
If you decide to sell it yourself here are some helpful hints:
• Clean everything out of the camper of all personal items, camping equipment, cooking items and nick knacks. Make it look new as possible.
• Take good photos with all of the interior lights on, awing out, empty cabinets and wheels/tires shined up.
• Do not list it anywhere by email because all you will get is flooded with scammers. Only post a phone number and deal in person. If they won’t call you they aren’t a serious prospect. You’re wasting your money paying for an ad that is reply by email only unless you like talking to Nigerian Princes!
• Never meet at your home, always meet at like a Walmart or Home Depot that is big, open and well lighted.
• Remember NADA options is just that, for true options not equipment that come standard on your camper like slide outs, stove, hot water heater, ect…
Good Luck!
Trading is fast and convenient but you will either pay too much for the new camper or take wholesale actual cash value (acv) for you current camper if you don’t approach the deal correctly. The dealership will either take money they would have otherwise used for discounting the sale price and use it to give you an over inflated trade figure or they will discount their sale price steeply and only want to give you bare wholesale.
Keeping in mind in most states you get a tax credit for your trade in and it is not free to advertise your camper for sale (other than craigslist and Facebook which isn't full of big money buyers). So as long as you’re netting out ahead taking into consideration tax credit and advertising cost you will come out better selling the camper on your own at least from having to spend a bunch of time negotiating at a dealership. With it sold you will be in a better position to negotiate a much better selling price on the new camper with less hassle.
If you do decide to trade do not tell the dealership about your trade, they will try to trick you into admitting you currently own a camper asking questions in small talk like "what do you camp in now" or “what is your favorite park to visit” most people slip up and tell them what they have currently. It is in the training taught at almost every RV dealership in America. Wait till after you have negotiated a selling price on the new camper your happy with then put the trade on them. This is called a “trade bogie” and they will hate it but it allows you to have the upper hand in negotiating. You’re going to have to negotiate all over again except this time it’s on the value of your trailer not the sale price you guys have already agreed on. Typically they want to give you 60-70% of wholesale as actual cash value. They need to make a fair profit on your camper after reconditioning cost but you can still get as much as possible for yours. Also do not hesitate to price shop online just make sure you know what fees that they are adding to their advertised price. Also paying cash isnt a neigotating tool like people think as the dealer makes money if you finance with them. If you are financing let them know upfront and let them know you will give them a shot at your financing if they can match/beat your local credit unions. This is a great tool to get a more aggressive selling price as they will hope to make up some lost profit in the back end (financing and warranties).
If you decide to sell it yourself here are some helpful hints:
• Clean everything out of the camper of all personal items, camping equipment, cooking items and nick knacks. Make it look new as possible.
• Take good photos with all of the interior lights on, awing out, empty cabinets and wheels/tires shined up.
• Do not list it anywhere by email because all you will get is flooded with scammers. Only post a phone number and deal in person. If they won’t call you they aren’t a serious prospect. You’re wasting your money paying for an ad that is reply by email only unless you like talking to Nigerian Princes!
• Never meet at your home, always meet at like a Walmart or Home Depot that is big, open and well lighted.
• Remember NADA options is just that, for true options not equipment that come standard on your camper like slide outs, stove, hot water heater, ect…
Good Luck!
