Side-by-side comparison from someone who ran consignment for 9 years and now helps clients sell privately
Bottom line: Private sale typically nets you $8,000-$12,000 more on a $100,000 RV, but requires significantly more effort. This guide shows you the real math, timeline, and effort for both.
RV consignment vs private sale Florida - if you're comparing these two methods, you're asking the right question. I'm Frank Mason. From 2015 to 2024, I operated an RV consignment dealership in Florida where I charged 10-15% commission on every sale. Now I'm an independent consultant who helps RV owners sell privately and keep that commission for themselves.
I've seen both sides. I know exactly what consignment dealers do (and don't do) for their commission. I know the hidden costs, the timeline reality, and the effort required for each method. And here's what I tell everyone: there's no universally "better" option—it depends entirely on your equity position, timeline, and tolerance for logistics.
But here's what IS universal: most people drastically underestimate how much money they're leaving on the table with consignment, and they overestimate how hard private sale actually is when you have professional guidance.
This guide compares RV consignment vs private sale in Florida using real numbers, real timelines, and real effort requirements. No theory, no generic advice—just the actual comparison based on 25 years in the RV business.
If you're trying to decide between RV consignment vs private sale in Florida, here's what you'll learn:
Let's start with how each method actually works, then we'll compare them side-by-side with real numbers.
From 2015-2024, I ran RV consignment in Florida. Made good money. Charged 10-15% commission. Had a 4.7 Google rating from 40+ happy clients. Profitable business model.
But here's what always bothered me: I knew my clients were leaving $8,000-$12,000 on the table by using my service. Every single time someone dropped off their $80,000 motorhome, I knew I was about to make $8,000-$12,000 for work that took me maybe 20-30 hours total (photos, listing, showings, paperwork).
That's a $300-$600/hour rate. Nice for me. Expensive for them.
And the truth is, most of my clients COULD have sold it themselves if they just knew the process. They weren't paying for some magical sales skill I possessed. They were paying for convenience and for not having to learn the logistics: where to list, how to screen buyers, how to handle title transfer, how to avoid scams, how to structure deposits.
After years of this, I made a decision that probably seemed crazy to my industry peers: shut down the profitable consignment business and become a consultant where I teach people how to sell privately. Now I charge $997-$1,997 to guide someone through private sale instead of taking $8,000-$12,000 in commission.
I make way less per client. But they save $6,000-$10,000 compared to using consignment. That's a better deal for them, and honestly? It's more satisfying work for me. I'd rather help 50 people keep their money than take big commissions from 20 people who could have done it themselves with proper guidance.
That perspective—having done consignment for 9 years and now doing private sale consulting—is what this comparison is based on. I know the real numbers, the real timelines, and the real effort for both. No sales pitch, just honest comparison.
Let's start with RV consignment vs private sale Florida by examining consignment first, since that's what most people consider initially.
You sign a contract with a Florida RV dealer to sell your RV on your behalf. Here's the typical process:
What you're paying: $10,150 for approximately 20-30 hours of dealer work (photos, listing, 3-5 showings, paperwork). That's roughly $340-$500 per hour.
Florida RV consignment dealers typically use one of two commission structures:
Either way, you're typically paying $8,000-$15,000 in commission on a $100K RV. That's the convenience cost.
Bottom line: Consignment works great if you're willing to trade $8K-$12K for total convenience and you have time to wait. If that commission feels painful or your timeline is tighter, keep reading about private sale.
Now let's look at the private sale option and see how the numbers, timeline, and effort actually compare.
Now that your RV is prepared and photographed, it's time to market it. This is where you'll spend most of your time when you sell RV privately Florida—creating the listing, posting it everywhere, and fielding inquiries.
Your listing description needs to accomplish three things: answer common questions, highlight key features, and build buyer confidence. Here's the formula that works:
When you sell RV privately Florida, you want your listing everywhere buyers look. That means 3-4 platforms minimum. Here's where to post:
Cost: $39-$99 for 60-90 days
Reach: Highest quality buyers, most serious
Why: THE premier RV marketplace
Tip: Pay for "featured" listing if budget allows
Cost: Free
Reach: Massive local exposure
Why: Most browsing traffic, fast responses
Tip: Also post in FL RV groups
Cost: $5 in most FL markets
Reach: Good local reach
Why: Still gets traffic, especially budget buyers
Tip: Post in multiple FL cities (Tampa, Orlando, Miami)
RVTrader:
Facebook Marketplace:
Craigslist:
This is where most people waste the most time when they sell RV privately Florida. You'll get tons of inquiries—95% will be tire-kickers, dreamers, or people "just looking." Your job is to quickly identify the 5% who are ACTUAL buyers.
When someone contacts you, use this 3-phase filter:
Phase 1: Auto-Reply (Immediate)
Phase 2: Qualification Questions (When They Reply)
Ask these 3 questions to separate buyers from browsers:
If answers are vague ("not sure," "maybe," "just browsing"), politely say "Feel free to reach out when you're ready to buy."
Phase 3: Serious Buyer Deposit (Before Showing)
This is the secret weapon. Before scheduling ANY showing or test drive:
What happens: 80% of "interested" people will disappear when you ask for deposit. That's GOOD—they weren't serious buyers anyway. The 20% who send it? Those are your actual prospects. Focus ALL your energy on them.
After fielding thousands of inquiries over 9 years, I developed a simple 3-question filter that instantly tells me if someone is a buyer or a browser. These questions eliminate 90% of time-wasters:
Question 1: "What's your timeline to purchase?"
Serious buyers: "Next 2-4 weeks" or "As soon as I find the right one."
Browsers: "Not sure," "Maybe this summer," "Just starting to look."
Question 2: "Have you been pre-approved for financing, or are you paying cash?"
Serious buyers: "Pre-approved for $X" or "Paying cash."
Browsers: "Haven't looked into that yet," "Probably finance but haven't applied."
Question 3: "What have you been driving/living in currently?"
Serious buyers: They own an RV they're trading/selling, OR they have specific plans (full-time, snowbird season).
Browsers: "Don't have one yet, just dreaming" or vague answers.
If they give "browser" answers to 2+ questions, I politely end the conversation: "Sounds like you're early in your search. Feel free to reach out when you're ready to move forward."
This saves HOURS of wasted showings. Early in my consignment career, I'd show RVs to anyone who asked. Spent entire weekends with people who had zero intention or ability to buy. Now? I only show to pre-qualified, deposit-paid buyers. My time went from 20 showings per sale to 3-4 showings per sale.
When you sell RV privately Florida, your time is valuable. Protect it aggressively.
Steps 4-6 require constant communication, quick responses, and knowing how to spot serious buyers. My Complete Sales Package ($997) includes:
You focus on showings, we handle everything else.
Book Free Strategy Call →Let's put RV consignment vs private sale Florida side-by-side using the same $100,000 RV through both methods.
Private Sale nets you $8,651 MORE (8.6% increase in your proceeds)
| Category | RV Consignment | Private Sale |
|---|---|---|
| Net Proceeds ($100K RV) | $91,350 | $100,001 |
| Your Savings | — | $8,651 more |
| Average Timeline | 90-120 days | 30-60 days |
| Your Time Investment | ~2 hours (drop-off/pickup) | 15-25 hours total |
| Upfront Costs | $0 (dealer handles) | $350-$500 (photos, listing) |
| Commission/Fees | 10-15% ($10K-$15K typical) | $0 commission |
| Marketing Quality | Professional dealer marketing | DIY or hire consultant |
| Pricing Control | Dealer has final say | You control everything |
| Buyer Screening | Dealer handles | You screen (use deposit system) |
| Showings/Test Drives | Dealer supervises all | You coordinate (3-5 typical) |
| Negotiation Stress | Dealer buffers you | You handle directly |
| Title/Paperwork | Dealer expertise | You handle (20 mins at DMV) |
| Safety/Scam Risk | Lower (dealer lot, verified buyers) | Moderate (use protocols) |
| Flexibility | Locked in 90-180 day contract | Pull listing anytime |
| Best For | Maximum convenience, have time | Maximum proceeds, have equity |
When comparing RV consignment vs private sale Florida, you're essentially choosing:
Consignment = Pay $8K-$12K for convenience
You're hiring someone to do 15-25 hours of work for you. That's $320-$800 per hour. If your time is worth more than that OR you absolutely cannot handle logistics, consignment makes sense.
Private Sale = Invest 15-25 hours to keep $8K-$12K
You're essentially paying yourself $320-$800 per hour to do the work yourself. Most people would LOVE to make that hourly rate, they just don't realize that's what they're trading away with consignment.
Next section: What if you want private sale proceeds with consignment-like ease? That's where the hybrid approach comes in.
After comparing RV consignment vs private sale Florida, many people ask: "Can I get the best of both worlds? Keep the $8K-$12K commission but still get professional help?"
Yes. That's exactly why I created done-with-you consulting packages.
✓ Keep the full $8,000-$12,000 commission (no 10-15% taken)
✓ Get professional photos, listing, and marketing strategy
✓ Use proven buyer screening system (serious buyer deposits)
✓ Have expert guidance through title transfer and closing
✓ Know exactly what to do at every step
That's the hybrid approach: You do the work, I guide you through it, you keep the money.
Scenario: You have a $100,000 RV and comparing options
You're still netting $7,803 more than consignment, closed 60 days faster, and had professional guidance every step. That's the hybrid approach.
[TESTIMONIAL PLACEHOLDER #1: Private Sale Success Story]
Example: "Was going to consign my 2019 Newmar Bay Star ($95K) and pay $9,500 commission. Frank's Complete Sales Package cost $997. He arranged photos, wrote listing, taught me his buyer screening system. Sold in 34 days for $96,800. Netted $95,453 after Frank's fee. Saved $8,600 compared to consignment and closed 2 months faster."
— [Client First Name + Last Initial], [City] | [RV Model]
Here's what happens in 80% of my consultations:
Client: "I'm thinking about consignment. What do you think?"
Me: "Let's run the numbers. Your RV is worth about $88,000. Consignment dealer will charge 10-12%, so roughly $9,000-$10,500 commission. You'd net $77,500-$79,000. If you sell privately with my $997 package, you'd probably get $87,500-$88,000, minus my fee and $350 in photos, you'd net $86,150-$86,650. That's $7,000-$9,000 more in your pocket."
Client: "Wait, I'd save $7,000-$9,000? What's the catch?"
Me: "No catch. You do the showings. You coordinate with buyers. You handle the closing logistics. I guide you through all of it, but you do the work. Takes about 15-20 hours over 30-60 days."
Client: "So I'm basically paying myself $350-$600 per hour to do the work instead of paying a dealer?"
Me: "Exactly. Most people would love to make $400/hour. They just don't realize that's what they're giving up with consignment."
At this point, 80% choose the private sale route with consulting. The 20% who still pick consignment usually have one of three reasons:
But for the vast majority? Once they see the math clearly—$7,000-$10,000 more for 15-20 hours of guided work—the choice becomes obvious.
That's not a sales pitch. That's just math. And that's why I can be honest about RV consignment vs private sale Florida: I don't benefit from steering you either direction. I show you the real numbers, you decide what makes sense for your situation.
Book a free 30-minute consultation. I'll analyze your RV's value, equity position, and timeline, then show you exactly what you'd net through consignment vs private sale. No pressure, no sales pitch—just honest math and real strategy.
Book Free Strategy Call →Quick answers from someone who did consignment for 9 years and now guides private sales
Typically $8,000-$12,000 more on a $100,000 RV. Consignment charges 10-15% commission, so on a $100K RV that's $10K-$15K. Private sale costs you maybe $350-$500 in photos and listing fees. The difference ($7,500-$14,500) goes straight to your pocket. The exact amount depends on your RV's value and the dealer's commission rate.
Yes, typically 30-60 days vs 90-120 days for consignment. Based on 9 years of consignment data, average time-to-sale was 103 days. With private sale, if you price correctly and market well, 30-60 days is realistic. Why faster? You control pricing, can reduce immediately if needed, and aren't competing with 50 other RVs on a dealer lot.
Private sale matters MORE when you're underwater. Every dollar counts when you have negative equity. If you're $8,000 underwater and pay a dealer $10,000 commission, you'd need to bring $18,000 to closing. With private sale, you'd only need to bring the $8,000 gap. That $10,000 commission difference could be the difference between affording to sell or being stuck. Learn more about underwater RVs →
Consignment: ~2 hours (drop-off/pick-up). Private sale: 15-25 hours total. Here's the breakdown: Photos (hire pro): 2 hours. Listing creation and posting: 3-4 hours. Responding to inquiries: 2-3 hours. Showings (3-5 typical): 5-8 hours. Negotiation and closing: 3-5 hours. Total: 15-25 hours spread over 30-60 days. For $8K-$12K savings, that's $320-$800 per hour of your time.
No, consignment contracts are typically exclusive. If you sign a consignment agreement, you CANNOT list it privately during the contract term (usually 90-180 days). If you find your own buyer during that period, you typically still owe the dealer their full commission—this is in the contract. Some dealers offer "non-exclusive" agreements but most won't because they don't want to invest in marketing when you might sell it elsewhere.
Valid concern, but easily mitigated with proper protocols. Use serious buyer deposits ($100) to filter out 90% of tire-kickers and scammers. Meet in public places or your driveway in daylight. Verify buyer identity before test drives. Accept only verified funds (wire transfer, cashier's check with bank confirmation). Never accept personal checks or Venmo/PayPal for large amounts. With these basic protocols, private sale risk is minimal. Consignment is slightly safer (dealer lot, verified buyers), but the $8K-$12K you save can pay for a lot of security measures if needed.
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