RV Dealer vs. Frank Mason: The Real Cost Comparison for Florida Sellers
What dealer consignment actually costs in 2026 — commission, storage, doc fees, and contract lock-in — vs. what a flat-fee consultant costs. Side-by-side, in real dollars, on real Florida units.On a $45,000 Florida RV, dealer consignment costs $5,550–$9,050 in total fees (10–15% commission + storage + doc fees + marketing). A flat-fee consultant costs $497–$1,997 with no commission. The difference is $3,500–$8,553 more in your pocket. On a $70,000 Class A the gap widens to $6,200–$12,003. The dealer model is not wrong for every seller — but most Florida RV owners who run the real numbers choose differently.
I spent nine years as a licensed Florida RV dealer before switching to flat-fee consulting in 2024. I know exactly what the dealer model costs sellers — because I was on the other side of that transaction for nearly a decade. I've seen sellers walk away from $8,000 they didn't know they were leaving on the table. I've watched commission drag turn a reasonable sale into a break-even deal on a unit that had equity. And I've sat across the table from sellers who didn't realize the consignment contract they signed locked them in for 90 days while their carrying costs mounted.
This guide is the comparison I wish every Florida RV seller could see before signing anything. Real numbers. Real scenarios. And an honest accounting of when the dealer model actually makes sense — because it does, for some sellers.
Most sellers compare options based on commission percentage alone. That's the wrong number. The real cost of dealer consignment is commission + storage + doc fees + marketing fees + the opportunity cost of a 90-day contract lock-in while your carrying costs (insurance, loan payments, storage) continue. When you add it all up, the gap between dealer consignment and flat-fee consulting on a $45,000 Florida RV is typically $3,500–$8,500 in the seller's favor — for the flat-fee model.
The Full Cost of Florida RV Dealer Consignment in 2026
Most sellers focus on the commission percentage. That's a mistake — not because commission isn't significant, but because it's only one of four costs the dealer model carries. Here's the complete picture.
Commission: 10–15% of Sale Price
Florida dealer consignment commissions run 10–15% of the final sale price — a range documented by the RV Industry Association and consistent with what sellers report across Florida markets in 2026. On a $45,000 RV that's $4,500–$6,750. On a $70,000 Class A motorhome that's $7,000–$10,500. This is the most visible cost — but dealers often lead with the low end of the range in conversations and contracts. Confirm the exact percentage in writing before signing anything. Some dealers use a net price model instead — you agree on a floor price and they keep anything above it. Run both scenarios to see which costs you less for your specific unit.
Documentation / Admin Fees: $500–$1,200
Florida places no cap on dealer documentation fees — dealers are legally permitted to charge up to $1,200, a rule governed by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. These fees are typically charged regardless of whether your unit sells, or deducted from proceeds at closing. Always ask whether the doc fee is included in the commission or billed separately. On a $45,000 unit with a 10% commission, a $1,200 doc fee raises your effective cost to nearly 13% before accounting for anything else.
Storage Fees: $150–$200 Per Month
While your RV sits on the consignment lot — and the Florida average for consignment time is 60–90 days for travel trailers, longer for Class A units — you may be charged $150–$200 per month in storage fees. Some dealers waive storage as part of their consignment agreement; many don't. On a 90-day consignment at $200/month, that's $600 added to your total cost before the unit sells. Ask specifically whether storage is included and get it in writing.
Marketing / Advertising Fees: $100–$500
Some dealers include marketing in their commission. Others charge separately for premium placement on RV Trader, professional photography, or featured listing status. This fee ranges from $100 to $500 depending on the dealer and the unit. Before signing, ask: is photography included? Is RV Trader premium placement included? Are there any additional charges if the unit doesn't sell within 30 days?
Contract Lock-In: 30–90 Day Exclusivity
Most Florida consignment contracts require 30–90 days of exclusivity — you cannot relist privately or with another dealer during that window. If the unit doesn't sell, you've lost that time. If your carrying costs (insurance, loan payment, storage at your location) run $400–$800/month, a 90-day failed consignment costs you $1,200–$2,400 in addition to the other fees. This is rarely quantified upfront but is one of the most significant real costs of the dealer model.
Side-by-Side Cost Comparison — Real Florida Numbers
Scenario A: $45,000 Florida RV
Scenario B: $70,000 Class A Motorhome
These comparisons assume the RV sells at the same price under both models — which is a conservative assumption. In practice, a flat-fee seller who controls the negotiation (instead of a dealer incentivized to close at any price) often achieves 2–5% higher sale price. That difference compounds the advantage further. The numbers above reflect the cost side only, not the potential price upside.
What Frank's Flat-Fee Model Includes
The Easy Escapes RV model charges a fixed consulting fee with no commission on the sale price. Here's what each package covers:
No commission. No storage fees. No doc fees. No contract lock-in. Frank's incentive is to get you the highest price — not to close fast at any number. That structural difference is worth understanding before comparing options. For the full consulting process, see RV consignment vs. selling yourself in Florida.
The Misaligned Incentive Most Sellers Don't See
Here's the structural problem with dealer consignment that almost never gets discussed directly: the dealer's commission incentive is to close the deal — not to maximize your price.
When a dealer accepts a $2,000 price reduction to close a deal, they lose $200–$300 in commission. You lose $2,000. That's a 7–10x asymmetry in the impact of a price concession. A dealer who "negotiates hard" for you is negotiating hard for something that costs them very little. A flat-fee consultant who negotiates hard for you is negotiating for something that costs them nothing — their fee is already paid.
This isn't a personal failure of any individual dealer. It's a structural feature of commission-based selling that exists in every industry where an agent represents a seller on commission. Understanding it helps you evaluate what "dealer representation" actually means in practice.
Before signing with any Florida RV consignment dealer, get written answers to these five questions: (1) What is the exact commission percentage? (2) Are doc fees included or billed separately — and how much? (3) Is storage included — if not, what is the monthly rate? (4) Is marketing/photography included? (5) What is the minimum contract term and what are the exit conditions? If a dealer resists putting any of these in writing, that tells you something important.
When Dealer Consignment Actually Makes Sense
Four Situations Where the Dealer Model Is the Right Call
For a deeper comparison of all three exit paths — private sale, consignment, and flat-fee consulting — with a clear decision framework, see RV consignment Florida and how much does it cost to sell an RV in Florida. For the consignment commission breakdown specifically, see RV consignment commission rates Florida.
Want to Run the Numbers on Your Specific Unit?
The comparison above uses typical Florida scenarios. Your unit's actual numbers depend on your sale price, your equity position, your timeline, and which package fits your situation. Tell me the basics and I'll tell you what makes sense.
Get the Free Cost Comparison → Flat-fee consulting. No commission. Former licensed Florida RV dealer. Works exclusively for sellers.I Built This Comparison From the Inside
I spent nine years as a licensed Florida RV dealer running consignment operations. I know exactly what the commission model looks like from both sides of the transaction — because I collected those commissions, I charged those doc fees, and I signed those 90-day exclusivity contracts. I built Easy Escapes RV specifically because I watched too many sellers walk away from money they didn't have to leave behind.
The comparison in this post is not theoretical. The numbers are derived from current 2026 Florida industry data, my direct experience running a consignment operation, and hundreds of consulting conversations with Florida sellers who were weighing their options. I've tried to make it as honest as possible — including the situations where the dealer model is actually the right call. If you're an out-of-state executor with no ability to manage showings, a dealer may serve you better than I can. I'll tell you that directly if it's true for your situation.
What I won't do is pretend the commission model is neutral. A 10–15% commission on a $60,000 RV is $6,000–$9,000 out of your pocket. That's real money. And in most Florida private sale situations, a seller who executes the process correctly — right price, right listing, right buyer screening — doesn't need to pay it.
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Not legal, financial, or tax advice. The content on this page is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, tax, or professional advice of any kind. Every RV selling situation is unique. Consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or licensed financial advisor before making decisions based on your specific situation — particularly for matters involving loan deficiency, short sales, repossession, estate transactions, or tax consequences of forgiven debt.
About the author. Frank Mason is a 25-year Florida RV industry professional and former licensed Florida RV consignment dealer (2015–2024). He is not a licensed attorney, CPA, or financial advisor. His guidance reflects professional experience, not licensed professional advice.
Market conditions. RV market values, interest rates, lender policies, and Florida statutes change regularly. Information on this page reflects conditions as of publication date. Verify current figures with appropriate sources before acting.
Affiliate disclosure. Easy Escapes RV may receive compensation from third-party services referenced on this page. This does not influence our recommendations. We only reference services we believe provide genuine value to Florida RV sellers.