When you’ve traveled around in your RV, enjoying the RV lifestyle for a few years and are now ready for less travel, you may be wondering what you might be able to get for it. The process of selling can be more involved than you realize.
How is worth determined? Who makes that determination? These are very relevant questions and this article will give you the 3 basic factors you should research to find out whether you move forward with private sale or work with a consignment RV dealer.
RV Life Was Fun, Now You’re Done
Whether you’ve used your vehicle as full time RVers or enjoyed hitting the road on occasional road trips to national parks, you might be at the point of selling your RV for a more stationary life.
Let’s say your grandkids are growing up and you want to be there to enjoy them. Or you may have other extenuating circumstances that are prompting you to sell. Either way, the value of your rig is probably weighing on your mind. There are ways of finding this out and none of them are difficult, you’ll be happy to know.
Number 1: The RV Appraisal
Who Can You Ask?
Much like national automobile dealers, dealers of new RVs determine prices sometimes in tandem with the manufacturer or according to current market prices. Used RVs are appraised and priced by the pool of buyers for certain models and the condition your vehicle is in when it’s rolled onto the parking lot with a For Sale sign on it.
Sellers of used RV’s may buy your rig outright or sell on consignment. Both types of businesses generally offer appraisals of your RV based on the condition it’s in when you ask. Other businesses like Easy Escapes RV for example, also offer tips and guidance for getting the best selling prices.
The Appraisal Is Key
When buying or selling an RV getting an honest evaluation of the product is very important. No one likes surprises or disappointment with a purchase. That’s why the appraisal process is key to setting a fair price for all parties involved. The right retail price can help potential buyers save money but also give sellers the confidence of knowing they got top dollar, too.
Number 2: Market Conditions
Like everything else you buy, the market conditions also influence the used RV market. Is the RV industry experiencing a slump and are new recreation vehicles a lot cheaper in relation to a used one? Is the model you seek, for example a travel trailer, a very popular one with few available RVs for sale in the United States? Consider these factors then get more specific as to the shape your RV is in.
This process is pretty much the same as it is for any used vehicle. What’s the general condition? How much wear and tear is there; an acceptable amount or are repairs needed? How’d the interior holding up? What condition are the mechanical systems in? Are there broken knobs or non-functioning digital features that have been broken a long time? Are any areas water damaged?
Your appraisal service will give you the results of the extensive checklist used during this process and if they are worth their salt, will also give you recommendations for tweaks or repairs to get the most from the sale.
Number 3: The Pool of Potential Buyers
It can be difficult for a single person out there to get the attention of a potential buyer on their own, or to determine just how in demand your particular model is. You can tell all your friends and family and spread the word on social media but this method is far from scientific.
An RV consignment dealer could be the way to go. They have a ready pool of buyers for every model and can connect your RV with the right buyer in less time to post your rig on Instagram.
Matching the right buyer to the right RV is essential for a great transaction for everyone involved. Should the buyer feel swindled or dissatisfied with their purchase it becomes a major headache that can sometimes last weeks.
A great RV consignment business will qualify buyers; get to know them and their checklist for buying an RV, find out if they want to live in their RV traveling full time or will be staying in an RV park. Is a travel trailer right for them or is a Class B van more suitable? Finding the right buyer will be the best thing your consignment dealer does to ensure peace of mind and a hassle-free sale.
In Conclusion: To truly know your RV’s real potential value you must evaluate your appraisal; market conditions and the pool of potential buyers. Another thing to consider: a consignment specialist constantly has their ear to the ground with regard to all 3 factors discussed in this article. They can save you a lot of time researching these factors on your own; quickly find a buyer for your used RV, streamline the selling process and get your RV sold fast.