Buy From a Private Party or a Dealer?

This is a question I get a lot.

Often times the impression is that you can get a better deal from a private party. I hear things like “I will pay less if I go to Craig’s List and buy from an individual”.

Well let’s break that down.

Fiction:

I pay less when buying from a private party

Fact:

While it may occasionally happen, usually private parties want more for their RV. Most people think their travel trailer, 5^th wheel or Motor Home is worth substantially more than what the market will bear. They may have taken good care if it and have pride of ownership. Just like anything for sale, the market determines what a particular unit may be worth. Dealerships, like Camping World, price the pre-owned units to market. In other words, just because the valuation book may say a unit is worth $20,000, the local market determination may determine a $17,000 value. Our goal is to sell units at a fair price and not to stock inventory.

Fiction:

I have a better choice from private parties.

Fact:

When dealing with one of the largest RV dealers in the Northwest, your selection couldn’t be better. Not only do we have a large selection of quality pre-owned, we also have many choices of new RV’s, often time priced close to a used unit. If the one you went to look at from a private party doesn’t quite fit your needs or the condition isn’t up to snuff, you have to leave and travel to the next private party and the next and so on. We are a one stop shop. If one doesn’t fit your needs chances are we have something else to fit your needs, thus saving you time and money.

Fiction:

The private party says their RV is in good working order.

Fact:

Don’t just take our word for it. We perform a full system check prior to delivery. Our reputation depends on you taking delivery of a fully functioning coach where we have had our techs check out all functions of the coach and assure you are getting what you paid for. When buying from a private party it would be up to you, and your expense, to have the unit checked out. If there are problems you either need to renegotiate with the seller, fix it yourself, (more expense), or turn down the deal (more wasted time and money). At Camping World you can buy with confidence that you are getting what you paid for.

Fiction:

If I need financing when buying from a private party I’ll just go to my bank or credit union.

Fact:

Alas, the private party cannot help you obtain financing and you’d be surprised at how many banks and credit unions don’t offer RV financing. Most banks and credit unions would not finance an RV or they would treat it like a car loan and your rates and terms are not going to be as good as institutions that specialize in financing RV’s.

At Camping World we have many lenders that have some great terms that help make your buying experience easy. Also this saves you the extra time and expense of tracking down your financing. One other thing is that if your credit isn’t perfect and your bank wants either more down payment or shorter terms or declines your loan, you would either have to go to another bank or tell the seller that you cannot buy. Translated: wasted time and effort. We have a very high success rate at helping or buyers obtain financing to meet their needs with very agreeable rates and terms.

In the end it all a matter of perception. If you want peace of mind and assurance of getting the biggest bang for your hard earned buck, Camping World of Burlington has the selection, the financing and service to help make your RV buying experience the easiest for you.

Please feel free to contact me and let’s discuss what you want and need and let me help you find the right RV for you.