RV For Sale - Twelve Useful Steps for Selling Your RV
Selling your RV, motor home, trailer or camper can be a challenge. But, if you handle all or most of the work yourself, you may be able to earn top dollar. Depending on your RV's value, type, age and how well it's been maintained, you could earn thousands of dollars or even more. All it takes is a sound sales strategy, a little time and effort - you could end up with the highest price for your RV, motor home, trailer or camper. Here are 12 useful steps to you maximize your sale price:
Before the Sale
Prepare your RV for Sale, and then get the word out. There are a variety of resources availalbe to let potential buyers know that your RV, motor home, trailer or camper is for sale. All are effective tools to help you complete a successful sale:
1. Get Your RV in Shape to Sell. Read our article "Preparing Your RV For Sale" to understand how to clean, repair and service your RV, motor home, trailer or camper so that it is in prime condition for retail sale. The same rules apply whether you are selling a Class A Motorhome or a Fifth Wheel Trailer.
2. Use a "For Sale" sign. This is one of the simplest sales tools. Simply place one or two "For Sale" signs in easy-to-see locations on your RV, motor home, trailer or camper. Buyers of used RVs often live near RV sellers, and pass by their homes on a regular basis.
3. Remember the realtor's motto: "Location, location, location". If you don't live in a high traffic area, consider parking your RV in such an area for display. Friends who live in or own businesses in high-traffic areas might be willing to let you park your RV on their lot.
4. RV Window Sheet. You should prepare a sheet of paper to placed in the window of your RV, motor home, camper or trailer that answers most questions posed by potential buyers regarding various features of your RV. Include your contact information. Consider having a box of extra RV Window Sheets so that potential buyhers can take a copy home with them.
5. Advertise. One obvious choice is an ad in your local newspapers. You'll also want to use word of mouth and let everyone know that you are selling your RV, motor home, trailer or camper. However, you can reach a broader audience with online classified sites. Online ads tend to be cheaper than newspaper ads. They also let you communicate with potential buyers via e-mail. We recommend that you try the RV Classifieds Networks.
6. Use Complete and Honest Ad Copy. Your ad should start with a complete description of your RV, including the year, make, model, length, width and body style of your RV. Also, include several details about interior and exterior features and accessories. Be sure to include phrases like "original owner" and "low miles" if they are true. Include a photo of your RV, if possible. You should state the price of the RV in order to pre-qualify callers. Depending on how you feel about the price you set, you may also want to add terms like "or best offer," "firm," or "must sell." Don't forget that you should bear in mind what your vehicle is worth, according to published values.
Meeting and Negotiating With Potential Buyers
7. Be Prepared. Before you meet with your first potential buyer, you should be prepared to jsutidy your asking price. Visit several internet RV pricing sites and print the estimates they provide for your RV. Don't simply print out trade-in values, as a dealer would offer you. Also, re-familiarize yourself with as many of the details, features and specifications of your RV as possible -- it will help if you can answer the questions that potential buyers are likely to ask.
8. Be honest. Answer the potential buyer's honestly, and as best as you can. If a buyer complains about a scratch, mark or stain, you may want to remind them that some wear-and-tear is normal for a vehicle of that age and mileage. Every used RV has scratches from road debris, and this is normally accounted for in the asking price.
9. Be Flexible. You probably should leave a little room in your asking price for bargaining. Keep the negotiations open and don't say "no" or "yes" too quickly to any offer unless it is totally unrealistic. Many people negotiate for a used vehicle without knowing its actual value and only want to haggle down the price, but there are buyers who will have done as much research as you have.
10. Be patient. Most RV sales do not occur overnight. Frequently, it takes weeks or longer to sell adn RV. Try not to get frustrated during the sales process.
Completing the Sale
11. Bill of Sale. Use a Bill of Sale (a sales agreement) that describes your vehicle and spells out the agreed upon sales price and other conditions of the sale. Keep a signed copy for your records.
12. Transfer the title. If you still owe money on your RV, you'll need to pay the balance in full before the lien holder will release title. In this case, you will need to meet your buyer at the bank to complete the sales transaction. To release you from any possible liability, inform the Department of Motor Vehicles in writing that your vehicle has been sold.
Congratulations - You are now on your way to selling your own RV !!