Knowing how to negotiate the price of an RV with a private seller can be tricky. Unfortunately, it’s also something that not everyone is good at doing.
If you want to score the best possible deal, you must sharpen your skills. Luckily, we’ve gathered some tips and tricks to help you.
Today, we’ll share our 10 best tips for negotiating the price of an RV with a private seller.
Let’s dive in!
Yes, you can negotiate the price of an RV with a private seller. Unfortunately, the terms of those negotiations will vary from one transaction to the next. Some sellers may not be willing to entertain negotiations or lower offers, especially at first. However, they’ll be more likely if they’re seeing less interest than they had hoped.
Remember, it’s a business transaction. Don’t take any of it personally. Being respectful and pleasant can go a long way. Although buying an RV is typically considered a luxury, you can always walk away from a deal you feel isn’t making progress.
Pro Tip: If you’re considering buying an RV, be sure to check out Used vs New RV: Tips to Help You Decide… before jumping into a purchase!
Buying from a private seller can be an excellent opportunity to get a quality RV. Using online tools like RV Trader will help you locate privately sold and used RVs in your area. Additionally, if you follow our tips, you may be able to get yourself a steal of a deal.
You have to be able to move fast when dealing with a private seller. They typically want to sell the rig as quickly as possible. Most sellers won’t want to wait for you to secure financing or find a loan that works.
As a result, you must do the financing beforehand. Research your options and find the best possible terms. They’ll likely give you a set amount they’re willing to lend you for your shopping and will sign off on the deal.
Knowing your max budget allows you to eliminate any rigs beyond your capacity. A $150,000 fifth wheel would be nice but may be outside your budget. You don’t want to waste time looking at it if you can’t afford it.
The next thing you need to do is research to discover the RV’s estimated value. The seller will likely do some research and round up. They’ll have sentimental value for the rig, which isn’t worth anything to you.
Use resources like RV Trader and NADA to get started. If you can’t find an exact match, find comparable age, model, and condition units. Remember to consider the value of any extras the seller might include.
Another step in the negotiation process is to ask them why they’re selling it. While a sketchy private seller will disclose everything about the RV, some will hide issues or problems. Hopefully, you’re dealing with an honest individual who will accurately assess its condition.
You need to know if it’s been sitting for a long time or having issues. Depending on the answers, you may need to haul it straight to the shop and have tires or suspension components replaced.
This can help discover issues. Are they having problems? Has it been sitting for a long time?
When learning about the RV, it’s a good idea to inquire about the maintenance history. Anyone who has adequately maintained their rig can quickly answer these questions. If not, there’s a good chance they’re not being honest and didn’t properly care for the rig.
When an RV isn’t maintained, things are more likely to break and malfunction. Unfortunately, these problems become your problems when you invest in a poorly maintained rig.
You’ve hit the jackpot if the private seller can provide a detailed notebook or database of maintenance. This alone is an obvious sign that they likely gave the RV the deserved attention.
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One of the biggest mistakes that buyers make when negotiating is that they display their feelings. Don’t tell them how you feel about the unit, especially if you love it. They’ll be less likely to cut you a deal or reduce the price if they know you love it.
Your best bet in these situations is to remain as neutral as possible. Our general rule is to say as little as possible. Tell them you’ll think about it and get back to them once you’ve had time to process everything.
If you’re willing to put in an offer on the rig, you must hire an inspector. These trained professionals can review the various systems and appliances to ensure they work correctly. While these services may cost you several hundred dollars, they can pay for themselves if they help you avoid investing in a lemon.
Some private sellers may be unwilling to let an inspector go through the rig. We recommend walking away from the deal if the seller declines your request. You never know what they may be hiding or afraid an inspector will discover.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard you try, some sellers may not be willing to budge much on price. You’ll often see this when someone is selling the rig for what they owe on it. Reducing the price would mean they still have to cut a check to the bank.
If the seller doesn’t want to or can’t reduce the price, look for any accessories they can include to sweeten the deal. This may include water, electric, or sewer accessories, generators, or even a washer and dryer if they had one. If they don’t need it, they may be willing to let it stay for you to use.
Ultimately, you must have the ability to walk away from the deal. Negotiating is a two-way street and requires communication and flexibility on both sides. As hard as it might be, you should walk away from any deal you’re not completely satisfied with.
Trust us, there are plenty of other RVs out there, and the perfect one will eventually come along. Getting into an RV can take time and patience, which can be very challenging, especially if you let your emotions get involved.
After you’ve had a chance to look at the RV, this is the time to negotiate. Avoid doing it through text, email, or over the phone. Have reasons to support why you’re requesting a reduction or think your offer is fair. If you find comparable listings, show them to the seller. This lets them know you have options and aren’t afraid to use them.
The owner may still have the original bill of sale. If that’s the case, ask if you can see it so you can see all of the specs. This will help you account for all of the information in the listing and provide some additional information, mainly the original price.
Depreciation can impact an RV, depending on the age and condition of the vehicle. In that case, you want to ensure the price reflects that depreciation. If not, you could be paying more than the rig is worth.
We provided the new owners with this paperwork when we sold our fifth wheel. Additionally, our friends purchased an RV and found the original bill of sale tucked in a drawer. Unfortunately, their price didn’t calculate depreciation, and they paid too much.
Learning how to negotiate the price of an RV private seller takes time. Unfortunately, it’s something that most people don’t learn until they’ve made a few mistakes. This is why you must ensure you’re comfortable with any deal before you agree to it. If you take your time and do research, you can minimize the chances of making a significant mistake.
