You already own one fantastic RV but looking for an upgrade? Or maybe your RV is mostly idle and you feel that you are not getting enough out of your camper?
There can be various reasons why people sell their recreational vehicle. The problem is — most of them do not know what selling option can be the best for them. That is why our auto experts have come up with this comprehensive blog.
In this article, we will discuss consignment and private sale. Plus, we will breakdown all the differences between these two methods and help you make the best decision about selling your RV.
What Is RV Consignment?
Most of you have probably heard this term but do not know what that really means. We will explain that in layman’s terms.
RV consignment is just like the clothing consignment….but on a bigger scale. You handover your recreational vehicle to the third party so that they can sell it for you. The ownership of the vehicle belongs to you throughout the process. They take care of all the negotiations, marketing, phone calls, paperwork and more. Once they find a buyer, they sell it and take a share in the profit. Some companies or dealers may charge additional fees for this.
Most RV consignments take up to 90 days and owners cannot sell it elsewhere or use it during this period. If the dealership cannot sell the RV within this time, you can either take it back or renew your consignment with the dealership.
Owners are advised to have consignment insurance during this window as they are responsible for anything that happens to the vehicle when it is with the dealership. RV owners can use the marketing platforms of the dealership to find buyers. Most reputable users take high-quality videos and pictures of your vehicle to put it on their website. They utilize all their resources to fulfil their digital and conventional marketing needs. If they get any lead, their executive calls them to understand their needs and interests. Remember that you cannot make any other listing or promote your vehicle on any other platform other than the dealer’s one while it is on the consignment.
Here are some essential points to know about RV consignment:
Some RV owners choose a consignment method because they come from rural areas, and they want to avoid marketing, advertising, and more.
Dealerships have required resources to get more exposure for your RV.
Several dealerships offer additional services such as tuneups, detailing, and more. Needless to say, these services are chargeable.
You mostly get one to three months as the consignment period.
What Are The Benefits Of RV Consignment?
All the top-rated dealerships follow RVDA guidelines and allow you to utilize their resources for digital and traditional marketing. As the dealership website has good foot traffic, your RV gets more exposure with them, increasing the sale chances.
The best thing: RV owners do not have to handle phone calls, marketing, inquiries, trade-ins, finance and all. Dealerships try their best to sell your RV faster.
What To Know Before You Close A Consignment Deal?
Such deals can be tricky for some RV owners. If you are one of them, worry not! Here are the things you should know before you sign the contract:
How much is the foot traffic on the dealership website?
What is the length of the consignment contract?
Does your dealer provide any additional services such as detailing, RV tuneups? If yes, what are the charges?
What marketing methods your dealership will use to reach the buyers?
What are the security measures?
Most dealerships work hard to get the best price for your RV. Owners have to make sure they give their vehicle a good cleaning from inside and outside. There should not be any small problems like blown-out light bulbs or loose hinges. In short, all the necessary accessories should be in place to get the top dollar for the vehicle.
Private Sell
Many RV owners believe that they can find potential buyers on their own. This involves all the related things such as marketing, negotiations, follow-ups, inquiries, and more. Even though you don’t have to pay any commission and get to take all the profit, this method comes with many disadvantages and financial risks.
What Are The Benefits of Private Sale?
You can set the selling price and avoid dealer or insurance contracts. Plus, you can utilize any marketing platforms, and the final decision is always in your hands.
Private Sale Can Be Hectic For Owners
Meetings with potential customers and marketing can be very time consuming and expensive. Owners are solely responsible for any fault in the RV, and buyers can sue them for such happenings. Therefore, the owners have to make sure their vehicle is in its prime condition before listing. With a consignment method, dealerships take care of all such things while owners can rest assured.
What To Know Before a Private Sale?
Ensure your RV looks as inviting as possible before you step ahead. Take high definition pictures and videos of your vehicle to upload on the website and your social media accounts.
Typically, January and February are the peak time for selling the vehicle, so listing during this period is recommended.
How To Sell An RV?
Time, efforts, and some wise decisions, this is what it takes to sell your camper. Fortunately, you have got so many resources, just a call away. Some of these resources are obvious, and some are not. However, all of them can be effective to make your selling as smooth as possible.
Follow these essential tips to sell your RV and get top dollar:
Set appropriate price
Enter ad info
Include HD picture & videos
Prepare your RV
Get the paperwork in order
Owners can struggle with some of these factors. Consignment is the best way to avoid such complications and get the best deal for your RV.
FAQs
What Is My RV Worth To Sell?
Setting the right price for selling your RV is your top priority. If you set the price too high, you will not find any buyer. And if you set the price too low, you may find the seller, but then you will miss out on a lot of money.
Dealerships inspect the vehicle thoroughly to determine the worth of your RV. If you are selling it on your own, you have to research and decide the market value.
Where To Sell My RV?
When you decide to sell your RV and move to a new rig, these are your options to get your buyer:
Try online marketplaces like Craigslist, FB Marketplace, & more
Try RV Sale Websites like such as RVtrader & RVT
Go for a consignment deal
Sell to a Dealer or as a Trade-In
Display it in Your Yard/Parking Lot
Camp with a “For Sale” Sign
