Selling a recreational vehicle is a worthwhile endeavor, whether to pocket the money or put it toward the purchase of an RV upgrade. To make a sale, it is important to know the complete history of your RV, have the title ready for transfer and be prepared to provide the Vehicle Identification Number. Above all, make your recreational vehicle sparkle for potential buyers.
When deciding the selling price, understand that your vehicle is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay. Set the price too high and you might get only a few nibbles. Price it too low and potential buyers might wonder if something is wrong with the vehicle to prompt such a "bargain." The trick is to find a fair market price. The Kelly Blue Blue and your local bank are great resources for this. Be honest with yourself about the RV's condition before setting the price.
First impressions are lasting, so make your RV as presentable as possible before putting it on the market. Have it cleaned and detailed inside, washed and waxed outside, repaired and serviced. Unlike an RV showroom, only your vehicle will be on display. Make yours an RV they want to buy.
Choose a marketing strategy. This could include placing a For Sale sign in the front window and parking the RV in your yard or posting a flyer at the local supermarket. It could be as elaborate as placing an advertisement in a local newspaper while parking your RV at a local dealer lot. Do what it takes to get your RV seen by as many potential buyers as possible. Consider taking pictures of your RV from all angles, inside and out, and posting them on auction sites or Internet market sites.
The sale of your RV begins with the first contact with a potential buyer. Be ready to impress them. All potential buyers need to be qualified for lender approval prior to the final sale. Be informative and proud of the RV you are presenting for sale. Answer questions completely, truthfully and concisely, but remember not to come on too strong. Once you have qualified your potential buyer, it might be appropriate to invite him or her to "camp" in your RV overnight and accompany them on a long test drive. This will establish that you are confident the potential buyer will like your RV.
It is time to have your potential buyer commit to spend their money. Be clear about the sales price amount. If the potential buyer is hesitant, the toughest questions you will have to ask are, "Why don't you want to make an offer," and, "Is there a reason you don't want to buy this RV?" Be prepared to counter any concerns that might arise.
To close the sale, you need to have a "clean" title. If there is money owed on your RV, have proper legal documents prepared to process the sale. Do not give possession of the RV to the buyer until you have received secured funds through a banking institution or you have cash in hand. Bank Wire Transfers are often considered the safest mode to receive funds in a sale of this nature. Cashiers Checks are also safe. If you decide to accept a personal check, it is recommended (and fair) that you allow it to clear the bank and wait for verification that the funds are available in your account before giving possession of the RV to your buyer.
