trade in process

[gmcsmoke]

So if I want to trade in my camper how does the process work in the general sense that I don't need to haul my camper to five different dealers to get a quote do I?

Can you get a ball park estimate that is further negotiated after a walk-through? I've done plenty of vehicle trade ins but you can drive them to and from the lot with ease.

[wannavolunteerF]

I am not sure how the dealer came up with what he offered me on trade, although I suspect it was close to blue book. He was familiar with my TT, in fact I selected the new one from his lot shortly after having my old one in his shop for service. Oh yeah, this is a very small owner managed dealer/service center. Dealt with the owner himself.. he had also dealt with my parents over the years.

[Duck]

The last time I traded in a trailer the dealer gave me a quote for the trade in but based it on being in good condition. They said if there were any major problems found they would have to adjust the trade in value.
Don

[Duck]

The last time I traded in a trailer the dealer gave me a quote for the trade in but based it on being in good condition. They said if there were any major problems found they would have to adjust the trade in value.
Don

[Lantley]

mileshuff wrote:
I've never had a dealer even look at my trade. They make an offer sight unseen. When we reach an agreeable deal for new trailer and trade I then drive my trade on over. Even then, they've never looked at it.

That said, the offer is less than one could get selling themselves. However, used trailers are often difficult to sell and could take quite some time. Also, you'll save on taxes since in most states they're computed on the difference between the new trailer selling price minus the trade value.

Agreed the dealer gave me a quote without seeing my TT at all. They did not really care. My TT was in great shape but it really did not matter.
Dealer never inspected it.
They made me a decent offer however I'm sure I'd made out better selling myself. However selling myself had its own set of issues and pitfalls

[mileshuff]

I've never had a dealer even look at my trade. They make an offer sight unseen. When we reach an agreeable deal for new trailer and trade I then drive my trade on over. Even then, they've never looked at it.

That said, the offer is less than one could get selling themselves. However, used trailers are often difficult to sell and could take quite some time. Also, you'll save on taxes since in most states they're computed on the difference between the new trailer selling price minus the trade value.

[mlh]

Call PPL Motorhomes in Texas. I was interested in trading mine to downsize. I was quoted an absurd amount (or so I thought) by the dealer. I called PPL motorhomes and asked them about it. They gave me the bluebook over the phone which was the same as I was quoted by the dealer. Oh yeah, as mentioned earlier, bring the vaseline to the dealer, but remember, it isn't necessarily the dealer screwing you. It is blue book. Not sure who sets those prices though.

[Caveman_Charlie]

bikendan wrote:
Trade-ins are a losing deal for the buyer.
I've never done a trade-in, vehicle or RV, and never will.
Dealers are like casinos. The House always wins when you do a trade-in.

Yup, that's a better quote then the last one I quoted.

[Caveman_Charlie]

goducks10 wrote:
Take a jar of Vaseline with you, you'll need it unless it's paid down real low or paid off. They'll wholesale it and you'll end up paying MSRP. Best way is to sell it yourself. Then go offer 25-35% off MSRP. Generally if you owe more than they will give you for it then they will eat up some of that with the full RV price. If it's paid off and you don't mind letting it go for a lower than normal selling price, then they should still give you the 25-35% discount. They won't take your trade assuming they could lose money. Wholesale or auction value guarantees they won't lose money.

I mostly agree with this. Depending on what you are trading in you are often better to sell it yourself.

[bikendan]

Trade-ins are a losing deal for the buyer.
I've never done a trade-in, vehicle or RV, and never will.
Dealers are like casinos. The House always wins when you do a trade-in.

[gmcsmoke]

good grief if they're going off book value no wonder you get hosed on trade in. at least with a vehicle they'll give you some credit for condition.

[goducks10]

Take a jar of Vaseline with you, you'll need it unless it's paid down real low or paid off. They'll wholesale it and you'll end up paying MSRP. Best way is to sell it yourself. Then go offer 25-35% off MSRP. Generally if you owe more than they will give you for it then they will eat up some of that with the full RV price. If it's paid off and you don't mind letting it go for a lower than normal selling price, then they should still give you the 25-35% discount. They won't take your trade assuming they could lose money. Wholesale or auction value guarantees they won't lose money.

[midnightsadie]

they don,t really care about your trade in, your gonna loose in the end on the deal. its all in how the deal is written up, they,ll give you more than book for it on paper. but in the end it,ll work out.

[mgirardo]

The few dealers we went to told us they would offer us the wholesale trade-in value of our RV without ever seeing it.

-Michael

[Islandman]

First, figure out the value of your camper, when you start dealing tell the sales person to come to your house to evaluate it if their offer is too low. Someone looking for a sale will go the extra effort to give you what you feel is fair. You may want to check the book value before you start dealing just so you know what they may be offering, also check Craigslist.org for values.