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Old 10-01-2013, 03:46 PM   #1
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With autos,the best trade-ins stay w/the dealer & the junk goes elsewhere. RVs also?

I've wondered how the used RV business compares with used cars in that regard. If I got to a new car dealership with a good reputation, I can usually count on his used cars being in good shape. They tend to sell the problem trade-ins to another dealer (or have their own "step down" used car lot elsewhere in town) or they go to mass auctions. Indeed, when I bought my used cars in the Pacific Northwest, my professional auto inspector used to tell me, "At this city's reputable new car dealers, I rarely inspect a used car that flunks the inspection. But when I got to the auto malls here, I rarely inspect a used car that passes the inspection."

So I wondered: Are there any similar dynamics with used RVs? Or is it a whole different ball games? (I assume the latter but surely the best dealers don't want any customers to have a bad experience and never come back. Or is "repeat customers" and customer loyalty basically foreign to the used RV marketplace?

What should I know about the used RV market dynamics that might help me as I shop around?
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Old 10-01-2013, 08:47 PM   #2
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Myself I'd say most 99.99% RV dealerships are out to make a PROFIT and don't care if what you get is good or bad, like a used car lot basically. You have to watch out for yourself because they will sell you a loaded lemon.
I talked to over ten different dealers and they will tell a big one. One my fav's oh yes that 250/2500 truck will pull any thing I got on this lot, but will it be safe? Saw a man about to pull out of a dealership pulling a 40ft Montana with a Nissan 1/2 ton! So that dealer said sure that truck will pull any thing.
There is some dealers out there that are good honest people it's just hard at times to find them. Forums will help by doing searches and learning all you can.

In any/all situation buyer beware!
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Old 10-03-2013, 08:15 PM   #3
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That depends on the lot owner. Some move beaters and some don't. The local Camping World RV sales for instance, do not keep local trade-ins, they move them to a nearby store.

Tumbleweed, I'd like to see a picture of that 40' Montana and Nissan. Just for grins, I once parked our 40' Grand Junction 5er in the driveway and backed my little Chevy Luv under the pin. A few people actually stopped in the road to look closer.
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Old 10-08-2013, 07:17 AM   #4
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The larger dealers usually wholesale the rough units.
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Old 10-08-2013, 09:58 AM   #5
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I'm guessing that if it's an older unit and the dealer likes to keep newer models on his lot then yes he may wholesale it. If it's just a beater unit then whether he keeps old stuff or not he will probably wholesale it too. I've been a few RV lots and have seen some with all types of used RV's on them. Couple years ago I was browsing around a lot looking for a new TT and back off to the side were a couple TT's with huge delam issues. They looked to be 5+ yrs old. Not sure how they could ever sell them.
Interesting observation, the dealer we bought our last new TT from (NorthTrail) has now got out of the new RV business and is selling only newer used RV's. There must be some good money in the used RV business.
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Old 10-08-2013, 01:32 PM   #6
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Quote:
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The larger dealers usually wholesale the rough units.
How would the dealer wholesale a trailer? I've never seen an auction lot for trailers, anyone else? Maybe northern Indiana, I guess. Anyway seems like a lot of expense and travel risks to move a single trailer to an auction location and then the buying dealer has the same issues.
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Old 10-08-2013, 01:39 PM   #7
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Quote:
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The larger dealers usually wholesale the rough units.
This is correct. Most go to auction.
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Old 11-04-2013, 05:09 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray,IN View Post
That depends on the lot owner. Some move beaters and some don't. The local Camping World RV sales for instance, do not keep local trade-ins, they move them to a nearby store.

Tumbleweed, I'd like to see a picture of that 40' Montana and Nissan. Just for grins, I once parked our 40' Grand Junction 5er in the driveway and backed my little Chevy Luv under the pin. A few people actually stopped in the road to look closer.
Ray I can't tell you how many times I wished I had took that picture.
And actually went over and talked to the guy. He probably had good load spring on his truck, air bags and a lot of faith.
Your truck like that would be a great picture.
Sorry I missed your post.
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