Buying a motorhome on Ebay?

[jzlarson]

Hi--I've been looking at the sold MHs on ebay to get an idea of selling prices, and have noticed LOTS of motorhomes listed on ebay--even new ones! It looks like dealers are listing their new 2017 inventory--probably for quick sale before the 2018s really start taking off. I also see quite a few that look promising and are more in the range of what we are looking for--a 10-15 year old used quality 30-35 foot (ish) motorhome, but am nervous about pursuing so I thought I'd see who out there has experience buying on Ebay (I searched the threads and didn't see anything specific about it but maybe I missed it somehow). Also, if you have tips about how to spot a scam on Ebay (I imagine there are some), how the process works (do you ever get to see an Ebay offering in person before you buy and if you don't, what if it isn't as presented?) etc. etc. I have actually never purchased anything on Ebay and a motorhome may NOT be the place to start, but I'm also trying to find all good sources for our perfect "starter" motorhome. (so far I am looking at PPL, RVT, RVTrader, Craig's List, Motorhome Finds and the forum classifieds regularly) Thanks--as always I appreciate all of the excellent advice and the varied opinions and experiences of the members of this forum!

[CLIFFTALL]

Here's a link to some previous threads that will assist.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Ebay...earch=irv2.com

[Cuffemdude]

Any purchase is a risk... I'd consider any deal within a geographic area wherein I'd have the ability to have the rig inspected prior to a purchase. If the owner isn't willing to allow an inspection and test drive, I'd stay away from it. I purchased a motorcycle on eBay. The risk was the $500 deposit and the price of a plane ticket to go get it. The seller had a high rating and even picked me up from the airport. I did a test drive before sealing the deal. It was a good experience but there was risk involved. I could have lost my deposit and wasted the money for the flight to Reno. For a purchase of the size you're considering, I wouldn't bid on anything I couldn't see in-person and inspect first.

[jzlarson]

Thanks! I am going through them and I see a major factor is personal risk tolerance which we are rather "low" on, so I don't see an ebay rv sales bookmark in my future but will continue to keep my mind somewhat open since I also see some nice success stories in there!

[Charlie 5320]

I wouldn't consider a purchase on Ebay unless you could inspect it before the listing ended. I bought one several hundred miles from home 15 years ago. When I went to pick it up it was nothing like the listing, and was in terrible condition, and it was from a high end rv dealer in the south. I lost most of my deposit, but that thing would have never made it home. I did find two other coach's on but not bought on Ebay, because the time ran out on the listing. In both cases I purchased them below what the reserve was, and was happy both times. If I couldn't see or drive before the purchase, I'd forget it.

[gordsett]

I have bought 2 motor homes on EBay in the past. The first was not to Great so fixed it up and resold. The second was a real good rig that I got at a reasonable price. Would not be adverse to purchasing on EBay again. Flew about 2600 miles to pick them up and drove both back home, one from Toronto, Ontario the other from South Carolina. Current motor home from Kelowna B.C,
Small risk for big return. Saved $$$ on all 3 units.

[SeattlePirat]

Do not buy anything anywhere without a contingency for inspection and passing it.

[guardrail53]

In my search for a MH, i too looked at the Ebay auctions, and two dealers come to mind, one in S. Ca., one in S. C. I have heard many stories about them! Mostly bad, but then again some good too! If you are not able to fly in and inspect, or have someone you trust do for you, i would not consider them or any "site unseen" MH purchase!

That said, i have bought two MH's in the last two years, site unseen by me, and have been very happy with them. I did in both cases, have a good friend go look at them in person, and give me the OK! And i am very good at finding, checking out the ad's, and the pic's and have a very good bunch of friends that can go inspect them for me! And i looked close to where the friends lived also, which helped!
The first one was a 20 year old gas class A, from a dealer in Phoenix! It was a good MH, and he had it ready for us, plugged in, fridge running and cold, full of water, ready to go! Paid 11,900 for it! Got in, drove it for 5,000+ miles, no issues, took it back to the dealer, put it for sale on consignment. It was a good MH, just not what i was looking for! Sold it for 900 dls. less than i paid for it, so still way cheaper than renting one for a month and 5K miles!
The next one was from a private owner in Florida, it was on CL, and i still have it, and is the one in my sig. and i plan on keeping it!

If you are very good at looking at the pic's, you will see the things, that the that the dealers/owners are trying to hide, or not show you? Are the outside pic's slightly out of focus, cannot be inlarged, not close? The inside pic's dark, not good quality, those should clues!
Most of these MH's are repo's, bank owned, Auction items, that have not had the best of care! So buyer beware!
In this day of cell phones that have really good cameras, mine has a 23 MGP, and takes great pic's, Anyone submitting crappy pic's, is hiding something!

Good luck with your hunt, and enjoy it! When you find " The One ", you will know! Rail!

[jimmy braden]

The units from a common ebay seller in South Cali are routinely in need of major repairs that are not identified in the listings. I had inspections done on at least 3 units and all needed either gensets or holding tanks. When the items are pointed out to the seller, there always seems to be something that is going to happen in the next few days...

[jacwjames]

We bought our 2nd DP on Ebay but we spent +2 years looking at coaches and on the internet. I was able to go inspect and could not find one thing wrong with it. After mulling over the thought of buying I made an offer that the seller accepted. This was a repo at the start of the economic down turn so I got the coach for 1/2 NADA value at the time, a great deal. Pretty seamless transaction, seller even picked my up at airport late at night to arrange for me to take delivery.

When you are looking at Ebay look at the sellers profile to see what kind of feedback he has. If there is no feedback it means they are new and I would steer away. If there is high percentage of bad feedback it's another red flag. Also see what kind of items they sell, some times they sell lots of small $$$ stuff to get sales and good feedback and only sell large $$$$ items infrequently.

I would never buy an RV without having it inspected. Never pay in full, arrange for a small returnable deposite and pay full price when you pick up the RV.

[jimmy braden]

I know some sellers require feedback be left before you drive the unit off the lot..

[MisterT]

some dealers around the country purchase 'used' RVs and Motorhomes from other RV dealers who have taken them on trade and are not wanting to try to sell them themselves, either due to age, look, model, make, type, etc...

that is their business model as it assures them a greater inventory, and they have to do less 'looking' for units, and more low-ball purchasing, though they are also buying them sight-unseen and rely on the selling dealer for the 'specifics'... listing them on the obvious regular sites is time-consuming and they don't offer the best details, photos, and history you might expect from a private seller.

[Sweetbriar]

As others have posted, with the complexity and cost of a RV I would never consider buying without being able to inspect, in person, the coach. Get the image angle just right and you can hide side wall delamination. Same with just about any defect. If you find the perfect coach spending money for a plane ticket and such to inspect is a prudent measure to consider. The coach I have was listed by a dealer 400 miles from home. On the third weekend drive out I drove the coach home towing the daily driver on a U-Haul dolly.

Never, ever, buy a coach that you can not see and touch or shake the hand of the owner. There a multiple indicators to watch for. Be leery of listings with unusual prices. Most sellers will round a price up into an even $100 or even $1000 increments although the listed price could be what the current loan balance might be. If the seller and coach are physically separated by hundreds of miles is another potential indicator to suspect the listing. Although NADA or such on line price listings should be considered as a ruff guide listings that a price well outside of the listed price range will need to be investigated further. Could be an estate sale and the family just want it gone, today.

[eprman1]

I found mine on ebay. It was listed by an out of state dealer. When I called to ask about it, he gave me the owner's name and number to ask questions directly. It seems that the dealer was listing it as a consignment where he got a fee just for listing it, and more on sale over the minimum agreed price.

Anyway, I contacted the owner and made arrangements to go see it, only 90 minutes away. It was a great couple that could no longer RV. The DW walked in and said "Sold!" before I could even start it. I then did my own PDI and we agreed on terms - one being a professional PDI - and I left my deposit and we awaited our financing.

Meanwhile, the dealer started calling and bugging us and the owner because he had a few people lined up to buy it site unseen. It was in great shape. The owner told him to get lost and held up our deal. They wanted it to go to a camping family that would appreciate it and everything he had done to it rather than just ship it off. We actually became friends with the owner and contact him to see how he is doing every few weeks.

We got lucky. There are lots of scams out there. Be careful.