Buying out of state

[tjrob2000]

Good morning all,

My wife and I are looking to purchase a 5th wheel from a seller about 1000 miles away. The seller is preferring to receive payment by the end of the month, but we can't pick it up until late June and this is making me a bit uneasy. Has anyone here done a purchase out of state from a private seller and how did you handle the payment?

Tom

[Argosy]

The last one I did was through a bank transfer. I wouldn't give them the money and pick it up a month later though.

[tjrob2000]

I'm thinking the same thing and honestly expect that response. I know the question seems naive I'm just considering the current market. That said, as I've thought more about it we're just gonna have to be willing to risk losing this deal.

[glwinger]

First of all, have you personally seen the trailer, not just pictures and taking the sellers word about the condition? The fact that he wants paid by the end of the month would also make me wonder why he's in such hurry.
Once you transfer the money what happens if you don't want the unit, OR if it's a scam.

[wolfe10]

That is really two separate questions:


How to pay-- Wire transfer is the easiest/safest for both parties. Have his banker give you wiring instructions which you communicate with your bank.


The second and much more sticky issue IMO is transfer of title and possession. There is absolutely NO WAY that I would consider paying and not taking possession of anything! Even if you just go down, take possession and put in a storage lot, you need to have possession and title.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I understand the seller's position - he doesn't want to keep the rig off the market until June 30 and risk having you back out of the deal later. If you want him to hold it for you for 6 weeks, you should be prepared to provide at least a substantial deposit. Nor should you expect him to provide free storage and be responsible for security & damages for 6 weeks.



Ask if he will accept a deposit of 10%-20% to hold it for you. Better yet, go there, ascertain the condition is what you expect, and pay 100%. Get the title, purchase insurance on it, and move it to storage. Then drive it home at your leisure some other time.

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by tjrob2000

Good morning all,



My wife and I are looking to purchase a 5th wheel from a seller about 1000 miles away. The seller is preferring to receive payment by the end of the month, but we can't pick it up until late June and this is making me a bit uneasy. Has anyone here done a purchase out of state from a private seller and how did you handle the payment?



Tom

What model 5th wheel you interested in.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

I understand the seller's position - he doesn't want to keep the rig off the market until June 30 and risk having you back out of the deal later. If you want him to hold it for you for 6 weeks, you should be prepared to provide at least a substantial deposit. Nor should you expect him to provide free storage and be responsible for security & damages for 6 weeks.

Ask if he will accept a deposit of 10%-20% to hold it for you. Better yet, go there, ascertain the condition is what you expect, and pay 100%. Get the title, purchase insurance on it, and move it to storage. Then drive it home at your leisure some other time.

EXCELLENT ANSWER!

Why would you expect him to hold it until the end of June with no payment? You could decide you didn't want it and then he'd be left without another possible buyer during that time.

[tjrob2000]

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

What model 5th wheel you interested in.

Rooster, I'm looking at a 2016 Heartland Landmark 375 Newport. Decked out with victron solar, disc brakes, 4 batteries, res fridge, etc.

[tjrob2000]

Gary, excellent answer and what we are thinking. I agree it's not reasonable to ask him to hold it without some sort of security. We are going to discuss this with him tonight.

Tom

[boiledowl]

One option is to finance it. Let the lender decide how to go about the payment etc...

[tjrob2000]

Originally Posted by boiledowl

One option is to finance it. Let the lender decide how to go about the payment etc...

I already have financing secured. Payment method is up to me.

[Teamfoxy]

We looked for months and finally found a used RV from an out of state dealer back in February. When they sent the paperwork, one of the stipulations was closing within 10 days. I could not guarantee to do that what with winter storms and having to move funds around from different accounts. I even offered to increase the deposit and make it non-refundable, no dice and they refunded our deposit. The next day, a comparable coach was listed on RV Traider with exactly the options we wanted, and it was closer to us, so we bought it. The other coach continued to sit on the dealer's lot for several months.
Do not be afraid to loose a deal because there is always another one. But be ready to act before you negotiate. You can't reasonably expect a seller to wait for you with no commitment and its hard to commit to a coach thats too far away to see.

[tjrob2000]

We negotiated a 10 percent deposit conditional on the inspection with balance due at pickup.