Class A Shopping Not As Advertised

[Duster73]

So my mother contacts me yesterday about a class A Adventurer for sale. It was just posted and the interior pictures looked fairly nice. So I said I would leave work and come help her take a look.

The condition was NOT as expected, in person the motorhome was in very bad condition and I only spent about 5 minutes looking at it before I called the sale off. I didnt even go inside to look at it.

I crawled under the chassis and noticed all the suspension boots were torn, the steering boot was broken and packed with wheel bearing grease. Bad swaybar bushings and to top it off. The multiple mouse nests packed around the frame.

The generator was dripping oil and packed with grass and mouse droppings. Also the driveshaft was half installed with the other end sitting on the driveway.

The online post said it was in good working condition. What a joke! Luckily I have a good idea of what to look for. This was a huge project with who knows what, needing to be done to be 100%


Have you guys/ gals had a bad experience with online ads? As in the product did not match the description?

[TandW]

Carfax is a very deceptive come-on when used by unscrupulous dealers/brokers who are not properly policed by the Carfax organization. IMO

[Backcountry1]

I’ve seen it before, a couple of times with RV’s, but mainly vehicles. A friend of mine years ago bought an older Class B that was supposed to be in “good shape”. Two days later and a couple hundred miles away….. He was looking for a new engine for his now road shoulder stranded RV. In a booming market people try to get away with whatever they can with the hopes that some poor sap will take the deal.

[BCam]

I've usually found that you can tell a lot about a private seller in a phone call. The best private sellers can answer questions, will tell you about the improvements they've made, the problems they've solved, how much they've loved their MH, etc.

Good luck.

[twogypsies]

.... wondering what you said to the owner and his reply....

[US1]

Some view good condition differently than others.

[Sweetbriar]

Considering the current market where a well maintained two year old used rig might sell for about the same price (if not more) when it was new two years earlier everyone is dragging out the long dead rigs from the back of the back yard to see what they can get for it. And unfortunately for soon to be first time owners, who do not understand what they are getting into, they buy the mouse infested, water damaged, hasn't moved in five years rolling disasters. Not much different than 2006 and the housing market. "Buy something, anything, while you can still afford it."

And regarding CarFax and RVs, it is very rare, as in unicorn rare, for a RV service center to participate in the program. If you do pay for a record the most of what you'll find will be DVM entries. Useful to see when and where the license plates are from, change of ownership and such but not much else.

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by TandW

Carfax is a very deceptive come-on when used by unscrupulous dealers/brokers who are not properly policed by the Carfax organization. IMO

Carfax on motorhome? I will agree carfax is only good if problems get reported.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I'd say that's par for the course. Many RV ads are misleading, sometimes grossly so. Whether dealer or private.

[TonyMac]

And people buy these things sight unseen. Good on you.

Fools and their money....

[bneiva]

Sadly, this is a typical story whether you are talking about a car, RV, or a house! While house hunting recently, I couldn't believe the difference between the posted pictures and reality! With the use of photoshop now-a-days, the old saying, " a picture is worth a thousand words" has taken on a different meaning!

Bill

[dons2346]

Should have asked to take it for a test drive!

[Dutch Star Don]

Originally Posted by dons2346

Should have asked to take it for a test drive!

[Ldubs]

This thread reminds me of listings for used boats. "Ran great two years ago. Just needs a carburetor kit".