We want to move up to a larger trailer, but don't want trade hassles when we purchase next. I listed the trailer on Craigslist, but are there any reputable, successful, and cost-effective sites, papers, or other ways that we should consider to move our trailer? End of the season sells are extremely difficult unless we give it away, and of that is the case, we might as well trade and reap the sales tax benefits. All thoughts are appreciated.
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edited 08/22/12 02:57pm by an administrator/moderator *
Trade hassles? Sure, they will give you a low ball figure and you can usually negotiate it bit, but you'd be doing that with a private sale too..
Craigs list... Well, if that's not a hassle?? You'll probably get at least one scam offer or low offers or the ones that want to 'test tow' it, etc.. Phone calls, emails, etc..
Trade.. Done deal.. Get new trailer... Enjoy..
That's what I would do if it was me..
Good luck with it and I hope you find that perfect deal!
Mitch
*Anything I post is for entertainment purposes only and what usually works for me.. Your Mileage May Vary..
Here's a craiglist tip (incase you didn't already know): when listing your phone number spell part or all of it out, this prevents your number getting picked up for those automated calls offering to assist you in selling your item (for a fee). Helps cut down on useless phone calls, but that is of course until someone comes up with the software to scan alpha #'s
You will definitely do better selling it yourself. If you haven't had any luck on CL try rewording your ad and making it sound more attractive, maybe drop the price after you get a feel for what the dealer is willing to offer. Talk to dealers who have the type of units you like and get an idea of your true trade in value. To get an idea of true value; if they won't tell you what they are acually giving you, figure a discount of 33% to as much as as 40% off MSRP is doable without a trade in. So use that number to get an idea of what they are acually giving you.
I just went through this looking to upgrade to a fifth wheel. I offered 70% of msrp on a 2012 model that they had a 20% off sale on, and offered to eat some trade in negative equity on a unit I bought from them 9 mos ago, but they were only willing to discount 20% and give me 50% of what I originally paid for mine. Obviously a very bad deal for me. I know I can sell my unit for payoff, $8,000 more than offered for trade, and get a 2013 unit at the dicounts mentioned above.
Anyway in summary, I would get an idea of my true trade in value, or have a good market feel through looking at ads of what your unit is worth, then set your price to sell it quickly so you can take advantage of close outs.
I recently tried to sell my TT on Craigslist, what a hassle. Everyone wants it for practically free, many low-ballers, people say they will come to look and never show up. Or they love the trailer but needs wife's permission first.
Finally didn't have room for two trailers so I made a deal with my Jayco dealer who took it on consignment. It was sold in 10 days.
2012 Ram 2500 Big Horn Crew Cab 8' box
5.7 Hemi, 4x4, 4.10
2009 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 256RKS
Thanks for the replies. We were offered a consignment deal, but I thought the $200 fee, plus $50 per month and 10% commission was a bit high. We could just trade it and be better off. Well, we will see. If we could find long bunks in a bunkhouse for the DS, we'd be more motivated to trade. Right now, I'm thinking to sell ours, have no winterizing obligations, and pick up a good spring deal on a new rig.
How well Craigslist works depends almost entirely on where you live. The more populated the area, the more potential buyers, scammers, quacks, tire kickers, ect. My experience looking for a used TT on CL in my area, was that if it was a reasonable deal, they were gone immediately. I called one person at noon the day the ad was posted and the wife told me her husband was out showing it and they had 6 other calls! I called on mine the day the ad was posted and the only reason I had to wait til the next morning to buy it is the seller wasn't going to be home that evening.
And I wasn't just looking in peak season, I looked all the winter before and they still sold as soon as they came up! A well-worded CL ad with good pictures and a fair price, should get serious responses fairly quickly even at this time of year. Post lots of pics, not just the 4 CL gives you. If you're not sure how to do that, just google putting images in craigslist ad. You upload the pics to a free site and then put a link in the ad. You can put lots of pics up that way.
Had mine for sale or trade recently on Craigslist and RV trader. Ended up trading for just what we wanted. I think if we hadn't been willing to trade we would still have it.
I will never put anything on RV Trader again. Got lots of calls from it. All of them wanting to consign it, finance it, put it on ebay for me, advertise it, etc. Not one legitimate lead.
You must be patient. It took three or four months for us. It's a buyers market and there aren't many buyers.
Don't answer e-mails from CL like "do you still have it", "is your vehicle for sale" If they are not specific don't return the e-mail.
TxTiger writes "You will definitely do better selling it yourself. If you haven't had any luck on CL try rewording your ad and making it sound more attractive.."
Good advice.
Often times rewording a bit, removing a lot of the details will "entice" folks to call and ask or even show up.
Putting in too much detail while it reduces you having to repeat the info also reduces the actual contact of potential buyers. Often times folks skim over within a few seconds and determine they are or not interested.
Couple of pointers, don't over price it and don't under price it. You must remove your own personal value and opinions of how nice it is and realize others may not feel the same way about it. When folks see too high or too low they tend to skip over thinking they will not get a good deal or in the case of too low it could be junk or a scam.
Don't expect it to sell in a few hrs, days, weeks. RV buyers are very picky and finicky bunch, if it isn't a "perfect Layout", color, shape or length they will not be interested.
Basically if you want it gone fast the ONLY way is trading it in.
If you are not in a hurry and want a little more than the dealer offer then you must be willing to be very patient. The right buyer will come along, eventually.
gcloss writes "I recently tried to sell my TT on Craigslist, what a hassle. Everyone wants it for practically free, many low-ballers, people say they will come to look and never show up. Or they love the trailer but needs wife's permission first."
Low ballers happen, so does the reality of folks having a spouse which may want to have some input on where their money is spent. I applaud anyone who is willing to put off a large purchase without having their spouses input.
Often times we tend to price things above what the market is willing to pay, this IS what often happens and most likely folks saw your price and felt they could get something equivalent elsewhere for a better deal.
When selling large items you need to be a bit flexible on price realizing that others may not see the "value" that you may see in your property. YOU are the salesman, you have to "work" at "selling" the features such as layout, color and size. Your trailer is not going to sell it's self.
I sold a 20 yr old 20ft TT through craigslist, it took about 6 weeks to do so and at least 30 "walk throughs" with potential buyers. Often it was too small for their family, or too big and heavy for their tow vehicle. You can't please all... BUT it only takes ONE to like it enough to buy it.
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