Are We Wrong?

[Solamom]

So we found another RV we wanted to make an offer on...2007 Keystone Passport 280BH. Looked at the trailer a few weeks ago. After seeing it, we emailed the seller to tell him we were interested and wanted to make an offer on it. However, we told him since we are new to RVing, we would like to have it inspected. (Found a great inspector, btw, but he is in no way a friend or relative...found him by referral). The seller emails us back to say he wants $50 to set it up for the inspection and if we are serious we will do it tomorrow (short notice). We are saying to him no way - waive the fee and we will talk!

We had another 07 Passport 280BH inspected back in mid-June. While the trailer looked like it was in great shape the inspector did find about $1500 worth of stuff that needed attention now (new tires, seams replacing, heater serviced, roof needed re-sealing). That seller wasn't willing to negotiate the price to cover the items that needed attention. So we passed on purchasing it since by time we added the additional work to the purchase price, we were w/in a couple thousand of getting a brand new one!!

This one too appears to be in good shape but w/ our last experience, I just feel we really need the inspection to cover our investment.

Are we being unreasonable by not wanting to pay the seller a $50 feel to set it up? Or is this normal? We are new to all this so maybe we are just un-educated as to the used buying market.

Or maybe this is someones way of telling us to go get that new 290BH at the local RV dealer

 

[mnsprk]

Or maybe this is someones way of telling us to go get that new 290BH at the local RV dealer

And you will also get a warranty..

 

[3girlsfun]

Hmm, I am also new to this, but, I see nothing wrong with wanting it inspected. I would also be willing to pay for the inspection. I am confused, the seller wants to have you pay $50 for him to set up the inspection, then you pay for an inspection on top of the $50? Or does the $50 cover the inspection?

I am no leaning towards buying a new one as well, as I like the idea of the warranty. We are also planning on keeping this camper for 10-15 years. (Hopefully) Unless we end up winning the lottery of course. So, the "new" is appealing to me, since we are going to keep it so long.

What we are going to do is attempt to find a 2010 since the 2011 models are out now.

Looking forward to seeing the end result on this one.

 

[Solamom]

Yes, we would have to pay both. We would hire the inspector (unrelated to the seller or to us) to go do the inspection. Then the seller wants a seperate $50 to go get the camper from the storage place and take it to his home to set it up for the inspection.

I guess he thinks we aren't really serious about buying it. We aren't going to pay an inspector everytime we find a camper we kind of like.

 

[ElementCamper]

$50 fee to setup for an inspection from an interested buyer? Move along, nothing to see here, go immediately to the next unit and do not pass Go!

I'd be interested to know if this was a dealer or private party, if a dealer he's a money grubber and if a private party 'they crazy!'

I would never buy a large ticket item without an inspection, your previous experience with the one that had damages should prove that.

 

[3girlsfun]

Hmm, ok, so, I can sort of see the point about wanting $50 for this. I mean, how far away is his camper, and, it is sort of a pain in the a$$. Can the inspector not meet him at the place the camper is stored?

How much does it cost to have the camper inspected?

 

[Solamom]

Private party....from Craigslist.

I am not sure exactly how far. The first time we viewed the camper, we met him at the storage place (he keeps it in covered storage). He told us then his house wasn't far away.

The inspector needs the a/c, fridge running and needs to be able to run water through the system also. Can't do that at the storage place.

 

[medic9016]

You could look as he is trying to hide something wrong with the camper, hoping you will not want to pay the $50 and bring in a legit inspector. Maybe the next person looking will not want to bring in an inspector and he can hide what ever is wrong. I would move on from this one.

 

[AuburnJen92]

When I bought my used MH, I told the salesman (and it was a dealer) that I wanted not one, but two inspections, one from a certified diesel mechanic and one from a RV repair specialist. He was more than willing to do both. I would walk away from this one and not look back. Anyone that wants to charge you a fee to set up something doesn't want to sell you a camper. Protect yourself, not the seller.

 

[des1954]

Hmmmm.... the seller wants you to pay him $50 to set up the unit he is trying to sell, so you can have it inspected with the ultimate goal of possibly buying the unit the seller wants to sell? Is the seller out of his muckin find??

Move along, dear. It's a buyer's market.

Then again, I'd be mean enough to say "sure, I'll pay your fee", and then not show up.

 

[grumpythis]

I agree with everybody ealse if he really wanted to sell it it would already
be at his house so maby he`s trying to hide something walk away
to many others on the market

 

[3girlsfun]

I have thought about this more, and DH and I talked over dinner. Everyone is right. NEXT!!!

 

[jugman]

First,if they really wanted to sell they wouldn't want any money. Second, if the used prices are that close to new prices then they are WAY overpriced. That is only my opinion, but a used camper should be ALOT cheaper than a new one. More than a few thousand dollars. Just keep looking and you will find one.

 

[DaveInTN]

I am currently trying to sell a motorhome. If I had a serious inquiry from a potential buyer that wanted to do an inspection, not only would I get the RV ready for the inspection WHENEVER and WHEREVER they wanted it, but I'd probably provide coffee and donuts too!

It's a buyers market. That jackazz must not really want to sell. Or, as others have speculated, he's hiding something.

 

[stacktester]

I am currently trying to sell a motorhome. If I had a serious inquiry from a potential buyer that wanted to do an inspection, not only would I get the RV ready for the inspection WHENEVER and WHEREVER they wanted it, but I'd probably provide coffee and donuts too!

It's a buyers market. That jackazz must not really want to sell. Or, as others have speculated, he's hiding something.

Dave,

Are you selling the Winnebago? I thought you just you just got it.

 

[DaveInTN]

Donnie - we've had it for 3 1/2 years. Trying to sell, in large part as we won't be using it enough over the next year or so to justify owning it. The adoption will be keeping us close to home for a while. Bittersweet though, as I've really loved that motorhome. But, I'm thinking with 5 kids it might be time to go back to a TT. I already own the tow vehicle.

 

[starbuc71]

I agree with everyone here. If you really want to sell something and you have a potential buyer, do what you need to do to unload it, but I do see the possible reason why he may want to charge. Although it seems greedy and pigheaded, he has probably been down this road before. I have bought and sold a lot of things in my day from cars to boat and RV's. With this internet thing nowadays or the trusty Sunday newsapare back in the day, I have had a lot of people call, email or whatever on how much they wanted my item. Boats were the worst. Somebody would come look at it, say yeah that the boat I want and lets take it for a spin. This usually ment leaving work early or switching a day off. Sometimes a boat would be more difficult than an RV to "set up" or show since you would have to take it to the water, give them a ride and hope they will call you after they go home to think about it. Then it's back home wash it down flush it out (due to salt water near me) and 8 out of 10 times they would never call back. Maybe this guy is just frustrated setting up a few times for other buyers and never getting the call back. Again, I don't agree with the $50 and he should probably take his sales frustration out on someone else not potential buyers. As some of you who buy or sell, selling is a pain in the neck these days and most people will tend to buy new because of the good prices and the ease of financing.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Sounds like you got great advice and made a smart choice! Good luck with your shopping!

 

[Solamom]

Funny thing, after my husband emailed him to tell him we weren't willing to pay the $50 nor could we be there (now today) w/ my hubby's job - the seller emailed us back and said, "would we expect Wal Mart to set it up or if we were looking at a new car, would we expect a dealer to deliver it to a location to view?"

I know its a hassle, however, even w/out the inspection we couldn't verify everything worked at a storage place. The power wasn't sufficient to run the a/c or the refridg and a giant 5th wheel was parked on the other side so we could not open the slide. There is no way we would do that w/out verifying the stuff worked...its not like its a $5,000 or $6,000 trailer that we could pour money into IF things started breaking.

We have sold a boat before too....so I know the pain it was....had to get it from storage, take it to our house to set up (it had a cabin so we wanted the buyer to see how well the a/c worked), then towed it to a boat ramp and out for a ride in Tampa Bay! And came down on our price. We needed to get rid of it so we did everything we could and thankfully the buyer took it

I just get a little worried....we have a trip planned on 9/11 - 9/18 at the Fort and no trailer yet..........and it doesn't help that I am personally in love w/ Passports.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Doesnt sound like the kind of person I would want to deal with, some people are just plain ornery and it sounds like you found one.

and Oh by the way, my son works at a car dealer, they will take a car ANYWHERE in the state for you to inspect if you are a legit buyer, just another reason to dismiss this guy.