What You Should Know if You Sell an RV on Consignment

When someone wants to sell an RV on consignment, they may turn to a consignment RV dealer who will place their used motorhome on the lot with all the other RVs for sale. It sounds effortless to just turn it over to a dealer and let the magic happen. However, there are a number of things a seller must consider before signing on the dotted line. SellMyRVToday.com has issued a list of things that sellers should be aware of if they are considering selling an RV on consignment.

Do Not Stop Payments: Sometimes sellers are under the impression that because they put their RV on a consignment lot, they can place a hold on the monthly payment until the unit sells. This is not the case. The payments must continue, no matter how long it takes to sell the motorhome.

Know What You are Agreeing to: Before any paperwork is signed, you should have a clear understanding of the details of the consignment agreement. You should agree on a fair asking price, and what the terms will be. You should factor in what percentage the dealer will keep, and whether or not a lower price would be considered if offered by a potential buyer. If you owe more than the RV is worth, this should be factored in as well. Another thing that you must realize is that the RV may not sell right away. It could sit on the lot for months before anyone makes the purchase.

Prepare the RV for Showing: The preparation that goes into placing your RV on a consignment lot can be extensive, depending on the condition of the coach. It should be thoroughly cleaned inside and out. Remember that your RV is competing against several other coaches, and the prettier, shinier ones will get the first glances. The water system should be drained, and the holding tanks should be flushed out and emptied. If you live in a cold climate, the RV may need to be winterized. If there are obvious repairs that need to be done to the motorhome, you need to determine if you want the dealer to do them, and how much it will cost. Any personal items should be removed from the motorhome, and any accessories that go with it should be listed, but should not remain in the unit.

While on the Lot: There are several questions to be answered regarding the upkeep of your unit while it is in the possession of the dealer. During the time your motorhome is sitting on the lot, it must remain clean on both the inside and outside.  Who keeps it this way … you or the dealer? If the dealer cleans it, what are the fees involved? Hopefully, many people will be entering the RV to look at the interior. Is there a protective covering that is placed on the carpet to keep it from being soiled? Will the dealer allow potential buyers to test drive the coach? Will the dealer start the engine and generator from time to time, or do you have to do that? Once the unit sells, will there be a charge for the pre-delivery inspection, filling propane tanks and the fuel tank?

Retain Insurance on the RV: One of the biggest mistakes people make is to cancel their insurance before taking it to the consignment lot. You must retain insurance to keep it on a lot, as the dealer does not accept liability for what may happen to the coach. If it is taken on test drives, it is subject to accidents, so insurance is imperative.

There is another way to sell an RV that relieves a seller of all of this hassle. You could call SellMyRVToday.com and tell them you are selling an RV (2002 or newer), anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. They are professional RV buyers. They will make a fair offer to purchase it. If you accept, they will deliver certified funds to your doorstep and take the unit away. This usually takes less than three days. It is just that simple.