Contrary to what you might realize, it takes a great deal of guts to make a $15k, $50K or $175K RV purchase online. Buying online can be a very pleasant experience…but all too often it can quickly morph into a financial or logistical nightmare. Or worse yet, both. There are just so many ways your transaction can go bad.
Are you aware many online scammers are known to “sell” vehicles they don’t actually own? Most often, they steal a photo of an RV from somewhere online and run an ad in which they offer that unit for sale. By placing a below market price on this sham RV, the number of potential buyers quickly escalates. You’ll then be told that the only way to secure this once-in-a-lifetime sale price is to wire a deposit. After quickly receiving multiple deposits from innocent buyers, the ad comes down and communication stops. In a flash, those “buyers” find themselves minus a 5-figure deposit.
Many other online sellers are selling a vehicle they actually do have possession of…except they do not possess a clean title to it. Some scammers are real pros. They may try to persuade you into buying a vehicle with a salvage title. That most often means the RV has been “totaled” by an insurance company because they saw the damage as too excessive. Try borrowing against that. Worse yet, it may be a stolen RV with a counterfeit title. Neither sound very appealing, correct?
Does it concern you that you may not get to see the RV you are considering up close and personal? Too many motorhome and travel trailer buyers are so excited to make a purchase that they do not exercise better judgement. Not seeing, touching and interacting with your next big purchase before exchanging money simply is not prudent. And not seeing it online is not acceptable. You could be getting a video or photo tour of an entirely different rig. If you insist on an online purchase, at least invest in a respected RV inspection professional.
The financial part of an online RV transaction may be the scariest part of all of it. Are you really prepared to wire a deposit or full payment to an unknown third party? You may be asked for all of your banking or credit card details in order to exchange even an initial deposit. Some sellers will even ask for a cash deposit if you are actually to meet. Ready to meet a stranger where they want you with $5K in cash in your possession?
It should be clear by now that effectively and competitively financing an online RV purchase can have its challenges. At what point do you get the bank involved and how? Financing an online private sale is far from a simple task. Keep in mind the bank will demand clear title because that is all that protects them if you falter with your future payments.
Even if you do successfully purchase your RV online, you will still have to build a relationship with a reputable, local RV dealer. Now that you have secured your RV online, it will still likely need some service, maintenance or upgrade before you start taking trips with it. So even though you avoided purchasing from a dealer, you’ll still need a friend in the RV business.
5 important closing thoughts
- Any RV represents a major purchase. Be sure to do your due diligence.
- There is never a good time for buyer’s remorse. Do not let your excitement cloud your good judgement.
- Be wary of sharing your financial info with any third party, especially online. Internet RV scams are way too prevalent.
- Bigger dealerships aren’t necessarily better. There are 2 high profile Facebook groups representing thousands of buyers unsatisfied with their experience with the nation’s largest RV dealership.
- Trust is a critical part of any successful RV transaction. If you don’t have a good feeling, walk away; there will always be other opportunities.
You now have a better understanding about the advantages from buying from a dealership you can trust. Coastal RV Center is family-owned and works extremely hard every day to continue to earn its many 5-star reviews. We pride ourselves on our integrity, our selection and on our before- and after-the-purchase service. We invite you to come visit our family-owned dealership and the no-pressure attitude it is built on.
