Advice wanted on private caravan sale
Hi All, I am looking for advice on where to advertise a caravan for sale and any tips, warnings about cash and caravan sales.
My neighbour (and friend) phoned this morning and asked if I am busy but did not say why and so I went right round. Long story short. He has a major health concern and his caravan must go as he will be unable to use it.
He has a three year old fixed bed Bailey that has only been out a handful of times to a single site and towed less than 1,000 miles. It has EP (?) levelling system 12 month old auto motormover and is cosseted. At present he is gutted and will want my help to sell as probably an internet add as well as any feelers that he might put out. I am tied this morning but will go round this afternoon, take covers off carpet and furnishings and take some images. With a view to advertising it.
If you post and I seem not to respond it is because I am tied up much of the day and also much of tomorrow but appreciate any advice. Presently personally gutted at the news.
I will also post this on Caravan Talk
Alan
Comments
-
Easy, for a quick sale, look in the caravan club magazine classifieds - there are plenty of cash buyers offering 'best prices paid' Obviously, the caravan will not achieve it's retail value, as they want their percentage. Dealers are another avenue, as Boff suggested
I've used Autotrader in the past, with excellent results, but from memory, the adverts don't go 'live' until Thursday - things may have changed?
Caravanfinder is another good avenue.
When it comes to the sale, I only use 'cleared funds' before item is collectable. Bank transfer is the easiest and safest. Cheques are old hat and in most cases take a week to clear. Cash needs to be counted - and do you really want to check every note/carry that amount around with you??
Most importantly, you need to get the seller to sign an 'invoice' which gives the caravan details, price etc and states somewhere, 'sold as seen and described, no warranty implied or given' You should also retain a copy.
It is the buyers responsibility to get the caravan checked by an independent engineer - although the cost of this should (in my view) be born by the seller. A really good selling point would be to have one to hand, together with all service documents.
Good luck and take and post plenty of pictures in your advertisement.
0 -
Sad tail but it sounds like a good buy for someone.. A safer way of selling it is to a trader, but you have to accept that they need a discount so they can sell on and a private sale will get a bit more. If the dealer he bought from knows the caravan and appreciates its value then he might be advised to see if the dealer wants it back.
If he uses a web site, and any of those suggested should work he will need to be aware of the crooks out there. Essentially he should not let the caravan go until he has cash in his hand or receipt of the payment is shown in his bank account.
1 -
Thanks, just back in for a quick coffee and out again.
Will try caravan club and have a look at autotrader.
His local dealer (about 2 or 3 miles away) was not interested. I suspect that they presently have plenty of stock.
Cash needs to be counted - and do you really want to check every note/carry that amount around with you??
I've done it before. Didn't count it the chaps bank teller did I carried it to my bank next door and deposited it.
0 -
ET, we have sold privately and it proved a quick experience, albeit you do have to be around and there to haggle with buyers, show them around etc..... As it’s likely to be quite a sum of money, why not stipulate that buyer can only collect after a bank transfer is cleared. For extra security you could set up a one off account to do this, it is simple.
Terrible news for your friend, but good that he has a friend like you at this awful time. Thoughts are with you.
2 -
Update. I have persuaded my neighbour to sleep on it for a week and have some more discussion time with his wife before acting in haste. Maybe even pay for and get a second medical opinion. I'll still be able to help with a sale if the worst happens.
0 -
Sounds like good advice. I wobbled a while back with OH health then thought hang onto it, pay the storage and consider when less emotional. Might not change your neighbours mind but better than acting in haste.
He's a very lucky chap to have a friend and neighbour like you. I know as we have some similar friends - worth your weight in gold.
2 -
We sold our previous van on Preloved and achieved a decent price.
We asked for a bank transfer and told the buyer which dealer we used and authorised them to confirm the various services and repairs that had been done, however they preferred to give us a cheque and were happy to wait 7 days till it was cleared before they picked it up. The van was on our driveway so they could see where we lived, and we had all the servicing records and invoices, full set of handbooks etc.
0 -
We have used AutoTrader with some success. For a private sale we have gone along to our local bank with the buyer and have the cashier count the cash, pay it into our account and received a receipt. This is the recommended method.
0 -
I had advised the neighbour this morning to speak again to local dealership as they are part of a group of 3. He called in this morning and the main man there phoned the other two outlets. It seems that they have Bailey Valencias coming out of their ears at present with 12 between them of a similar age and two due in as PX. Local dealer has 4 for sale.
0 -
I've looked at 'commission sale' by dealers it's a complete waste of time. Mostly they offer the van at normal retail price because if it's on our property we have to give a warranty and guarantee. (Rubbish not if you are selling it for me and that is made clear). Then after we have agreed a sale for you we keep the agreed amount for six weeks as the buyer can bring it back if they don't like it! Then we pay you what in real terms is what the car trade would call 'bottom book price!
The second dealer said almost the exact thing with that they don't always check that the caravan is locked up so damage and theft 'sometimes' occurs!
These were two nationally known dealers with several branches each, personally I'd rather sell at 'trade price' by using Pre-loved or Gumtree or something rather than deal with these 'dealers'
Just make sure you write a clear invoice and don't take cheques, another thing it's probablyl not a good idea to sell from your home driveway.
0 -
Thanks all for your input. Spoke to my neighbour this morning and, after discussing with his wife, he has decided to sell. I think that given his usage over the last 3 years it makes total sense. I doubt that it has had more than 5 weeks usage. He is far better renting a cottage or similar. If I had as much usage in a year I would not be a caravan owner. I shall advertise on Caravan Club site as well as elsewhere, He is also selling a Kampa pro sunshine air 4 metre long 2.5m deep. I had not seen one before and this is still boxed apparently.
Alan
0 -
Such a shame ET. Hope things go well for them.
0 -
Mine is up for grabs but never seen so many time wasters, a few from this club. You get the van spick and span then to be told some excuse as to why they cannot come. Had one round who said she loved the van but the layout was not right! Heck check it before travelling. Had a jobsworth who arrived with a ladder and a damp meter in operation before saying hello. I have no problem with someone using a damp meter providing they know how to use it! Have given up with the private sale route, season will be over before I sell it
0
