Buying sight unseen

[VickieP]

Okay, you're just a Mean Dufus.
And you're cute, too, for a BLONDE. ..

Not a BLONDE, Dufus!

[mitch5252]

Okay, you're just a Mean Dufus.
And you're cute, too, for a BLONDE. ..

Not a BLONDE, Dufus!

I thought we determined that your avatar shows you as a BLONDE! Dufus.
There are new people here who don't know what your true color is.
Although looking at your picture...

..

[VickieP]

Although looking at your picture.....

Pictures can be deceiving, like you wouldn't buy a RV by just looking at the picture (which is what this thread is about) SLAP!

[mitch5252]

Although looking at your picture.....

Pictures can be deceiving, like you wouldn't buy a RV by just looking at the picture (which is what this thread is about) SLAP!

I sure as heck wouldn't buy you, picture or no picture...
I'd be getting the rotten end of THAT deal.

..

[VickieP]

I sure as heck wouldn't buy you, picture or no picture...
I'd be getting the rotten end of THAT deal.

..

Well, I'd consider it if you were paying by the pound!

[Excel]

Well...have to put my 2 cents in now....as I did buy my RV from the internet. Contacted the Seller (in Oklahoma)...He sent me at least 20 pictures...called a dear friend who lived about 50 miles away from where the RV was & asked him to check it out...which he did...He then called me & said his opinion was this was a 'deal' and I should consider the purchase seriously. I sent a $5K check to hold the RV (there were 3 buyers behind me per the Owner) & made reservations to fly from CA to OK....One way......Sellers picked me up at the airport, gave me a tour through Oklahoma City....then took me to their home where the RV was....Bought it on the spot. At that time the Seller still had my $5K check in hand (had not cashed it) just in case I wasn't going to make the sale.....It was a Born Free which I still have (5 years) & absolutely in pristeen condition. I was very, very fortunate. I did a lot of checking out before buying it....(did my homework) and still feel I was really blessed dealing with Christian people who held my hand throughout the next few months. I'd call the Owner & ask ...how does this work, or what is this or how do I do that....& he'd graciously walk me through what he'd already told me & I'd forgotten...(there is SO much to learn, especially when you've always relied on a husband to do or take care of...which I didn't have any more....)and like I said this went on for quite a while after I brought her home. This was my first RV since the divorce & I knew absolutely next to nothing about a Class C motorhome...(when married we always had a 5th wheel)...I certainly wouldn't advise buying sight unseen for everyone, especially these days, but for me it worked out beautifully....I would prefer a 5th, but am smart enough now to know that wouldn't work for me...with my class C I feel more in control & able to handle the road better. For those of you thinking of class C RVs....the Born Free is the safest, most well built & durable RV on the road...I'm talking from experience...but they are expensive....so used is the only way to go...
Anyhow, that's my 2 cents.....

[Bethers]

Well, I made an offer on a rig sight-unseen. Would have bought it on the condition that it was as stated when I got there. And I required a lot of other pictures taken. We never came to terms. I have a friend who had bought 3 cars from ebay sight-unseen. Always they have the right to all money back if it isn't as stated when they arrive to pick it up. I sold my scooter sight-unseen to someone who had to pay to have me ship it to them. In that case, when it got to the shippers, there was no reneging - and he agreed. He didn't want to come get it.

So, yes, I would consider buying sight-unseen. I would probably not buy from a dealer that way - well, I have trouble buying any rv from a dealer used - they lie, lie lie - to my face about things on the rigs. But that's just me.

[bikerchic777]

Thanks for the check list, Christine! I copied it for my own future reference. As for buying or selling sight unseen...I have sold a ton of things on Craig's List. Most have been able to come see it before buying, including a big dually turbo diesel truck. They drove from out of state to see it and did buy it. Sold a motorcycle trailer to a guy out of state and he sent a guy to come pick it up, with a cashier's check in hand. Of course, we made him wait until we took the check to our bank and got it OK'd. I did sell a Beast Rider motorcycle dog carrier to a guy out of state, sight unseen. I sent him many photos and he mailed me a postal money order. He wanted me to ship it, so I took it to UPS and found out how much to box and ship it to him and tacked that on to the price. I never heard from him again so I guess he was happy. I just wouldn't pay any money up front for something that big. Paying a good mechanic to inspect it it a wise idea. Then, I would go see it and pay for it when I decided to buy it for sure. I may be doing the same thing soon. I, personally, love Craig's List!

[cat]

I'm like Excel, I was very fortunate buying my class B Pleasureway out of state, sight unseen. I saw it on RV Trader, unfortunately it was in FL and I live in NV. Couldn't find a B in CA or AZ in my price range. I looked it up on the RV website comparable to carfax. Having a sr. moment and can't remember the website. But it shows the history of the RV. The seller sent me pictures, we talked on the phone, he answered any and all questions. I guess it was a trust issue, sent him a "down payment" since there were other buyers lined up. My son and his family flew with me to FL and helped drive it back. Made it a family vacation - visiting New Orleans and San Antonio. The PW was/is in great condition.

This is my first RV but I searched for over a year for it. I had made an offer on 2 other class B's, but it must not have been for me, since the Lord shut the door on those.

I shied away from Ebay, since I really don't understand how it works (technically challenged).

blessings and safe travels to all,

[Getupngo]

Ebay. Been there. Did that. Cost $$. Regret it.

[Cedar518]

I shied away from Ebay, since I really don't understand how it works

I've both bought (some) and sold (a lot) on Ebay and have never had a problem. It's been a couple of years since I was doing it regularly.

[bikerchic777]

As most of you know now, I am buying a motor home sight unseen! I made a down payment on a 1998 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 34J and will be picking it up in IA when I get back there in April. It's at a well known dealership, so hope that makes a difference. I did see a lot of pictures and asked a lot of questions before deciding. They sold the one I was interested in while I was in the process of getting info on it, so wasn't too happy about that. I did use that as negotiating power on this one, however. They were asking more, so I told them if they would give it to me for the price of the other one they sold out from under me, we had a deal. I did shop around here in FL with private sellers, but too much money for too much work! I can't believe how junky the mh's were! People really beat them up. I'm too picky for that. If I'm going to get one that needs work, it better be an awesome classic! I will let you know what I think when I get my new "home sweet motor home"!

[Birdie]

Well, the guy who bought my Casita TT bought it sight unseen. He called on Sunday sent a check on Monday, and picked it up 18 days later.

I wouldn't do that, but I was glad that he did I have seen where several people advertise that they will inspect and make a report for you.

[Bethers]

Just a comment - unlike bikerchic - when I was looking, I found rv's in much better shape and pricing from private parties. But I also found dogs. I never got better pricing from a dealer- EXCEPT at an rv show when they wanted to sell me the demo there - that was excellent and I almost bought even though it wasn't what I was looking for and I love the one I have.

That said, there are many, many out there that aren't what they say - from dealers and private parties. You have to have an "ear" for them when dealing at a distance. The one I almost bought sight unseen, I required a dozen more pictures of things - if they hadn't complied, I wouldn't have continued talking to them - but I wanted the details in the pictures. And to know they were THEIR pictures.

Unfortunately, just like with cars or anything else - some things we can't see. I actually trusted the people I bought from - nice folks. And my g/f and her husband have now bought a few cars sight unseen off eBay - getting great deals.

Amended to add - there are some dealers that I would buy from also - don't take my first paragraph wrong. I've just had some bad luck with many dealers over the years and am more cautious around them.

[Forestgal]

Barbie, for what it's worth I work with a teacher whose parents aren't able to travel any more and are looking to sell a Roadtrek Sprinter. Don't know much about it, but my guess is that it's in pretty good shape. It's here in CA (Claremont, to be specific), and if you want more info. let me know. I'd be happy to get info. on it for you.

Laura