Be Patient
Rushing into a purchase because they say they have another buyer lined up is not a good reason to buy now. The only reason to buy a used RV is because you have done your research, and this is the best deal for the RV you want. Hasty buying decisions can cost you money. You don’t want to get ripped off on your first RV purchase (or second or third)! Being patient gives you the time to do several key things in your RV search.
- You can cast a wider net. You don’t just need to search in your local area. The larger your search, the greater opportunity you must find the right match.
- You can walk away. If you feel like you are being pressured into a purchase, but you are pacing your search, you give yourself space to walk away and look elsewhere. You do not want to feel locked in – like this is the only RV in the world for you.
- Getting inspections. Being patient also gives you time to request an RV inspection prior to purchase. And time to review the inspection and use that information as a negotiating tool on price.
- Make comparisons. You have time to narrow down your search to a handful of RVs you are really interested in. You are also armed with information from your research to make comparisons on which RV will yield the greatest savings or value based on your needs.
Look at Purchasing in Fall When Demand is Lowest
Late fall and early winter are the best to buy a new or used RV. This season is considered the off-season for purchases so you can save money here and have more to spend on upgrades or your future RV adventures. October and November are considered a good time to get some pretty good discounts. December and January are even slower, so they are considered the best months to purchase if you are looking to buy used from a dealer because they want to clear old inventory. TIP: Another good time to purchase used RVs is when fuel prices are high and will stay that way for a while.
When you buy used, more of the responsibility falls on you to do your due diligence and put protocols in place to protect yourself. So, follow these tips and you are off to a good start. You can enter the RV world with your own direct purchase of a used RV and come out a winner. What are you waiting for – get out there and start shopping!