Unreasonable Request?

[jdlong49]

I'm new to the RV life and looking to purchase my first travel trailer. I found a 2019 model nearby that I liked at a decent price, so I contacted the seller and asked if he would be willing to bring the unit to a campground in his area, I would pay for a spot, and we could hook everything up and test it out. He reacted like I was way out of line. I'm new to the RVing community so I don't know all the etiquette, but this seemed like a pretty reasonable request. I'd never buy a used truck or boat without testing it out, and I don't see myself buying a used travel trailer without testing it out. Was I out of line? Is there any other way to test it out?

 

[Neemer]

As a seller, I would expect to demonstrate the serviceability of all systems. How and where I do that would be up to me. If the guy had no plan to do that, I would not give him serious consideration.

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

I think that you are asking for a no-cost education on general RV duties and the seller is not willing to do that.
As someone who has been in the camping world for years with my own, rentals, and all the way back to childhood, I know the general stuff and just need to be shown where the items are on a new rig.If I were selling, that campground set up would cost a potential buyer a $200 non-refundable fee.

 

[GTS225]

From a buyer's perspective;
Out of line on the systems testing? No. Maybe out of line on the setting up in a campground. From a practical standpoint, how is he going to demonstrate to you that theres's no roof or window leaks if it doesn't rain? Run it through a car wash? If it's winterized, is it ok to demand a water system checkout? How about in a storage facility, with no shore power available? If he tows it, how do you know the brakes actually work? (Ask me how I know that one.)

There's a lot of scenarios in here that can throw a wrench into the process, and sometimes you have to take a little on faith.

Roger

 

[Rosy]

Where does he have it stored? When we bought ours, the seller had it in their yard. We were able to test the fridge (I got them to turn it on a few hours before we came over), stove, furnace, AC, slide and awning. The only things we couldn't test were the water pump, heater and system in general.

 

[Jim]

I found a 2019 model nearby that I liked at a decent price, so I contacted the seller and asked if he would be willing to bring the unit to a campground in his area, I would pay for a spot, and we could hook everything up and test it out. He reacted like I was way out of line.

Assuming you are all geographically close to each other, why not just drive over to the fellows house and look at it there? What is to be gained by having him take it to the campground?

 

[Jireh Financial]

I agree, it seems like a stretch to ask for that from the seller. TT's can be mostly run in a yard or driveway. It also helps with any seller to know that the buyer is qualified and can actually complete the purchase once everything is checked. Giving demos not knowing if a looker is a buyer can be a major hassle.
We can help with the finance part if needed.
Thank you,
Ken

 

[Rich W.]

Definitely reasonable to test everything and if there is no power and water where the trailer is stored, then a campground is a logical location to test it, but you are asking a lot of the seller. Maybe some sort of compromise can be reached if its really necessary, but my guess is he’ll just sell it to someone else.

 

[AbdRahim]

You could get an independent RV inspector to go over it.

 

[jdlong49]

I chose a campground less than 2 miles from him and offered to pay for everything. He keeps the RV in a storage lot. I just don’t see any scenario where I buy something used without seeing everything fully hooked up and operational. I come from the boat world and it’s never an issue to water test a boat when buying or selling. You meet the guy at the ramp, take him out and test run the motor, demonstrate everything works, no problem.

 

[jdlong49]

You could get an independent RV inspector to go over it.

That was my first plan but I looked into it and the nearest one I could find is 4 hours away. Are there any sites out there where maybe more are listed?

 

[Rich W.]

2 miles seems pretty easy. Maybe he’d do it with a deposit? I agree you should be able to test everything.

 

[Jim]

I chose a campground less than 2 miles from him and offered to pay for everything. He keeps the RV in a storage lot. I just don’t see any scenario where I buy something used without seeing everything fully hooked up and operational.

In this case, I wouldn't have a problem doing it. Provided that you came by and looked at it first, made a decision that you would buy it if the systems checked out, and then put a deposit down to show good faith.

 

[Fish]

In this case, I wouldn't have a problem doing it. Provided that you came by and looked at it first, made a decision that you would buy it if the systems checked out, and then put a deposit down to show good faith.

Yes, deposit is the key.
If the guy took it to a campground for every looker they'd drive him crazy.

 

[jdlong49]

2 miles seems pretty easy. Maybe he’d do it with a deposit? I agree you should be able to test everything.

The next seller might, but HE definitely won’t! His response guaranteed I won’t buying anything from him. Even if he thought my request was absurd, I was nothing but polite in our discussions. The moment I asked to test everything out he lost his mind!!!

 

[WinMin4]

Would not blame the seller to refuse. Buyers beware, if you are willing to buy used - Used is other people's problems.

 

[jdlong49]

Would not blame the seller to refuse. Buyers beware, if you are willing to buy used - Used is other people's problems.

Ideally I would want to buy new and have a warranty, but the unit I want is no longer being made. 2021 was the last year. And I haven’t found anyone else making that floor plan the same way.

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

I come from the boat world and it’s never an issue to water test a boat when buying or selling. You meet the guy at the ramp, take him out and test run the motor, demonstrate everything works, no problem.

Where I live, this cost $100-$200.
I’m not setting my boat up for joy rides.

 

[Rosy]

I suspect if you had looked at the RV once first and made it clear you were interested and a serious buyer, he might have been more willing to do that for you.

 

[jdlong49]

I suspect if you had looked at the RV once first and made it clear you were interested and a serious buyer, he might have been more willing to do that for you.

I didn't make it clear in my original post that this wasn't the initial contact. We had multiple conversations over a 10 day period that made it very clear that I was planning to take it home if everything checked out. I told him I wanted to come check it out, he told me where it was, I said that I didn't feel like I could really check it out properly in a storage lot and asked if he'd be willing to do the campground on my dime, and he flipped out.