The Benefits of Buying a Used RV from a Dealership vs. a Private Party

Interest in the RV lifestyle is at an all-time high and we are seeing more and more guests enter the lifestyle by purchasing a pre-owned RV. In some of our guest’s situations, it makes sense to purchase pre-owned rather than new. For those looking at purchasing from a private party versus a dealer there are some considerations you will want to take to ensure you are making the best long-term ownership decision. We believe there are several benefits to buying from a dealership versus a private party.

Market-Based Pricing Approach vs. Whatever the owner thinks it is “worth”

Lichtsinn RV uses a real estate approach when pricing our pre-owned inventory, meaning we look at: the condition of the vehicle, mileage, NADA book value, vehicle history report, true comparable coaches in the market and more to establish a fair price, for a pre-owned vehicle.

One common problem with buying from a private party is they still owe more than the RV is worth, or they think the RV is worth more than it really is. So, there is a strong possibility that the unit from the private party will be overpriced.

Lichtsinn RV inspects all incoming trades to gauge the overall condition of the RV

When we take in a trade we complete a full inspection of the unit to establish the overall condition of the coach. Our team ensures there is no hidden damage or potential issues that could arise down the road. In fact, we have a certified pre-owned vehicle designation providing you piece of mind service after the sale. The Lichtsinn RV Certified Preowned RV Program, provides Real Value with a sixty day Service Plan from the date of purchase!  After passing a rigorous inspection, the plan provides major operating systems coverage to protect RVers, and is accepted anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.  Once work is completed to your satisfaction, the Plan pays the service center directly.  Plans are also extendable.

If you were to buy from a private party, you will have to trust the word of the previous owner. Unless you are highly knowledgeable about RVs you might not know what potential red flags to look for.

Lichtsinn RV works with national lenders to get you the best rates and terms

Whether you have the perfect credit score, or a more challenging credit history, our business managers will find the right RV financing option for you. We work with several lenders to bring you the most competitive and flexible financing options around. We will do whatever we can to help you get the monthly payment and loan term that best suits your budget.

When buying from a private-party you have to figure out how to finance the vehicle yourself which can be confusing and you may not receive the competitive rates our team can get.

Lichtsinn RV can assist you with purchasing an extended service contract to protect you from costly repairs 

What is commonly referred to as an extended RV service contract is a form of mechanical breakdown protection. Lichtsinn RV works with a well-known extended service contract provider to provide you with complete protection for your home on the road. This service contract extends the 12-month/15,000-mile basic limited warranty from Winnebago to 5 years/the number of miles matching the RVs engine coverage. Call a Lichtsinn RV Business Manager to learn more about available extended service contracts.

When you buy from a private party the vehicle is as-Is and any costly repairs on your coach will fall squarely on you.

The Lichtsinn RV team will support you after the sale

You will have your Sales Consultant assisting you with the purchase process and with any questions after the sale. The Lichtsinn RV Business Office will assist you before and during the delivery process to ensure you understand your options for financing and protecting your investment down the road.

Next you will meet your designated service consultant who will answer all your questions and assist you with setting up service appointments for the lifetime of your vehicle. Our service consultants and our Winnebago Factory Trained and RVTI Certified RV Service Technicians have the training, experience and certification to ensure your RV is in the right hands when receiving service work.

The Lichtsinn RV Parts Department is the largest Winnebago Parts Department in the country with same-day shipping on in-stock parts with nationwide shipping. Our Parts department team will assist you in ordering parts and accessories for the lifetime of your vehicle and answer any questions you have related to parts and accessories for your RV.

Meet our sales, business office, service and parts team members here.

Learn more about what makes Lichtsinn RV different here.

Experience the Best® at Lichtsinn RV, we have been recognized by Winnebago Industries as the #1 Winnebago Dealer in North America each year since 2015. Lichtsinn RV is located 1 mile north of the Winnebago Factory in Forest City, IA and we proudly sell new Winnebago motorhomes and pre-owned RVs from various manufacturers. While at Lichtsinn RV, you can expect no delivery miles on new RVs, a complimentary half-day educational orientation of your RVexcellent guest reviews, an assigned support team from sales, parts, service and the business officesuperior accommodationsno-hassle pricing and competitive financing. See our extensive new and used inventory here.

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