When is the best time to buy a RV?

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This article will explore when is the best time to buy an RV. As with most things, there are certain times of the year when you can expect to get a better deal on RVs. On the flip side, there is a time not to buy.

The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 led to a huge increase in the number of people going camping, meaning price hikes have occurred. Don’t worry though – there is always a deal to be had! Keep reading our guide to find out how to get the best price on your future camper.

Buying with cash

Being in the position to pay with cash rather than with credit will give you more buying power. This is especially true if you are planning to buy second-hand from a person, rather than a dealer.

If you can’t afford to pay for an RV upfront, you will likely have to finance it or use credit. Financing is not an ideal option as it means that the campervan is not truly yours until you have finished paying for it. Not only that, but you will end up paying significantly more than it is worth thanks to interest.

If you are able to pay for an RV in cash, you will have the ability to barter. Both companies and individuals are much more likely to accept a lower price for their campervan if they know they will get the money right there and then.

Use this to your advantage, and remember to offer a lower amount of money than you plan to pay (whilst being respectful). The person you are haggling with will likely offer a counteroffer that is around what you actually want to pay.

For example, for a $20,000 campervan, you might try to get it for a price of $18,750. Offer the seller $18,000, and they should come back with a counteroffer of around $18,750. They will think they have made a good deal, they will receive their money straight away, and you’ll have saved a great amount!

When not to buy an RV

Knowing when to buy is basically knowing when not to buy. Like any industry, there is peak season and a significantly quieter time. Pricing depends massively on supply and demand.

In the northern hemisphere, the campervan season begins in late spring (around April) as things warm up. It runs through until the end of the summer – around September.

The worst time to buy is when the demand is high. The more people that want a thing, the higher its price can go. Even more so with how long campervans take to make. Basically, there is a limited amount and a limited season.

The 2020 pandemic has pushed prices to levels not seen before. There are so many people wanting  RVs and supply has struggled to meet this demand. This doesn’t mean there isn’t deals to be had. It just means that they are harder to find. Now it’s time to explore how to find yourself a great deal.

Buy in the offseason

So, when is the best time to buy an RV? The reality is that the best time to buy a campervan is in the winter during the offseason. 

his is when demand is lowest, and the supply is likely to increase further from the offseason you go. Only hardcore campers will venture out in the winter, which means thousands of RVs live in storage or take up space in people’s garages.

This can cause the sellers to think that their RV is a waste of money as it is sat doing nothing. As the seller doesn’t want the RV anymore, they are also far more likely to negotiate.

Not only that, but RVs will devalue and depreciate over time. This further drives people to sell their RVs in winter and try to sell them fast – they don’t want to lose any more money than they have to! Use this to your advantage to strike up a deal, a seller’s desperation can lead to them knocking thousands off their asking price.

Buy an ex-display RV

It is common for RVs to be showcased at shows and events. These RVs sit there for these events and eventually, there comes a time to sell them (usually when the next year’s model is released).

These RVs will have nearly no miles on them and are perfect to buy. You will get the latest model a year out of date at a price that’s significantly lower than its retail price. These RVs don’t come up for sale often, but when they do they are some of the best deals you can get.

To get an ex-display RV, you need to speak to the dealer directly or keep an eye on specialist auction sites.

So, when is the best time to buy an RV?

If you have the cash, choose to purchase second-hand in the offseason. This will significantly increase your chances of getting a great deal.  You know a great deal when you see one, so it’s all about being in a situation to find deals.

Speak to local dealers, look on selling sites such as eBay, and ask others in the campervan community. It’s the classic ‘be at the right place at the right time’ situation. Good luck, and may the deals be with you!

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