Is NADA useless ?

[Edbob]

Hi. I'm a newbie trying to do research on pop-ups before taking the plunge.  I'm looking for something approx 10 yrs old, a good deal.  Wherever I see pop-ups for sale, ie Calif newspapers, craigslist, e-bay, people are always asking MUCH more than the NADA value.  Where can I get an accurate value so I dont overpay for a pop-up?  Thanks.

[mike4947]

Well if you read the fine print at the NADA site they do say west coast prices will be higher.
 
But a lot of folks have a really inflated sense of what their trailer are worth. LOL
Check out used trailers at a dealership, but also remember like new trailers dealer offering prices as well as individual owner asking price is not the price they will accept. If you give them a lower offer the worst thing that happens is they say no.

[jawilson]

The NADA Guide is the "bible" for those of us in this industry. The pricing in their is what you, and the seller for that matter, should be using. Paying more then what's listed would mean you got a bad deal (but I don't know about the regional adjustment for CA, so I can't comment on that). If nothing else you should use it to your advantage; if NADA shows something for $3000, and someone is trying to sell it for $4000, you have some leverage to dispute their pricing.

[chasd60]

Part of the problem with individuals using NADA to determine the worth of their RV is that they don't read the instructions on the website. Whatever features your model comes with as standard are not to be added on with the options selection. And example would be an RV which has a slide as standard equipment and the person clicks on the slide in the options.
  Tha value of the RV was already calculated with the slide because it was not an option, it was standard equipment.
 
 
 I sold a 2001 Viking 2480ST and did not add a water heater to the options because that model and year had the water heater as standard equipment.
 
 Research what was standard equipment, use NADA and add the "true" options and print the results for the RV you are looking at buying. It may not help but I would show the individual the print out from NADA and possibly use it as a bargaining tool. Of course I wouldn't try to talk him up and extra thousand if he is too low:yikes:.

[GeorgiaBoy]

NADA Guides are extremely handy for evaluating the worth of any vehicle, but I have always found people feel their vehicle is worth more.  As I shopped for PUs on eBay, in the paper and various local publications, i was consistently hit with "asking prices" way over the NADA value.

There are people out there who have 10-year-old PUs but ask $2000+ over NADA because (they claim) they only used it once or twice a year.

Basic rule of thumb my grandfather taught me: it is only worth what someone will pay.

I, personally, wouldn't pay 5% over NADA on any vehicle except under extraordinary conditions (ie collector car, truly mint after thorough exam, extra options not listed in NADA).

Keep in mind, a few years down the road you may want to sell the PU and odds are the next buyer will be looking at NADA as a guide.  If you paid over NADA, you face losing that.  Also, keep in mind what your insurance carrier will pay if something happens to the PU - Allstate won't care that you spent $4000 if NADA has it at $3000.

I was looking at newer models, saw the over-NADA pricing being asked by sellers, added in estimates for a few "minor" repairs and/or add-ons ... basically decided to pay a couple hundred more, struck a great deal with the local PU dealer (PECO in Atlanta) and have a brand new camper with warranty.

If I were looking for an older model i would find what i liked and wait for them to drop the price to what I felt comfortable spending - over or under NADA.

Just my 2-cents worth. (NADA value: 1.2-cents)

[Edbob]

Thanks everyone for the advice.  It appears that the consensus favors NADA as a useful tool to price Pop-Ups.  I will use it in my search for a reasonable starter Pop-Up.
  I have also decided to give up on e-bay.  One reason being you cant get a good look at the item, the other being that in the heat of the auction people are way overbidding on the campers.
 It's probably better to search locally, get to physically inspect the camper, and bid on the spot.
 Any other tips on searching and buying are appreciated.