What do you look for in a used popup?

[jimlinalf]

I'm curious about how you approach looking at a new popup.  What are your main priorities.  How do you judge the wear that a popup has.  the reason I'm asking this is that our popup, that is for sale has a scrape on the awning bag, and a ding on the bumper, both, I did my first time coming out of the garage and driveway to practice parking for our first trip.  Do you take into consideration the break in selling price someone might give in consideration for some thing like this?  Sometimes I think that the people looking are expecting more for what they are actually looking at.  It gets frustrating knowing we have priced ours at less than half what we paid for it 4 seasons ago, knowing it was using only 3 seasons but it isn't "new".  

Sorry about the rant but give me some feedback with your experiences of buying and selling if you would.

Thanks
Jim

[ScouterMom]

I've only bought OLD PUP's.  My first was a '76 which I bought used around 1997 and my 'new' PUP is a larger '73 that I bought on e-bay for $300 in March this year - so both of mine had no 'book value' when I bought them.  

However, I DID look at some newer, used PUPs, (nothing newer than a 2000 model, though) where I was willing to spend considerably more on that what I did spend for the 'vintage' camper.

What I looked for was features first.  Did it have the things that were important to the way I was going to use it? or could I add them without too much trouble / cost?  I wasn't looking for much in this respect - size was the most important to me. I didn't NEED a bathroom, or AC but I would have paid more to have one.

of Equal importance was condition.  I didn't much care if a PUP had a few scratches or dents.  'Normal' wear is to be expected in a used item. Worn flooring, rubbed corners inside, juice stains from kids in thedinette - these are minor and can be fixed. But the major parts like Lights, appliances, cushions, accessories should be there and be in useable condition - unless a good reason was given.  I DID care if the condition reflected a general lack of sense, care and maintenance - Such as smell, dampness, how was the canvas, was it CLEAN inside, did they leave food in it? did it show signs of mice or bugs?? did they take the care to not pinch canvas, tear things, force things?  Did they drill holes in the roof ? did they bend the frame?

Because RV's lose value even faster than a car when you drive them off the lot - I will NEVER buy new!  Even though your PUP is priced well, compared to what you paid for it new; your potential buyers might also be looking at 'new' and finding that it might be easier to finance a more expensive 'new' PUP than a really great conditon 'used' PUP.  And if they've started out looking at 'new' at shows and Dealers, they are spoiled with all those fancy things they see, bright shiny and still wrapped in plastic!  

You also have to remember that in fall - it's a BUYERS market for this kind of thing - there's alot of PUPs out there for sale because people don't want to store them for another winter, and a patient buyer can often swing a deal.

In my opinion, it would be a really nice bargan to get something for 1/2 the price of new, if it were only 4 yrs old and it's only problems were paint scrapes and fingerprints!  

Good luck - you probably just have to be patient!

Laura

[Camping Coxes]

When I was looking, a huge factor was the cleanliness of thepop-up, inside and out.  This would generally tell me the owners took care of it.  Get out the RV brush and give it a thorough washing, canvas and all, with mild soap (check your owner's manual).
 
If there is minor wear and tear, that's to be expected -- it is used after all -- and as long as it's not a glaring defect or something that would affect the use of the trailer, it shouldn't be a big deal.  
 
Take your stuff out so the buyers can see how much storage there is.  It's hard to judge a trailer with stuff everywhere.
 
Be honest with the buyers about any damage.  Explain what happened, whether it affects anything, and then you can laugh about it together.
 
Good luck!