Is this what the market for used PU's is really like?

[cyclone]

First - I am NOT looking for another camper.  I like the one I have, but it's always fun to see what there is on Craigslist.  I am amazed at what people think their units are worth - I wish it was like ebay so you could see what they actually sell for.  Anyway, links below:

http://nashville.craigslist.org/rvs/669214414.html
http://nashville.craigslist.org/rvs/665100469.html
http://nashville.craigslist.org/rvs/661444581.html

Does anyone know what that little '90 Columbia would have sold for new?  It looks pretty decent, but for $2250?  Apparently, the general public agrees with me.  The price has dropped to $1900 on this one.  (link changed).

[austinado16]

I always looking on CL, just to see what's out there and what it's going for (or at least what folks are asking).

Recently, an '88 Starcraft Nova (one year newer than ours) popped up on CL about 10mi away.  Asking $1,200, missing the lower louvered door for the exterior fridge access and listed as needing TLC.  Week after week it didn't sell, so finally I went to look at it.

It couldn't have had more damage had you actually done stuff on purpose:
-entry step missing
-both front stabilizer jacks torn off by a tow truck when the camper was impounded by the Sheriff's office for being left out on the street, unregistered for months on end
-fridge doesn't stay lit
-water heater unknown function
-shepards hooks both broken
-plastic windows all torn away from canvas
-stove not working on outside hookup
-tongue damaged from coming unhitched while driving down the road and hitting the TV multiple times
-left rear bumper corner completely torn off from being drug down driveway ramps
-all canvas either torn or had holes
-one lift support didn't raise the roof as high as the others and so of course the door didn't fit anymore
-holes in all of the upholstery and buttons torn out of the seat cushions
-stove was just a pile of rust and grease

I saw it back on CL about 2 days ago for $900.  Another $800 to go, and then they'll be just about in the ball park!

Funny thing about it was........the roof was pristine.  I was thinking, if the price is right, I'll bring this home and put this nice original roof on mine, and maybe even ad the water heater and electric pump faucet set up with twin propane tanks.

[3ontheGo]

I guess we both scored finding good pups here so cheap, austinado! Mine was only $500 and yours was even less, wasn't it? Here's to patience, diligence and good timing. :!

[austinado16]

Here's to patience, diligence and good timing. :!

.....and plane ol' luck!

[GeneF]

And if I remember correctly, my 1990 8 foot Jayco cost me $3200 brand new.  No fridge or furnace but it did have a stove.

[MomboTN]

Most pups hold their value pretty well if they are maintained.
Here is the site that will give you the value of used pups.  
http://www.nadaguides.com/default.aspx?l=1&w=25&p=38&f=5693&gc=rv&any=0>c=CT

[cyclone]

I had looked at Nada out of curiosity - their value on the '90 unit is less than half the asking price.  Yikes!  

We were joking the other day that maybe we should list our pup on CL for more than we paid for it (bought it used) and see if we get any bites.  That's not going to happen, but it would be interesting to test what this market actually will bear.

[Shepherd]

We just bought our pup from a listing in CL.  They listed it last Saturday and we looked and made the deal on Sunday morning.  Since they have to quickly move back east for his job, they listed it mid range of what nada says is the going rate and we were able to dicker down below what the low range quoted. We were happy because the unit is in like new condition and the model we bought is selling for the high end of nada's listing around the area and mid-west at dealerships and other private individuals.  

I never really shop Craig's List because I just don't think of it, but my wife has been browsing it ever since we started looking for a pop up.  Glad the folks we bought it from weren't trying to make a killing on the price but were just looking to get back east with a lighter load.  They own a motorhome too and weren't looking forward to pulling the trailer across country.

[spicyville1]

Not sure if it is a Nashville area thing or not but one of our other members on here was searching CL for a while in the Nashville area and the ones she would look at were WAY over priced and most missreprented. She eventually bought a new Palomino!

I got a real deal on mine. Paid $1300 for the Jayco 1406 and only had to replace two lift cables. It took forever to get done but it was worth it.

[austinado16]

We just bought our pup from a listing in CL.  They listed it last Saturday and we looked and made the deal on Sunday morning...

You guys hit that perfectly!  Congrats!  There are alot of great deals on CL, and it helps if you can take a look at the listings every day.  Enjoy that "new" camper!

[Shepherd]

You guys hit that perfectly!  Congrats!  There are alot of great deals on CL, and it helps if you can take a look at the listings every day.  Enjoy that "new" camper!

Thanks austinado16, we think the timing made all the difference.  They said they got calls all day Sunday after we entered into the agreement, so I guess the early bird thing worked in this situation.