Buying & Selling Caravans
Caravans come in all shapes and sizes, so when it comes to buying and selling caravans, it’s crucial to keep a few tips in mind.
Buying
Do Your Research
Be sure to find out as much as you can about the caravan. Make use of the Internet to check how much it will cost to insure the caravan, the different layouts available, and whether or not there are common problems to be checked. It’s also critical to compare prices in the market and check seller details.
Check It Over
Once you’ve identified a caravan you’re interested in, inspect the van thoroughly. If you’re not conversant with the mechanics, bring along someone who is. The main things to check are the doors, windows, chassis, running gear as well as the gas and electrics. If it’s a second-hand caravan, don’t forget to check for damp.
Size Matters
A larger caravan can offer better levels of luxury compared to a smaller van, giving you better comfort. However, a bigger caravan also needs a much bigger and more powerful tow car. An easy way to increase your caravan’s living accommodation without adding too much weight is to add an awning.
Before making a commitment, check the caravan’s history if it’s secondhand. Find out if there’s outstanding finance on the caravan, if it’s previously been written off in an accident and rebuilt or even stolen. Also, insist on a service history.
Selling
Preparation
Presentation is key. Clean everything inside and out. You want your caravan to look neat and tidy to potential buyers.
Advertising
Come up with great content for an advert and be sure to incorporate visuals. The content of your advert is as crucial as the price. When it comes to pricing, the secret is to set the price just above what you are willing to accept, leaving room for potential customers to haggle. Once you’ve settled on a price, put your advert together and make sure it includes details such as the make, model and sleeping capacity of the caravan, the year of manufacture and registration, service details, equipment that’s fitted and any other relevant details. Take clear photos and make the advert easy to read, using bulleted lists, commas, and full stops.
Legal Matters
As the seller, you are required to deliver what you’ve advertised. As a safety measure, take down the details of prospective buyers and watch out for scammers who are only out to take advantage of unsuspecting sellers. Don’t hand over the keys before receiving payment in full. Also, trust your instincts, if anything seems out of place, keep searching until you get the right buyer.