[Dean]

Thanks to all for their suggestions and support, I appreciate it. The problem with dealing with these guys is that they have to be able to make good money on the coach when they sell it and so they have to be able to buy it from me so far behind wholesale that frankly I just can’t afford to sell it for that kind of money. The only book value that I have to go by on my coach is looking at NADA which shows low retail at just over $253,000 without adding for any options. I don’t ever add for optional things I only look at the book value without adding for those things. So the question is with the book value at low retail being $253,000 what do I need to price the coach at to see it move? If that number is 200,000 dollars then I’m in trouble. If that number is between 225,000 and 235,000 then I’d probably let it go.

[Bernie]

Dean,

This is going to sound harsh, but here is a dose of bad news. The market doesn’t care what you need to get for your coach. It doesn’t care what you paid for it, if you are upside down, or if the coach is pretty.

Those of us that have sold coaches know the world seems filled with bottom feeders who want to steal your coach. Nothing is more disheartening than to have to give away a coach to someone who is beating you up on price.

But despite what you think you need, you are only going to get what someone will pay. I would suggest you put it on ebay with lots of photos, a glowing narrative about it, and set a reserve equal to the lowest a wholesaler will offer. You will at least get an idea of what people are willing to pay.

If you don’t sell it, and you do go ahead with listing the Liberty it is probable you will be in a hole equally deep so you might be better off to eat a known, but relatively modest loss than to prolong the agony and have two coaches eating you alive.

There are a lot of RV sites that will give you places to gather information on its retail and wholesale value.

[Archived]

Dean,

Nada is not a good example. If you tell us what it is we could tell you.

My plastic coach was 259k Nada.

I thought I could sell it at 229k in a breeze, 3 months nothing.

Wholesale I was offered 150k by 3 brokers.

Beaver Coach sales in Oregon caught wind of it and offered me 170k, they have no fear of buying a 2008 Patriot.

We settled for 180k which was a great deal for me.

They flipped it in a week.

I know it’s hard to swallow but your numbers are probably about the same.

If someone wants your coach you might get wholesale but more realistic is 80%.

Later

bv

[Larry & Diane]

I hear you on selling or consigning to dealer. That for me too was a non starter.

Don’t make this hard. Search the sale sites and see what others are ASKING for the same coach. Let’s say that is $250K. You need all prospective buyers, regardless of location to seriously consider yours. What is the majic ASKING price that gets them thinking they really need to consider your coach. In my case I set my ASKING price $25K under all others and sold it for $30K less. I’m confident there was no better coach of the same model and year available. So, I sold it well below market. In my case, asking prices were $165K to well over $180K. I sold mine in less than 2 weeks for $135K. A big name FL plastic coach dealer offered me under $100K. Another had a $1,000 consignment fee and there cut would be 15%. They had no skin in the game so they wanted to ask low retail.

Take high quality pictures with a wide angle lens and proper lighting. Stage the coach for pictures. Exterior pictures should not have detracting background of foreground stuff. If your pictures suck no one will call.

[Peter]

No question you’re better off selling it yourself Dean, I got the impression you were looking for someone to replace the dealer that didn’t get the job done. The problem with listing it with the dealer you chose was they have a yard full of new and used and the consignments get little attention. The sale folks always push the buyer to something that makes them more money.

I’ve sold more than I care to admit, plastic and Prevost and if you can do it yourself, you’re better off.

[Bernie]

Bernie & Deborah,

It is a 2011 Mountain Aire model 4314. Thanks for the help.

[Dean]

Dean

I found it online, nice coach but alot in that price range.

I’ll call my friend who sells Newmar tomorrow and see what it’s worth to them.

Just FYI, My buddys 2012 Essex wholesaled at 350k he paid 600k. It’s cruel.

Later

bv

[Archived]

I don’t think your that far off Dean. Remember there’s an ass for every seat, you just haven’t found it yet.

Get this coach some exposure, it will move.

Later

bv

[Paul]

Thanks,

I did drop the asking price to 249 today. I’ve had one offer for 200 from a dealer and he’s good at that for a few weeks so I’ll see what happens.

[Corey]

Hi Dean

My contact at Newmar didn’t answer my email today so I can’t get his numbers. Not getting much attention because I’m not buying anything.

Later

bv