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Topic: On determining selling Price (Read 710 times) previous topic - next topic

On determining selling Price

When, and if, you decide to sell your coach, as we are, you have to arrive at, what seems to you, a fair and reasonable starting asking price. Before we put our 2001 U320 on sale, we researched this forum, asked knowledgeable people, and even got a fair range from MOT. What I find interesting is that, even including the words " negotiable", people are reluctant to start a conversation.
We currently have our coach for sale, at what we believe to be a reasonable starting point. We realize there are items that might be of concern to a potential buyer. How can we address those concerns if there is no conversation?
Our coach is at Keith's, if anyone is interested.
We welcome any feedback.
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: On determining selling Price

Reply #1 –
Price is only one part of the equation.

This is not a great time of year to be selling a coach, so it's really important to catch a buyer's eye with a well-presented, clean, ready-to-go specimen. 

When you say that buyers aren't even starting a conversation, do you mean after looking at the coach in person OR have you had no inquiries at all?

If the former, ask them politely for constructive feedback.  What made them decide it wasn't the coach for them?  Maybe it's something you need to address.

If the latter (no inquiries), consider how the coach is presented in the ad as well as the price.  You've got to grab them with a good first impression.  That means clear photos that show the coach looking fabulous and ready to go.  List the recent maintenance especially if it proactively answers questions about fluid/filter changes, tires, batteries, shocks, airbags, etc.

Don't make folks work to get information and be timely in responding to questions.  If you advertise on places like FB marketplace, watch for responses to your ad on at least a daily basis.  If someone asks a question as a response to the ad (vs sending you a message) and they don't get a response within a day (often less), they'll move on.  Even worse, if someone new sees questions that are days to weeks old with no responses, they'll likely assume the coach is sold or the seller is unresponsive/not serious and they likely won't even bother to contact you.

If there are repair issues visible or that need to be disclosed, consider fixing those so they're no longer part of a potential discussion.

Make sure all storage, inside and out, is clean and organized in the photos.  Remove anything personal/taste-specific.  Don't have open packages of food (including in photos).  Ditto prescription medications.

Lastly, if there is direct competition (same general age, model, floorplan), make yours stand out as the better choice. 
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: On determining selling Price

Reply #2 –
Glenn, I think lots of good photographs would go a long way.

I see you have some short videos' posted but IMO they really do not show much detail. As a buyer looking at a coach, to see if I am interested,  I'd load up the pictures, enlarge each one and take in all the details. You can't really do that with a brief video.

Check out the pictures that MOT does in their on line listings.

Best wishes with the sale.



1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: On determining selling Price

Reply #3 –
Where is your coach advertised? I sold my 1981 Foretravel for a great price off an ad in RV Trader.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: On determining selling Price

Reply #4 –
Thanks for the response
I felt that a walkthru video of inside and outside that was current would be better than pictures that could have been taken a long time ago
We advertised on the Forum, RV Trader and FB
We have lots of interest
I believe a buyer really needs to see our coach up close to appreciate it
Then we can have a realistic conversation
We will keep all recommendations in mind
Thanks
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: On determining selling Price

Reply #5 –
Glenn,

If you have had lots of interest, have those folks gone to see the coach? 

If not, you have to ask yourself why. Was there something in your response to their queries that could have eliminated their interest?

If they have seen the coach in person, and haven't pursued further, again, you have to ask yourself why.  What aspect of the coach doesn't "show well"?  Fix it.

Quote from: GleamB –
I believe a buyer really needs to see our coach up close to appreciate it

Asking a buyer to travel to see a coach without providing them good photos is not realistic.  I'm sorry if that sounds harsh as I don't mean it that way, but rather as the perspective from someone who purchased a coach in the last few months.  We passed on coaches where a seller would not send us additional photos and told us we had to see the coach in person.  Nope.  Full stop.  Not going to spend the time and money traveling to see something and answer questions that can be determined from photos first.  No one is going to drive to Nac unless they can first scrutinize good quality photos of most areas of a coach.  As Jeff noted, short cell-phone videos do not give a potential buyer an adequate picture of what they are considering.  Good, clear photos of a well-presented coach are what get a buyer interested and wanting to see a coach in person.  That should be a priority.  Study MOT's listings as examples of what to do and use them as guidance on how to present your ad.

Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: On determining selling Price

Reply #6 –
Glenn, you say "We realize there are items that might be of concern to a potential buyer. How can we address those concerns if there is no conversation?"
As Michelle said, "if the coach doesn't show well, fix it."
I just read your ad on this forum again. Still no photos?
The fact that your coach is at Keith's would be a red flag for me. Have you discussed potential concerns with him?
ALSO, I just watched one of your YouTube videos and noticed you are not getting many views.
Then I looked at your video descriptions and saw that at least 2 were blank. You don't even have the word "Foretravel".
If I was you, I would write a video description for each video using every keyword you can think of that might draw in a viewer from a YouTube search. Those keywords should include words associated with your coach as well potential uses for your coach like "camping, RV, FOR SALE, Quartzsite, boondocking", etc. etc. etc. .

1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: On determining selling Price

Reply #7 –
One more thing, that I hesitate to add as we all love Keith. He is the best, without question. He services our coach. No one better at servicing our coaches.

That said he is in the business of fixing them, not selling them. To the un-informed buyer who doesn't know Keith and isn't that familiar with FT, the repair guy has a coach for sale on his  lot. Why is it at the repair shop? Why aren't there any pictures? You are already going against the tide at this point with most potential buyers.

More eyeballs.....better chance of selling.

I'd reconsider letting MOT sell it if you are motivated to sell. It's in town, easy pickup for them and they are dedicated to presenting and selling coaches. Will it cost you some money to sell there? Yes, of course but they have a much greater chance of moving your coach compared to how it's presented currently.

Compare zero dollars to 70K less MOT's cut.

IMO, It's not going to sell without detailed pictures and more eyeballs looking.

I'm certainly no expert but I was in sales and sales management for most of my career before I retired.

Best wishes!

1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: On determining selling Price

Reply #8 –
The coach is in fine shape. I have many pictures I will repost. The previous owner put lots of money into redo tv, reupholster, MCD shades, air bags and shocks and Temper Pedic mattress and more. I did lots of up grades including new vinyl floors throughout, residential refrigerator with pullout pantry, starter upgrade, nee bladder on slide and much more.
We wanted to sell at Keith's because of our regard for him. It shows well.
Comments I heard were husband loved it, wife didn't like bathroom layout. Never an issue for us.
The gist of my post concerned a perception that people don't know how to negotiate. I am sorry if I was not clear about that.
I will repost here, with lots of pictures, if allowed.
If you shop at MOT, drive down to Keith
You will want to, one day, anyway.
Thanks for all your input. I love our Foretravel and hope it finds a new home. I love this Forum, also. Was a big reason why we bought our coach
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: On determining selling Price

Reply #9 –
There is a very narrow group of people looking to by 20+ year old mostly non slide motor homes.  Those of us that know Foretravel are well aware of the quality. While I agree Keith is a great guy, he's just not set up to sell, no website no photos, hard to reach by phone. Now we get to the $$$ issue. No bank will loan on 20+ year old vehicles, interest rates are high on second mortgages( source of cash), and these turbulent times folks are holding on to their ready cash. Finally we have all made improvements to our coaches, interior remodel, mechanical equipment upgrades, exterior paint, solar, and the list goes on. Here where I step on some toes, the ROI is not what us owners think it should be, while it does add value we are still talking what the market will bear pricing. I see stories of folks that have had motorhome for sale for over a year one is at MOT, and it a later model. It's obviously over priced for the market. As we all know there are 2 prices we put on things one we'll put it up for sale, two I want to sell it. In the end one has to decide how long you want to hold out.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: On determining selling Price

Reply #10 –
Keith isn't selling my coach. I am selling the coach
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: On determining selling Price

Reply #11 –
If your credit is good, you can finance an older motorhome. When I was looking, I was steered to a lender that specializes in older vehicles and boats. I was told that they finance yachts 40 years and older. As investments are doing really well for now, I choose to leave my money there and pay some interest, which will be tax deductible as a 2nd home loan. However back to the point of finding an interested buyer. As much as I liked the look and build of the older stuff, I didn't see myself going that far back. My last 2 coaches were purchased new, a 99 Tropi-Cal (gas) and the 04 Tropi-Cal Diesel. The later one I kept too long, used too much in winter and it started falling apart. Had to junk it. Looking to replace my budget just couldn't get me new in something that thrilled me, so I started looking at the older, higher end, better built stuff. First Foretravel test ride was a 2001 42 foot with tag and ISM 450. OK, hooked. Bought the 08 Nimbus. While not perfect I have really only had one big surprise. Slide out room leaking. And that turned out to be an easy fix.
Anyway, for the older coaches you need someone that wants vintage, understands the limits, has the skills and resources to maintain it.
Consider posting adds in places that advertise classic vehicles like Hemmings Motor News. There are folks that collect old RVs also.
Dennis Haynes
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
Build #6475
Motorcade #19148

Re: On determining selling Price

Reply #12 –
So the value of your coach is constantly changing. You should start to see it trend up in value since we should see a continuous reduction of the price of diesel. Waiting six more months may yield a higher value than what it is today?
 

Re: On determining selling Price

Reply #13 –
We think:
Motorhomes are not an investment to be bought with a plan to sell them later. 

Buy them to use & enjoy and after that, they don't owe us anything.  Price them low so they sell to the first interested person.

When sold, they may still be a liability to us, so sooner the better that title is legally transferred, something we usually have little control over.

Just letting a stranger drive our motorhome could be a high-risk situation, even if we are in the co-pilot seat.