Selling up, options?
Discussion
We’ve pretty much decided to sell our caravan.
Our kids are at the stage where they’re busy almost all of the time with various sporting and school activities that we can’t see it’s going to get much use in the next couple of years.
When you add up storage, insurance and servicing costs it doesn’t make much sense to keep it.
It’s a decent van, 2014 in good order with a good layout (twin single beds). I can’t see it being too difficult to get rid of, I just can’t make up my mind what the best options are..
Anybody here been in the same position have any words of wisdom?
Our kids are at the stage where they’re busy almost all of the time with various sporting and school activities that we can’t see it’s going to get much use in the next couple of years.
When you add up storage, insurance and servicing costs it doesn’t make much sense to keep it.
It’s a decent van, 2014 in good order with a good layout (twin single beds). I can’t see it being too difficult to get rid of, I just can’t make up my mind what the best options are..
Anybody here been in the same position have any words of wisdom?
As far as I can see I've got three options.
Sell to a dealer, obviously it'll be quick and simple but not return the best price..
A dealer near me acts as a broker and takes a proportion of the sale price, should get a better price but I've read plenty of SOR horror stories on here.
Advertise it myself and deal with the associated chancers. This should return the most but will be a massive ball ache as it's stored on a military establishment so viewings will be a pain...
Anybody used a van dealer as a broker?
Sell to a dealer, obviously it'll be quick and simple but not return the best price..
A dealer near me acts as a broker and takes a proportion of the sale price, should get a better price but I've read plenty of SOR horror stories on here.
Advertise it myself and deal with the associated chancers. This should return the most but will be a massive ball ache as it's stored on a military establishment so viewings will be a pain...
Anybody used a van dealer as a broker?
If ypu want the Glasses Guide valuation which the caravan boys still seem to regard as Gospel, unlike us belearned Motorhome Valuers who ling ago started using our own mind, then pop up the make year and model or PM me and I will look it up tomorrow.
Market is strong and you'll get near dealer retail privately or comfortably over book trade price just selling to a dealer these days.
Just beware the usual idiots, scammers and anyone with a certain accent
Market is strong and you'll get near dealer retail privately or comfortably over book trade price just selling to a dealer these days.
Just beware the usual idiots, scammers and anyone with a certain accent
Went to the caravan and Motorhome show yesterday at NEC and was stunned at firstly the number of people there actually signing and buying and secondly the prices. Our motorhome we bought new in March 2017 for £43k is now £61k so it's gone up over 40 percent and to upgrade to what we'd want is mid high 70's.
Chatting to one dealer, he said he could give us what we paid against a new one, but delivery would be next year. One manufacturer, Swift, didn't bother to exhibit 'cos they have no stock availability this year.
So in answer to the OP, it's a strong secondhand market, worth calling a few of the buyers that advertise in the back of the magazines.
Chatting to one dealer, he said he could give us what we paid against a new one, but delivery would be next year. One manufacturer, Swift, didn't bother to exhibit 'cos they have no stock availability this year.
So in answer to the OP, it's a strong secondhand market, worth calling a few of the buyers that advertise in the back of the magazines.
Many thanks, I did put up some rough details earlier but it was seen to be ‘unauthorised advertising’ by the moderating crowd and was removed.
It most certainly was not an advert but there you go…
I’m in Devon at the moment at a very nice cottage on the edge of Exmoor so when I’m back next week I’ll make a few calls around and see what transpires.
Both my wife and I are a bit saddened by the prospect of it going, we’ve had some cracking times away in it. However kids don’t stay young forever and things change.
We’ll be back vanning once they’ve left home I’m sure…
It most certainly was not an advert but there you go…
I’m in Devon at the moment at a very nice cottage on the edge of Exmoor so when I’m back next week I’ll make a few calls around and see what transpires.
Both my wife and I are a bit saddened by the prospect of it going, we’ve had some cracking times away in it. However kids don’t stay young forever and things change.
We’ll be back vanning once they’ve left home I’m sure…
I'm at a bit of a crossroads with our caravan use.
Our son is 15 and doesn't want to come with us anymore, which I understand, so it will be weekends away with the wife. But she has just moved jobs and probably wont get much time either to go away in the caravan. I work 4 on, 4 off so my days off different each week. I foresee me going away somewhere fairly local on my own on my days off, with the wife joining me when she can.
Sounds perfect (unless the wife joins me)
Our son is 15 and doesn't want to come with us anymore, which I understand, so it will be weekends away with the wife. But she has just moved jobs and probably wont get much time either to go away in the caravan. I work 4 on, 4 off so my days off different each week. I foresee me going away somewhere fairly local on my own on my days off, with the wife joining me when she can.
Sounds perfect (unless the wife joins me)
My son is also 15 and is reluctant to come with us too, I understand his position.
My Mum lives near so he could possibly stay with her but she is a few months away from being 90 so it’s less than ideal.
I’ve had a decent offer from a local-ish dealer this morning, only £500 less than we paid for it 4 years ago, crazy when you think of it….
£12,500 also buys a lot of MX5…
My Mum lives near so he could possibly stay with her but she is a few months away from being 90 so it’s less than ideal.
I’ve had a decent offer from a local-ish dealer this morning, only £500 less than we paid for it 4 years ago, crazy when you think of it….
£12,500 also buys a lot of MX5…
We went through this dilemma, too.
In the end sold the van and we’ve opted for something much lighter, easier to tow, cheaper to run and storable on its side in the garage:
https://www.isabella.net/uk/trailer-tents/passion
We pick it up next Saturday and can’t wait!
I’m 100% sure that it will lead to simpler, more spontaneous holidays than the caravan ever would have.
In the end sold the van and we’ve opted for something much lighter, easier to tow, cheaper to run and storable on its side in the garage:
https://www.isabella.net/uk/trailer-tents/passion
We pick it up next Saturday and can’t wait!
I’m 100% sure that it will lead to simpler, more spontaneous holidays than the caravan ever would have.
Rosscow said:
We went through this dilemma, too.
In the end sold the van and we’ve opted for something much lighter, easier to tow, cheaper to run and storable on its side in the garage:
https://www.isabella.net/uk/trailer-tents/passion
We pick it up next Saturday and can’t wait!
I’m 100% sure that it will lead to simpler, more spontaneous holidays than the caravan ever would have.
Didn't know they did them. Being Isabella it will be a premium quality product, just as their awnings are. Enjoy.In the end sold the van and we’ve opted for something much lighter, easier to tow, cheaper to run and storable on its side in the garage:
https://www.isabella.net/uk/trailer-tents/passion
We pick it up next Saturday and can’t wait!
I’m 100% sure that it will lead to simpler, more spontaneous holidays than the caravan ever would have.
LeadFarmer said:
Didn't know they did them. Being Isabella it will be a premium quality product, just as their awnings are. Enjoy.
They produced and supplied the canvas for Camp-Let for many years until they eventually took the business over.They're really superb little things, I'll post some pics etc. when we get it!
^ Yes, it went to a dealer.
He arrived, spent 20 minutes in it with his damp meter, had a good look around the outside and made sure all the paperwork was in order.
He complimented us on it’s condition (it’s almost 8 years old) and transferred the money. No effort to chip any money off at all.
£500 depreciation over three years is fine by me…
He arrived, spent 20 minutes in it with his damp meter, had a good look around the outside and made sure all the paperwork was in order.
He complimented us on it’s condition (it’s almost 8 years old) and transferred the money. No effort to chip any money off at all.
£500 depreciation over three years is fine by me…
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