There’s a reason I named my blog, “Saga of an RV Rookie… ” rookie being the operative term; as in, every single thing we do related to RVing is for the first time, including figuring out the right time to go full-time. At this point, I’m inclined to say something about RV virgins, but I probably should desist and move on to the overwhelmingly fascinating world of RV consignments; but more important than that, I’ll address how God reminds us He is in charge of the plans.
Now, just so you know, you are number one on my mind when I write for Woodall’s. I always want to bring a benefit to you, so you think it’s worth your time to read what I have to say. I try to share something I’ve learned, bought, or experienced that will help you in some way. In this case, I’d like to share what I’ve learned about the thrills and joys of RV consignment.
Here we go: They say (whoever they are) that most people get 3 RVs before they get the “right one.” It turns out we are fitting the pattern, and here is why:
•We traded in RV #1, a Jayco Feather Lite travel trailer: we didn’t like hitching, unhitching, dragging it behind us, etc.
•Bought lovely RV #2, our 2006 Winnebago View that we love: however, we have slowly realized timing is wrong in our life for RVing. It looks like we’ll be going to sticks and bricks for a few months. As unattractive as that sounds, we did get into a temporary stick and brick place that does not require us to shovel snow, empty gutters, and all that other stuff, so that’s good. And I got rid of tons of stuff, which is great! And I continue to learn that how I think things ought to be and what they end up being are often two different things. It seems I’ve read something about God being in charge, not us…
•So, at this stage of life, we’ve put our Winnebago View on consignment with a local RV dealer.
•We’ll see what the future holds for RV #3. We hope to get #3 within a few months. We’re thinking RV #3 will be a Class A. We shall see. Maybe God wants us to have a tent!
But for now, here’s what we’re learning about RV consignment:
First, what does it mean to put your RV on consignment? It means you’re (well..we’re) lazy and don’t want to deal with much of anything. OK…I may have offended some of you with that. Let me try again. RV consignment means you allow a dealership to sell your RV for you while you retain ownership, pay the insurance, etc.
How this works:
•You and the RV dealer agree on a price, say, $45,000.00
•You agree that if the RV sells, you get the $45,000.00, however, if the RV sells for anything anything above $45,000, the dealership gets to keep it (we’re learning the downside of this; read on…).*
•You and the RV dealer agree to a consignment period: ours is two months, while some are three months or longer.
Benefits:
1. Strangers armed with axes and machetes aren’t coming over at night to see our MH.
2. We have a place for the RV to stay while waiting for its new home.
3. An RV dealership has access to markets we don’t have: their reputation, financing options, established clientele, for example.
4. Dealers can take trade-ins.
5. Strangers armed with axes and machetes aren’t coming over at night to see our MH. I guess I like this one.
Liabilities:
1. We’re not seeing the aggressive marketing we had hoped for…not that we would have done much better. But I did get the dealer’s “permission” to put our View on Craig’s List.
2. They have advertised the View at a higher price than we would have asked; of course, they want to sell it so they get more, but it could be scaring off buyers. Hmm…maybe axes and machetes have their charms.*
3. If repairs are needed to close the sale (not in our case), we would be responsible for those costs. That fee would come out of the agreed upon sales price.
4. If we withdraw our View before our two-month consignment period, we will be charged for any pre-delivery or safety inspections completed by the dealership.
I’ll let you know what happens. If our Winnebago hasn’t sold within the two month time frame, we’ll come up Plan B. Most decisions have positive and negative aspects; people have to consider their own situation and needs.
Happy tales, and I’m steeling myself in case there are an onslaught of consignment horror stories headed this way. And keep your eyes open for really cool, small Class A’s for me…unless you know something I don’t and you’re scouting out a great tent for us.
Patti
PS: If you ‘re one of those over-educated types (like me), check back next week for how to earn money online from your RV (or stick home) as a tutor for different companies. I say “over educated” because the companies I’ll write about have hang-ups about tutors having college degrees in assorted fields…go figure.
Patti F.
Thanks Randy and Nancy, and great hearing from you. Yes, kids have their charms, but they also have their needs, as you pointed out. I’ll probably be writing more about that, as well…the little darlings!
Happy tales and stay in touch,
Patti
Professor95
Hi again Patti,
Somehow I missed along the way that there was a 16 year old with you. THAT explains a lot. You see, I’ve been there four times – twice with boys and twice with girls. And….. FWIW, we are now starting all over again with the first grandchild turning 16 and two more not not far behind. Friends and community, along with a sense of belonging outside of the core family, all seem to become more necessary at that age. Personal identity and independence become paramount. One of our children (that I will not openly identify) was 10X more connected with “friends” than the others – and that was before Facebook or Smart Phones. 🙂 Moving from one stick house to another some distance away was a traumatic event for her (… or him, if I am to hid identities.).
We love you and pray for you and only hope for the very best life can provide for your family. You sound like wise parents to be willing to make change. I truly look forward to your new articles on how to make money from home because we sure do need it! The cost of everything goes up but our retirement income! Like Bean, it is hard to buy gas (or diesel) when not only fuel but other staples in life like peanut butter and needed medications/health care go up 40% overnight.
Randy and Nancy
Patti F.
Butterbean, you are such a hoot! Thank you for totally understand unpredictable plan changes…it’s funny picturing you buying feed and hay to feed critters instead of gasoline to feed the RV! I guess our RVs are mammals of sorts…
n our case, we have to “feed” our 16 year old son things that matter to him at that age; things that don’t mesh well with a full time RV life.But that will change sometime.
So, for now, it’s weekend campouts either with a tent (and we love that, too) or our RV if it doesn’t sell. Either way,
Happy tales, and I’ll pray for rain in Texas.
Patti
butterbean carpenter
Howdy Patti,
As the song goes, “I’m sorry, so sorry….”… Thatz why I don’t dream!!! Mine is sitting where I parked it 7months ago, in the front yard, on the ranch… Had to buy feed & hay instead of gasoline!!! If this drouth
doesn’t let up and we get some rain, it’ll be there unless some beautiful well-educated lady with a movie star look-alike husband decides to pay the note off at the bank and take it to Arizony…. No arm twisting, just come on down…
Professor95
Hey Patti,
Why don’t you just take a big club and unsuspectingly knock us off of our feet? That would be marginally gentler than throwing out the big “going back to a stick home” statement.
WOW Girl – What gives? You have been an inspiration! A mentor! A hope for our eventual escape from grass mowing, hedge clipping, snow shoveling,driveway sealing and gutter cleaning. A diva for how to discard years of worthless but yet personally meaningful junk that gathers dust in the dark corners of our vacant rooms? This is more unexpected than a statement from John Boehner admitting to an affair with Nancy Pelosi.
But, despite my confusion, I KNOW you well enough from your writings to believe the decision was not made casually and you will indeed be OK.
May God bless your travels on a newer life’s highway.
Randy