Fiberglass Dilemma

[Tuanis]

Ok, I need some input ASAP. Someone 20 minutes from my house (NEVER HAPPENS) is selling a Scamp 16' with bunks and a bathroom. It's exactly what I want. I currently own a UHaul 13' (that we drove for two days to bring home) and I LOVE it, but wish it had a bathroom and more storage.

The dilemma: It's listed for $7000 and it's an '86. It doesn't have an awning like our 13'. Our UHaul has no leaks, but also doesn't have a furnace or a functioning AC. I think he's asking way too much based on what I've seen listed online elsewhere, but it's in great shape. What would you offer for the Scamp? What's a reasonable price for that year/layout and in good shape? I really don't want to pay nearly double to have a bathroom and a little more kitchen space... and NOT have an awning. Ugh, decision..

Here's his description:

This is an awesome 16' Scamp, clean, no smoking. Comes with:

Single lp gas tank
Battery
Screen door
Air Conditioner
Furnace and thermostat
12v-110v-gas refrigerator
Shower/toilet with gas hot water
Sleeps -4
2 Mounted Jacks in Rear
Front Bunks
12v Water Pump
Dinette Booth Converts to Bed
Electric brakes
3 burner gas stove

Cash only

[JOE DRISSEL]

If it is as awesome as you think , buy it Now because tomorrow it may not be there.

[Roy in TO]

Oh, oh.
Threefootitis is worse than twofootitis. You already know what you have.

Go check it out with the buyers check list in hand. There is no mention of tires or axle replacements.
Come up with a price you are happy with, including the cost of an awning which seems important to you. Make an offer.

There is an unwritten law of fiberglass trailers, others seem to come up for sale more often once you already own one.

[DrewSK]

I own a very similar scamp, purchased in September 2012 for $6200.

87, same layout. Only difference is I have an awning, I know I need a new axle in the next few years, tires are fairly new, and the door is not original.

I feel my wife and I got a good deal, based on... I love our scamp and the purchase timing worked out well. Got the features I can't add myself and have the rest of the scamps life to play with it :-)

[Tuanis]

If he would take $6200 I think I'd go for it. It has upgraded custom cabinets and a wood floor, but other than that, nothing super special to make it worth the extra $800. We took a look at it just now and told him there are numerous 16' scamps, same year online for $3,900 to $6000 and if he's willing to get to that area we'd go for it. Someone else is looking at it tonight though so I'm not holding my breath (but kinda..)

[RETIRED]

[QUOTE=Tuanis;404086]Ok, I need some input ASAP. Someone 20 minutes from my house (NEVER HAPPENS) is selling a Scamp 16' with bunks and a bathroom. It's exactly what I want. I currently own a UHaul 13' (that we drove for two days to bring home) and I LOVE it, but wish it had a bathroom and more storage.

The dilemma: It's listed for $7000 and it's an '86. It doesn't have an awning like our 13'. Our UHaul has no leaks, but also doesn't have a furnace or a functioning AC. I think he's asking way too much based on what I've seen listed online elsewhere, but it's in great shape. What would you offer for the Scamp? What's a reasonable price for that year/layout and in good shape? I really don't want to pay nearly double to have a bathroom and a little more kitchen space... and NOT have an awning. Ugh, decision..

Make an offer for say $5000 or what you feel comfortable with. This means someone else will have to pay more if they want it. Make offer good for 1 month and maybe longer when offer runs out. Tell seller to call you if he gets an offer so you might want to offer more.

[Ron in BC]

Compared to the Scamp 16 listing in OR for 4500 that includes several new appliances as well as a new axle it looks overpriced to me.

[Perry J]

He will get his price.
Will it be you or someone else?

[jwcolby54]

Originally Posted by Roy in TO

There is an unwritten law of fiberglass trailers, others seem to come up for sale more often once you already own one.

Ain't that the truth. I looked for months. Finally bought one 800 miles away and now they are coming out of the woodwork.

[Robin G]

Personally I think it's a bit pricey, but honestly if someone is willing to pay his asking price than guess it's not too pricey! You can find some 90's and even 2000's not much more than $7000

Take the buyers check list and go over it with a fine tooth comb. Then make a offer!

[Tuanis]

I'm sure he will find a buyer at the price he is asking. A bathroom and some extra cupboard space isn't worth the additional $3k for me. (And I've become attached to my little Uhaul...)

[Ed Harris]

These are worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for them.

I do know that any trailer even close to a fair price will not wait for you to be sold,especially now during the height of camping season and in an area where they do not sell very often.

I imagine you already know this though or it would not be a Dilemma?

Also how can we really comment with no pictures?

[Bob Miller]

From my obsevations, as both a buyer and a seller, I can see that there are at least two different kinds of buyers, Those driven by the head (aka: thinkers) and those driven by the heart (aka: dreamers).

Most hereabouts are the former and we have to compete with the latter.

The former see the axle and tires that need replacement, the outdated lp tank and the goop smeared all over the roof vents and start subtacting from the asking price.

The latter see their FGRV parked beside a mountain lake and start counting out the Ben Franklins even before discovering that they don't even have a suitableTV.

This time of year,the dreamers want instant gratification and will overspend to get that dream. For the thinkers it's a bad time to compete.

[jwcolby54]

That is so true, buying during camping season is always a recipe for paying more. Unless you stumble on a deal and snap it up. IMO this one is not a deal.

Proximity is worth $X / mile of course so factor that in. I have to get 800 miles away to get mine. That's days of driving (my time), gas and all of that.

[carlkeigley]

Thinker vs. Dreamer..........

This applies everywhere.
My cousin and I went to an auction to pick up some calves.
We found the one we wanted but there was a woman who
kept going on about how "cute" the calf was. When it came
to the block we bid on it and then she began bidding.

Needless to say we quit bidding because it was obvious she
thought of that calf as a new pet.

During camp season or boat season it can be a sellers market.

[stevebaz]

Would it be a deal if it was 500 miles away at $6000 and you had to go pick it up and drive back and then deal with interstate transfers and out of state registration fees? Would camping this summer be worth the $500 difference to you. The first time you drive a long ways for a real deal and its sold out from under you, you will rethink that $1000 difference. Your lucky its close you and have nothing invested, You can take the time to check everything out and if you dont like it you can easily walk awy or reneogicate a price. For that price everything should work and look proper all maintance and proper paperwork should be done and in the sellers name and be current. I do value my money and thats alot of money but the error isnt so large that it cant be absorbed if you had to sell later at a loss. its not like a project that never gets finished.