Safely Selling my unused 2020 13ft. Scamp

[MJo]

I don’t know if the post I just wrote showed up, but anyway, I’m selling my new 2020 (never used) 13 ft. Scamp with many extras. I answered a post that and gave my address and they came when I wasn’t home and tried to force the latch and broke it. So, I need a safe way to sell it. Any Ideas? I’d like to not lose money, is that possible? thanks, MJo

[SusanS]

Sorry to hear that. I am actually looking to buy a Scamp to upgrade from my 1989 in Massachusetts. Did you post to classifieds? Let's talk. But you may have more extras than I need.

Susan

[Jon in AZ]

I would arrange to meet potential buyers for a pre-purchase inspection in a public place, and then complete the transaction at a bank if possible to verify funds and notarize documents. That’s how I handled the sale of a Class B a couple of years ago.

There are lots of good people out there. But unfortunately, there are also some sleazy characters… and worse. I dealt with a flipper when I sold the van, and I was glad I kept my distance. It was not a pleasant experience, but I got my price and took a nice hot shower afterward.

If you really want a hands-off approach, you could also use a dealer that accepts consignments, but of course they’ll cut into your profits. Not sure what the going rate is.

[Bill in Pittsburgh]

When placing an ad you usually do get several "off the wall characters" responding. Ignore the obvious loose cannons and use your street smarts in dealing with the others. Quickly let them know that you are not one to be intimidated.
Two recent experiences I had selling on FaceBook Market Place:
1. A very used 1998 Toyota Avalon. Over 600 responses. Too many for me to review so I picked the closer to my home. (One of the first wanted me to meet him at a public place 3.5 hours from my home, for an $800 sale!)

2. I sold my 2001 Jeep Cherokee with ZERO RUST and near perfect condition in every other way. I was selling for top dollar for this vehicle. Many people responded offering me a fraction of what I was asking.
I had it parked in my driveway with a FOR SALE sign. Many tire kickers would stop mostly to admire it and let me know they had owned one just like it several years ago or people again offering a fraction of what I was asking.
Then a guy stopped and I went outside to greet him. He gave it a very quick look over and asked me my price. He then said he knew he was going to buy it because he felt good energy when I came out of my house. He got his wallet out and handed me a 100 dollar bill and said it was sold without having looked under or in it or anything. I said I was going in to get the keys and when I came out he was gone. No name, telephone #, or anything was I given. Four days later he showed up with cash still not having looked it over. He told me then that he was in the "Fifth Dimension" and he thought I was too. We went to the magistrate to make it legal. I gave him the keys (him still not having been in it or even running the engine). He left the magistrates office and I didn't see him again while the Jeep continued to sit in My driveway for almost a week. Finally I looked outside and it was gone.

Bottom line, be prepared for the nuts, but do use your street smarts. Weed out the characters and give them more to fear of you rather than you of them.
I grew up amongst drug addicts, thieves, thugs, and members of infamous biker clubs. Survival is dependent on letting them think you are on equal footing with them. If you do this you will be OK. Scammers and the the less than scrupulous look for easy marks. They avoid those that do not appear vulnerable to their schemes. Unfortunately, reality can be a sad state of affairs.
Also, using this site as a venue for selling a glass trailer should bring you more focused and ultimately more relevant prospects than the crackpots you may encounter on Craigslist or FaceBook Market Place.

[Bill in Pittsburgh]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

I would arrange to meet potential buyers for a pre-purchase inspection in a public place, and then complete the transaction at a bank if possible to verify funds and notarize documents. That’s how I handled the sale of a Class B a couple of years ago.

Good advice from Jon in AZ.

[Iowa Dave]

As to wondering if a trailer is as good as advertised I’ve spoken with several buyers who were assured by a third party owner who was familiar with the camper from having seen it at a rally or camped somewhere. They had “toured the camper and commented on the forum “somebody is going to get a nice camper” or “the owners are very nice and the camper was very clean when I saw it.” This confirms the existence of the camper, genuine existence of owners etc. just my opinion
Iowa Dave

[Meadowlark]

I'm a bit late to the party as we've been out of town but,

I posted our 2005 Saturn on Craigslist years ago. As others have noted, I was immediately contacted by scammers who had various methods of separating me from the car. I was told the buyer was buying it for her son at Ft. Bragg, NC, (I'm in WA State), she would send a 'friend' to take possesssion to drive it to NC. Please send her my checking account number where she could deposit a post dated check. Sure you're right.

Another told me he would be happy to buy it but I had to put up a thousand bucks as 'earnest' money.


A third person called and, in Russian accented english, insisted that I'd hit him with the car, and if I didn't give him the car he was going to sue me.





When we got an email from a man who wanted to look at it, but first did I have maintenance records on it? Well, yes...,. I told him who'd done the maintainance on it, and he contacted our trusty mechanic, who said, here are the maintanance records. We gave him copies and they matched when we met him at his credit union and watched him withdraw the money in cash. (Hundreds, which I normally will not take as Bens are the most popular denomination for countefieters) . He didn't want to pay by check, and that was fine with me. No way would I take a credit card. He looked the car over, and bought it after a test drive with my husband in the car with him. We concluded the deal then and there. All of us were happy.



The best way, I've learned,is even if you are pretty sure the potential buyer is legit, tell him or her to meet you at the sheriff's department. You can always have one of the cops come and witness the sale. (the sheriff's office has said they're more than happy to help, "it makes our job so much easier busting thieves).

[Sheila90235]

I’d like to arrange a time to see the Scamp 13 for sale. It would be my first trailer and it seems pretty perfect for myself and two pups. I’m in MA on the north shore and hope to hear from you. Do you have the spec sheet for this particular model? It would be helpful to know the layout and how it is equipped. Look forward to hearing from you. Thanks, Sheila