Posted 2010-01-07 5:56 PM (#115003) Subject: Advice on long-distance buying
Veteran
Posts: 213 Location: Virginia
I am currently looking at several used 2H GN 4 Star trailers with weekender packages that fit my budget. The problem is that they are between 400 and 700 miles away in different directions. I have never purchased any vehicle long-distance before and certainly not without touching/feeling the actual vehicle. How do you handle it? If I were to visit each of these it would cost of several hundred dollars in gas and hotel each and lots of time I don't have - and then shrink my trailer budget in the process!! If money were no object, I would not have a problem (I would just custom order one and have it delivered!!) Any suggestions or advice?
Am I correct that a 4 Star is considered a "better quality" trailer? I have noticed that when the 2H GN models come on the market, they sell quickly.
Posted 2010-01-07 6:21 PM (#115007 - in reply to #115003) Subject: RE: Advice on long-distance buying
Location: Colorado
I would ask for lots of pictures- detailed pictures. Inside and out. Ask specifically about any damage, and again, pictures. I like talking to people on the phone, rather than email all the time. I think I get a better feel for them that way. Also ask if they have the trailer financed, and if so, with who. If it is, you will have to get the pay off, and figure out how to handle getting the title and having it signed over correctly. I want to have them or the bank fax me a copy of the front and back of the title. If you get to the point of buying, I'd set it up so you send a deposit, and pay the balance when you go pick up the trailer. Put all agreements in writing to avoid misunderstanding on either side.
Posted 2010-01-07 10:25 PM (#115016 - in reply to #115003) Subject: RE: Advice on long-distance buying
Location: Central Arkansas
I bought several trailers both LQ and DR trailers off of this site. A few were from Dealers. One or two from individuals. Also have bought several vehicles off the net, too. The key is to do you homework and make copies of everything to take with you when you pick it up. Research it within an inch of its life, then research the deal some more.
Posted 2010-01-08 11:53 AM (#115028 - in reply to #115003) Subject: RE: Advice on long-distance buying
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Newnan, GA
wow - would i buy long distance again without seeing the trailer in person? i get so tempted. new rule, not unless it is brand new or comes with some type of warranty or buyer's protection. my husband's favorite saying "lessons are repeated until learned".
I have had good luck, 2 out of 3 times, with LQ trailers. I guess a lot depends on your definition of words versus their definition and your expectaions - like...
"everything works" could mean yes, it powers on, but does the refridge get cold and stay cold? = $600 in labor and parts
yes, the a/c runs, but does it run where you would want to be inside and listening to it cut on and off all night, or make you get out of bed when it kicked off your generator since it really needed a new hard start unit= $$$$ in labor and parts and my time
"the bearings and brakes were just serviced" = overfilled with so much gunk etc. that i needed to spend $1600 on new brakes and hubs. Have you ever had your bearings smoke right under your favorite horse?
"exterior is a little faded" - trailer is stained and looks like it has spent it's entire life outside under a yellow sap tree - so bad I have spent $1000 getting it acid washed, detailed, buffed/ waxed and all over again a few times and really need to spend $3500 to have it -painted and re-striped
linoleum in LQ area was so ugly in person and burnt in one place from a space heater = $1000 new wood floor installed
Gosh, I could go on and on with this one. Online photos can make a trailer look like your dream - but how does it smell etc. Now that I have my trailer pretty much perfect and everything just about brand new - it still chaps me that I made a mistake by not looking at 1000 miles away in Texas. Of course I am a perfectionist. 15 years ago I would have given my eye teeth for the same trailer. Go figure. Basically instant gratification isn't worth it and I spent way, way more to get this trailer right than a round-trip first class airline ticket would have cost me. Expensive lesson learned that I will never buy from that F.......... dealer again. Name and dealership info available via private message.
Posted 2010-01-08 1:17 PM (#115031 - in reply to #115003) Subject: RE: Advice on long-distance buying
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
We bought a trailer that was 1200 miles away and had it shipped to us, but it was brand new. In buying a used trailer I would do exactly as I did buying the new one, write down exactly what you want, what you can do without, etc. Then look for the trailer that fits your expectations the best at the best price. Then call the owners as you will get a better feel for the condition of the trailer over the phone. I just dont think I would buy a used trailer long distanced without looking at it in person, even if it was at a dealership.
Posted 2010-01-08 1:35 PM (#115032 - in reply to #115003) Subject: RE: Advice on long-distance buying
Veteran
Posts: 123 Location: Indiana
Sounds like there is a dealer that is good at long distance sales. See the testimonial on Akins Trailers. I'll at least talk with them before I purchase next time.
Posted 2010-01-08 1:50 PM (#115036 - in reply to #115003) Subject: RE: Advice on long-distance buying
Veteran
Posts: 146 Location: Harrisburg, OR
Pinkmouse- It's always difficult when buying from a private party. Pictures are not always representative of what the trailer is. The comments above are all great ideas. One other thing you could do that will save you time and money is to have the sellers take the trailer into a local dealer for inspection. Most dealers will perform a PDI for a reasonable amount and go through a thorough checklist. Since you will be paying them you will get an unbiased opinion on the trailer. While we don't carry 4-star you are correct in that they are one of the best made trailers on the market. Thad
Posted 2010-01-08 8:43 PM (#115044 - in reply to #115037) Subject: RE: Advice on long-distance buying
Veteran
Posts: 231 Location: Illinois
I bought mine long distance...I am in the midwest and my trailer came from Maryland..my sugestions would be to talk to them personally, by phone, get all info you can, ask questions, take notes, ask more questions..our biggest delima was my hubby didn't want to carry all that cash half way across the country ( I couldn't go) we arranged to do a $$$ transfer...He would call me and tell me if the sale was a GO ( after he inspected it of course) then I called my bank with info needed to transfer $$$ from my account to the sellers ..it took less then 2 hours to complete the transfer..no hassle!! ALSO, the deal with the title was a complete _____!!! he had a clear title, but the finance comp. he had used in MD. had not signed off on the title ( proof it was a clear title) and my state would'nt transfer the title without proof...this was a HUGE P.I.T.A. the seller had to contact the finace comp.and get them to send a copy of the final pay off..it had to be notorized, then I had to take all the info + bill of sale to DMV to get this transfered... so, what I suggest is you find out what the requirements are in your state to transfer a title, IF it is an out of state title...and don't get in a hurry !! :) GOOD LUCK !!
Posted 2010-01-09 9:12 PM (#115072 - in reply to #115003) Subject: RE: Advice on long-distance buying
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
I, too have had good luck buying a trailer long distance.. My new (to me..it's an '07) Hart came from Oregon and I live in south Texas. I had the shipping company that supplies new trailers out there bring it back on a return trip and leave it at their company home in OK. I picked it up there... I bought used from a dealer, tho, and would definitely be leary of buying from an individual.. I checked out the dealer thru BBB and talked to the shipping company about what kind of a customer he was. He also sells mustangs, and I went thru his website and read up about him some (yes, I know that can all be faked, but I did check him thru other sources). I found him very straight up to deal with and am very happy with my purchase.
Posted 2010-01-11 9:34 PM (#115142 - in reply to #115003) Subject: RE: Advice on long-distance buying
Elite Veteran
Posts: 714 Location: Minnesota
I know that Denny's Trailer Sales in Wykoff, MN has done many long distance trailer sales. I have bought two trailers from them (in person, on site) and know they say what they mean and mean what they say. Service is outstanding and they will help you with any problems themselves, or over the phone if possible or hook you up with the factory if necessary.
Posted 2010-01-12 7:53 PM (#115176 - in reply to #115003) Subject: RE: Advice on long-distance buying
Member
Posts: 33
Caveat emptor. I just did this, and my experience was not so good. If I had it to do over, I would definitely spend the money to fly down and see the trailer first. If you have several you're interested in, narrow them down as best you can and then invest the money to go look at them or have someone you trust on here go look at them for you. Believe me, in the long run it's worth it unless you have a really good feeling or recommendation about the seller.
My trailer was described (by a dealer) as a "10" - and even "better than a 10". Well I'm not sure what numerical system he was following but his 10 and my 10 were two very different numbers.
Someone above mentioned pictures - yes. Have them take pictures of every square inch, inside and out, stem to stern. And go through the list of each component and ask them not just if it works but does it work properly. Do not get caught up in the enthusiasm of thinking you've finally found The Trailer. Stay objective and analytical! And do talk on the phone as much as you can and try to get a sense about the seller.
Here's a for instance: I asked about the tread left on the tires and was told they were at 80 percent. What I didn't ask was whether all the tires matched. Stupid me. This trailer has three different sized tires on it.
We had ours delivered here from down south (1100 miles away) and we had only put a deposit on it before it arrived, so an adjustment in the price was made once we inspected the trailer - but the dealer was not happy about it and we were not satisfied with it and overall it was a very unpleasant transaction.
Once I sink a bunch of cash into it, the trailer will be just what I wanted! But in hindsight I think I would rather have just waited for the right trailer to come along at my local dealer.
On the other hand, I purchased my pickup long distance from a dealer who sells through ebay and that was the best transaction ever! But he had an awesome feedback rating and I could tell by our many phone conversations that this seller was a straight shooter.
Advice on long-distance buying
I have never purchased any vehicle long-distance before and certainly not without touching/feeling the actual vehicle. How do you handle it? If I were to visit each of these it would cost of several hundred dollars in gas and hotel each and lots of time I don't have - and then shrink my trailer budget in the process!! If money were no object, I would not have a problem (I would just custom order one and have it delivered!!
) Any suggestions or advice?
Thanks for all the advice. Your experiences are invaluable.