Get a Service Done Before You Sell
If you are thinking of selling your caravan, getting a service before you sell, may seem counter intuitive. After all, it's up to the buyer to do that once they've bought your caravan isn't it? Well actually, there are some very good reasons to get a service done yourself before you sell. Here we look at exactly what those reasons are, how they can help you secure a sale and maybe even, get a better price.
Get Buyers Onside
The first reason to get a service is about making human nature work in your favour. To a buyer, if you are offering a caravan for sale with a current service, it reassures them that you are honest and trustworthy. You have nothing to hide. You are saying, here is my caravan and here is an independent report about it. Cast your mind back to when you bought your caravan. Unless it was new at the time, your natural instinct is to be wary of the seller and be on the look out for hidden faults - it's human nature. So imagine the positive impact it has on a buyer to be presented with a detailed independent report on the caravan they are considering purchasing.
Provide Certainty in an Uncertain World
Secondly, it enables the buyer to see exactly what they are buying. You may decide to rectify some or all of the problems identified in the report. In which case you can present the original report and evidence of the action you've taken regarding any observations made in the report. Or you may decide not to take any action on the report. Either way, the buyer can see exactly what they are getting. This provides a level of certainty and confidence for the buyer. Most buyers don't mind faults - what they hate is the uncertainty of not knowing.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Next, having a caravan service prior to selling, helps you stand out from the crowd. That is, in comparison to similar caravans for sale at the same time. Given the choice between two similar caravans, which one would you go and look at first - the one with the independent report or the one without? That is why, if a seller lists a caravan for sale with us and it has an up to date service with it, we will include it as a top feature in the sales description!
Now You Can Stand Firm on the Price
Finally, the fact that the buyer knows exactly what they are getting means you are able to stand firm on the price. Your broker doesn’t have to put up with buyers sucking the breath in between their teeth and speculating about potential problems. They can simply give them a copy of the service and discuss any issues in rational a way. If some problems have been highlighted, that’s fine. They can be resolved at a known cost. Everyone is dealing with certainties and speculative offers are removed from the process.
Why don't more people get a service done before putting their caravan on the market? Two main reasons: cost and convenience. Regarding cost, as discussed above, the benefits outweigh the costs. If it helps you attract a buyer and hold firm on price, a service can more than pay for itself. With respect to convenience, yes getting your caravan booked in for a service can be a nightmare. However, our sister company Habcheck provide a mobile service. They will come to your home or wherever you store your caravan to carry out the service – it couldn’t be easier.
If are thinking of selling your caravan, start with a free caravan valuation. Once you have completed the form your local Caravan Depot broker will be in touch and answer all of your questions about us, your caravan, the market and anything else to do with selling your caravan.
