Independent RV inspections have been gaining ground with more and more RV buyers learning about this valuable service. RV inspections are often likened to a home inspection for an RV. However, RV inspections encompass so much more than a home inspection and will take much more time than a home inspection. It is common for RV inspections to take upwards of 8 to 10 hours for the onsite inspection. Additionally, the inspector will spend time before the inspection preparing for the inspection and time after writing the report and communicating the results to the client. During the actual inspection, the inspector will spend time, not just evaluating the RV systems, but also operationally testing them to see if the RV’s systems are operating within standards and to provide the RV buyer with the most complete picture of the RV’s current condition.
Dealer Objections
However, many RV buyers have expressed frustration with the RV inspection process. They sometimes get “push back” and often out right refusal from RV dealers to cooperate with and allow independent RV inspections. There are several reasons dealers might offer push back on allowing customers to have an independent inspection. These reasons may include fear of loss of control, Fear of loss of revenue, and fear of customer objections.
Loss of Control
Dealers may fear loss of control in relation to an RV inspection because they may be worried that the inspection will reveal issues with the RV that the dealer was not aware of. This could lead to the customer asking for a refund or a discount, or to the dealer being forced to make repairs they had not budgeted for. Additionally, the dealer may be concerned that the customer will not be satisfied with the results of the inspection and will not purchase the RV.
To maintain control dealers will tell buyers that the dealer themselves will inspect the RV and there is no need to hire someone from the outside. But this is not a truly independent inspection. This would be the same as buying a house and the seller tells you they will inspect the house for you. Why should buying an RV be any different?
Loss of Revenue
In many cases, the RV dealer does not actually own the RVs on their dealership lot. They have financed the RVs and every day the RV sits on the lot the dealer is making interest payments. Salespersons are often paid strictly on commission, meaning they do not get paid until the RV is sold and leaves the dealership. Anything that delays this means the dealer making less profit and the salesperson getting paid later. If issues are discovered in the inspection process the dealer may have to pay to fix them or the buyer may negotiate on the price. These fixes and negotiations can also lead to less profit for the dealer.
Water Damaged Slideout Floor
Customer Objections
Increasingly, customers are asking for and even demanding independent RV inspectors inspect RVs before purchasing. Sometimes inspections reveal items of concern to the buyer that cause them to reconsider the purchase. Sometimes buyers will decide the nature of the items discovered are such that they walk away from the RV all together.
These are some of the common objections you may encounter from an RV dealer when you tell them you want an independent RV inspection. Always insist on having an RV inspection conducted by an independent certified RV inspector. The time and money spent may very well save you from heartache and money spent on repairs down the road.