Buying the RV from the owner.How is it secure to pay?

Well, the RV I'm most interested, 20k value, is selling by the owner ... hm  :-\
Sure I'll visit him personaly and will check all the staff. Hopefully it'll be great as described.
How is it better to pay ? I mean I can pay either by cash, wire transfer, US bank check or half-by-half. Let's say, I'll pay half by cash and half by US bank check. What I need to do after the cash changed hands ? Shall I sign a kind of contact or something else ?
How is it all processing in US ?

The seller may require you to pay by a particular method if s/he doesn't know you personally. There are numerous reports of scams going on and the seller may not accept a bank cashier's check or personal check. Or they may require that the check clear before they release the vehicle.

Wire transfer is convenient, but there's no way for you to get your money back if this isn't a real seller.

If you're meeting in person, the owner will sign the title document, releasing their ownership and hand it to you if/when they're comfortable with the form of payment.

There's a tradeoff between comfort level and convenience for both parties. Handing over the payment in cash and, at the same time, receiving the signed title document might be best for both, but it's inconvenient (and maybe risky) to carry around a lot of cash.

After you receive the title document, you'll need to visit a DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) office to formally register the vehicle in your name. At that time you'll also pay sales tax.

Some state do not require you pay sales tax when purchasing forom an individual, but a small use tax.  Perhaps $25 to $250 plus your registration of Lisc and ttitle.

Thanks for the correction Shayne. I was thinking California and should have qualified that in my response.

Looking to buy in the sunny state of Florida )

We bought from a private owner and paid cash.  (We didn't let the owner know we had cash until we concluded the deal and felt comfortable.)

Things we made sure of:

1.  The RV was parked at the owners house.  (It was a nice house).  We met his wife and son and used the 'facilities' in his home.   If the RV is parked on the side of the road or in an empty lot, RUN no matter what the explanation is.

2.  Almost all private owner deals are on an "as-is" basis - no warranty - so a detailed inspection is a must.  We went over the RV completely - turned on all the appliances/lights/water.  Inspected all the cabinets, drawers, windows, roof, everything.  We inspected the engine,  Looked for exterior rust, interior leaks,  Kicked the tires. and Test drove.  The library here has a good used RV check-out list that we took with us.  (DH is good at that stuff, but if you can line up a mechanic even better).

3.  Question the owner about details of the RV - things an owner should know - to make sure it isn't a third-party deal.  Found out the CCC, GWVR, etc before we went to see it.

3.  Made sure the title was valid.  (If you know by looking, fine.  Otherwise, the bank or DMV can tell you).

4. Get the VIN number before you go and check to see if it has been in an accident.


When the title is signed over to you, make sure the signature matches the name on the title EXACTLY.


You can get a great deal from a private owner.  Just use common sense and you will be fine.

When we bought our used RV the seller was still paying his bank for it.  When my bank saw there was a lienholder they insisted on paying the seller's lienholder directly.

If there's an outstanding loan, the lien holder will have the title, not the seller.

AlexK said:

Looking to buy in the sunny state of Florida )

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Then if you are a Florida resident, you will have to pay sales tax when you register the MH.