Buying an RV on eBay or Other Auction Site

How to Buy a Motor Home or Camper Online with Buyer Protection

Jun 23, 2009
Thomas Alan Gray

RV Water Damage - Tony Portelli

It can be risky to buy an RV online. But with caution, common sense, and eBay's Vehicle Protection Program, bargain-hunters can protect themselves.

While many folks have found an RV bargain on eBay, the downside is reflected in this post from an RV forum. Misrepresentation of the sale item is a common online fraud.

"I was wondering where we could get a replacement canvas for [a] Jayco pop-up camper, 1988 jay series 1006. My husband got it on eBay and we were told that it didn't leak or anything but it leaks horribly and the canvas is not in good shape."

What recourse does a buyer have? If the RV was purchased through eBay, protection is available through the Vehicle Purchase Protection Program, a summary of which is offered below.

The eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection Program (VPP)

The eBay Motors Vehicle Purchase Protection (VPP) program provides protection of up to $50,000 against certain losses associated with some types of fraud. VPP is administered and managed by an independent service provider unaffiliated with eBay Inc, but claims are processed jointly by the two organizations.

Buyers are automatically enrolled in the program at no charge upon completing the purchase of an eligible recreational vehicle on the eBay Motors site (motors.ebay.com).

Shoppers are expected to conduct pre-purchase research and inspection and to show proper care and judgment in the purchase of any recreational vehicle. This means that the VPP program is not

an insurance policy against negligence on the part of the buyer
an cure for buyer's remorse
a substitute for due diligence.

Terms and Conditions of the VPP

VPP offers protection for losses associated with eligible transactions for qualifying vehicles in the following situations:

1. Buyer pays for an RV and never receives it.

2.Buyer pays a refundable deposit for an RV and never receives the vehicle (or the refund).

3. Buyer pays for an RV and receives it but suffers losses because:

The vehicle was stolen.
The vehicle has an undisclosed or unknown lien against its title.
The RV make, model or year is different than what was described in the seller's listing at the time of the winning bid or offer.

4. Seller does not provide title and it is not possible to obtain a title from the appropriate DMV.

5. The vehicle has a title with an undisclosed salvage, rebuilt/rebuildable, unrebuildable, reconstructed, scrapped/destroyed, junk, lemon, manufacturer buyback, or water damage brand at the time of the end of the listing.

6. The vehicle is less than 20 years old and has more than a 5,000 mile odometer discrepancy from the mileage as stated in the seller's listing. (This protection is only available for vehicles listed in the Cars & Trucks and RVs & Campers categories.)

7. The RV or Camper had undisclosed engine, body, transmission, and/or frame damage at the time of purchase that will cost more than $1,500 to repair (another strike against the Jayco owner in the opening; the canvas may not cost that much).

Note that the VPP will not cover

Any damage that could have been discovered upon a reasonable inspection (which means that the folks in the opening anecdote may be out of luck; they should have checked the canvas)
Any damage that does not impact the safety or operability of the vehicle.

The sale is considered completed when the buyer receives confirmation in "My eBay" that the item has been won in an auction, or purchased through Buy It Now, or Best Offer.

Due Diligence for an Online Purchase

How can a buyer conduct a “reasonable inspection” on a unit half way across the country?

Document everything.

Print out all the descriptions, details, and images from the sale or auction site.
On picking up the vehicle (or before accepting delivery), carefully compare those documents with the vehicle.
Have the previous owner demonstrate everything on the unit, and take digital images at every step.

Insist on seeing proof of ownership and registration of the unit; be sure that the person selling the rig is the actual owner.

Be familiar with eBay's VPP and general operation. For example, eBay will never act as an agent or hold money in escrow. Any request of this sort is a scam.

Buying a fix-up at a bargain price is one thing, but paying for what is assumed to be a quality RV and receiving a lemon is something else. It is possible to get a good deal on an RV through an online purchase, but the buyer must exercise due diligence and care.