What makes a TD project unsellable?

[cometgv]

Hi guys,

I've been trying to sell my almost finished Teardrop for the past 2 years off and on with no success. It's a well built good looking rig so I'm baffled about why there's no interest so I want to ask the group, what turns off prospective buyers?

- Unfinished electrical system?
- Cabinet doors not hung?
- Propane line missing?

Do people lack the skills to finish a trailer and just want to go camping?

If you would please, look at this link and tell me what is wrong with my trailer:
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=63171&p=1128129#p1128129

Is there something I need to do to make it saleable?

Thanks for your input.
Mike

[Vedette]

Hey Mike
I remember looking at your ad and thinking it would be a great buy for someone.
But, most here on the Forum seem to either build from scratch or buy a finished pro built TD.
This thread was a great idea to get others to look, that don't otherwise check out the Buy & Sell section.
Good Luck with the sale of your Teardrop.
Brian

[prohandyman]

Mike
First of all I am not doubting your abilities or reasons for selling!
I have built and sold 30 campers over the last 10 years. It has seemed to me that people are very skeptical of home builders, especially if they are new to some forums. (I know this has nothing to do with the subject, Some view "new" as having little experience!
We humans just don't trust people I guess. When I started I talked to a lot of prospective buyers before anyone committed. And that was for completed units. And then there's the sometimes misguided thought that the seller is trying to unload a project that they started and can't finish , for whatever reason.( not that this is your situation). I sold a couple of units for less than I had in them, just to move them.
You don't mention a title. In my state, Indiana, you are in for headaches for buying a camper without a title.
You don't mention doors, and I don't see any in your pics, and that is a huge concern for buyers.
You don't mention hatch supports, there again a concern for buyers.
I too welded my own frames early on, and people questioned my welding skills, where I learned them and even what equipment I used! It just wasn't " factory built" and I think that gave them pause! But...on this forum a lot of builders use the rather cheap Harbor Freight frames, so a fully welded tube frame ought to be a comfort!
Is there any way you can complete the camper?
If not you may have to drop the price until it sells. You may also have to include construction pics , showing your methods and materials including how it is sealed? Once again humans are skeptical !
Sorry for being so brutally honest. Just trying to help.
Oh yeah...just looked at your pics again...ditch the pic with the broom holding up the hatch!

[aggie79]

Mike,
I have been considering selling my teardrop recently due to a job loss. (I'm now working but am "underemployed"). Our teardrops are similar. Yours has more amenities; however, mine is finished. The reality is that the market is probably $3500-4000 for my teardrop. I have way more than that in it but I don't think I could sell it for cost. Unfortunately, while your teardrop is probably worth your asking price, I don't think the market will support the cost for an unfinished teardrop.
Sincerely,
Tom

[GPW]

Could be the Price ...

[noseoil]

The market determines the price, not the seller. Finding someone who is 1 - interested in buying, 2 - has enough skills to finish the project and 3 - has enough money to pay, will all add up to someone who can do the build himself and "save money" by doing it.

I think you are way overpriced for what someone is getting. Granted, it's a nice build and there's a lot of materials & labor already, but if it isn't finished it just isn't worth what you are asking.

[len19070]

Another aspect of this.

I too have built, bought and restored Many Trailers since 1988. And Personalization of a Unit has a lot to do with a Sale. I try to make everything I sell to be as "Vanilla" as Possible. I don't even like showing them with Curtains. Glamming up the inside is the Buyers Job.

That Really cool painting of a Badger that your Grand child painted could be a Turn Off to others. That Beautiful "G" you painted on the Front does Nothing for the "Johnson's".

And "Build-ins" are the kiss of death. I had a guy come in with a typical 4X8 HF frame build. He had a Napkin with Red Skeltons autograph on it laminated in to the Galley counter. He thought that tippled the value of the trailer.....It Didn't!

The Market will tell you what it will pay for a unit.

Happy Trails

Len

[Socal Tom]

I would say the price. If you look through the other trailers for sale here, or at little guy you will see that for the price you are asking a finished trailer can be purchased, which is either fully complete and or professionally built.
Some people enjoy building things, they are not going to be interested in an almost complete rig, because they want to build their own. Some people are not builders and want to buy a complete rig. They don't want yours because it isn't done. Your market is very small, people who are willing to take on the risk of a partially complete project. I did that, but only because the risk was $600. Worst case I could scrap most of it and start over. In your case the risk is a lot larger, and the price is comparable to that of a complete TD. The parts that aren't complete require some skills to complete, route ring and building doors, building drawers... What would be the cost to complete it?
Sorry to be Debbie downer, but you asked. Personally I would take a risk at about $2500. Have you tried an eBay auction? See what people are willing to pay? I have about $2500 into mine, but it doesn't have an aluminum skin. I honestly don't see where you spent the $5900. Do you have a list of parts you could add to the posting so people understand the value of the parts?
Tom

[ukewarrior]

Price. For $8K I would expect a finished unit.

[halfdome, Danny]

As a career Cabinetmaker I see one fatal mistake in your galley.
When installing a cook top, especially a gas one, you need about 30" between the stove top and hood to prevent a fire.
With that wood object above the cook top the first grease fire has to potential to torch the whole teardrop trailer.

I also feel the stove and sink are too close together to be functional.
Sorry for the negative feedback but you asked.
Beside that, I've found most people looking to buy a teardrop are looking for something camp ready which yours appears not to be.
Good luck with your sale.
Danny

[Redneck Teepee]

I think all have good valid observations, also the "Teardrop" lovers are a small percentage to the bigger RV crowd so your interest window is obviously smaller and limited.
I think more than anything if you catch a persons interest, is the price, not doubting that the value is there but an unfinished "anything" is a hard sell and they usually go for a substantial loss of the original investment.........Just my 2 cents worth

[MarcInBoise]

Hi guys,

I've been trying to sell my almost finished Teardrop for the past 2 years off and on with no success. It's a well built good looking rig so I'm baffled about why there's no interest so I want to ask the group, what turns off prospective buyers?

- Unfinished electrical system?
- Cabinet doors not hung?
- Propane line missing?

Do people lack the skills to finish a trailer and just want to go camping?

If you would please, look at this link and tell me what is wrong with my trailer:
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=63171&p=1128129#p1128129

Is there something I need to do to make it saleable?

Thanks for your input.
Mike

I really hate to say it, but I just don't see anyone spending $8k on an unfinished teardrop.
I think you're either going to have to drop the price significantly and take a loss, or finish the trailer and hope to recoup your investment.

[GuitarPhotog]

I hate to say it, but your price is 2X what most people would consider paying for a "project" and frankly more than most people would be willing to pay for a finished home built trailer. I see finished home built TDs listed here and on CL in the $4K price range on a regular basis.

My $0.02 worth (overpriced I'm sure)

<Chas>

[deleted]

Beautiful trailer. Having purchased a higher-end custom/home built trailer priced in the same range as your asking price my knee jerk reaction is:

1. Those who can finish this build could probably build from scratch on their own and would do so to save money.

2. Just to keep in mind, some people don't appreciate the level of quality you have into this build, others do but can't afford it.

3. What makes your trailer worth the asking price? I'd sell your qualifications a bit more boldly. You say in your listing "Built by FAA licensed aircraft mechanic" but I'd add more info such as the number of years licensed, the name of who you were employed by and for how long if it's a recognizable company/brand, any awards/recognition you may have received as a mechanic, etc.

4. List out some of the costs of materials along with the description so people can see they really are paying for materials only. It's a shame that you may have to take a loss on your time and talent but being on such a tight sell by the end of the month schedule it may be unavoidable.

5. If you're in Northern CA ask friends who may work for high tech companies to post a flyer for you on the bulletin boards at work. A lot of people in high tech could afford your asking price but they aren't necessarily going to come looking for your ad online. For instance Apple has a public bulletin board where people can list things for sale in their cafeteria. Know anyone who works there? I just moved to MI from there after living in Silicon Valley for 27 years.

6. If you can finish the trailer you'll increase your number of potential buyers by 100 times over.

7. And definitely build photos to show your construction methods if they are superior to average techniques.

Best wishes on your move and selling your trailer.

[cometgv]

Thank you for sharing your collective wisdom. It's hard to know what potential buyers are thinking.

I went overboard on some things that added a lot of cost. For example the axle/wheels/tires/fenders/rings/caps were very expensive but I wanted to get that "look" so it was worth it to me. Because the trailer was stretched to 5 feet wide that meant I had to special order materials like a 5' x 10' sheet of 3/4" plywood. Not something you can pick up at any lumber yard. Same thing with the side wall plywood (4' x 10'), and the continuous roll of aluminum for the roof. It's problems like this that make most people built small trailers, but we thought we would get more utility by upsizing it.

I'm continuing to work on it as we speak. I hung the left door yesterday and the right one goes on today.

I hear you all clearly and I will drop the price on craigslist back to $5,900 OBO where it used to be.
Keep the comments coming!