How to Find Sales Contract Forms for RVs?

[stan]

We're close to reaching an agreement with a neighbor who has made an offer to buy our Airstream. Everything's gone smoothly, and we'd like to do whatever we can to keep things going well without involving a dealer or attorneys.

This is the first time we've sold an RV, and we don't know what type of sales contract or other agreements to use. I've searched the internet and come up with nothing specific to RVs. Some websites sell copies of general sales contracts or auto sales contracts for each state (we're in Texas), but I don't know if either type of agreement would apply in this case.

Does anyone out there have experience with sales contracts for RVs and where to find them? We're grateful for any help you can offer us.
Stan

[TomW]

You might want to stop by the court house, or wherever you go to get tags for cars, boats, trailers, and ask them what they expect to see in order to register something in your locale.

Here in Alabama, the state does not title ANYTHING built before 1974. So, if I want to sell my '67 Overlander, all I need to do is sign over the tag registration.

Hope this helps,
Tom

[want310]

Stan I doubt you finding a agreement/contract between two parties pertaining to RV's without having an attorney or a copy of a dealer contract.
I think you will have to draw one up yourselves.

The handshake still works for me!

Good Luck......Steve

[stan]

Tom-
I hadn't thought of that point. The county clerk will be my next contact. Many thanks for your help.
-Stan

[smily]

In SC, RVs are just like automobiles.
Simply sign title and you are done. Bill of sale may be in order which is available from the DMV.

If bank is involved as in lien, they will handle most if not all paperwork. Most importantly, proof of all paid taxes.

If no bank involved, simple handshake and signed clear title is all you need.

You can write simple contract and have it notarized if it gives you a sense of security.

The simplest form of binding documentation is EMAIL. we use it all the time in the business world. EMAIL is very binding and considered official.

Smily

[stan]

Smily=
There is a bank involved, so I guess they'll originate most of the paperwork. The buyer, unfortunately, does not have email, so perhaps a simple, notarized sales agreement, as u suggest, will suffice. Thank you for your input.
-Stan

[Ken J]

Anytime I've ever bought/sold a vehicle, I usually just write up a letter of agreement that spells out what I and the buyer/seller have agreed to. Then we both sign it so there is not misunderstanding as to what was said. Hope this helps

Ken J.

[stan]

Ken--
That sounds sensible. I plan to do a version of that.

Office Depot sells a one-page, boilerplate form called "Agreement to Sell Personal Property" for $3.99. The product comes with access to a pdf version of it.

The Agreement includes enough blanks to remind us what types of information to include -- and let us fill in the details we've agreed to .

Thanks for your comments.
--Stan

[jcanavera]

I bought a small legal piece of software a couple of years ago which has verbage for all kinds of agreements. All is pretty much the same where you spell out what you are selling, who the sellers are, the vehicle ID number, and who you are selling the vehicle to along with the price you are charging. You do need to make a statement in your agreement which notes that the vehicle is being sold AS IS, with no warranty or other verbal commitments.

Jack

[stan]

Jack --
Good point about the "as is."

As it so happens, I mentioned that aspect of the sale to the buyer while we toured my rig. She had no reaction at the time. But it obviously got her thinking. About half an hour later, she asked, "Is there anything that doesn't work?"

I just remembered that a friend who's a lawyer will be at a get-together I'm attending in a couple of hours. In phoning him to remind him of the event, I jokingly mentioned my $3.99 contract, and he said he planned to look it over. What a good friend!

Thanks for your suggestion. I'll let the forum know if my friend has any suggestions about altering the basic contract for this sale.
-Stan

[stan]

All-
My attorney friend checked out the boilerplate sales contract I bought. For the most part, he thought it looked fine and gave his stamp of approval.

Some helpful comments he had:
1. At the time of sale, we must also draw up a Bill of Sale that transfers title.
2. Add to section 4 the statement that "this is an 'as is' sale." This will help emphasize that the only thing you warrant, in signing the agreement, is that u own the RV.

Thanks to all for their generous help. I knew I could count on you!
-Stan

[Silvertwinkie]

Having bought several items in my life, I'd like to add that if you deal with a reputable place, most of this stuff just falls into place. It's when you start to deal with some smaller, off the beaten path type places where you need to CYA a bit better.

[want310]

Stan all that is left is the hand shake

Done deal !!!!?

[stan]

Noon tomorrow is make-or-break time for this buyer. After that, I'll start advertising the rig nationally.

As fate would have it, the rig is at S. Main RV Park in Houston -- a 25-minute walk from the parking lat Reliant Stadium. The Super Bowl will be held there in 10 days.

Needless to say, all of the hotels near the stadium are booked up, and most major hotels in Houston have been sold out for some time. With premium room rates and multiple-night minimum stays, many folks are doling out $4,000 pp for standard accomodations.

If the sale with our neighbor doesn't come together by tomorrow, we'll advertise the rig (and the right to keep it at S. Main RV) to Super Bowl fans as a "hotel room for up to 6 that you can later sell or keep."

Of course, we'd rather the deal with the lady a few sites down from us go through. I'll let the forum know what happens. Thanks for everyone's help and interest.
-Stan