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We changed our 2009 Coachman for a 2007 Compass last month.  We got top end of trade value for the Coachman & paid bottom end of market value for the Compass so whilst we got cash back it wasn't as much as we could have achieved selling privately.  But we were happy with the deal. 

You need to bear in mind the dealer will have already incurred costs on the Lunar (advertising etc...) & is in business to make profit on every van.  If he does a straight swap he makes no money until he sells yours & then only profits from one sale having turned over 2 vans.  Whereas he could sell both the Lunar & whatever was exchanged for it for profit.

I think it's unlikely he'll agree to a straight swap but good luck with trying.

What do you think of my chances and any tips on persuading the dealer that we're doing him a favour?

sorry non,from our experience over the years with dealers they will want to make money on yours and the one you are buying.they can not afford to do otherwise.this is how we got our caravan, the guy we bought from wanted to trade his in for a new one.although the caravan was purchased at this dealers new the offer was a complete insult in his words.we made an offer and the cheque from us was made out to another dealer for his new 6 berth caravan.

being the same price on the forecourt wont make a difference as the dealer would always be paying less for the van than he sells for otherwise won't make a profit and there is absolutely nothing to be gained for him by doing a straight swap

very little chance he will go for it. the best he may offer is yours plus £1000 as they are both same valus almost and he will need to market and prep/pdi yours that will cost him 

but no harm in trying. do get back with result so we can see.

have a look at  http://www.caravanpriceguide.com/id23.html

Well as expected the dealer wasn't going to do us any "favours".  In fact I don't think that he even took us seriously.  First of all he tried to tell us that the van was on the forecourt at too low a price !!!  Then he gave us rock bottom for ours and resulted in wanting £1750.  I suggested that we were looking at 1 K but he wasn't going to budge.  So we walked away, went somewhere else and very nearly bought a compass at a different dealer who was much more amiable and seemed to want to sell to us.  We've decided to hold fire at the moment cos the hubbie prefers the layout of the Lexon CS whereas I like the L shaped lounge in the compass.  So we have some issues to sort out first.  But I think we have learnt something today, so it wasn't a pointless exercise.

Alison

just take your time its a large outlay and as you now know a large loss when time comes to change.

I always advise look at it as every time you use the van its £150 well spent and £250 if over a week. so a £1000 caravan owes you nothing after six plus outings.  the maths are not so good when you spend many thousands. as each year the sale value drops by upto 1000 and at times more. until it value levels out at around 1.5 to 3k then the value drop gets less each year.  so you can find a quick sale type of deal that will hold its value, without having to haggle deal and worry.  take a look at mine, The lady said her price and I paid without any question and was offered four times the outlay the next day. wont sell though far too rare, and the same happens with newer units just do the leg work.

I have folk all the time asking for me to find them a caravan and when I sit them down they at times change their mind once the sums are done. its the same as the old time share trap many fell into.  years ago every one was looking into it, four couples of us had a think and we bought a cottage outright for 10K + each. and that allowed a week a month each for use rather than a month a year as many fell into.  many at the time thought it a risk but we never looked back.

many even today dont consider carvan partnership but it works and helps. I often loan out and if I think they are not upto my drive standards I deliver and pick up, they have to pay.

anyway back to your post good luck and dont rush!