7 Steps to a Successful Purchase of a Used Semi-Truck Sight Unseen from a Dealership

Buying anything preowned comes with risks and unknowns, especially when it comes to large pieces of equipment, like semi-trucks.

While nothing is completely foolproof, you can purchase sight unseen from a dealership with less stress and with complete confidence if you follow these easy steps.

1. Know what you are looking for.

Used semi-trucks, come in all shapes, sizes, and functions with various applications. Do research, check the truck forums to understand exactly what you need to get the job done. In the world of transportation specifications are King. If you have a clear idea what you are looking for, your sales person will as well.

2. Ask questions.

Once you know what you want, you will also know the questions to ask. Ask a lot of them. This is not craigslist or ebay, Any legitimate used truck dealer will be happy to answer questions you have or provide you with resources to answer your questions. Some basic questions you should remember to ask your salesperson during the buying process:

• What is the vin number the used truck? Carfax does not do semi-trucks but there are other companies like RigDig that can give you information based on the vin.
• How many engine hours and ECM miles are on the used truck? A low mileage on the odometer semi-truck doesn’t necessarily mean it has low miles. The ECM could show that it has many more miles than you thought. Also, the previous owner may have not have put many miles on the the truck, but it may have high engine hours, which is problematic for some engines.
• What are the blemishes? This can be subjective. What a salesman considers a blemish on a used car may not be what they consider a blemish on a used semi-truck. A door paint chip on a used Mercedes-Benz may not even be considered a blemish on a preowned Peterbilt by most used truck salespeople.
• Can you tell me about the equipment’s history? Was it a trade-in, private party purchase or bought at an auction.
• Are there any leaks?
• Do you hear any vibrations or anything out of the ordinary?

It’s also a good idea to ask questions about the seller to get to know them better. Have a conversation, ask them about their business and their processes, or the way they manage employees. The more you trust who you’re buying from, the more comfortable you’ll feel about committing to a sight unseen purchase your used vehicle.

3. Ask for a walk around.

Once you have developed some trust with your seller, get a sales person on the phone or FaceTime and have them walk around the the used truck, pointing out features and flaws that are visible to the eye. Think of this as an audio tour of the piece of equipment you hope to buy. This is another good opportunity to ask questions and get more details about the truck’s condition.

Your salesperson should look for the same things that you would if you were doing the inspection yourself. Keep your ears open for any potential deal breakers, namely mechanical issues and rust. Rust will eat away at your piece of equipment, undermining its overall safety and integrity. It will come back even when you remove it, and it will significantly reduce the resale value when you do decide to sell it in the future. Ask your salesperson to check for rusty areas, particularly:

• Across the frame
• The area around the brakes and slack adjusters
• Around rear differential (aka: Pumpkin)
• Inside door frames
• Inside scratches and paint chips

While many dealers might offer complete reconditioning, most will not, which means there will be some minor signs of wear and tear, including:

• Dents and scratches
• Chipped paint
• Foggy lights
• Uneven wear or shallow tread depth on tires
• Doors that open and close awkwardly or with difficulty

The amount of these minor issues that you accept during your on-phone walk around is up to you. This may take several phone calls. If for some reason the salesperson objects, remind the dealership that this process protects them as much as it protects the you. This is not a new vehicle.

4. Ask for specific photos or video.

Even if you do trust your salesperson, ask for photos and videos to judge the piece of equipment for yourself. Ask for multiple different angles, showing both exteriors and interiors, especially in areas of high wear, such as:

• Under the engine to look for leaks
• The driver’s seat
• The frame and fifth wheel
• The tire treads

You are essentially looking for the same things you would if you saw the truck in person—scratches, leaks, rust, and any other damage or deformations.

Technology has also made it easy to see any piece of equipment in real time. Have the salesperson Facetime, Zoom or Skype during the walk around. You can see the unit in frame and ask them to show you any specific sections or areas you are worried about.

5. If you’re still in doubt, ask to have a local third party do an inspection.

Many dealerships are unable to provide a vehicle history report or have maintenance records from the previous owner. Ask the seller to take the equipment to a local dealer for an inspection. Yes, this will likely cost extra dollars, but it might be worth it for the peace of mind. You can also hire a mobile inspector to provide a thorough inspection of your potential purchase. Mobile inspectors have just as much knowledge as a mechanic at at used truck dealer and can often times generate a report within 24 hours of inspection. They generally won’t test drive the piece of equipment, but you’ll get a thorough examination of the unit, including:

• Frame damage
• Paint damage
• Interior wear and tear that might not be apparent in photos and videos

Getting this thorough examination not only ensures that you get a piece of equipment that meets your standards, but also gives you some ammunition when negotiating a price.

6. For best results, do business with a used truck dealer who has experience in selling sight unseen.

All of this is assuming that your dealer has sold trucks and equipment sight unseen in the past. Dealers inexperienced in sight-unseen purchases may be completely ineffectual, unnecessarily drawing out the sales process. They may fail to provide you with detailed photos or perform a walk around or otherwise not give you the information you need to make a purchase with confidence. While it is not a scam, inexperienced used truck dealers can create problems.

If you are a first time buyer and you are dealing with a dealer that has little experience in sight unseen, spend the money to confirm your truck. It could save you thousands.

7. Review, review, review.

Don’t let details get lost in translation. Don’t be afraid to have your salesperson physically go out and reconfirm specifications or other details. It’s what they get paid to do. Don’t rush into a sale. Take your time and verify every part of the deal to ensure a smooth transaction. Have the contract faxed or emailed and review it, paying close attention to any added charges or fees. As always, feel free to ask questions about the contract before you commit to signing.

Some other things you need to consider and review when purchasing a piece of equipment sight unseen:

• Shipment or pick-up: How do you plan on receiving the piece of equipment? Choosing the wrong method of delivery could cost you thousands of extra dollars in taxes and fees and potentially lead to more damage to your equipment. Some questions to ask yourself:
• Are you going to pick it up on sight? If so, What laws might apply for a long distance purchase?
  • Do you prefer it delivered to your door by a third party?
  • Do you want to take out-of-state delivery?

Fortunately, many coast-to-coast shipping services offer their services to private buyers. Do some shopping online or consult the dealer for any reliable, affordable shipping service recommendations.

• Warranties: Certified pre-owned trucks may come with a manufacturer’s warranty, which is a great way to cover yourself in the event that you do find something wrong with the piece of equipment when you do finally see it in person. Some dealers offer their own after warranties, but check the what it covers. Aftermarket warranties can get pricey, but if you buy used equipment, the one thing that you know for sure is equipment breaks. Do your research, shop wisely, and consult your dealer if you have questions. Most aftermarket warranties require an oil change be performed. Many warranty companies require much more to be done before they write your warranty. Your dealership should know this but it doesn’t hurt to ask to make sure the requirements have been met.

Choosing Charter Trucks for Your Sight Unseen Purchase

Charter Trucks is located in Cloverdale, California, and specializes in sight unseen sales for trucks, trailers, and other equipment and used heavy machinery. Twenty five to seventy percent of their sales each month are sight unseen purchases. Their secret: building relationships with their clients and thoroughly evaluating their equipment to instill confidence in potential buyers and eliminate the inherent risks in buying a used piece of equipment. Charter offers Work Ready, Work Ready Plus and Value equipment, so you know up front what you are purchasing. A committee then prices each unit based on their condition and the various fluctuations in the market to give you a fair price.

Charter Trucks ensures a smooth, efficient selling process. Their main goal is to provide you with the information you need to make a smart purchase that is good for you and your business. Along with an on-phone walk around, the company provides detailed pictures and videos of each unit. To keep your mind at ease, Charter Trucks also offers the option to purchase warranties on most pieces of equipment.

Charter Trucks also handles out-of-state deliveries and transactions on a daily basis. They provide customers with a wide range of options for delivery and can arrange pick up service to get your purchase home safe.

The company also offers financing options based on your personal needs and budget. They have finance professionals who can guide you through the financing process. They work with some of the country’s top lenders, including:

Charter Trucks is backed by a team with over 60 years of experience in the business of buying and selling used equipment. They know how important the trucking business is to the country’s greater economy, and they understand that having the best equipment ensures your safety and efficiency, as well as your success and the satisfaction of your customers.

What About Buying Sight Unseen From A Private Seller?

We don’t recommend buying sight unseen from a private seller. There are too many scammers, little recourse and the transfer of money can be an issue. If you do purchase from a private party, you might want to look into an escrow service to handle the transaction. While buying a classic Ford, BMW or Jeep sight unseen may be pretty straightforward, that can not be said for used heavy equipment.