Before You Sign: The Delivery Day Checklist

Delivery day is the worst possible time to be thorough, and the only time it still counts. You are excited, the finance office is busy, and every incentive in the room favors speed. Nearly every serious post-purchase dispute traces back to something that could have been caught in this hour.

Print this, or keep it open on your phone. Work through it in order, and do the walkaround in daylight.

The numbers

• The purchase price on the contract matches your written quote, to the dollar.
• Every fee on the contract appeared on the quote. Anything new gets explained before you continue.
• No duplicate charges under different names — freight and delivery, prep and assembly, doc and admin.
• Add-ons you declined are absent. Check the itemization, not the total.
• Trade-in allowance matches what was agreed, and any payoff figure on your old loan is correct.
• Financing terms match: rate, term length, monthly payment, and total financed amount.
• You have confirmed whether any rate is contingent on approval that has not happened yet.
• Deposit and any prior payments are credited and visible on the document.

The paperwork

• Warranty start date and terms are documented, including any separate powertrain or structural coverage.
• You have the completed pre-delivery inspection sheet as a document, not a verbal confirmation.
• Any promised follow-up work is written on the contract with a date — not on a business card, not in a text.
• Service contracts or extended coverage, if purchased, are attached with the actual terms, exclusions, and cancellation window.
• You know the cancellation window for each add-on product, in writing.
• Title, registration, and temporary tag handling is explained, including who files what and when.
• For equipment and RVs: serial or VIN on every document matches the machine in the lot.

The walkaround

Do this outside, in daylight, before you sign — not after, and not in a dim delivery bay where a good detail job hides everything. Bring a flashlight anyway.

All machines

• Panel gaps and paint match in natural light, from a low angle along each side.
• Every light, wiper, and control operates. Test them yourself rather than being told.
• Tires: matching brand and size, correct pressure, and a date code that is not years old.
• Fluid levels and any leak evidence underneath, on the ground where it was parked.
• All keys, fobs, manuals, and accessories are physically present.
• Photograph any cosmetic damage now, with a timestamp, and get it noted on the due bill.

Tractors and equipment

• Hydraulics cycle fully at every remote, with no drift or weep at the couplers.
• Three-point hitch raises, lowers, and holds under load.
• PTO engages smoothly and shuts off correctly.
• Hour meter matches the sales documents.
• Any implement is correctly matched and adjusted for the machine, and you have seen it operate.

RVs and trailers

• Roof and seals inspected from a ladder. Do not accept a description of the roof.
• Every appliance run on both power sources where applicable, including the refrigerator on propane.
• Water system pressure-tested with the pump running and every fixture checked for leaks.
• Slides and awnings fully extended and retracted at least twice.
• Brakes, lights, and breakaway switch verified with the tow vehicle you will actually use.
• Weight ratings confirmed against your tow vehicle: GVWR, tongue or pin weight, and payload.

Before you drive away

• You have a copy of every document you signed, including the itemized breakdown.
• You know the name and direct contact of one person responsible for follow-up.
• First service interval and cost are written down.
• You know the after-hours or breakdown procedure.
• Any due-bill work has a scheduled date, not an intention.