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The most frequent question I am asked about my bus is "How much did it cost?" Which I freely admit, kind of irritates me. American's want to know the cost of everything, but at the same time, I always seem to find that they know the true value of nothing.


No one has ever asked for instance, "How much does it weigh?" How long did it take to build it? How many miles of wire is inside it? How did you find it?" Stuff like that.


Taking all of this one step further, it is like my Daddy used to say: "Son, if you have to ask, you caint afford it." Lot of truth in that.  Another thing that mystifies me is the "rumor that just because you own a bus" you are made out of money ... Simply aint so.


Most of us who reside in the bus community of life, know what they cost. We fuel them, repair them, polish and cherish them, and all of it requires an investment upon our part to make it all work.  Contrary to popular opinion we are not all stinkin' rich ... some of smell a little bad true ... But I have yet to meet all that many millionaires driving old used buses.

Now we will run this one up the flagpole and see if we can find anyone who will salute it. The most expensive part of any of this, is believe it or not, is the time. The time is the most expensive part of this endeavor, not the loose change.

You know, when you reach my mile-marker in life, middle age, a small voice inside you says ... "Just because you are retired and living the good life. Just because you have reached that particular pinnacle in life, that doesn't mean you should not take advantage of new challenges and seek out new adventures. You get on this crazy merry-go-round we call life and go for it, and by golly, you should make the most of it. Find yourself a good used bus on the Internet and then go for it!"


One night at a bus rally not long ago I asked a guy, "What does a paint job like that cost?" He smiled and said, "Y'know? I really LOVE MY EAGLE and you don't want to know what that paint job cost, you really don't." So as you can readily see, "None of us are immune to this affliction, we all do it from time to time."

A couple of weeks ago a guy walked up to me at the fuel island and he asked, "Where can I find a bus like this?" and I just smiled my toothy smile and said, "Nowhere, I got the ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD LIKE IT." Which is true, no one else has one like mine, some are similar, but none are just exactly like it.


I just shrugged my shoulders and said, "Don't know, never figured it." What this guy just doesn't get or understand is one simple truth. None of this is about money, it is rather, about time. All of it gets down to time, we don't have enough of it, and we (all of us) are all running out of it in one way or the other.


This, I suppose is the best idea I was able to come up with this week. I freely offer it up to share with you, and all you had to pay me was a little of your time. Where can you get a better deal than that?

See you in the fast lane.

BCO

Another great post pal!

I love your insight.

Justin

Well though out post.  It just doesn't pay to tell anybody what you have in a coach.  It is like casting your pearls before swine.  

I like your answer...  "never figured it."  Even if you got a great deal, what is the cost of hundreds of hours on the internet searching for it?  Or spending a dozen or more weekends traveling to see buses you don't buy?  What is the cost of the time it takes to learn all you need to learn just to know how to buy wisely?  

When it comes to time, the cost is a part of your life.  How can you put a number on that?

Marc

Quote from: justin25taylor on February 19, 2011, 05:32:08 AM
Another great post pal!

I love your insight.

Justin

Thanks.

BCO

Quote from: thejumpsuitman on February 19, 2011, 05:33:44 AM
Well though out post.  It just doesn't pay to tell anybody what you have in a coach.  It is like casting your pearls before swine.  

I like your answer...  "never figured it."  Even if you got a great deal, what is the cost of hundreds of hours on the internet searching for it?  Or spending a dozen or more weekends traveling to see buses you don't buy?  What is the cost of the time it takes to learn all you need to learn just to know how to buy wisely?  

When it comes to time, the cost is a part of your life.  How can you put a number on that?

Marc

Here is one that is kind of scary ... How many Saturday's in life are we allotted?  How many tires did you kick before you found it, that is a good.  i remember a lot of trips where I drove literally hundreds of miles to look at a bus and came back and the wife would say, "Well?  How was it?" and with a sour look on my face I would tell the wife ... "Someone owes me some money for the gas!" (Like in the fairytale stories ... You have to kiss a lot of frogs, before you find your prince!)

It is as you so aptly pointed out ... A big investment ... Thanks for your reply.

BCO

I tell people who ask the question "If I had known it would have been 1/10 the cost or 1/20 of the time, I'd have never got involved with it" ... but I would have.

It costs so much less than the yacht.

Thank you its is a good post to make you think



Lonnie

Great post. Now you helped me make a decision I have been kicking around!

Nice post. You hit the nail on the head. It always bothers me when complete strangers approach me and first thing out of their mouths is the How much did it cost. I am always stumped at what to say, but wish I had a really good comeback. We are getting that asked pretty regularly now. You are so right about time. For us, it was every spare moment and half the night for the last 2 yrs, when we could schedule time to be home. And you are right about time researching. I cant even count up all the hours, days, weeks spent on my part at looking up stuff, trying to find parts, and researching problems. I guess we are not the only ones that get that question. I am interested to hear responses as to what others answer when asked that, lol.

Just do like a friend of mine that has a new Prevost he left the sticker on his 1,583,000 bucks he paid about 1/2 of that but it stops the asking he said  lol that is very rude of someone to ask prices,then you have the group that love to throw out the prices they spend with me it is my money and my business what I spend the kids get a little upset sometimes lol and I have answers for them too



good luck

My answer would be it cost some money and around 1,000 hours of  my time.  My time is worth more than the money...

Brian

  Every night we dont sleep in a scuzy motel, I figure we saved $100. In 10 nights thats $1000 we could burn in fuel, or food, or not spend at all. In a few years a modest rig could almost pay for itself. Then there is the peace of mind, the ability to take a few more things along and live a bit more comfortable, they really can become your home. Whats that worth?

 And if you spend all summer building your Bus the way YOU want, and can then roll down the road satisfied with your work, and the new found freedom, security, and reliabity you have, whats that worth?

 I dont have a problem so much with with people asking what something cost, as much as their intent. If they seem really interested, and want to know because its something that interests them, thats fine. But if its that sneering question, boy, what difference does it make how you answer? As the wife is fond of saying "a couple bucks".

   I tell them it cost me about 3 days a week for 7 years. The conversation has never gone beyond that...Cable

Here is aparting of the ways..... and the main thing that makes "me" nutz with this hobby. I actually PURPOSELY went shopping for an unconverted bus because of 1) cheaper initial cost 2) just so I could work and learn and research WITH my (at the time) 16 year old son. Being a single mom I needed to play dad to him the best I could by teaching him guy type things, but of course that meant that no longer could I be a princess and instead had to learn things myself. The more I have learned in the last couple of years, the more I have learned that I need to learn lol it is a vicious circle! BUT I refuse to let my family be "burdened" by a shell and instead I have been determined to use it and have fun with it..... which we do! It is tent camping to the extreme lol.

Even with us, people who know nothing about buses (99.99% of the people out there) either think we are super rich to have our "own bus"  ::)  :D or they think we are super crazy  ;D But always, people are very surprised when they learn how little $$$ we have into this so far. But as all of you know, the real expenses are only begining for us!

Time invested? Next fall I am going to college with my son and taking a welding class so I can have a door and a wheelchair lift exactly like I want and where I want in the coach. No doubt this coach will still be a work in progress when the big depot in the sky calls me home, but my son is growing up with this coach and I think he will keep it and enjoy his family in it one day and best of all will that he will know it inside and out! One day he may be the teacher on these old 2 stroke bus conversions.

All in all money is not an object but fun and memories and learning is, time is all anyone has and how we each choose to spend that time is what defines us as human beings the most.

When I get asked that question, my smart a$$ comes out.  :o Depending on who is asking, here are some samples of the answers I've used.  ;)

Notthin', it was given to me. (Technically true, but it cost me ~$4.00 per mile to get it 'home')

More than you make.

All I could afford.

More than I could afford.

All the excess cash I could find, after all, isn't that what hobbies are for - to absorb excess cash!

Less than a mistress.

Less than a boat.

Less than golfing.

And, my favorite:
I don't know, I ain't done yet.

When I get asked I just tell them Priceless. It was my Dad's pride and he had a heart-attack working on it.
Can't put a number on that , wished he stilled owned it !

They usually walk away.

Thanks Ed :(

Great post!

I usually say "$786, 412. 03 ..... so far"

Another annoying question is "Who's in there?"  I used to say "It's mine" but nobody believed that so now I just say, "I'm sorry, I can't tell you. I'd get in a lot of trouble. But they are VERY important!"

TOM

I usually just say "sleeping in my own bed every night  PRICELESS"  Jack

The funny part is that the guys that spend the big bucks for the sticks and staples will tell you how much they spent!!!! As far as my total I still am under what a down payment on their rig would be. If I sold my house, business and everything I no longer needed and went the full time route I could have one of those high dollar rigs. Just not my choice. Actually what everyone asks me is what year is it..... 1972!!

BCO:   ...great tale as always... you always manage to get my mind thinking.....

HAPPYCAMPERBRAT:   ..what a truly wonderful family memory you are making.  Good, solid quality one on one time.... There is nothing like it!!

artvonne:   ...  Every time I hear on the news about the bed bug epidemic, I become more thankful that we have our bus to travel and stay in!  :o)

Pam in Wyoming

My answer always is "I have no clue"  ;D

The truth is I stopped keeping track when it started scarring me, then I don't have to know anymore. I don't really care. ;)

I liked Jack's reply. "Sleeping in my own bed, PRICELESS"! 8)

She keeps asking, I say I didn't total it up.  I feign ignorance and keep hiding the receipts from her-- ;)

I'm not in the doghouse yet--so I guess the answer works!!! :)

Alot of great answers. I will try some of them out. The other thing that really bothers me is when they come up as soon as they see you, and want to know can they look inside. Had a trucker the other day do that. We were parked at a  walmart about to go in and work and a semi pulled up and the guy got out with his wife, and right off the bat says, Can my wife look inside? She aint never seen inside one of those. Well, hubby was the one outside, and he is always the good guy, and says sure, while I am sitting inside not quite ready for the world, lol. I told him next time to tell them that the wife has a bad case of the flu.What else ya gonna say? Dont like to lie, but,  Maybe I am too touchy about that, but, I am mostly a private person, and really dont enjoy my bus being on the home tours schedule, unless of course, we are at a rally. ;D

Ruthi, Just charge an admission fee of $50!

I agree, don't like the idea of some stranger asking to see the inside, you never know anymore about people. Bus Nuts are a different breed, we just smile and say "Sure", if the wife's ready to face the world that is! She has to have her happy face on! ::)

Quote from: Oonrahnjay on February 19, 2011, 06:19:16 AM
I tell people who ask the question "If I had known it would have been 1/10 the cost or 1/20 of the time, I'd have never got involved with it" ... but I would have.

Looking back on all of it, it is hard to say, would we do it again or not?  Things are a LOT different now and times have certainly changed, that is a hard call for me.

Thanks for your reply,

BCO

Quote from: Len Silva on February 19, 2011, 06:35:30 AM
It costs so much less than the yacht.

Four years in the NAV is all the time I want on a yacht, I was a member of the Tonkin Bay Yacht Club in 67 and that wasn't any fun at all.  I am staying with the bus.

BCO

Quote from: Chopper Scott on February 19, 2011, 07:07:23 AM
Great post. Now you helped me make a decision I have been kicking around!

If it is not too personal, what was it, you have me curious.

BCO

Quote from: ruthi on February 19, 2011, 08:02:53 AM
Nice post. You hit the nail on the head. It always bothers me when complete strangers approach me and first thing out of their mouths is the How much did it cost. I am always stumped at what to say, but wish I had a really good comeback. We are getting that asked pretty regularly now. You are so right about time. For us, it was every spare moment and half the night for the last 2 yrs, when we could schedule time to be home. And you are right about time researching. I cant even count up all the hours, days, weeks spent on my part at looking up stuff, trying to find parts, and researching problems. I guess we are not the only ones that get that question. I am interested to hear responses as to what others answer when asked that, lol.

We try Ruthi, thanks.

BCO

Quote from: boxcarOkie on February 20, 2011, 05:24:45 AM

Quote from: Oonrahnjay on February 19, 2011, 06:19:16 AM
I tell people who ask the question "If I had known it would have been 1/10 the cost or 1/20 of the time, I'd have never got involved with it" ... but I would have.

Looking back on all of it, it is hard to say, would we do it again or not?  Things are a LOT different now and times have certainly changed, that is a hard call for me.

Thanks for your reply,

BCO

Hard to say if we would do it again as well. What started out as making financial sense on paper, turned into the worst financial decision I ever made. But it has been FUN.

We used the not paying for hotels in our calculations when purchasing, had no idea that those calculations go out the window after several large repairs. Even just routine maintenance stuff adds up real quick and makes owning a bus REAL expensive.

Quote from: bevans6 on February 19, 2011, 08:30:03 AM
My time is worth more than the money...

Brian

Very astute Brian, "you hit it right on the head" that was what the post was about.

Thanks,

BCO

Quote from: artvonne on February 19, 2011, 08:43:44 AM
 Every night we dont sleep in a scuzy motel, I figure we saved $100. In 10 nights thats $1000 we could burn in fuel, or food, or not spend at all. In a few years a modest rig could almost pay for itself. Then there is the peace of mind, the ability to take a few more things along and live a bit more comfortable, they really can become your home. Whats that worth?

 And if you spend all summer building your Bus the way YOU want, and can then roll down the road satisfied with your work, and the new found freedom, security, and reliabity you have, whats that worth?

 I dont have a problem so much with with people asking what something cost, as much as their intent. If they seem really interested, and want to know because its something that interests them, thats fine. But if its that sneering question, boy, what difference does it make how you answer? As the wife is fond of saying "a couple bucks".

We more or less look at it the same way Art ... Thanks for your reply

BCO

Quote from: fe2_o3 on February 19, 2011, 10:47:36 AM
   I tell them it cost me about 3 days a week for 7 years. The conversation has never gone beyond that...Cable

Nice, good response.

BCO

Quote from: happycamperbrat on February 19, 2011, 01:38:57 PM
Here is aparting of the ways..... and the main thing that makes "me" nutz with this hobby. I actually PURPOSELY went shopping for an unconverted bus because of 1) cheaper initial cost 2) just so I could work and learn and research WITH my (at the time) 16 year old son. Being a single mom I needed to play dad to him the best I could by teaching him guy type things, but of course that meant that no longer could I be a princess and instead had to learn things myself. The more I have learned in the last couple of years, the more I have learned that I need to learn lol it is a vicious circle! BUT I refuse to let my family be "burdened" by a shell and instead I have been determined to use it and have fun with it..... which we do! It is tent camping to the extreme lol.

Even with us, people who know nothing about buses (99.99% of the people out there) either think we are super rich to have our "own bus"  ::)  :D or they think we are super crazy  ;D But always, people are very surprised when they learn how little $$$ we have into this so far. But as all of you know, the real expenses are only begining for us!

Time invested? Next fall I am going to college with my son and taking a welding class so I can have a door and a wheelchair lift exactly like I want and where I want in the coach. No doubt this coach will still be a work in progress when the big depot in the sky calls me home, but my son is growing up with this coach and I think he will keep it and enjoy his family in it one day and best of all will that he will know it inside and out! One day he may be the teacher on these old 2 stroke bus conversions.

All in all money is not an object but fun and memories and learning is, time is all anyone has and how we each choose to spend that time is what defines us as human beings the most.

Every day is a new day when it comes to owning one of these.

Thanks for your reply

BCO

Quote from: Ed Brenner on February 19, 2011, 02:18:42 PM
When I get asked I just tell them Priceless. It was my Dad's pride and he had a heart-attack working on it.
Can't put a number on that , wished he stilled owned it !

They usually walk away.

Thanks Ed :(

I try to "size them up" before I show them anything, you can usually tell within the first five minutes of a conversation if they are going to be an _________ or not.  The best policy is to accept the compliment, thank them, and then do your best to move on.

My Dad died about 15 years ago, and I still miss the guy, he never got to see this (he saw my old schoolie and the blue bird) but this one (Daddy's Hobby) would have really rowed his boat.  I wish that he was still with us.

Thanks for chiming in ...

BCO

Quote from: oldmansax on February 19, 2011, 02:25:40 PM
Great post!

I usually say "$786, 412. 03 ..... so far"

Another annoying question is "Who's in there?"  I used to say "It's mine" but nobody believed that so now I just say, "I'm sorry, I can't tell you. I'd get in a lot of trouble. But they are VERY important!"

TOM

That is a good reply, or you could say "Hooters Cheerleading Squad" and make them wonder, eh?

BCO

Quote from: JackConrad on February 19, 2011, 04:08:23 PM
I usually just say "sleeping in my own bed every night  PRICELESS"  Jack

We share the same thoughts Jack.  When we get home from a trip, the bride will look at me and say, "My house, my bed, my food and my stuff" whereas, I (the male of the species with opposing thumbs) could stay on the road for months at a time.

Thanks for your reply,

BCO

Quote from: Chopper Scott on February 19, 2011, 04:55:36 PM
The funny part is that the guys that spend the big bucks for the sticks and staples will tell you how much they spent!!!! As far as my total I still am under what a down payment on their rig would be. If I sold my house, business and everything I no longer needed and went the full time route I could have one of those high dollar rigs. Just not my choice. Actually what everyone asks me is what year is it..... 1972!!

Usually I have found that the folks who are so quick to tell you how much money they have ... in fact, don't usually have any.  Farmers have an expression for it, they say, "The boy is all hat and no cattle."

Thanks for your reply,

BCO

Quote from: baldeaglewy on February 19, 2011, 06:35:15 PM
BCO:   ...great tale as always... you always manage to get my mind thinking.....

Pam in Wyoming

Thank you that means a lot to me, I spell everything right? (Hahahahahahaha)  Here is one that will get you going.  "What is the longest word you can type with your left hand?"


Stewardesses.

Later,

BCO

Quote from: boxcarOkie on February 20, 2011, 05:42:41 AM

Quote from: Chopper Scott on February 19, 2011, 04:55:36 PM
The funny part is that the guys that spend the big bucks for the sticks and staples will tell you how much they spent!!!! As far as my total I still am under what a down payment on their rig would be. If I sold my house, business and everything I no longer needed and went the full time route I could have one of those high dollar rigs. Just not my choice. Actually what everyone asks me is what year is it..... 1972!!

Usually I have found that the folks who are so quick to tell you how much money they have ... in fact, don't usually have any.  Farmers have an expression for it, they say, "The boy is all hat and no cattle."

Thanks for your reply,

BCO

I would take that a step further.  When somebody you just met tells you something positive about their own character, you can bet that what he/she said is one thing that is NOT true about them, and usually they are the opposite.

Quote from: ruthi on February 19, 2011, 09:09:11 PM
Alot of great answers. I will try some of them out. The other thing that really bothers me is when they come up as soon as they see you, and want to know can they look inside. Had a trucker the other day do that. We were parked at a  walmart about to go in and work and a semi pulled up and the guy got out with his wife, and right off the bat says, Can my wife look inside? She aint never seen inside one of those. Well, hubby was the one outside, and he is always the good guy, and says sure, while I am sitting inside not quite ready for the world, lol. I told him next time to tell them that the wife has a bad case of the flu.What else ya gonna say? Dont like to lie, but,  Maybe I am too touchy about that, but, I am mostly a private person, and really dont enjoy my bus being on the home tours schedule, unless of course, we are at a rally. ;D

I wrote one about that too.  Mike has it right now, it is called Mama Cave Bear, I don't know if they are going to run it or not.  If they don't, I will put it up for you in the future.  Goes along the same lines as your comment.

BCO

Quote from: boxcarOkie on February 20, 2011, 05:40:35 AM
We share the same thoughts Jack.  When we get home from a trip, the bride will look at me and say, "My house, my bed, my food and my stuff" whereas, I (the male of the species with opposing thumbs) could stay on the road for months at a time.
Thanks for your reply,
BCO

Yeah, last year we spent 8 months on the road. When we started heading home, my wife said she was ready to go home. Me, I could have just continued traveling. Looks like this year, we may shorten our trip to 7 months (getting a little later start).  Jack

Quote from: boxcarOkie on February 20, 2011, 05:38:55 AM
That is a good reply, or you could say "Hooters Cheerleading Squad" and make them wonder, eh?
BCO

A friend used to say he had the Swedish Bikini Team on board.  Another friend, who had "On The Road Again" on the front of his bus, stopped for fuel at a small station.  The attendant asked if he would get Willie's autograph for him.  He walked in his bus, wrote Willie Nelson on a piece of paper and walked back out and gave it to the attendant. To this day, I am sure the attedant thinks he has Willie's autograph.  Maybe he will show up on Pawn Stars someday.  Jack

Quote from: JackConrad on February 20, 2011, 05:58:19 AM

Quote from: boxcarOkie on February 20, 2011, 05:38:55 AM
That is a good reply, or you could say "Hooters Cheerleading Squad" and make them wonder, eh?
BCO

A friend used to say he had the Swedish Bikini Team on board.  Another friend, who had "On The Road Again" on the front of his bus, stopped for fuel at a small station.  The attendant asked if he would get Willie's autograph for him.  He walked in his bus, wrote Willie Nelson on a piece of paper and walked back out and gave it to the attendant. To this day, I am sure the attedant thinks he has Willie's autograph.  Maybe he will show up on Pawn Stars someday.  Jack

Now THAT was funny Jack!  I spewed coffee all over my room on that one.  It has to be true, I refuse to believe it is anything less than that.  I want to believe it.  I heard recently that Willie had died.  When I made inquires into how it happened my friend looked at me, very seriously, and said ... "He was playing On The Road Again" and the rest of it is history.

BCO

I figure that if somebody wants to know the price of something, they want to know if they can afford one. I have no problem telling someone what it cost me. ;D

Quote from: Ed Hackenbruch on February 20, 2011, 06:16:50 AM
I figure that if somebody wants to know the price of something, they want to know if they can afford one. I have no problem telling someone what it cost me. ;D

Yes, if somebody is sincere, I have no problem letting them know what they could expect to pay.  But I think most people who ask are just talking without thinking.

"The boy is all hat and no cattle."

BABY!!! That's the best!

Thank you!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Quote from: Ed Hackenbruch on February 20, 2011, 06:16:50 AM
I figure that if somebody wants to know the price of something, they want to know if they can afford one. I have no problem telling someone what it cost me. ;D

It usually gets done one way or the other Ed, I am just saying it "irritates me every now and then" and that is why I wrote the piece.  I did not say that I did not tell them, I will if I feel it necessary, share with them some of the details (but not all of them) in the process.

Realistically speaking, when you share this info. with a novice or non-bus person they are incredulous and somewhat taken back by it.  Case in point, "I had a guy in Houston tell me that he wanted to buy my bus, and he wanted to know if it was for sale?"  So I said, "Sure.  Everything one way or another is for sale."  He then asked what it was that I wanted, so I told him __________ dollars and I will deliver it to you anywhere in the bottom 48 states.  He reeled back and said "Well, I will give you __________ dollars (about $25K less) and that is it."

To which I just smiled and said ... "No you won't." 

(End of discussion)

Someone will get a real nice bus, at a bargain, at my Estate Sale.  And trust me, "they will pay a lot less than what I think it is worth" but I am not going to be around to tell them so.

Thank you for your reply,

BCO

Quote from: buswarrior on February 20, 2011, 06:29:30 AM
"The boy is all hat and no cattle."

BABY!!! That's the best!

Thank you!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Ah, my friend in the frozen north checks in.  I understand it is REALLY COLD up there today. 

Jeff Foxworthy has made a good living on catching these expressions and then channeling them to the public.  I wish that I had been so smart to realize it in my younger years.  Here is another one that I am fond of .... "Two ways to buy oats.  Before they been thru the horse or afterward." 

I like that one too.

The post has been a winner, over 600 reads, 4 pages of comments and surprisingly all the comments are or have been favorable. 

This is a good thing.

Thanks,

BCO

Answer the question with a question.  Ask the person how much they think it costs.  When they respond, just reply "That's exactly correct." 

Quote from: trucktramp on February 20, 2011, 07:43:15 AM
Answer the question with a question.  Ask the person how much they think it costs.  When they respond, just reply "That's exactly correct."  

Answer a question with a question ... Hey, I do that all the time with my wife ... and you are right ... it works.

Thanks,

BCO

Well guys I stopped wearing cowboy boots about 10 years ago because some fool would always ask HOW MUCH you give for them boots ? I had to answer to 1 person when she asked lol but not some guy I did not know

Quote from: luvrbus on February 20, 2011, 11:33:05 AM
Well guys I stopped wearing cowboy boots about 10 years ago because some fool would always ask HOW MUCH you give for them boots ? I had to answer to 1 person when she asked lol but not some guy I did not know

A rancher placed an ad in the local paper for a rodeo worker. 

No one showed up, except this one long haired, blond headed kid.  He had on a Hawaiian Shirt, loose shorts, tennis shoes and a head-band.  The rancher that placed the ad, looked at the kid, and asked him, "You a rodeo hand?" and the kid said, "Yeah."

So then the rancher handed him a length of rope and said "get on that horse, and rope me a calf."  So the kid mounted up, came out of the chute like greased lightning, ran the calf down, roped him, bulldogged him to the ground and tied him in record time.

The rancher was impressed and then he looked at the kid and said, "Man, I would have never figured you for a ranch hand." 

And the kid said, "Why is that?"  The rancher said, "Well, the way you are dressed.  I was expecting a western cut shirt, jeans, cowboy hat and cowboy boots.  Not what you are wearing."

The kid smiled and then said, "What were you wanting, a ranch hand or a professional truck driver?"

Thanks for your comment Clifford

BCO

Ha, ha, LOL, good one!

JC

I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me. ;D ;D

Quote from: van on February 20, 2011, 06:16:11 PM
I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me. ;D ;D

That is rich ... I love it!

"I didn't know the bed was on fire, until I laid down in it."

Your turn.

BCO

I guess your coach has to look as good as BCO's to get people to ask that question!haha they usually ask us how old is that? as to the tour thing, I was fueling up outside of Tupelo once when a truck driver and his wife asked if they could look inside. They only stood right inside the door (diesel boots!)  then his wife took off her shoes cause she had to look. When i got back from paying they had left me a basket of vidalia onions and a thank you note.  Boxcar, great post and jokes, thanks

Quote from: DMoedave on February 20, 2011, 07:30:37 PM
I guess your coach has to look as good as BCO's to get people to ask that question!haha they usually ask us how old is that? as to the tour thing, I was fueling up outside of Tupelo once when a truck driver and his wife asked if they could look inside. They only stood right inside the door (diesel boots!)  then his wife took off her shoes cause she had to look. When i got back from paying they had left me a basket of vidalia onions and a thank you note.  Boxcar, great post and jokes, thanks

Our old hoopie will be 28 years old in April, when I tell people that "it is an '83 model, they are amazed" and I suppose that is one of the reasons that I was attracted to it in the beginning, the fact that it was old (like me).  My wife hates for anyone to come inside, friend or foe.  I don't know why, might be something about the woman that just makes her that way, but she steadfast refuses to allow access to the interior.

Pretty cool, leaving you the onions and all, and a thank you note to boot, shows you the quality of the people, eh?  I am glad that you (all of you) enjoyed the post, and the comments being favorable and all, well, jeeze, you are much too kind.

Thanks,

BCO

Several years ago I traveled with a friend whom owned a 45 ft. Eagle, 102, series 60 with world trans, two slides, all new skin, custom wood interior etc, etc. One day he asked what I had in my 06, I replied something south of 20K. He said "you piss me off", I said why??
He responded " Ive got 700K in mine and when we are going down the road I'm not having a bit more fun than you are".>>>Dan

BoxcarOkie I love your Eagle as I have an 84.  I honed in on the lights you mounted up front right off.  It might be a stupid question but do they help out with the night driving.  I say stupid wuestion as you might not have them if they were not an assett.

Wal1809,  just don't ask him how much they cost. ;D ;D ;D

Quote from: luvrbus on February 19, 2011, 08:14:40 AM
It is my money and my business what I spend the kids get a little upset sometimes lol and I have answers for them too



good luck

I LOVE that analogy Clifford. I have a dear friend that just passed and at the will reading I'll bet the thought crossed their minds, how things would have been different if they worried less about what their dad spent and focused more on him as a person. He was sick a little over a year and they did not bother to see him until he was in his final three days on this earth.
It sure made me sad. He wanted nothing more than a "normal family".

Good Luck and thanks again BCO for this classic (as always) post.

Justin

Quote from: boxcarOkie
A rancher placed an ad in the local paper for a rodeo worker. 

No one showed up, except this one long haired, blond headed kid.  He had on a Hawaiian Shirt, loose shorts, tennis shoes and a head-band.  The rancher that placed the ad, looked at the kid, and asked him, "You a rodeo hand?" and the kid said, "Yeah."

So then the rancher handed him a length of rope and said "get on that horse, and rope me a calf."  So the kid mounted up, came out of the chute like greased lightning, ran the calf down, roped him, bulldogged him to the ground and tied him in record time.

The rancher was impressed and then he looked at the kid and said, "Man, I would have never figured you for a ranch hand." 

And the kid said, "Why is that?"  The rancher said, "Well, the way you are dressed.  I was expecting a western cut shirt, jeans, cowboy hat and cowboy boots.  Not what you are wearing."

The kid smiled and then said, "What were you wanting, a ranch hand or a professional truck BUS driver?"

Thanks for your comment Clifford

BCO

Thanks both Clifford and Don! This modified version is going up on the wall in the drivers area of the office! ;)
;D  BK  ;D

Maybe it's because busses are so big.  Something that size must have cost a bundle!   I would say that about 70%  of the people I've told about my bus have asked me how much it cost.   Even the sheriff who came out to do the title work asked me. 
   Maybe they ask because they think, feel, they could never afford such a thing.   And some really are interested.
JM

darn, now I know what I've been doing wrong on these years...

Gotta get me some western boots.

Then I'll get the respect that I deserve!

I'd think the "professional" tag comes with wearing something on your feet that gets polished regularly.

Style matters less than upkeep?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Quote from: challenger440 on February 21, 2011, 07:58:06 AM
Maybe it's because busses are so big.  Something that size must have cost a bundle!   I would say that about 70%  of the people I've told about my bus have asked me how much it cost.   Even the sheriff who came out to do the title work asked me. 
   Maybe they ask because they think, feel, they could never afford such a thing.   And some really are interested.
JM

Good point.  I did have one guy "tell me" (he didn't ask mind you) that it was a Trailways coach.  I tried to tell him different, actually spent quite a lot of time giving him the history of the bus.  In the end it flat didn't matter, he said "It is an old Trailways boy, and I can prove it." 

So I said, "Okay, let me have it."

He looked down and pointed at the Eagle on the front grill-work and said, "See, right there, it has an Eagle on it, all of them Eagles had those on the front!"

This is why in Oklahoma, it is illegal for second cousins to marry each other.

BCO

Quote from: buswarrior on February 22, 2011, 07:35:19 AM
darn, now I know what I've been doing wrong on these years...

Gotta get me some western boots.

Then I'll get the respect that I deserve!

I'd think the "professional" tag comes with wearing something on your feet that gets polished regularly.

Style matters less than upkeep?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Get you some of them real pointed ones, made out of a dead reptile, with toes so sharp, you can kill a cockroach in the corner with 'em.

BCO

How much did it cost? Tell me how much you make and I'll tell you if you can afford it.

Quote from: Lee Bradley on February 24, 2011, 12:45:34 PM
How much did it cost? Tell me how much you make and I'll tell you if you can afford it.

If'n I have to ask, then I sort of know it is "out of my reach."

thank you for your reply,

Don Smith
aka:BCO

How much for the boots? ;D

Quote from: van on February 24, 2011, 04:10:38 PM
How much for the boots? ;D

#3 gunboat or just regular size?

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.  I joined that other bus board, they asked me for a password, and i really had problems with it.  Finally came up with something but it wasn't easy.

Here it is:  "MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofySacramento"  (they said that it had to be at least 8 characters long and include at least one capital)

BCO

Quote from: Utahclaimjumper on February 21, 2011, 03:11:18 AM
Several years ago I traveled with a friend whom owned a 45 ft. Eagle, 102, series 60 with world trans, two slides, all new skin, custom wood interior etc, etc. One day he asked what I had in my 06, I replied something south of 20K. He said "you piss me off", I said why??
He responded " Ive got 700K in mine and when we are going down the road I'm not having a bit more fun than you are".>>>Dan

  And you didnt ask if he'd trade? You could have said "Im having more fun than you ya know.", "why's that?", "Cus I didnt spend 700K on my Bus.".

Great Post & Responses,

First BCO, you have one sweet, clean, wonderful looking coach. You also have a sweet, clean, great looking building. I mean clean ! Mine is junk magnet.

When I get the question of How Much?

I can tend to get indignant, but rather ask "Are you interested in buying it ??" I see no relevant interest or need to know otherwise.

It would be like me asking someone's wife's bra size?? What am I going to do with that information. I am not getting close to the contents within. I care not if they are orginal equipment or after market's. None of my business.

Thanks for the flowers Gary.

I do my best to keep the shop clean if I can, being almost 3,000sq ft when it gets really dirty, it takes FOREVER to whip it back into shape.  I am not as anal as my friend Randy ... But I am organized.  Randy will open his tool box and say something profound like ..... "Where is my screwdriver, I am missing a screwdriver." 

Whereas, I will open my tool box and say ... "Where the _____ are my screwdrivers!"

Don Smith
aka: BCO

The doorbell rang last week, when I answered the door this guy standing there.......he said, "Wow, with that bus sitting in the driveway, I thought......a rock group lived here"  he looked disappointed but then started his sales pitch.........(selling kirby vaccum cleaners, but they would work on "any" model), he asked me if i ever heard of Kirby, I said, "no"  (sure i have), but i do have an electrolux, the best they make, is it any thing like that?"   He looked, rather deflated!  He was at a loss for a second, so I jumped in and asked him if he had a minute?.........He said, "sure".......I came outside and asked him to hold my ladder and hand me tools while i worked on my bus..................long pause, he said, " I really need to get busy selling sweepers"............as he walked back to his car.......he turns and yells, "we clean carpets too".............I just waved as he drove off!

I don't wear no stinkin' boots, Wranglers, Snap type shirt or any of that other western crap when I drive.  Just a Hawaiian shirt, shorts, sandles and a big smile.  Of course it helps I run Florida!
Jack

Quote from: boxcarOkie on February 25, 2011, 02:49:48 AM
Thanks for the flowers Gary.

I do my best to keep the shop clean if I can, being almost 3,000sq ft

Geez, Our home is almost 3,000 sq ft, and I barely get our bus in the living room :o, I need a larger house  :-\ ;D ;D

Quote from: van on February 25, 2011, 08:41:05 AM

Quote from: boxcarOkie on February 25, 2011, 02:49:48 AM
Thanks for the flowers Gary.

I do my best to keep the shop clean if I can, being almost 3,000sq ft

Geez, Our home is almost 3,000 sq ft, and I barely get our bus in the living room :o, I need a larger house  :-\ ;D ;D

Look at it from this perspective Van ... It being inside the house and all ... means the dumpstation is just down the hallway.

BCO

Gary, You have been curious a few times, yes or no inquiring minds need to know!  LMAO, John L

haha!!! I was torn for the longest time, my choice being to turn a large enclosed attached sunroom into a shop for the bus or an apartment for my son..... sigh, my son wins!

LOL! My wifey still sighs when she looks at Don Fairchild's grease stains on the carpet :D ;D and for that now my honey sleeps under the stars, the bus that is. ;D

Your wife sounds like she has a good head on her shoulders, unlike sum of us others! One thing though, at least my sunroom is a concrete slab with no padding and covered simply in indoor/outdoor carpet I dont like  ;D But it's called insurance for my older age..... my son promised to go to college, stay off drugs and keep his act together  ;D I cant do better then that!

Quote from: boxcarOkie on February 20, 2011, 05:26:59 AM

Quote from: Chopper Scott on February 19, 2011, 07:07:23 AM
Great post. Now you helped me make a decision I have been kicking around!

If it is not too personal, what was it, you have me curious.

BCO

Awnings!! A Mirage by Carefree of Colorado for the patio awning replacing the 24' it has already and then matching ones for the windows. I seem to have dumped a few bucks into the ole girl this winter but probably not what that new Imron skin cost you! Can't take it with us. I've been kicking rocks but it's going to happen regardless so I just as well do it now and enjoy it.

Quote from: Chopper Scott on February 27, 2011, 05:38:10 AM

Quote from: boxcarOkie on February 20, 2011, 05:26:59 AM

Quote from: Chopper Scott on February 19, 2011, 07:07:23 AM
Great post. Now you helped me make a decision I have been kicking around!

If it is not too personal, what was it, you have me curious.

BCO

Awnings!! A Mirage by Carefree of Colorado for the patio awning replacing the 24' it has already and then matching ones for the windows. I seem to have dumped a few bucks into the ole girl this winter but probably not what that new Imron skin cost you! Can't take it with us. I've been kicking rocks but it's going to happen regardless so I just as well do it now and enjoy it.

You know Scott, we almost never put them down, we have 'em and all that, but I believe they have only been down one time.  Nowadays, we are only doing the traveling in early spring or in late fall, the summer months, we sit them out here at the goat farm.  Just too hot, even with five AC's it is almost impossible on some days to keep up with it.

The Imron was pricey, about $350 a gallon, and she took 11 gallons, clear coat wasn't much better.  Both are petroleum derivatives so you know where that is going, right?  The major cost factor on the coach paint was the bodywork, it was extensive, there were places that we found bondo that was 1.5 inches deep if you can believe that?

Thank you for your reply,

BCO

Whenever we pull in somewhere I have a progression of things to do. The first is cold adult beverage, the second is hooking up the electricity and the third is set up the awning.  We use ours a lot.

$19,700 for everything and our labor. M&C ;D

Quote from: Chopper Scott on February 27, 2011, 06:26:23 AM
Whenever we pull in somewhere I have a progression of things to do. The first is cold adult beverage, the second is hooking up the electricity and the third is set up the awning.  We use ours a lot.

  Wow, I could have wrote that myself. Ive about wore the awning out.