Do bus prices go down at the end of the year?

Jim Blackwood · October 18, 2018, 02:19:28 PM

Just wondering. I came close to pulling the trigger on a couple I've seen lately, but not quite there yet.

Jim

Bus Lurker · October 18, 2018, 02:34:55 PM

One would think as the bad weather comes in sellers would want to sell their coaches before the snow and ice arrive. I know I would not want to travel or view a coach in bad weather. It might be to your advantage to make a reasonable offer. Good luck!

Mike

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · October 18, 2018, 02:43:20 PM

Coaches sell pretty good in the fall as people get ready to head south for the winter. So it may not be until January or so before you can pick one up for less $$$.

luvrbus · October 18, 2018, 03:39:24 PM

When the price of fuel goes up the price of buses drop

bobofthenorth · October 18, 2018, 04:17:00 PM

I'm sorry but the subject line made me do it

You mean like a Black Friday sale?

Van · October 18, 2018, 05:47:22 PM

Quote from: bobofthenorth on October 18, 2018, 04:17:00 PM
I'm sorry but the subject line made me do it

You mean like a Black Friday sale?

Damn Bob beat me to it..

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · October 18, 2018, 05:57:04 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on October 18, 2018, 03:39:24 PM
When the price of fuel goes up the price of buses drop

I agree. I wish fuel would go to $10/gallon. Then there would be some great deals out there.

When the price went to $5/gallon in California, there were fewer traffic jams.

chessie4905 · October 18, 2018, 06:17:58 PM

That could happen if this thing with Saudi Arabia blows up.

DoubleEagle · October 18, 2018, 06:42:46 PM

The price goes down when you walk away from it acting like you don't want it, but obviously have cash on hand.

windtrader · October 18, 2018, 10:01:18 PM

By far the most influential factor that sets the true closing price is the seller's realistic understanding of the old bus conversion market these days. Once they digest the nasty fact they'll receive pennies on the dollar from the rare buyer that does show up with cash, that is when you buy your bus.

Everything else is just noise. Any seasonal variation would be coincidental as the seller has usually been attempting to sell the bus for quite awhile, often times years, so the reality lightening bolt is just a random event.

Astro · October 18, 2018, 10:24:37 PM

Buyers always set the closing price. Sellers NEVER set the closing price. WIthout a buyer, there is no sale. Value, as seen buy the buyer of what he/she is getting for their dollars determine IF there will be a closing and for what price. A sellers best chance on a decent return is based on the condition of their coach as viewed by the buyer. A bus that takes years to sell is probably in bad condition.

Brassman · October 18, 2018, 10:39:34 PM

I don't know, but in skoolie world if you call it a tiny house you double your sell price, or more.

jraynor · October 19, 2018, 05:00:43 AM

Quote from: Jim Blackwood on October 18, 2018, 02:19:28 PM
Just wondering. I came close to pulling the trigger on a couple I've seen lately, but not quite there yet.

Jim

are you looking for one to convert or one already converted? There is a 1998 MCI 102 DL with a 60 series near where I live. Says it doesn't start but there is a guy who said he can send a tech and get it running. They are going to scrap it at the end of the month if they don't sell it. 4800 currently. I can send you the listing if youd like

windtrader · October 19, 2018, 05:19:13 AM

Jonathan - Precisely my point about the current state of interest (read: extremely poor) in taking on a bus conversion project today and barely believable price at which a fairly new coach is being offered out to the market. If it goes to the scrapper, it just reinforces how terrible it is these days.

What's particularly sad yet relevant is what folks doing conversions during the heyday shoveled into these projects. An OTR going out of service was at least three times what this bus owner is asking and that was more than two decades ago.

At this point, even fuel prices are not affecting sold prices. They are so cheap now the seller just needs to find a serious buyer with the greenbacks, at just about any price.

richard5933 · October 19, 2018, 10:07:11 AM

Sounds like there are two very distinct sectors of the 'old bus' market.

There is one sector made up of fairly modern coaches that have recently been in revenue service. Likely much of their useful life has been sucked out of these if they are being sold at prices affordable by the DIY converter. There will be deferred or neglected maintenance, and likely there will be issues with one or more of the automated/electronic systems on board. These buses can be found for not much money and those that don't sell are sent for scrap. No one is going to shed a tear if one of these plastic-capped wonders doesn't drive another day.

Coaches in this sector are often purchased and converted into motor homes. In the end they often look like any other motor home from a distance, with the major difference being that a bus chassis is underneath instead of a purpose-made motor home chassis. People buying coaches like this for conversion are not looking for a piece of history, they are looking for a working chassis that either is running or can be made to run at not much cost and then converted into a working motor home.

Then there is the second sector of the bus conversion world. This is where more classic buses will fall, and people buying these are often looking for a more unique vehicle that makes a statement. Like me, many have a desire to drive vintage vehicles with that special 'something' about them. These are the buses that we all mourn over when we see them going for scrap or rusting away in a back lot somewhere.

I am willing to put out a good deal of money and effort in order to keep our old 4108 running and looking good. Just like I did with all the vintage and classic cars I've owned and/or restored over the years. To me it's much more than a rolling chassis and I enjoy the process of maintaining and restoring vintage vehicles. The hobby aspect adds much of the value to me, and the hobby side of owning a vintage bus conversion is why I'm willing to spend so much time & money on it. No way I'd ever do that with a newer bus conversion - it just wouldn't have the same appeal to me.

Back to the original question...

In my opinion the end of the year question would only really apply to commercial owners that are looking to get assets off their books before the end of the tax year. Since most revenue coaches will have been depreciated to nearly zero by the time they are sold, I'm not even sure that this applies. When I've sold vintage/classic vehicles privately, if one hasn't sold by the time the weather turned cold I either pulled it from the market or just made the decision to hold tight until the spring when buyers are more plentiful.

If I was in the market and saw something I liked I'd be making an offer. Wait till the end of the year and it may be gone to someone else. Since I didn't buy my bus to resell, the only thing that mattered was whether or not it was worth it to me, and if it met the needs I had.