Where to sell a bus?

hogi6123 · July 28, 2021, 06:33:39 AM

I am in the opposite situation of most that have questions, I want to sell my bus.

What's the best place to advertise a bus conversion where people that would buy a bus conversion will be looking?

Facebook Marketplace seems to be too regional. I created a listing here but haven't had anyone seriously interested yet.

Craigslist seems pretty much dead, in my area at least.

busconversionmagazine.com has low volume and buses don't seem to sell very quickly. The price to advertise seems a bit high for the services provided and advertising coverage. But maybe my perceptions are wrong.

There are a handful of RV and bus broker sites. (busesforsale.com, rvtrader.com) I don't know anything about any of them.

Thanks.

Ed Hackenbruch · July 28, 2021, 07:02:36 AM

Bought my first bus off of an ebay auction, listed in Texas, i am in Az. Sold it on a Craigslist posted in Yuma, guy in Oregon bought it. Bought my 2nd bus from the classifieds here. Had a Triumph TR4 that i put on Craigslist, had calls from Phoenix, LA, Oklahoma, and Europe. Never know who sees your ad or where they are from until they contact you.

luvrbus · July 28, 2021, 07:19:29 AM

You do get a lot of buyers looking at the BCM classifieds I see it on the MCI and GM bus pages on face book people linking the BCM site,John and I were talking about buses on his visit here you don't see many on the road or in RV parks anymore.People that buy one need cash in hand too,where the buyers for the newer factory RV's can buy with a little cash down and have 12 years of payments.not for me but it happening.The cost of ownership of a bus goes beyond some budgets that is what you dealing with now ,the price of fuel and getting insurance is not on the sellers side either

windtrader · July 28, 2021, 07:56:00 AM

Search on FB GROUPS for "bus conversion". There are several dedicated to sales. I have no idea how many actually close there but I bought mine on the MCI Bus and Bus Conversions group. Not that is good for sellers as I got a super deal because there weren't many bidders at the time. Bus Conversions International is a good one to get some ideas.
Craislist Bus Listings is another FB page where members scan and post listings.

Good luck, keep us posted how it goes.

luvrbus · July 28, 2021, 08:06:39 AM

Good luck there are lot of bus conversions on the market right now

richard5933 · July 28, 2021, 08:20:16 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on July 28, 2021, 08:06:39 AM
Good luck there are lot of bus conversions on the market right now

True, but I can't think of a better time to be selling anything which can be used as a motor home. The market is hot right now and if you can take advantage of it why not.

windtrader · July 28, 2021, 08:22:23 AM

Clifford - Do you think there are in reality more buses for sale recently or just that more people with unwanted buses feel it may be a good time to try to sell them? Everything is selling these days for more than they're worth. Maybe they think they can unload an old bus today. Just curious always to keep updated on the bus conversion market but it is very hard for me to know how many actually trade hands and the money that was exchanged.

luvrbus · July 28, 2021, 08:56:00 AM

Don.you don't see conversions on the road or RV parks like they are all parked now,could be the RV parks guide line not seeing buses in the RV parks though.A friend sold his GM last week and ended up taking 1/2 his asking price,if you hang on and don't get in rush selling I believe they can bring more money JMO,if you need to sell and sell in hurry you won't fair good with the sell.Lol 1st thing buyers look at are the friggn date on tires and batteries if they have a year left then they want you to pro rate the tires

Utahclaimjumper · July 28, 2021, 10:07:46 AM

The crazy part of that is the bus is used and so are the tires,, so why does a seller owe a buyer new tires? It all depends on how bad you wish to sell..>>>Dan

Utahclaimjumper · July 28, 2021, 10:10:06 AM

The crazy part of that is the bus is used and so are the tires,, so why does a seller owe a buyer new tires? It all depends on how bad you wish to sell.. If the deal is good enough for the buyer ( with new tires) it puts him in a very good position to "flip" the bus for good provit..>>>Dan

luvrbus · July 28, 2021, 10:58:12 AM

Quote from: Utahclaimjumper on July 28, 2021, 10:07:46 AM
The crazy part of that is the bus is used and so are the tires,, so why does a seller owe a buyer new tires? It all depends on how bad you wish to sell..>>>Dan

I don't know the answer Dan but you can have oil dripping from the engine and all they worry about are the tires ,the RV market is hot, for some reason not the bus conversions that market will suffer more when and if fuel reaches the 4 or 5 dollars a gal ,there are buses on the market I see that have been listed for over a year with no takers some under 10k

Tedsoldbus · July 28, 2021, 10:59:04 AM

Hogi, look up Thebusman on the internet. We got out shorty Prevost from Marty Rhyne. He buys some, brokers some, and deals in all sorts of buses you can see on his website. He has been doing it forever and has a very good reputation. Super nice guy and very honest. When I got stranded on Hwy 81, he knew nearby resources and got me back on the road. He knows guys all over the country that do what he does and knows if people are looking for a bus like yours. Worth a shot. 704-860-5555
Best of luck,
Ted

luvrbus · July 28, 2021, 11:22:37 AM

Quote from: Tedsoldbus on July 28, 2021, 10:59:04 AM
Hogi, look up Thebusman on the internet. We got out shorty Prevost from Marty Rhyne. He buys some, brokers some, and deals in all sorts of buses you can see on his website. He has been doing it forever and has a very good reputation. Super nice guy and very honest. When I got stranded on Hwy 81, he knew nearby resources and got me back on the road. He knows guys all over the country that do what he does and knows if people are looking for a bus like yours. Worth a shot. 704-860-5555
Best of luck,
Ted

The cheap buses with modern engines and running gear coming out of CA is not helping the bus market ? why would one pay 10 or 12 grand for bus shell made in 70's or 80's when you can buy one made in 2000 for $7500.00 that has factory support
Consignment is ok for selling but you give up 15% or more of the sell

richard5933 · July 28, 2021, 03:21:22 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on July 28, 2021, 11:22:37 AM

The cheap buses with modern engines and running gear coming out of CA is not helping the bus market ? why would one pay 10 or 12 grand for bus shell made in 70's or 80's when you can buy one made in 2000 for $7500.00 that has factory support
Consignment is ok for selling but you give up 15% or more of the sell

About the only reason would be if someone just likes the vintage buses more. I don't care for the slab-sided look of the newer ones and prefer the vintage, but I can see where others might prioritize function over style.

Guess the answer to your question is the same as why someone would pay good money for a 65 Mustang instead of a newer one.

luvrbus · July 28, 2021, 04:50:38 PM

Quote from: richard5933 on July 28, 2021, 03:21:22 PM
About the only reason would be if someone just likes the vintage buses more. I don't care for the slab-sided look of the newer ones and prefer the vintage, but I can see where others might prioritize function over style.

Guess the answer to your question is the same as why someone would pay good money for a 65 Mustang instead of a newer one.

i understand the point , the difference is the 65 Mustang will increase in value as time goes by, that is not happening with a old converted bus I saw yet