Where to sell a bus?

richard5933 · July 28, 2021, 05:59:42 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on July 28, 2021, 04:50:38 PM

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

Pretty much every vintage car I've ever bought was done because I liked the car, not as an investment. Same for my bus. If I end up getting most of what I put into it I'll consider myself one of the lucky few. I'm getting my money's worth by the enjoyment of owning and using it.

I suspect that most that buy an older/vintage bus are also doing it for the enjoyment, not to make a buck. Lots better ways to invest your money if making a buck is the goal.

luvrbus · July 28, 2021, 06:55:24 PM

Quote from: richard5933 on July 28, 2021, 05:59:42 PM
Pretty much every vintage car I've ever bought was done because I liked the car, not as an investment. Same for my bus. If I end up getting most of what I put into it I'll consider myself one of the lucky few. I'm getting my money's worth by the enjoyment of owning and using it.

I suspect that most that buy an older/vintage bus are also doing it for the enjoyment, not to make a buck. Lots better ways to invest your money if making a buck is the goal.

A good friend of mine in Scottsdale owns the GM Future Liner,I have owned buses since the late 60's they got where they were not fun or enjoyable to me .so I went a different route.I still love buses and spend way to much of my time helping people to keep one going

buswarrior · July 28, 2021, 07:47:18 PM

So, a busnut buys a $7500 coach, and puts $7000 of new tires under it.

Is this now a $14 500 bus?

Not even close...

Luvrbus has been playing longer than me, and i have been here 20 years, and those we knew who played before the internet...

The only result when it comes to selling a coach is a loss of some magnitude.

Smoke 'em if you got 'em...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

windtrader · July 28, 2021, 10:28:27 PM

Well, it seems the same old story and same old trend - old bus conversions not getting much love and prices not improving. Funny you mention tires as a negotiating topic. I played that card when I got mine. Tires were just aging out at 8 years. So, the seller knocked off a couple more thousand for the tires. But is a fact if you are going to keep aged out tires off the bus then 8 tires out the door is minimum $4,000. I started the annual purchase of two tires and on the last cycle this coming year. So, yes, it is a real cost and a smart buyer will add this into the price haggling.

chessie4905 · July 28, 2021, 11:13:57 PM

What is mostly killing sales it trying to find insurance, and at a reasonable price. Forget about collision on older ones. The cost would be very high, even if they offer it.

tr206 · July 29, 2021, 04:17:35 AM

As far as insurance goes I bought my 68 eagle over 3 years ago I have Progressive it was 35.?? a month for the first year and now its been 47.?? a month since. Hope I didn't just jinx it but seems reasonable. That's with full coverage because I have a loan on it.

hogi6123 · July 29, 2021, 05:08:10 AM

I have full comprehensive coverage on my bus. It's only $23/mo, I told them I paid $20000 for the bus. COUNTRY Financial.

COUNTRY only adds about 10% for comprehensive. I was amazed when I found this out, with my last company, comprehensive doubled the cost so I had liability only.

dtcerrato · July 29, 2021, 05:18:22 AM

So you're saying your collision coverage caps at $20,000?
We do that with Foremost since 1979. Ours caps at $30,000. Since retirement we only full coverage it when on major trips (FL - AK - FL) otherwise we leave just basic liability on it.

hogi6123 · July 29, 2021, 05:38:44 AM

Quote from: dtcerrato on July 29, 2021, 05:18:22 AM
So you're saying your collision coverage caps at $20,000?
We do that with Foremost since 1979. Ours caps at $30,000. Since retirement we only full coverage it when on major trips (FL - AK - FL) otherwise we leave just basic liability on it.

I didn't ask the details, since I've never asked for any payouts from insurance and don't expect to ever do so, but I think that's probably correct.

luvrbus · July 29, 2021, 06:14:59 AM

You have to read the policy fine print good insurance costs a bundle .what amazes me are the ones driving these beasts with minimum liability coverage ,the deductible on some people insurance is more than the bus cost.One has to do the home work and shop for good insurance that is one place you get what you pay for,wish I paid 20 to 50 bucks a month I did drop Progressive and their $8000 a year BS though.Here in AZ you can call and have the liability part put on hold when you are through traveling I have friends that do that and get 3 or 4 years for 1 year of premium I am sure other states have that also

richard5933 · July 29, 2021, 08:02:50 AM

So many variable involved in insurance that it's nearly impossible to make accurate comparisons. State laws rule over insurance, and no two states are the same. Some companies will offer coverage in one state but not a few miles over in the next state.

We have full coverage on our bus through Progressive with a stated-value policy set at $60,000. Annual policy is about $1,300 for everything.

One thing that we did that many don't is work through a good independent insurance agent. Our agent had contacts in the underwriting department and was able to help hand-walk my application through the process so that it didn't get hung up by some low-level pencil pusher afraid of a bus.

Lots of people try getting insurance on their own by contacting the companies directly, and the initial phone rep often turns it down after finding out it's a bus.

luvrbus · July 29, 2021, 08:28:50 AM

Even with a stated value Progressive has a out it's in your policy they pay the value as fair market value deemed by the adjuster at the time of the accident. Johnathan had agreed value of 50k on his MCI 7 towed to my place he got $13,800.00 in the end after all the deductions with Progressive, agreed on value is good to have if you are in a accident and it is not your fault the other person insurance will usually pay that value or at least the limit on the other persons insurance ,if the person has a $15.000 limit then the fight begins with your carrier

Tedsoldbus · July 29, 2021, 10:00:11 AM

I just looked and Marty has a 1976 MC-8 for $42,500. I'm not pushing for you to talk to him, but he is a very easy no pressure guy to talk to. Rita and I bought a 2002 Allegro Bus when I retired in 2005 and drove it for 15 months. Sold it after much trying for 60K less than we paid. We bought the shorty Prevost in November for 52K and have had 3 offers around 60 since we got it. Point being we bought this one at the bottom of its depreciation. Don't know what you paid for your bus, and lord knows we all put money into them non stop after we get them. But my thinking is it is about the memories. Not the money. Your bus is now worth or selling for "X", and that is just it.
The guys on this blog are long time doing this. I am not, but you have a bus, just sitting, and it is probably worth "X". Marty can tell you pretty close to what "X" is. It is what he does. All day for 30 years. He also knows small operations like his probably in your area. You just have to decide if "X" is enough. And yes there will be a commission. We all charge for what we do. He is not a community service.
Good luck with the sale. I hope it goes well and sorry another member will be "Busless".

luvrbus · July 29, 2021, 10:14:51 AM

Quote from: Tedsoldbus on July 29, 2021, 10:00:11 AM
I just looked and Marty has a 1976 MC-8 for $42,500. I'm not pushing for you to talk to him, but he is a very easy no pressure guy to talk to. Rita and I bought a 2002 Allegro Bus when I retired in 2005 and drove it for 15 months. Sold it after much trying for 60K less than we paid. We bought the shorty Prevost in November for 52K and have had 3 offers around 60 since we got it. Point being we bought this one at the bottom of its depreciation. Don't know what you paid for your bus, and lord knows we all put money into them non stop after we get them. But my thinking is it is about the memories. Not the money. Your bus is now worth or selling for "X", and that is just it.
The guys on this blog are long time doing this. I am not, but you have a bus, just sitting, and it is probably worth "X". Marty can tell you pretty close to what "X" is. It is what he does. All day for 30 years. He also knows small operations like his probably in your area. You just have to decide if "X" is enough. And yes there will be a commission. We all charge for what we do. He is not a community service.
Good luck with the sale. I hope it goes well and sorry another member will be "Busless".

If you know of anyone looking for a 35 ft 1980 Prevost with a 165,000 total miles converted by Foretravel there is one listed for $40,000.00 on Prevost=Stuff ,there was 1981 for sale in Vancover WA for under 50k.Since there is no blue book on older bus conversion it's simple math they are worth what a person wants to pay for one asking price, then the selling price is where it ends up

Dave5Cs · July 29, 2021, 10:31:52 AM

It is funny all the talk about what they are worth and the values. LOL The value to the insurance company is "$0" to you it may be different. They will total it 90% of the time and hand you the smallest check they can get away with unless they can prove(and they will) that it is your fault some how. Just sayin
If not enjoy camping on the check.....