For Those of You Thinking of Buying or Selling

[Dallas]

 For the last few months I've been watching eBay. Not in the normal way... I've been watching the completed listings.

Other than a few high dollar Allegro coaches, (are those really a bus?), and very few and far between completed conversions, what I've been seeing is people that are trying to get rid of a bus that seems to have become a liability instead of an asset. The majority of buses are not selling, except for small late model shuttle buses and low cost older skoolies.
If it were me looking for a good running Diesel pusher, I would expect this to be a great time to buy. Unfortunately, it seems that most of these sellers are putting an unreasonable reserve on the bus they are selling, and as a consequence, are paying eBay fees, but not making a sale.

My point here is that if you are thinking of selling, now probably isn't a good time to do it, if you are thinking of buying, you may also want to wait awhile to see where the market is going.

Personally, I'm looking for a non converted MC9, 96A3, 96A2, 102x, Flx Hi-Liner, or anything that has the bay space of a MCI but stays in the 35' range. (Flx Hiliner has huge bays, and they all pass through just like Eagles and Setras.
My next coach doesn't need to run, or even have a transmission, but does have to be at least rolling stock, I'll take it from there.

Good Luck to all of you, in all your bus endeavors, either buying or selling. Just be careful!

Check out the completed eBay listings and see what I mean.

DF

[tekebird]

Hi Dallas,

the Flxliner, High Level and VL all share approx the same baggage compartments...which are about the size  (Cu Ft) of a 4104's per side individually.  Keep in mind that the Flx only have two bays the forward one of which is half A/C compartment and they have quite Deep tunnels for the center chase.  Where a GM would have two complete pass through bays ( less battery Compartment) plus the A/C bay, the tool compartment under  the driver and the Space free in the heater compartment.

outside of a GM you will not find anything with the Bay space of the MCi's you listed

if your wiling to accept a roling chassis there are alot out there for next to nothing

[luvrbus]

Dallas, would you be interested in a 35ft Prevost a 1983 with a 6v92 one of the casnios here in Laughlin had one for sell a month ago and Don Laughlin had 2 35ft model 10s Eagles for sale (no rust peroid) but one had a steering problem if you like I will check for you most of the time you can get a good deal from these places.I would have the Eagles myself but the powers that be said no (my wife)

[jackhartjr]

luverbus, you said, "I would have the Eagles myself but the powers that be said no (my wife)!"

Around here we say, "TOWMBO!
Translated that is, "The one who must be obeyed!"

Hope you and yours are doing GREAT!
Jack

[luvrbus]

yea, Jack I know how that works mine has a thing about buses right now 3 is enough till I get her new house built  but then watch out buddy Kyle has nothing on me when it comes to saving a Eagle

[Green-Hornet]

Dallas, would you be interested in a 35ft Prevost a 1983 with a 6v92 one of the casnios here in Laughlin had one for sell a month ago 

That sounds interesting. I would like to know a lil more if Dallas is not interested.

[jackhartjr]

luverbus, you said; Kyle has nothing on me when it comes to saving a Eagle;

Buddy, I have been on some of Kyle's trips...the best part was being in a bbaadd part of Chesapeake, VA, blocking 2 lanes of a MAJOR 4 lane blvd...in an area that as Kyle says, "The cops don't come until they hear that shots were fired" and seeing him work through a small access hole and get the reverse solinoid working again!  He got it going, him and Ash Dovel backed that sucker up and we got out of there as the sun was going down! 
I say that to say this...out of all due respect luverbus...you might be good at savin' Eagles...however Kyle is the BEST at savin' Scenicruises!
Jack
....then there was the last bus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kyle4501]

yea, Jack I know how that works mine has a thing about buses right now 3 is enough till I get her new house built  but then watch out buddy Kyle has nothing on me when it comes to saving a Eagle

If you try to save an Eagle that has been as neglected as most of by derelict relics - - - You could probably carry it in your pocket. 

Sorry, couldn't resist. . . . .

Anyways, I'd like company in the colecting big toys hobby. 
We could trade notes on how to get away with it 


The biggest tip is to park them where the better half doesn't have to see them.   

It also helps if she isn't asked about them . . .

[Beatenbo]

Hey Dallas I just put mine there with a very reasonable reserve. I have had a bus in my drive for 40 years. Don't know how it will feel to be busless, but I'm getting tired after over a million miles. Blessings CB

[skipn]

CB,

   Saw it there and was sad.............So recording studio with an indoor spot for your bus.......That
will leave a big hole.

    So how are you going to make it to your Co. engagements........?
    For someone who has as many bus miles as you thought you might want to share on your decision.
    Not the feul thing I hope; that seems to be top reason.

Skip

[jjrbus]

 I have checked the completed sales on all items for a long time. I want to know what things are selling for not the asking price. Bus's are not selling. Also the number of completed sales for autos is very small. i see the same items on there over and over. Is there a special rate for dealers or super ebay'ers? How abbout the low cost items that are listed 10/20 times by the same dealer,  it is hard to belive they are paying for those ads!!!!

[Songman]

My eBay selling fees were $100 last month! I don't know how those other guys do it month in and month out without selling their stuff. I sold everything I listed with exception of the Ninja motorcycle that I stopped the auction on because the seller decided to keep it.

[Beatenbo]

Fuel is one thing. For the occasional user the bus is still the greatest way to go even with high fuel cost.
My thing is I will be busier than ever just gonna do it different. I will keep a small motor home for my studio business. My bus has only been out 5 times this year. I don't enjoy driving as I did in the past. 8-10 trips get more tiring these days There is a place close to her called Hartsfield/Jackson International if you know what I mean. Seems like nobody in my business balks on airline tickets But ask for 500 bucks extra fuel allowance...... I am going to let some of them make the decision. I will put something back in that space.
Would love a MCI F3500 Cummings there Who Knows

[Songman]

I sure do like that red f-hole Tele in the picture, Charlie!

[bowmaga]

Now who would buy a bus that has become more of a liability instead of an assest?  Just cause in came with a small tag axle problem of being rusted fast, a serious air problem from previous owners just lopping off air lines where ever they wanted and patching with duct tape.  A what is a missing window??  it was covered with black cardboard.....and just cause that one wall structural was rusted....rusted gone, doesn't mean that she isn't a lean, mean, future beer drinking machine.....queen of the road.....go super Betty go.

Oh, you weren't talking to me Dallas...you were talking to everyone, my bad.  

I have learned, you get what you pay for.  Nothing is free.  We got our bus for 6750.00 and at this point i know why!!!  

I agree with you, you need to research your bus and check her out thoroughly before you buy....saves you from big headaches later.  May not be Worth buying the 25k - 35k bus to you on eBay, but that's 5k-7k jem with "barely any rust" and "only smokes when it starts"  may be tempting......and could be a steal, but check her out.

I wish i would have gotten on this board and asked a million questions before I bought....instead of after.  But now I've learned and scraped up knuckles and numerous grease filled jeans and sweat shirts that my wife won't wash in her washer later...its all fun and games until parts start costing $1000.00.....then its a sick game on who can win....you or the bus.

how was that for some rambling......