A call ahead of time

chart1 · March 06, 2011, 04:48:38 PM

I think we have all learned a little from Marc's experience. I think if I ever have to have my bus towed to the nearest qualified garage, I will make a phone call first to make sure they have a experienced 2 stroke mechanic available TO WORK ON A BUS!!! I have pulled into many garages that refuse to work on my bus and send me down the road, or they have a bus surcharge. Which I don't understand what the surcharge is for, is it because it is harder and takes longer to work on. If so you are still paying them an hourly rate, if it takes longer because its a bus then you are going to pay more labor. Do you think a advance phone call would help?

buswarrior · March 06, 2011, 04:59:28 PM

It's all relative.

A coach costs somewhere 5 to 7 times what a highway tractor does.

A coach earns a greater profit margin than a highway tractor.

Some work on a coach is a HUGE pain compared to a highway tractor.

Charge what the market will bear...

You're broke down away from home? You don't think you aren't a nice looking piece of steak for the BBQ?

That's why some of us are so noisy about preventive maintenance.

Welcome to the hobby, suck it up.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

belfert · March 06, 2011, 05:31:49 PM

It isn't so much that they charge more for buses. They usually charge more for motorhomes. They say is is harder to keep grease off the interior and it takes longer to do work on a motorhome. So, if it takes longer, charge me more hours. Don't charge me more hours and MORE per hour on top of that!

I do what I can to avoid any dealer that charges more for motorhomes than for other vehicles.

artvonne · March 06, 2011, 10:01:58 PM

Does anyone ever take their Bus into a Bus garage?

chart1 · March 06, 2011, 10:17:53 PM

I have tried once and they were to backed up with there on fleet but was willing to sell me parts if they had them.

boxcarOkie · March 07, 2011, 04:32:46 AM

You're broke down away from home? You don't think you aren't a nice looking piece of steak for the BBQ?

You crack me up! That was nice.

When we roll our coach into a "bus shop" the guy turns and looks at the kid sweeping the floor with a broom and sez ..... "Run out to the truck and fetch me some more zero's for this estimate."

Thanks,

BCO

Singing Land Cruiser · March 07, 2011, 05:42:44 AM

A call ahead of time is the only way to go! We lost a tire in no. Nevada, we had our son use his Iphone to find the the right shop that had what we needed, in stock and locked in a price. Then we called our ins. provider and they approved this even though it was not the closest shop. We found it to be the "nearest qualified garage" that saved us lots of time and $. FWIW. M&C

boxcarOkie · March 07, 2011, 05:47:23 AM

Quote from: Singing Land Cruiser on March 07, 2011, 05:42:44 AM
A call ahead of time is the only way to go! We lost a tire in no. Nevada, we had our son use his Iphone to find the the right shop that had what we needed, in stock and locked in a price. Then we called our ins. provider and they approved this even though it was not the closest shop. We found it to be the "nearest qualified garage" that saved us lots of time and $. FWIW. M&C

We had the same thing, ours was a trailer tire. 3 days in Moab Utah, (didn't have the tire in stock) and it was Saturday, Moab small town America, shuts down on the weekends.

Turned out to be one of the best weekends of the trip, neat little town. Cellphones sure are handy and so is WI-FI when you need them in a pinch.

BCO

Busted Knuckle · March 07, 2011, 06:54:40 AM

Quote from: buswarrior
It's all relative.

A coach costs somewhere 5 to 7 times what a highway tractor does.

A coach earns a greater profit margin than a highway tractor.

Some work on a coach is a HUGE pain compared to a highway tractor.

Charge what the market will bear...

You're broke down away from home? You don't think you aren't a nice looking piece of steak for the BBQ?

That's why some of us are so noisy about preventive maintenance.

Welcome to the hobby, suck it up.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

It does?

Honestly with the amount of overhead, I'm afraid to say that no not really I've owned both and I can't see that there is that great of difference in profit. (but the buses are funner!)

BK

(most of the time!)

buswarrior · March 07, 2011, 07:14:34 PM

BK, if trucks were where the money was, you'd be running them.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

holmgrenj · March 07, 2011, 07:25:49 PM

No it's just they think a coach owner has more money!!!!!!

belfert · March 07, 2011, 07:55:46 PM

Quote from: artvonne on March 06, 2011, 10:01:58 PM
Does anyone ever take their Bus into a Bus garage?

I use a local bus garage for my yearly oil change and lubrication of the chassis. I also use them for brakes and chassis work. They inspect the underside when they have the bus up in the air for the lubrication.

I would go elsewhere for engine or transmission work although I might use them if I had a 2 stroke.