Xplorer

[hepcat]

He's alive and well.  He responded to my new email:

"Just say when and bring someone capable of lifting the battery and installing. It is on the trickle charger for the winter.  It is too heavy for me to lift and install on my own. As for test drive, I would be driving as my ins wouldn't cover you. Also, a word of caution so no one wastes any time, low ball offers are not accepted. At all. Have plenty. Not honoring them. Period. I bought this thing for 5500, put in over 2k on good solid maintenance and do not see a reason to drop an already low price."

Um...okay.  So he's not willing to consider any of what he would consider a low ball offer.  So the whole discussion about offering him $2500 is out the window.  I prefer to test drive but I guess I understand why he wouldn't allow it if something happened.

First, you never know what HE considers to be a lowball offer.  Price is ALWAYS negotiable.  And cash talks.  Second, take him a document showing that YOUR insurance covers whatever vehicle you're driving.  Call your agent for that.

It sounds like he's already budging...  he wants to sell the van.  Go look at it.  Take your mechanic friend.  Spend time with the van, and the owner of the van.  Let him find out that you're serious.  After you've looked it over well, had your mechanic friend look it over well, and driven it...  then start talking money.

A line that I've found extremely helpful for breaking the ice in negotiations on money is:  "Is there an amount you'd consider that would leave us both walking away smiling?"  He may not come down much, but if he's going to, that's a good way to get him moving that way.  If it's in good shape, it's a good buy at $4100.  Anything he'll come off of that is gravy.  If it's not as advertised, walk away.  If it's not as advertised, but you're still interested, write your firm offer on a piece of paper with your name and number and walk away.  He'll call when he's ready to sell. 

Good luck!

 

[mothercoder]

I drive a 19 year old vehicle and only have liability on it so I would not be covered for collision and comprehensive on a vehicle I test drive.

 

[closeanuf]

Check with your insurance agent.  I have borrowed 2 vehicles in the last couple years and my insurance company insured the value of both vehicles with my liability insurance coverage.  I have full coverage on my pickup, but it's the liability that covers a vehicle other than my own that I am using.  Check with your agent or call the company direct to make sure of this for yourself because these things may vary by state.  If you were to ride with him you could at least get a feel for the vehicle to see if it is even worth pursuing.

 

[mothercoder]

Check with your insurance agent.  I have borrowed 2 vehicles in the last couple years and my insurance company insured the value of both vehicles with my liability insurance coverage.  I have full coverage on my pickup, but it's the liability that covers a vehicle other than my own that I am using.  Check with your agent or call the company direct to make sure of this for yourself because these things may vary by state.  If you were to ride with him you could at least get a feel for the vehicle to see if it is even worth pursuing.

I did call them.  They said I would not have coverage for any damage to the vehicle.

 

[hepcat]

I did call them.  They said I would not have coverage for any damage to the vehicle.

Well, at least you know now.  That's unfortunate in this instance.

 

[Ballenxj]

  If it's in good shape, it's a good buy at $4100.  Anything he'll come off of that is gravy.  If it's not as advertised, walk away.

I agree. This may be worth every penny, plus. A good "B" in that price range seem to be pretty rare. They are out there, but you have to really hunt to find one.
I found one once, but the seller was really flaky, so no dice. :dodgy:

 

[closeanuf]

Another good reason to have Texas as your state of residence.  We don't have state income tax either!

 

[#1BonBonQueen]

He's alive and well.  He responded to my new email:

"Just say when and bring someone capable of lifting the battery and installing. It is on the trickle charger for the winter.  It is too heavy for me to lift and install on my own. As for test drive, I would be driving as my ins wouldn't cover you. Also, a word of caution so no one wastes any time, low ball offers are not accepted. At all. Have plenty. Not honoring them. Period. I bought this thing for 5500, put in over 2k on good solid maintenance and do not see a reason to drop an already low price."

Um...okay.  So he's not willing to consider any of what he would consider a low ball offer.  So the whole discussion about offering him $2500 is out the window.  I prefer to test drive but I guess I understand why he wouldn't allow it if something happened.

Mothercoder, will YOUR ins. cover you in another persons vehicle, while you are driving it? Ours does, so.... if you could give him the paperwork stating that Your ins. will cover his vehicle while you are test driving it, that may make him more apt to allow you to drive it. Just a thought.
Sharon

 

[mothercoder]

Mothercoder, will YOUR ins. cover you in another persons vehicle, while you are driving it? Ours does, so.... if you could give him the paperwork stating that Your ins. will cover his vehicle while you are test driving it, that may make him more apt to allow you to drive it. Just a thought.
Sharon

No.  As I stated above, I called my insurance company and the only coverage I get is what I am paying for on my car:  liability.

 

[ArtW]

i still think it's slightly less than reasonable; if all he's worried about is you wrecking it, he could do like i do
"let me test drive the cash, you can test drive the car"
when the car returns unscathed, he returns the cash, and then you negotiate
of course, this requires you trust him, too

 

[Ballenxj]

"let me test drive the cash, you can test drive the car"

Heh, I like that.

 

[mothercoder]

I shared a couple more emails with this guy and I'm going to pass. With each question I ask, he gets angrier. Too sketchy for me.

 

[rvpopeye]

Good luck , hope it turns out to be the "one" and you can get the show on the road to your new life!

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I shared a couple more emails with this guy and I'm going to pass.  With each question I ask, he gets angrier.  Too sketchy for me.

Go with your instincts.  It's your subconcious mind trying to tell you something.

 

[steamjam1]

Passing is prolly a wise move here. There are so many types of class-B's out there you should have a problem finding one that suits you perfectly if you just sit and wait a while.

 

[mothercoder]

Passing is prolly a wise move here. There are so many types of class-B's out there you should have a problem finding one that suits you perfectly if you just sit and wait a while.

There really are very few motorhomes (A's, B's or C's) under $20k in this area of the country.  And at that $20k is about 4 times my budget.

 

[ArtW]

Same here, I see $5000 clas Cs and Bs in other stsates and think 'lucky dogs'

 

[steamjam1]

There really are very few motorhomes (A's, B's or C's) under $20k in this area of the country.  And at that $20k is about 4 times my budget.

Well I'll tell you what I've observed.. Maybe it'll help you. I own a class-b Ford. Its fully self contained. I love it. BUT.... my G/F has a 1 ton truck with a 11 foot Lance camper that's not only more comfortable, but larger in the interior bit with better (larger, more modern) appliances, and is easier to keep warm in the winter that she paid WAY LESS for to purchase.

What I'm saying here is that Class-B isn't the only way to do it.

 

[Ballenxj]

Well I'll tell you what I've observed.. Maybe it'll help you. I own a class-b Ford. Its fully self contained. I love it. BUT.... my G/F has a 1 ton truck with a 11 foot Lance camper that's not only more comfortable, but larger in the interior bit with better (larger, more modern) appliances, and is easier to keep warm in the winter that she paid WAY LESS for to purchase.

Really? I wouldn't have thought so. That would be worth looking in to.

 

[ArtW]

I've always liked the idea of a truck camper, just don't have enough truck, and man, those campers are high dollar, new