First Student Bus Sales

[Elliot Naess]

Originally Posted by WIbluebird

I think individual FS terminals sometimes sell buses locally. I found a few First Student buses on Minneapolis Craigslist for example.
...

I'm guessing there is no reason individual bus barns couldn't advertise their buses locally. After all, the folks there are First Student employees, so anything FS wants done is somewhat part of their job. And Craigslist is free.
When they land a buyer, the FS office handles the paperwork.
Again, that's my assumption, only.

Also, I can mention that on both my purchases from FS, the local people were marvelously helpful.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Elliot Naess

I'm guessing there is no reason individual bus barns couldn't advertise their buses locally. After all, the folks there are First Student employees, so anything FS wants done is somewhat part of their job. And Craigslist is free.
When they land a buyer, the FS office handles the paperwork.
Again, that's my assumption, only.

Also, I can mention that on both my purchases from FS, the local people were marvelously helpful.

The private carriers can do this. It looks like First Students has at some locations.

Unfortunately the school district run bus barns cannot. In most, if not all, states they have to sell them to another government agency or offer them at public auction.

[cadillackid]

not all... I almost bought a bus tonight from out local district... they will sell to an individual... my friend is on the school board and I asked him about a little 5 window bluebird i have seen running still ()up until a few months ago)... he said that bus was old and he wished it was gone... turns out his wish was already granted as that bus had an engine fire... nevertheless had it still been operational i wouldve likely just bought it direct not through an agency..
-Christopher

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

not all... I almost bought a bus tonight from out local district... they will sell to an individual... my friend is on the school board and I asked him about a little 5 window bluebird i have seen running still ()up until a few months ago)... he said that bus was old and he wished it was gone... turns out his wish was already granted as that bus had an engine fire... nevertheless had it still been operational i wouldve likely just bought it direct not through an agency..
-Christopher

I would call that a sign that it wasn't the right bus for you

The ability to negotiate and buy directly would be great. Unfortunately in my part of the world State law dictates a competitive bid process. What has really made that suck is the number of rigs that I saw sell at auction for a steal and I could not bid on them because I worked for the County.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

I would call that a sign that it wasn't the right bus for you

The ability to negotiate and buy directly would be great. Unfortunately in my part of the world State law dictates a competitive bid process. What has really made that suck is the number of rigs that I saw sell at auction for a steal and I could not bid on them because I worked for the County.

No way to find someone to bid for you?

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

I would call that a sign that it wasn't the right bus for you

The ability to negotiate and buy directly would be great. Unfortunately in my part of the world State law dictates a competitive bid process. What has really made that suck is the number of rigs that I saw sell at auction for a steal and I could not bid on them because I worked for the County.

just funny because maybe bluebirds dont like me.. since my last bus was a bluebird and got destroyed by fire.. (though induced by careless individualks in the shared storage unit)... and I really dont need 2 busses anyway... mine is keeping me busy as it is...

-Christopher

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

No way to find someone to bid for you?

I am sure that I could have but, it is against the law and I liked my job.....


Back to the original subject: Has anyone here actually purchased a bus from First Students? How did it go?

[Elliot Naess]

Both Millicent and her short-lived predecessor came from First Student -- from two different towns in Oregon.
Everything went perfectly well.
I didn't have much luck bargaining on the price via e-mail with the lady in Missouri (or somewhere), but that's fair enough. And I did get it down from $6,000 to 5,500.
But that was nine and ten years ago. Their online for-sale listings were much better then.

[WIbluebird]

Why would anyone ever want to buy a bus from FS? They're all raggedy, worn out piles of junk by the time they're offered for sale.

The only people interested in buying those heaps are the exporters.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by WIbluebird

Why would anyone ever want to buy a bus from FS? They're all raggedy, worn out piles of junk by the time they're offered for sale.

The only people interested in buying those heaps are the exporters.

I don't think I would call Millicent a "raggedy, worn out piles of junk".

Just me though...

[milkmania]

What the heck?!?!?
I didn't realize First Student was international

http://www.showbus.co.uk/gallery/south/firstsch.htm

[Elliot Naess]

Yes, they are a British company.
And a European company just bought a big chunk of International Harvester (I.C., Navistar, etc.).
Mercedes owns Freightliner, Detroit Diesel, and more.
Fiat owns Chrysler.
Two European companies own practically all beer brands in the western world.
Ford and GM are building automobile transmissions jointly. Only way they have a shot at competing.
Notice the distinctive shape of the grille on all Ford cars these days? That's the traditional Aston Martin grille. Ford bought Aston Martin, harvested a few valuable things, sold it again.
Many current Ford cars are Volvo chassis designs. Same.
The American Way was the wrong way. (Says the man who immigrated from Europe in 1976.)

(I'm done ranting now. LOL )

[milkmania]

Originally Posted by Elliot Naess

Yes, they are a British company.
And a European company just bought a big chunk of International Harvester (I.C., Navistar, etc.).
Mercedes owns Freightliner, Detroit Diesel, and more.
Fiat owns Chrysler.
Two European companies own practically all beer brands in the western world.
Ford and GM are building automobile transmissions jointly. Only way they have a shot at competing.
Notice the distinctive shape of the grille on all Ford cars these days? That's the traditional Aston Martin grille. Ford bought Aston Martin, harvested a few valuable things, sold it again.
Many current Ford cars are Volvo chassis designs. Same.
The American Way was the wrong way. (Says the man who immigrated from Europe in 1976.)

(I'm done ranting now. LOL )

Don't get me started on Charmin being printed in Spanish!!!

[Scooternj]

Originally Posted by Elliot Naess

Many current Ford cars are Volvo chassis designs. Same.

Were. Ford sold Volvo to the Chinese a few years ago. That's why I'll never own a Volvo newer than the 850 I do own. Granted, Ford's stewardship of the marque wasn't the greatest to begin with.

And, I think the "American Way" changed when CEOs began following Gordon Gekko's mantra "Greed is Good." Before then, companies would reinvest their profits back into their infrastructure and employees, not their CEO's or the shareholders pockets.

[EastCoastCB]

Yep Volvo is owned by the Geely Motor Co last I checked. I owned a Geely scooter- what a joke!

[PNW_Steve]

We just bought a First Students E450 cutaway and couldn't be happier so far....

I visited their service shop in Seattle and was impressed with what I saw. I also learned that they run all synthetic lubricants.

2005 E450 with 6.0, 5 speed auto and 120k miles. Drives like a dream.

Unless something ugly comes up in the next few months we will likely be buying another from them.

[Elliot Naess]

Originally Posted by Scooternj

Were. Ford sold Volvo to the Chinese a few years ago. ... ...

Originally Posted by Elliot Naess

... ... Ford bought Aston Martin, harvested a few valuable things, sold it again.
Many current Ford cars are Volvo chassis designs. Same.
...

(Emphasis added in quotes.)

Reading comprehension, please.

(Yes, I'm grouchy today. )

[AlleyCat67]

I saw an International RE w/DT466 I would love to get my hands on from there, how long does it typically take for them to respond to emails? I sent one 3 hours ago but have not heard anything back yet....

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by AlleyCat67

I saw an International RE w/DT466 I would love to get my hands on from there, how long does it typically take for them to respond to emails? I sent one 3 hours ago but have not heard anything back yet....

Danny Cozort
Fleet Sales Manager - Western Region
First Student
1131 Kathryn St. Nixa Mo. 65714

Office: 417-724-3365 ext. 3
Toll Free: 866-556-9729 ext. 3
Mobile: 417-343-1076
Fax: 417-725-0783
Email: danny.cozort@firstgroup.com
School Bus Transportation Provider | First Student, Inc.

[AlleyCat67]

I called Joy in the eastern region and she told me that there had been a management shakeup in the Atlanta office and that there was no one to tell me if that bus was even for sale, and couldn't tell me when someone would be able to confirm or deny so I just let it go and will go with the Thomas I have picked out.