Florida bus auctions?

Amiblue · 05-31-2018, 04:37 PM

When will the bus auctions be taking place amd where? Florida for example or other good ones. Much cheaper to buy there than from the dealers who buy there and resell at a huge mark up.

o1marc · 05-31-2018, 04:58 PM

I keep hearing how Florida runs their buses into the ground and have poor maintenance. The buses sold at the high priced dealers in Fla. are probably bought at auction elsewhere.

PNW_Steve · 05-31-2018, 05:01 PM

I suspect some of you neighbors will chime in and discourage you from buying a Florida bus. The general consensus seems to be that Florida and Georgia run their buses into the ground before sending them to the auction.

Regarding auction locations & times, your best bet is to look at:

www.govdeals.com

www.publicsurplus.com

www.purplewave.com

422 Sales

o1marc · 05-31-2018, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

I suspect some of you neighbors will chime in and discourage you from buying a Florida bus. The general consensus seems to be that Florida and Georgia run their buses into the ground before sending them to the auction.

Regarding auction locations & times, your best bet is to look at:

www.govdeals.com

www.publicsurplus.com

www.purplewave.com

422 Sales

I can't vouch for Fla. But the buses here in No. Ga. are pretty well maintained in my area. I would not be opposed to buying a Ga. bus.

PNW_Steve · 05-31-2018, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

I can't vouch for Fla. But the buses here in No. Ga. are pretty well maintained in my area. I would not be opposed to buying a Ga. bus.

I don't have any first hand info regarding Georgia buses. Just repeating something that I read on the board. Living in Georgia you would likely be a better source of info on Georgia buses.

CaptSquid · 05-31-2018, 05:44 PM

I like Midwest Transit.

Dog Rescuer · 05-31-2018, 06:34 PM

TMAuction.com (Tampa Machinery Auction) always seems to have buses to auction off - the second Saturday of every month - you can preview buses prior.
I have heard mixed reviews on Florida buses - but many great success stories as well.
I bought my bus at Tampa Bus Market for $4500 - it was from North Georgia (Newton County) - and it was in good shape for a mid-size bus with 295K miles on it. I have been living in it since Oct - and just journeyed out to Montana from Florida with no issues.

CaptSquid · 05-31-2018, 06:43 PM

You didn't stop in Billings! I'm hurt!

Dog Rescuer · 05-31-2018, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptSquid

You didn't stop in Billings! I'm hurt!

Hey! I did stop briefly (overnight) at the Walmart!

But I will be back!

Asetechrail · 05-31-2018, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dog Rescuer

Hey! I did stop briefly (overnight) at the Walmart!

But I will be back!

Where abouts in Montana? I’m looking to possibly relocate to Montana somewhere in the Flathead valley. So Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Kalispell area.
Went on a quick trip out there a couple of weeks ago. Beautiful country with lot of lakes and rivers. I think I could have my fishing �� addiction covered!!

Sorry for the thread drift!!

Tryonis · 05-31-2018, 08:40 PM

I can vouch for the bus i bought local in middle GA, while not pristine i knew that when i bought it. Seems like every bus shop\county varies. With that being said poorer counties may have to cut corners so keep that in mind.

Amiblue · 05-31-2018, 11:12 PM

I must be wanting a unicorn.

o1marc · 06-01-2018, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amiblue

I must be wanting a unicorn.

Just know that there are Unicorns out there. I found mine.

Ninjakitty · 06-01-2018, 01:08 AM

https://www.renebates.com

EastCoastCB · 06-01-2018, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amiblue

When will the bus auctions be taking place amd where? Florida for example or other good ones. Much cheaper to buy there than from the dealers who buy there and resell at a huge mark up.

I'd bid outside of FL.
There's a local auction called Gideons. But a run of the mill bus is around ten grand or more.
Fl is a hotbed of bus sales and exporters. And our buses aren't even the best to begin with.

The further west you look, the cheaper and better the buses are.
Otherwise CL is probably the best bet in FL.

Ninjakitty · 06-01-2018, 06:47 AM

I agree with CB. I got mine in FL pretty cheap but it was pretty rusty due to all the salt air and salt rain and salty children.

EastCoastCB · 06-01-2018, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjakitty

I agree with CB. I got mine in FL pretty cheap but it was pretty rusty due to all the salt air and salt rain and salty children.

Must be a coastal bus. Most of our stuff inland doesn't have too much rust. A lot of mold and funk from not being washed is really common on local buses.
Fl just doesn't have the money to have nice buses.
Even when they're new they're low-spec, base model stuff with no frills. Low HP engines and 545's are really common here.

Its a huge state, but no bus in FL is more than about 60 miles from salt water.
Rust isn't our biggest problem though- its mostly that they're cheap buses and low on maintenance.

o1marc · 06-06-2018, 09:32 PM

Just going through Govdeals and see about 15 North American Transit buses coming out of Miami. They end Friday night and they are all stalled at $25

Cannaballised junk.

Dog Rescuer · 06-06-2018, 11:01 PM

I have seen some nice buses in Florida - I would not write them all off. Some of the nicer / smaller districts have really nice, well-maintained buses. I would probably not get a bus from the larger districts like Miami-Dade, Hillsborough...

My bus is from Georgia and was well-maintained - but well used. I have no regrets.

Amiblue · 06-07-2018, 09:55 AM

Yeah, getting anything out of Miami isn't the best idea, lol

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