I REALLY want the bus I drove

802trees · 05-27-2019, 10:50 PM

I just hope the bid does not go too high.
I looked at and drove four or five buses in the past 6 months.
I want this to be mine!

o1marc · 05-27-2019, 10:56 PM

Good luck, hope you budgeted enough. Go a little higher if it's what you want and confirmed it.

802trees · 05-27-2019, 11:18 PM

Going to call tomorrow to check on the other one, just in case the bid gets too high on mine.

When I was at the yard the other day they had a key problem with #2. So I couldn't start or drive it. It looked really clean, in and out...the engine was clean, good tires etc. They have the fleet garage right there.

If they get it straightened out, I hope to go and test that one tomorrow or Wed.

Sounds like a plan.

The auction says all 3 .. runs, drives forward and backward, breaks work. So, hope they get it started for me to test out.
#3 had more miles, $158k so I have not considered it. Maybe??

HazMatt · 05-27-2019, 11:19 PM

Think Happy Thoughts!!!
Don't forget to cross your fingers,
And toes,
Eyes wouldn't hurt either...
'Coz once you do score that gorilla your dreams, strabismus will become your way of seeing the world!

802trees · 05-27-2019, 11:24 PM

Thanks! I have had so many drawings and ideas for a while now. Time to make it happen.
Funny how all the other busses shouted "naw" and this one was like "yep" immediately.

o1marc · 05-27-2019, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 802trees

Going to call tomorrow to check on the other one, just in case the bid gets too high on mine.

When I was at the yard the other day they had a key problem with #2. So I couldn't start or drive it. It looked really clean, in and out...the engine was clean, good tires etc. They have the fleet garage right there.

If they get it straightened out, I hope to go and test that one tomorrow or Wed.

Sounds like a plan.

The auction says all 3 .. runs, drives forward and backward, breaks work. So, hope they get it started for me to test out.
#3 had more miles, $158k so I have not considered it. Maybe??

Typical auction procedure. The Announcer barks while some one in the vehicles starts it up. Barker says, It starts, it goes forward, it goes back wards, what I have bid, as the guy in puts in drive, goes a ft, puts it in reverse and backs back up a foot. If they don't start, bidding stays low because everyone assumes the worst, it's gonna need a motor, other issues, etc. My buddy worked at the wrecker service and would call me whenever good CRX's or Integra's where going to sale. I had a deal with him that any one I was interested in was okay with me if it wouldn't start. I was getting nice CRX's for $120, instead of the $650-$1000 they were trending at.

Hopefully the key issue is a minor one. Good It's a day you will remember when you can say. I bought a freaking bus, what was I thinking.

802trees · 05-27-2019, 11:31 PM

Will be sharpening my pencil and check my funds tomorrow.
Im pretty good for the purchase.
Would be great if I got it under $2k. Prepared to go a little more. heck, it's a school bus. There are a gazillion out there. If it's too high I'll have to look again.

This one is near me so I was able to see it easy.
Might have to sell a guitar in the future, for build stuff, but that's ok. I have many.

802trees · 05-27-2019, 11:34 PM

Nice Marc!
This is an online auction.
One bidder has already made an opening bid on all 3!

o1marc · 05-27-2019, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 802trees

Nice Marc!
This is an online auction.
One bidder has already made an opening bid on all 3!

Sounds like you're bidding against a dealer, if so, expect to get beat out.

802trees · 05-28-2019, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

Sounds like you're bidding against a dealer, if so, expect to get beat out.

I was wondering....funny. He bid on #2, and 3 about 10 days ago. They have tinted windows and are Collins. Thought he/she wabred thst style....
My bus was not bid on until Friday , the day I saw it, and is a Thomas. Hummmm

o1marc · 05-28-2019, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 802trees

I was wondering....funny. He bid on #2, and 3 about 10 days ago. They have tinted windows and are Collins. Thought he/she wabred thst style....
My bus was not bid on until Friday , the day I saw it, and is a Thomas. Hummmm

Do yourself a favor and do not bid on anything until less than 2 minutes to go, if it hasn't already blown past your high bid. Most of these Gov. auctions get extended at the end anyways.

802trees · 05-28-2019, 11:54 AM

Yes. I have not bid yet. They do the 3 minute thing past the closing time if bids are active.
If they are interested in all three maybe I'll get lucky at the end.

joeblack5 · 05-28-2019, 01:39 PM

It is of course great to be the only bidder but actually bidding against a dealer is great to. You know their profit margin. So you can easily outbid them.
I used to bid on antiques at auctions. As soon as a dealer jumped in then you knew that it was worth twice what the auction ended for....
Budding against an individual who also wants it for themselves is where the price gets out of hand.

Good luck.

LesBoisBus · 05-28-2019, 02:01 PM

Yep, my experience too. I'd rather out-bid the dealer at auction than to pay his retail price on the lot.

802trees · 05-28-2019, 03:01 PM

Yes, this is why I want this bus for less than 3, as something similar will be $5k

I have been to a few antique auctions, and bought and lost on eBay auctions.
Please bus gods and godesses..

802trees · 05-28-2019, 03:02 PM

Haven't heard back yet from the site manager about #2 and the key problem.

EastCoastCB · 05-28-2019, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LesBoisBus

Yep, my experience too. I'd rather out-bid the dealer at auction than to pay his retail price on the lot.

THIS^^^ is a great post!

802trees · 05-30-2019, 12:49 PM

Didn't win the auction. Back to looking.
The reserve was not met at $4k
I think last bid was $4100.

Good thing is the fleet manager said they will have a lot more in the next few weeks.
I asked him if all are auctioned and he said usually. Sometimes they sell private.

He is a nice guy and I think he will work with me to get one in good shape in my price range.

LesBoisBus · 05-30-2019, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 802trees

Didn't win the auction. Back to looking.
The reserve was not met at $4k
I think last bid was $4100.

Good thing is the fleet manager said they will have a lot more in the next few weeks.
I asked him if all are auctioned and he said usually. Sometimes they sell private.

He is a nice guy and I think he will work with me to get one in good shape in my price range.

Not sure what kind of bus you're looking for or how far you would be willing to travel to get one, but one of the local districts where I live will retiring several busses in the next few weeks. They use 422 Auctions so keep an eye out on that site. I also spoke with one of the mechanics for that specific school district and he swears all their busses are well maintained. I have his number if you want to pick his brain.

juliol · 05-30-2019, 01:45 PM

hey 802trees, what part of LA are you?

J

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