New Skoolie Season

[peakbus]

Must be new skoolie season, 'cause I just won one at auction too. Er, well won two by mistake, HAHA. Auction newbie move. I've been gleaning all I could from you guys for the past few months. Fell for the Vista bus style that Brokedown started with.
I bid on one in the Mesa, AZ auction yesterday and in a confused state somehow entered a bid on a second one! Public Surplus wouldn't connect me with the runner up to offer it to them. Well, apparently I can let it default and lose a $50 deposit.
So now I've got a 1998 International 3800 Thomas Vista. 206k miles, Good brakes and tires, 2011 Allyson 543 (hey, at least its newer). Looking into getting it home to Idaho now. And looking forward to converting it!

https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/docviewer/aucdoc/7338.jpg?auc=2034626&docid=25930155

Thinking I should have a mechanic give it a look over before setting out. Any recommendations? I'm going to try to get the service records before heading down to see what is up to date.
Chris

 

[Robin97396]

That's a fine looking acquisition there. I also particularly like that model but never see them around here.

Congrats.

 

[peakbus]

Thanks, I also really like the flat noses like yours Robin, but then I saw Brokedown's and the size works well for me. My wife thinks the size is a little less intimidating too.

 

[Robin97396]

Yeah but, people get out of the way better if you're intimidating.

 

[peakbus]

Haha, too true. When I test drove the first bus I looked at, people were pulling over for me. Wish I could keep it yellow!

 

[Robin97396]

I painted my bus and drove to town in the same normal traffic, but drivers weren't polite anymore. Noticeable difference.

 

[Thomas1985]

Robin I think you should paint a wicked Grim Reaper on the side and rule the road.

 

[Robin97396]

I was thinking a locomotive train horn to make my presence known. My whole design premise has been to be very unremarkable. My deal is to park this big pig out in the woods and not be noticed, in theory.

 

[peakbus]

Anyone know if on a public surplus auction, I would only loose my deposit for not paying for "my" second bus? That's what Mr. Busbarn told me.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

Anyone know if on a public surplus auction, I would only loose my deposit for not paying for "my" second bus? That's what Mr. Busbarn told me.

They will lock your account and prevent you from future bidding.

This might not be a problem for you, but if you open a second account in, say, your wife's name, then she will have to be present at any future pick-ups.

 

[peakbus]

I might not be too concerned with that, but don't want to get hung out for the price of a bus I mistakenly bid on. I tried to get Public Surplus to pass the offer on to the number two bidder, but they are pretty rigid. Figure the runner up would be happy to get it.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

I might not be too concerned with that, but don't want to get hung out for the price of a bus I mistakenly bid on. I tried to get Public Surplus to pass the offer on to the number two bidder, but they are pretty rigid. Figure the runner up would be happy to get it.

They won't come after you for the money, but they will remind you that you entered a binding contract.

Non-paying bidders are the scourge of auction sites, and they are not very tolerant.

 

[o1marc]

I might not be too concerned with that, but don't want to get hung out for the price of a bus I mistakenly bid on. I tried to get Public Surplus to pass the offer on to the number two bidder, but they are pretty rigid. Figure the runner up would be happy to get it.

Public surplus can't make the second chance offer, but the seller can choose to. Contact the seller, not the auction.

 

[peakbus]

Good to know Marc. Would the seller have that contact info? I did contact the seller, but I will try another contact. I would like to see someone who wanted it get it. I thought of listing it myself, but trying to do that at a distance sight unseen is daunting. Still have to get my purchase ready to roll.

 

[peakbus]

Well, we're off to the races! I was lucky enough to talk to the seller about my mistaken win on a second bus. They were able to request to Public Surplus that I be removed as winner, so now I'm down to one bus with no adverse default to my name. Had points to get a free ticket to Phoenix so I'm flying down tomorrow and trying not to be too nervous about driving 1400 miles home to North Idaho. I pick up the bus in Mesa, and got an appointment for a pre-trip checkup. By chance, I called a shop that happened to be the one who services the school fleet so they have background on the bus! A little nervous about taking this desert bus and driving up into the cold on the way home. One night is supposed to be 15 degrees, and fairly high elevation. Hope she fires well. I wave at 2Kool4skool on the way by!

 

[peakbus]

Looks like I can get insurance through State Farm for $159 for 6 months on commercial for personal use. 100/300 coverage

 

[o1marc]

Looks like I can get insurance through State Farm for $159 for 6 months on commercial for personal use. 100/300 coverage

I would be very surprised. I, as well as many others here, am with State Farm and there is no way State Farm will insure a bus that way. We've all been directed by State Farm to get the commercial for private use policy from an independent carrier, who usually ends up at Progressive, and then AFTER the conversion State Farm will take over the policy as an RV or Motorhome.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

Looks like I can get insurance through State Farm for $159 for 6 months on commercial for personal use. 100/300 coverage

State Farm wouldn't insure my bus even though they have all of our other vehicles. They will insure it when it's a converted bus.

Maybe this varies by state, much insurance does.

 

[PNW_Steve]

Looks like I can get insurance through State Farm for $159 for 6 months on commercial for personal use. 100/300 coverage

Pretty much identical to what I have had through State Farm for the last 18 months.

I have insured three buses through State Farm. I have all ways been happy with the service that we have gotten.

 

[peakbus]

Weird! Maybe I shouldn't have posted before it was signed and sealed. I've been reading all of the posts on this topic and I know its tough to come by. I called a bunch of local agents, and this one came out best. My current agent would do Progressive but for like double the amount for the same coverage. We'll find out tomorrow when we confirm. Hope so, I fly in the morning!