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Searching Questions
If these have been answered within another post, I am sorry. I am one who over thinks things too much and wants to have as many ducks in a row for a new endeavor.
I know one of the first steps after narrowing down a search is seeing if another PC member is in that area that could / would possibly go by and give it a once over and sniff test. But then I get a bit hazy….
1. Knowing that all dealer/sellers are different, but when you’ve made contact with them and either let them know so-and-so will be stopping in for a look, or if not, then I will be comming out for a first look myself…..do they generally put the rig on “hold” or “pending” until you arrive?
2. Is there generally a holding fee associated with this?
3. Let’s say I want to move forward with the impending inspections, is there generally a fee to hold the rig until that time.
4. I know the rig should be inspected at both a Prevost location for the chassis, and at preferably either the converter or approved/knowlegable facility (Like Jeff’s in east Tenn.)…how does the rig get moved to those places, and is there a fee for moving it. (I know there will be a fee for the inspections)
5. It is recommended that I get in a drive it to see how it handles…or other things. Having never driven on befor, I am required to hold a special license?
6. If doing a test drive, am I required to have and insurance rider or allowance, or is the seller carry insurance?
7. Is there generally a depost placed (Like earnest money) on the rig prior to any inspection or test drive?
8. When expected to “live in it” for a couple of days (and I understand this usually isnt allowed until the purchase is completed), aside from a private seller as thoughful as Jon or Tom teaching a new buyer…..where does this usually happen and are there fees associated.
Believe me, it’s not about pinching pennies….its trying to understand as many variables as possible up front.
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4 Replies
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Gerard,
There is no answer to your questions because every situation is different.
Try to understand that sellers of coaches are literally swimming in BS from prospective buyers who are kicking tires. As a private seller if I could bag all that crap potential buyers have fed me I would have prize winning tomatoes next year. I suspect dealers, converters and brokers get a whole lot more so here is my spin on how you as a buyer are seen as more than a tire kicker.
First, be honest. If you like the photos, and the seller and you have addressed any questions or concerns you have, show your seriousness by setting a time to see the coach for a personal inspection. Be prepared if you like it to put down ernest money. Just don’t expect a seller to hold a coach if you outline a lot of contingiencies such as getting financing, selling your coach, etc. If you want the coach limit the contingencies to very specific issues such as a Prevost inspection, especially regarding the delam issue.
A seller is likely to welcome that inspection because it will validate the coach being sold is trouble free.
Typically a seller who knows the coach has confidence in it so if you want to take a couple of days to inspect it that should pose no problem especially if you and the seller have an understanding as to who is responsible for repairs.
Recognize there are three ways to buy a coach. If you buy it from the converter and they say they will inspect it and fix anything it needs and back it up with a short warranty period you are done. The burden falls on the converter to make it right and all you have to do is train in it and live in it for a day or three to verify it.
If you buy from a dealer, you negotiate who is responsible. Several dealers are highly respected and they do a great job of inspecting the coach and making it right before delivery. All you have to do is learn the coach and as long as they are willing to fix stuff you are OK.
But a private sale, regardless of what you are told is a whole different animal. You have the burden to know what you are buying and an honest seller will work with you to help you verify the coach is as represented. Who pays to get it to Prevost and how you can set up inspection and training is part of what you negotiate. We are talking serious money for the average coach so as a buyer you should expect help in verifying that the coach is as represented and if the seller resists, chances are pretty good he knows more than he is saying and you should move on.
A seasoned owner can tell in a very short period of time how the big things stand up. A check of tire and battey date codes, a check of AC supply and return temps and a visual inspection are all that is needed to identify the big things. A test drive following that check will reveal if all the gauges are normal or if there are any codes. After that you are looking at the details.
Get informed by meeting coach owners near you and by looking at as many coaches as possible. You will be amazed at how quick you can get a very accurate opinion of a coach.
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Once again I am humbled by your generosity and wisdom. Thanks, I certainly look forward to meeting you in September. I will try to hold my Q & A sessions to between cocktails!
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Usually, because of the frequency and number of cocktails, there are plenty of betweens.
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Gerard,
If you have been reading the posts you will begin to learn the importance of a good inspection, but also how important that coach inspection becomes when you make it your training session at the same time.
I previously posted my three buying experiences and will restate that when I bought my first coach from a private individual I had no clue but was lucky enough to have the late Don Hoffman of Hoffman Coach do a full inspection as well as teach me about the coach. When he was done I knew the coach had no issues, but I also knew how to operate everything.
The second purchase was through Buddy Gregg who was a dealer (that was when I first met Jeff Rowe) and they did a good job of delivering a coach in which there were no defects. I drove the coach and did my own inspection because by the time I bought that coach I had 14 or 15 years experience with my first Liberty.
My current coach I bought from Liberty Coach and it was by far the easiest purchase. I just had to show up with a check because they not only delivered a no-issue coach, they were going to stand behind it. Further, they spent two days with us teaching us about the coach which was very important due to the substantial changes from our previous two coaches.
The point is in every case someone had to bear the responsibility for making sure the coach was not in need of repairs. I was the one solely responsible in the private purchase, a little responsible when buying from the dealer, and the converter had the full responsibility in the last case. But it was my total responsibility in all three cases to be certain I was trained in the operation of the coach. Far too often we see posts on this and other forums in which a new owner doesn’t know how to operate something which indicates the probability the coach inspection also was lacking.
Once you start to focus on a specific converter or type of coach begin your learning process by looking at as many of that particular coach as possible, but also ask a lot of questions, especially from those who own that type of coach.
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