88' 8v92 NC 50grand

[Leroy Eckert]

Never at a loss for words, I will attempt to answer some of your questions.

But before I do, I feel your economic pain as do a gazillion other Americans. It happen to me also after NAFTA was signed the terms of which subsequently took down a 50 year old company I worked for because all the work went to the Maquiladora's in Mexico, thereby taking my $.5M golden parachute with it. I earned it but never got it. Unfortunately, that has nothing to do with what you pay for a BB.

The reason you are looking at BB's is, you know as well as I do that it will last you the rest of your life if properly maintained. You see value. If properly maintained it will be your last coach. If not it wouldn't. You cannot say that about any of the 1000 SOB's out there for sale. Plastic palaces are essentially throw away items. How many of them 20 year old babies do you see around.

As for future value, do you believe that a well maintained 87 PT 38 will be worth zero one day? If
so, you should think a little more. If you go out there an grab that "fabulous deal" you find, characterized in terms of dollars you better be careful. You can drop $20k in one of these things in a heart beat and I ain't talking about the Heartbeat of America, because these things aren't Chevy's but are the Mercedes of motor homes.

I see you reside in Washington. I think Dick Hayden, the good fellow with the $60K bus, lives in that State also. Perhaps it would be prudent to go look at his fine coach. You might like it and see the ""value"" because that is what you are really looking for.

I wonder after you buy it if you will think it is worth $40K?

Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
Dahlonega, GA
Royale Conversion

J R Saunders wrote:

John,

I think you said, what needed to be said here. As a buyer, the wife & I have been
looking for 3+ months. And with the current high diesel prices and economy today.
Not knowing how LOW it's going to go, why would we pay $60K for a 20+ year old PT.

I know.....because it's Bluebird Wanderlodge! NOT!

Sorry that just does not cut it in this economy. Their our 1000's of other, newer coaches for sale
for that amount money, that will do the same job. We just do not have to have a 20+ year old BB.
Would we spend $40K on a 20+ year old Wanderlodge??? Yes, maybe, but that would be our upper
limit and I would want to be able to eat off the floors in that unit for $40K.
LOL. We looked a very
nice 40' Bus Conversion, (82 bus, pro converted 86) the seller has lowered the price 3
times so far, well below $40k. Come this August, we will give this some serious consideration.

Another think that needs to be considered in todays market is the buyer. Who is the buyer? Today I think
it's OK to say we have.......People that have lot's of money and all the other folks that do not. The middle
class, are not longer middle class, money wise. They are now down a few rungs on the economy's ladder.
My wife and I are the other folks and not by choice. The economy got us a few years ago, big time, right
after 911. The wife works as a flight attendant (37 years) for a major airline, that went into bankruptcy. We
no longer have any room to make any mistakes, money wise....Using retirement monies and the tax consequences
need to be considered, as well.

Why we are looking for coach. We want a 35' to 40' coach
to live in while we sell our house, the wife will then
take an early retirement and we will go south to look for land or something in NM. We are not going to be full
times, as I will be setting up a small Powder Coating business. We currently own an 84 22' Class A SOB, that
is just to small for the amount of time we will be living in it.

As buyers we have 1000's of choices to consider. For us it comes down to getting a coach that will serve our needs
at a price we can live with. How much is that mid to late 80's PT going to be worth in 5 years, 10 years???
For us right now, that is not a big deal, as this will be our last coach purchase. However it does need to be considered.

Thanks again for your time.

Best Regards,

J R & Deane
(84 22' A SOB)
Kent, WA



bubblerboy64 wrote:

Having sold a 5th
wheel in January after seven months on the market
and taking a loss of 50% a fellow can hardly laugh at any offer in
todays market. And the market is a lot worse off now then in
January. Not telling any one something they don't know. I think the
market is a lot less then $60K. FC's are not selling at $20 and there
are a bunch of PT's listed at $60 and not moving. I think $15 for an
FC and $40 for a PT is the market today. Makes a person feel ill.
(So I hope there are a bunch of guys that tell me I'm full of you
know what and can support their opinion)

John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC