1993 wanderlodge bought on e-bay for $51,300----LEFT IT IN SOUTH CAROLINA !

[Bob & Carol Howald`]

What I thought could end up being a really good deal on a 93 wanderlodge
ended up being a waste of time and money. Being the successful bider on e-bay
my son and I left early Tuesday to go to Piedmont SC to pick up the coach.
Karolina Koaches wanted me to wire them the full amount before we would arrive,
I gave them a $500,00 deposit and told them I would hand carry a cashier check
for the remaining amount.
When we arrived at their place in Piedmont on Wednesday morning we were met
by Bob the sales manager who told us the coach was plugged in and ready to go.
We went out behind the building and there was the 93 plugged in all the doors
etc open plus air conditions, radios, light, televisions etc all turned on.
Immediately we could see that the coach did not look very clean, covered with
red mud and dirt. that part was ok so we started looking beyond this, It had
been repainted and who ever painted it did not prep the surface at all, dings
painted over instead for being sanded out etc. Lots of paint mission around
rivets fiberglass cracked bumpers out of alignment etc. Three of the cargo doors
would not close as the hinges were broken on two of them and a third one was
missing completely. The generator auto-start control box was torn completely out
of the bay wall and lots and lots of great stuff foam was used in the generator
fan area to patch or ? something on the floor under the drivers seat. Upon
further examination of the paint we discovered that half the paint markings on
the side were vinyl decals which were cracking and pealing off. Lots of white
rust. The engine compartment door would not latch. The engine compartment was
a mess with lots of lose insulation hanging along with dirt and rust.
Now we decide to check out the inside, upon first look it appeared to be
ok, some lights out and some drawers with broken hardware. I ask about the
water system as there was no water coming from the faucets or in the toliet
bowl. Bob said he would turn on the water pump, While we were looking at the
safe that would not open although we had the key's we saw water start running
down the isle. Water was running from under the cabinets and from under the bed
in GREAT amounts. I thought he had turned the city water on and called for him
to turn off the hose, but it was the coach water pumps running. The coach is
flooded by now with water every where. Several cleaners come in with towels etc
and start mopping up the mess. When we go outside water is running out of every
crack in the coach and running into all the bay area's on the left side. After
the water stopped and the mess cleaned up enough to go back inside and look
around we found the broken pipe's under the bed (bacteria filter completely
cracked in half) pipes under the sink dripping and the instant hot cracked and
leaking. That's on the left side, because of the leaks on that side no water
could get to the stool, washer, vanity etc so who knows how many breaks on the
right side.
Ok, so now he says I guess the bank diden't get it winterized???I don't
know who or what ever but I do know that the plumbing has big problems. He says
he did not put that the plumbing was ok in the e-bay ad. and that I had bought
it as is. and I replied that he was nuts to think I would take that coach and
that it was totally mis-represented on ebay ( pictures of the exterior had to be
touched up)
To shorten this story, I told him I would give him $47,000 and take it.
He disappeared for a few minutes then came back and said " They would release me
from the deal and write me a check for my $500,00 deposit plus give me money for
my expenses. All they asked in return was a positive feed back on e-bay.
My son and I got back in the car and started home for Illinois ,
thinking about what a Junker the once lovely 93 bird had become and glad we were
leaving her in SC.
Don't get me wrong, I knew there would be problem's with the coach, I've
owned 4 bluebirds and feel that I know the birds well, and this bird had
problem's that I could not over look or that I was willing to work on for the
next year or years.
This coach will probably be back on e-bay when they get the plumbing put
back together. What kind of job or repairs they'll do???? who knows
Iam still looking for a bird and hopefully a bargin but, in the mean
time I still have my 06 PonyExpress Super C with the Duramax diesel and 10-13
mpg (anyone want to trade), ha
Hope I diden't bore anyone but felt that this story should be shared
with the group. O' both primus boilers were bone dry and the radiator needed
water and the generator smoked.......

Regards to the group..Bob..