Pricey repairs

[Scott]

Winston, Thank you for the totally rediculous reply! It is my Blood
Pressure right now not caffein.

First sign your posts correctly since you want to throw darts throw
em properly..there ya go..

Next you know what ..your right maybe you shouldnt own a bird if you
want to listen to such crap... When a forum member emails me trying
to talk me out of a genny purchase because the kohler/perkins is such
a good machine!AND insinuates I don't know what I am doing to fix
it!! What business is it of his what I do.. I told him I am over it
and I want/can afford a new one...end of subject! He knows who I am
talking about...

LET ME TELL YOU JUST HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS ..I have taken the time to
do routine maintenance the way it should be done...oil change, lube,
and help with the tire mech to remove a broken stud...700.00
bucks..just so I could put 3500.00 in tires on the coach so I could
go to Florida and install a new 8500.00 genny..and burn a little over
600.00 in fuel...AFTER already replacing both heads on the kitty CAT,
new refer and lots of other stuff and YES I BELLIED UP TO THE TABLE
AND PAID RALPH TO COME FROM OKLAHOMA wait actually he was in Texas at
the time...Before the Florida trip since the original purchase I put
appx 1400 miles on my coach which IS PAID FOR AS WELL...and I have
put a little more than 1/2 the original purchase price back into it!!
I am not complaining about the prices on stuff...I like nice stuff
and I realize that I will pay for it...and you should realize that as
well.

We still work so we are not living on a fixed income as some are...
and continue to whine about how expensive things are! Give me a
break..you can't take it with you!!

If you are worried about pennies then stay in the penny arena...SOO
your right BLUE BIRDS are tooo expensive for you ...go buy a Minne
Winne and be done with it ...BUT if you want to see a really nice FC
(Forward Control..engine in front) let me know...

I apolgise to the others here...this should have been handled in
private off forum stuff..but please don't make silly comments to me
publicly and not expect a retort!!!

NO RESPONSE NEEDED..

SCOTT BISHOP
1986 FORWARD CONTROL 35 REAR BATH "RUBY"
MURRELLS INLET, SOUTH CAROLINA !!


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Winston" wrote:
>
> Scott, you might want to lay off the caffeine for awhile.
>
> -Winston
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Scott
> Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2005 11:37 PM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Pricey repairs
>
>
>
> Tom, your thoughts on the purchase of a coach are just a tad off
the
> mark! Sorry.. You own a coach that is almost 10yrs older than what
he
> is looking at..and how long have you owned your coach..and when was
> the last time you entered the buying market?? I think the market
has
> changed since then. For you to make that comment/conclusion from
the
> posts from Wallace and Mike is kinda wayyyy off base. You have no
> clue the condition of that coach. I believe that he (Wallace) is
> somewhat of a seasoned BB owner and certainly has a VERY
> QUALIFIED "consultant" with him to make that decision. Don't you
> think they evaluated the price vs repairs..hence value..Maybe just
> maybe..there were some "other" things and given they BOTH have been
> around BB for years that they could make this decision?? As you
> said "you have no idea what his standards are" ...it is not always
> black and white..Price deduct all the "things" YOU expect to be in
> order. Sheesh you don't even know what the price was...gimme a
> break..and by the way "what exactly is a high standard" seems like
> mebbe your level and someone elses may just be a little different.
So
> please refrain...Actually are you screwing up the wannabes???
> hmmm...marketing vs engineering..the debate continues!!
>
> Scott B
> 86FC35
> SC
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner
> wrote:
> >
> > Wallace I have no idea what your standards are when selecting a
> > coach. I suppose it depends a lot on how much of the maintenance
> and
> > repair you are capable of doing. But I noticed that you said
there
> > were far to many problems including tires and batteries. Those
two
> > items would not bother me in the least however I would reduce the
> > price I would pay for the coach by the amount to replace both of
> > those items. Same with other things that Ralph found.
> >
> > I would guess there are others on this forum that are either
> > considering upgrading to a newer Bluebird or becoming first time
> > buyers. I would not want them to get the impression that anything
> > should be a show stopper when considering a coach. In my case
when
> > looking for a Bluebird I would not consider any coach that had
rust
> > on the chassis or body panels unless it was something that my
local
> > Bluebird school bus dealer could not repair at an attractive
price.
> >
> > Bottom line in my opinion is to get a coach that either has been
> > maintained to a high standard or is offered at a price where it
can
> > be upgraded to that level.
> >
> > tom
> > 1982 FC35
> > Vernon Center,NY
> >
> >
> > At 09:29 PM 10/19/2005, you wrote:
> > >Mike, saw your post so thought I would add my 2 cents. We
(Ralph
> &
> > >I) looked at the 91 today and decided to pass. Won't bore you
> with
> > >details, but far too many problems to correct including new
tires
> > >and probably batteries. Will keep the ear open for other deals.
> > >Regards;
> > >Wallace & Faye Craig
> > >
> > >mbulriss <mbulriss@y...> wrote:
> > >Winston,
> > >
> > >Now that we see this, no wonder that owner scared you with his
> tales
> > >of expensive repairs! Interesting sales strategy on his part!
> > >
> > >As Scott and Ralph pointed out, we all need to be educated
> consumers
> > >and shop around if a quote seems to peg our BS sniffer meter. I
> hope
> > >that first guy you ran into is still holding the rusty exhaust
> > >pipe also!>
> > >
> > >Buddy Gregg service..... that explains a lot. I'll let Ralph
> comment
> > >further on that when he gets back into town, but if there's a
way
> to
> > >make it expensive, Buddy's guys can do it. I asked them to check
> for
> > >a suspected air bag leak in a specific bag. Their response was
> > >$4,500-5,000 to replace all the air bags. They "wouldn't just
> replace
> > >one bag". Of course they never bothered to evn look at it either!
> > >Ralph freed up the sticky air valve for me at a Lone Star
> > >Birds rally with a $3 can of PB Blaster (I think it was). An air
> > >dryer filter R&R at Buddy's was I think a $600 or 700 quote (3-4
> hours
> > >labor plus $100+ parts); versus the $32 filter and the hour and
a
> half
> > >I took to do it myself! I work slow.....
> > >
> > >Since the owner mentioned Cat, I will assume that the 91 in
> question
> > >was an SP model. Can't speak to that model specifically; maybe
Hank
> > >or someone else can comment on the $1500 of labor to change an
> > >alternator. I still can't fathom having to R&R the bumper to get
to
> > >the alternator, nor can I see it taking more than 2 hours total
to
> get
> > >that done. Makes the PT Detroits seem much easier to work on now!
> > >
> > >The comment about the Caterpiller shop having to "fabricate tools
> > >because they do not generally work on Bluebirds and their tools
> don't
> > >work" cracked me up. That's hilarious! Now I know Harley's have
> some
> > >special "factory only" tools, but I've never found anything on
the
> > >Bird that wasn't readily available in my own set of "non-
> professional"
> > >tools, much less at a professional repair facility or dealer
shop.
> > >
> > >While the prior owner seems to have delighted in throwing money
> away,
> > >you *can* find "competent" service facilities for more reasonable
> > >prices. Some people only go to their auto dealers for oil
changes.
> > >Some people enjoy bragging about how much things cost them as
> > >a badge of their affulence. Most folks on these forums are more
> > >concerned with doing things a little more economically, and
having
> it
> > >done right the first time.
> > >
> > >As was stated by several other members, you just have to be a
smart
> > >consumer and seek advice when you need it, before you throw
> yourself
> > >to the wolves. I think the responses that you are seeing here
> should
> > >indicate that there are other ways to be sure things are fixed
> > >properly without just throwing $$$ at it with no questions asked.
> > >Please don't be scared off by this one owner. I hope that you are
> > >seeing by the responses here that the situation you have here
> seems to
> > >be an anomoly rather than the rule.
> > >
> > >Also, before you buy, you might want to consider having someone
> that
> > >really knows what they are doing, thoroughly check out the
> prospective
> > >Bird for you so that there are no expensive surprises.
> > >
> > >Good luck with your hunt!
> > >
> > >Mike Bulriss
> > >83 PT40 "Stagecoach" - For Sale
> > >91 PT40 "Texas Minivan"
> > >San Antonio, Texas
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, winston barrows
> > >
> > >wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > install is
> > >maybe 4 hours.>>
> > > > Hi, Ralph,
> > > > According to the owner, the book is three hours bumper off
and
> three
> > >hours bumper on for six hours. This is what he writes:
> > > >
> > > > I took my unit to Buddy Gregg, in Knoxville TN for service.
> $115.00
> > >per hour. the cost of parts will not be the shock. The shock is
> > >getting something done, done right, and done to the high
> expectations
> > >that Bluebird owners possess. By way of example, shortly after
> > >purchase, the fuel gauge went to "empty" even though it was
clearly
> > >full. Buddy Gregg traced the repair to the sensor located at the
> top
> > >of the fuel tank. This is accessed through a door on the floor
of
> the
> > >coach, which was overlayed with 3/4 inch plywood and the marble
> floor.
> > >the estimate to fix? $6-700, plus the $10.00 sending unit, but
they
> > >could not replace the marble they would have to chisel out of the
> > >floor. Everything in a Bluebird is like that. I asked them to
look
> at
> > >the alternator/battery system because the green dash light
> sometimes
> > >came on (which I now know is normal). They replaced the
alternator.
> > >Cost of alternator (which I now do not believe had any problems)
> $350;
> > >Cost of labor to replace alternator?
> > > > $1,500. why so expensive? because they had to take the bumper
> off,
> > >and then take off all the belts and hoses in the engine. three
> hours
> > >off, and three hours on ( that is just the labor for the
bumper).
> You
> > >don't even want to know what Caterpiller charges to look at
> Bluebirds.
> > >Caterpiller likes dealing with businesses that own tractors.
Hell
> if
> > >you bill your tractor out for 2 or three hundred per hour, you
can
> > >afford thousands to have a GED trained technician tell you you
> need a
> > >fuel filter, and then hand you a bill for $2,000, (labor at $130
> per
> > >hour) plus materials (a $75.00 filter which should have been
what
> was
> > >checked within the first hour). Of course, they have to bill 2 to
> > >three hours to put paper on the floor of the coach so they don't
> track
> > >in sludge, and then fabricate tools because they do not
generally
> work
> > >on Bluebirds and their tools don't work.
> > > >
> > > > The original price you pay for a Bluebird doesn't really
matter
> > >much. It is the beginning of a process that is akin to placing a
> > >vacuum cleaner on you wallet and watching the money dissapear.
End
> of
> > >owner email text.
> > > > It seems to me that part of the responsibility of this forum
> should
> > >be to educate folks on the scale of economy of Wanderlodge
> ownership.
> > >A lot of people think Buddy Gregg is a reputable dealership and
I'm
> > >not saying they aren't (especially since I've had no experience
> with
> > >them). So my logic is if such a competent repair shop costs so
> much,
> > >then what's it going to cost to go to the guy you'll educate?
> > > >
> > > > "Ralph L. Fullenwider" wrote:
> > > > Hello Winston:
> > > >
> > > > Mike B gave you some pretty good answers to your question.
And
> yes,
> > >some
> > > > repairs can be costly, no question there. Blow a 12R 22.5
tire
> and
> > >wheel
> > > > wells along with various other damage can occur.
> > > >
> > > > As to the pricey alternator job, I agree it was pricey but
> > >necessary? Even
> > > > removing the bumper the un install and re install is maybe 4
> hours.
> > >Perhaps
> > > > something else happened, like a broken bolt that had to be
> drilled out.
> > > > More than likely they 2 tech's on the job and charged for each
> > >tech.? That
> > > > is not right either, in my book. It would be interesting to
have
> > >seen that
> > > > bill and what the write up was. No I am not defending that
> shop, in
> > >fact I
> > > > would be dubious of it.
> > > >
> > > > Part of what this and other Forums were started for was to
help
> one
> > >another
> > > > as we can and also to list the "known" good shops around the
> Country to
> > > > take the birds to and then on the other hand, to know what
> shops not to
> > > > take them to. This Forum is intended to be a clearing house
of
> seeking
> > > > answers to problems and so forth. Even if your not doing the
> repair
> > >work <
> > > > which, as Mike pointed out, will save one some money> one can
> come
> > >to the
> > > > forum's to try to get a better idea of what to expect when
> taking a
> > >Coach
> > > > to a shop. Information among us, is a powerful tool, and one
> that
> > >can help
> > > > you recognize if that shop or repair facility is running high
> on costs.
> > > >
> > > > Repairs on Birds, Prevost, Newell or any high line Coach will
> > >usually run
> > > > higher in some respects as they are far advanced machines
with
> more
> > > > amenities than most others. With that advancement, comes the
> fact
> > >that a
> > > > tech has spent many an hour just learning the how the systems
> work and
> > > > those systems change almost daily at times. So yes, shops do
> ask for a
> > > > higher wage and get it because we are way past bailing wire
and
> stickum.
> > > >
> > > > In my shop, I charge the $75.00 per hour plus parts rate and
I
> work on
> > > > Birds. Though, as Mike told you, I have worked on Vectra's and
> > >bounders and
> > > > Fleetwood products at the same price. I am also one tech that
> > >prefers the
> > > > customer to be with me, if he/she so chooses as I am working
on
> > >their coach.
> > > >
> > > > Bottom line is, information, data, questions and answers on
the
> > >forum gives
> > > > anyone a powerful tool, and most of us have learned to use it
> along
> > >with
> > > > learning to do some things by our on hand. And in truth, most
of
> > >those that
> > > > do some of the work, learns the systems in them, end up
having a
> > >greater
> > > > sense of Ownership and the resultant pride that goes with.
> There is
> > >nothing
> > > > wrong with Birds and you won't find a better coach for not
only
> fun
> > >but
> > > > safety out on the road.
> > > >
> > > > Safe travels,
> > > >
> > > > Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> > > > Ralph's RV Solutions, Duncan, Oklahoma
> > > >
> > >
>
<http://home.swbell.net/rlf47/index.htm>http://home.swbell.net/rlf47/i
> ndex.htm
> > > >
> >
>
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