What To Do: To Sell Me Your Bird.

[whistles_n_bells]

Speaking of "Mr. Oliver's," his (Paul's) website has not been updated
for quite some time. I've also noticed that his RV inventory is shared
with automobiles - more so than in the past. Is he still in business? I
agree with Pete, the photos that he presents is excellent - even to the
point of minor body blemishes being photographed - seems upfront.

Joe (Pappy) Hagan
St. George, UT
(Wannabe)



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
wrote:
>
>
> On May 7, 2008, at 12:17 PM, J R wrote:
> > <snip>There is also a 12.5KW Cohler generator,
> > 500 gallon fuel tank, 300 gal fresh water tank and a 300 gal
grayinor body damage
> > water and 200 gal black water tanks. <snip>
> >
> > Is it possible for an 1981 35' brid to have 500 gallon fuel tank,
300
> > gal fresh water, 300 gal gray and 200 gal black??? Where would you
put
> > all them big tanks?
>
> Kohler makes generators... not "Cohler."
>
> The 35' bird was originally equipped with a 12.5 KW generator
> 150 gallon fuel tank
> 98 gallons fresh water
> 60 gallons gray water
> 42 gallons waste water.
> (These figures are from the 1980 listing under "history" at
> <http://www.vintagebirds.com> 1981 didn't have specs listed.)
>
> I'd be inclined to guess that this advertisement was either converted
> from liters (but those don't match up either) or someone is
> completely nuts. Perhaps, there's a tank trailer that comes with the
> coach...
>
> <snip>
>
> I agree completely with your observations to sellers. I purchased my
> 'bird from Mr. Olivers (a dealer near Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX) via an
> eBay auction. If it weren't for a plethora of photos, I would not
> have been as comfortable with the process as I was. (I also was able
> to talk with the former owner...)
>
> Although I'm now out of the market, I do tend to look at what's being
> offered from time to time -- and I continue to be amazed at people
> who post 3 photos of the out side and 2 photos of the interior and
> seem to think that's enough. Indeed, in some cases, I've seen a coach
> on sale for 2 to 3 years --- and the photos are never updated.
> (Including one that has a wet towel hanging on the shower door -- how
> nice.)
>
> Mr. Oliver does it right -- and it's educational to visit his web
> site and view how he has photographed the RVs he has for sale.
>
> Outside: front, back, and both sides with compartment doors open and
> doors closed.
> Close up of each compartment
> Close up of generator (extended)
> Close up of several of the tires
> Entrance with door open
>
> Inside: multiple photos of the interior and each part of it from at
> least 2 directions
> close up of dash including shots so you can read the mileage and
> hours on the instruments
> Multiple close ups in bath, kitchen area, and bedroom. Closets both
> closed and open.
>
> My coach had more than 40 photos -- and I had a good sense of what I
> would see when I made my on-the-ground inspection. There were no
> unpleasant surprises and the vehicle was exactly as represented.
>
> My only other comment regards bus conversions. I was first interested
> in a bus conversion, but switched to focusing on the Wanderlodge
> after I realized that there is almost no support for buses. Each
> conversion is a one-off that may be professionally done or done by a
> "joe blow" who has no idea how to properly engineer the workings of
> the house components. If you have a problem with plumbing or some
> other component, there's no one else who has exactly the same thing.
> The support on this (and the other) Wanderlodge list is more valuable
> than you can imagine. That is what ultimately convinced me that a bus
> conversion was more of a crap shoot that I'd care to undertake. (YMMV)
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> El Sobrante CA
> aeonix1@...
>