Coachworks, Ft Valley GA. Auction

[bumpersbird]

The auction was both exciting and sad. The Bluebird Wanderlodge Factory is
officially liquidated. The whole ball of wax has been sold off and now time will
tell if a Resurrection will come to pass. I don't believe that Steve Mitchell of
Parliament Coach bought the Intellectual Property for his amusement. Something
will become of it time will tell.

I can't begin to express my disappointment in not getting to the viewing of what
was for sale sooner than I did, I arrived on wed afternoon after a 10 day
working trip in San Antonio Tx. Tejas to Fort Valley GA, 1173.9 miles in 32
hours I only had 4 hours to look over a facility that that had taken over 30
years to create and that would be sold off in less than 24 hours.

I was overwhelmed at the shear size of the facility and what was on the auction
block. My only regret was not having the foresight to buy more than I did, as it
turns out I only succeeded in winning one item. A pallet of Lifeline batteries,
GPL-4DL, 16 in all for a price that would land you in jail anywheres else. A
blind hog will find an acorn once in a while.

The auction moved along quickly with over 800 items auctioned off on Thursday. I
did not stay for the Saturday sale. One item that I bid on was a lot of BB
Wanderlodge windshields, it went for $1900.00 there were at least 25 windshields
left and right sides! I didn't get them.

After a gruleing , rapid fire sell off of the the lots in the CAGE. the
auctioneererer said that the CAGE would be offered as a whole for $44,000.00
+or- I hesitated and it was returned to it's original bidders.

THE CAGE was the secured area where Wanderloodge keep all the spare parts, you
name it it was there, including items that were supposedly unavailable, I will
regret that inaction for as long as I own a Bird. I would say average price per
lot was under .10 cents on the dollar or less!!!!

The parts are gone, The IP is gone, BlueBird Wanderlodge as an entity is gone,
but what isn't gone is our desire to keep these machine going down the road.

Being at this auction was like a child set loose in a candy store without his
Momma, knowing he can't possibly have everything he's looking at, but wanting it
all. An experience that I will never forget, as sad as it truly was.

A little about Parliment Coach, for now along with all the speculation about a
new coach, Parliament hasn't built a new coach in a year or so neither has
anyone else at least not like before the crash.

The IP has some other aspects as far as value. The vendors list for one, I was
informed they were selling 100K in Wanderlodge parts a month up to the very end.
Now that would peak my interest if I were in that business. The IP went for 55K
the CAGE, existing parts inventory, went for 44K. 100K in sales a month, I'm not
in that business but my interest was peaked!

The Mitchell Family has been involved with the high end coach market for a long
time, Vogue, Featherlite, Newell,These guys have been in and out of this
industry for ever.

Personally I am happy to see Parliament with the IP. I had decided that if
possible I would buy it and had 30K ready to invest in the IP, well that didn't
happen.

Over the years I have had or tried to do business with almost every coach
converter, Most had that mentality of the Harley dealers several years ago, If I
like you and you kiss my A--. maybe I'll sell you something. Parliament did not
treat me in that fashion and since all the industry shake up I can see them,
coming back stronger and better than ever.

My experience with Parliament went like this. I bought a Pt 42 for 20 or 30 K
under wholesale. Back in the day when dealers didn't do that. John Martin spent
6 days working on the coach after I got there to pick it up, I'm glad he's
heading back to Clearwater. Several day of work were done to it before I got
there. No she wasn't a wreak, but she was used by a family that enjoyed her. The
day I went home they fueled her, $900.00 at the time. When I inquired about what
I owed for the labor & fuel, Steve replied nothing it's on me.

You'll be back.

He's right!

As a consumer I'm not interested in personal issues, in house shenanigans, or
shop politics, Even though it makes for great cocktail conversation. I'm only
interested in getting what I need for my coach by the best I can afford.

As the old Zen Master said, We shall see.

If you interested in what will become of the Birds Nest you'll have to go to
W.O.G. and read about it there. Karl the new owner will keep it going some how.

__________________
Kurt Horvath
95 PT 42
10AC

[Fred Hulse]

Kurt

Remarkable post!!

Thank you for your point of view on this ending of an era.

Hopefully something will arise out of the ashes.

Fred & Jeanne Hulse
Morristown Arizona
1997 Wanderlodge WLWB41

[jvredden@...]

It is my understanding that the buyer of the real estate at BB Coachworks intends on servicing BB and opening the Birds Nest. Randy knows him on a first name basis. He has been VERY embracing of the BB's here. He also has a long family history with the Luce family that started BB.

From all appearances, BB in Ft. Valley will be changed but will still welcome, service and care for BlueBirders.

If you were here it would not appear as bleak. That said, the sale was a sad event. Like going to the sale of your great aunts estate. The people who got the best deals were the scrap metal dealers.They told me some of the metal went for close to 50% of scrap value!

Parliament ( Steve Mitchell) indicated in a conversation that he wants the information not lost and available to the BB community. He did not say at what costs. Lets hope good judgement prevails. Others have stated they have found him fair in past dealings Other than that we need each other now more than ever. I got some of the service books. I am approaching my son in law ( Hokie Bird) to scan them into electronic format to make them available to all on the internet. If we all share and share alike we should, for the most part, be fine. Lets all pull together and support the new factory owner in the same supportive manner he is supporting us.

John Redden

91-PT

NC

(Presently in the Birds Nest)

[gregory O]

It is just a shame that so many people made it to the auction. It sounds like
wog shot the bus in the foot by making the auction a big successful event for
the bank. like you point out, with both the cage and ip the assets would be 25
fold as someone would walk away with enough original condition to make FredH's
phoenix resemble a bus. with no substainable inventory to continue a company
and turn some sort of a progressive profit as a whole company, the name is only
that, a marketable name.

I see the name being sold to fleetwood for 250 g's 5 years from now, like Avion
in the past.

the Birds nest lost two thirds of its location location location. I cant see
much of a reason to visit Fort Vally without a 1-factory tour or 2-factory
service. Peaches and Camellias wont be much of a reason to go there. Someone
will pump money into the nest like they do with restaurants, until something
sticks. 'Peach County mobile Estates'.

Greg of Tim&Greg
94ptca


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bumpersbird" wrote:
>
>
>
>
> The auction was both exciting and sad. The Bluebird Wanderlodge Factory is
officially liquidated. The whole ball of wax has been sold off and now time will
tell if a Resurrection will come to pass. I don't believe that Steve Mitchell of
Parliament Coach bought the Intellectual Property for his amusement. Something
will become of it time will tell.
>
> I can't begin to express my disappointment in not getting to the viewing of
what was for sale sooner than I did, I arrived on wed afternoon after a 10 day
working trip in San Antonio Tx. Tejas to Fort Valley GA, 1173.9 miles in 32
hours I only had 4 hours to look over a facility that that had taken over 30
years to create and that would be sold off in less than 24 hours.
>
> I was overwhelmed at the shear size of the facility and what was on the
auction block. My only regret was not having the foresight to buy more than I
did, as it turns out I only succeeded in winning one item. A pallet of Lifeline
batteries, GPL-4DL, 16 in all for a price that would land you in jail anywheres
else. A blind hog will find an acorn once in a while.
>
> The auction moved along quickly with over 800 items auctioned off on Thursday.
I did not stay for the Saturday sale. One item that I bid on was a lot of BB
Wanderlodge windshields, it went for $1900.00 there were at least 25 windshields
left and right sides! I didn't get them.
>
> After a gruleing , rapid fire sell off of the the lots in the CAGE. the
auctioneererer said that the CAGE would be offered as a whole for $44,000.00
+or- I hesitated and it was returned to it's original bidders.
>
> THE CAGE was the secured area where Wanderloodge keep all the spare parts, you
name it it was there, including items that were supposedly unavailable, I will
regret that inaction for as long as I own a Bird. I would say average price per
lot was under .10 cents on the dollar or less!!!!
>
> The parts are gone, The IP is gone, BlueBird Wanderlodge as an entity is gone,
but what isn't gone is our desire to keep these machine going down the road.
>
> Being at this auction was like a child set loose in a candy store without his
Momma, knowing he can't possibly have everything he's looking at, but wanting it
all. An experience that I will never forget, as sad as it truly was.
>
> A little about Parliment Coach, for now along with all the speculation about a
new coach, Parliament hasn't built a new coach in a year or so neither has
anyone else at least not like before the crash.
>
> The IP has some other aspects as far as value. The vendors list for one, I was
informed they were selling 100K in Wanderlodge parts a month up to the very end.
Now that would peak my interest if I were in that business. The IP went for 55K
the CAGE, existing parts inventory, went for 44K. 100K in sales a month, I'm not
in that business but my interest was peaked!
>
> The Mitchell Family has been involved with the high end coach market for a
long time, Vogue, Featherlite, Newell,These guys have been in and out of this
industry for ever.
>
> Personally I am happy to see Parliament with the IP. I had decided that if
possible I would buy it and had 30K ready to invest in the IP, well that didn't
happen.
>
> Over the years I have had or tried to do business with almost every coach
converter, Most had that mentality of the Harley dealers several years ago, If I
like you and you kiss my A--. maybe I'll sell you something. Parliament did not
treat me in that fashion and since all the industry shake up I can see them,
coming back stronger and better than ever.
>
> My experience with Parliament went like this. I bought a Pt 42 for 20 or 30 K
under wholesale. Back in the day when dealers didn't do that. John Martin spent
6 days working on the coach after I got there to pick it up, I'm glad he's
heading back to Clearwater. Several day of work were done to it before I got
there. No she wasn't a wreak, but she was used by a family that enjoyed her. The
day I went home they fueled her, $900.00 at the time. When I inquired about what
I owed for the labor & fuel, Steve replied nothing it's on me.
>
> You'll be back.
>
> He's right!
>
> As a consumer I'm not interested in personal issues, in house shenanigans, or
shop politics, Even though it makes for great cocktail conversation. I'm only
interested in getting what I need for my coach by the best I can afford.
>
> As the old Zen Master said, We shall see.
>
> If you interested in what will become of the Birds Nest you'll have to go to
W.O.G. and read about it there. Karl the new owner will keep it going some how.
>
> __________________
> Kurt Horvath
> 95 PT 42
> 10AC
>

[Don Bradner]

That is simply ridiculous. Do you actually think Cerberus and Parliament were
there bidding (the two heavy bidders on the IP) because of talk on WOG?

Do you actually think the buyer of the property (who is going to build tour
busses) was there bidding on the heavy equipment because of talk on WOG?

Sheesh!

On 10/21/2009 at 3:23 PM gregory O wrote:

>It is just a shame that so many people made it to the auction. It sounds
>like wog shot the bus in the foot by making the auction a big successful
>event for the bank.

[gregory O]

no. the price was booted up to unmarketable because people traveled from across
the country to buy pieces and bits. the demand was escalated. I wish the bus
builder/buyer of the ip had the opportunity to buy it all and make a complete
business with it. .10 on a dollar is only 42% of wholesale and less that that if
you add the cost to maintain a product that you have no product placement
established for in the market yet. It is hard to set up a business selling
weatherstripping for cargo doors on 2003 model year PC and one for chrome
airhorns for 83 FC. we see here a new business for one and I am sure Rats will
be full of new entrepreneurs marketing their unique product lines. I could
care less, just interesting.

Greg of Tim&Greg
94ptca

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner" wrote:
>
> That is simply ridiculous. Do you actually think Cerberus and Parliament were
there bidding (the two heavy bidders on the IP) because of talk on WOG?
>
> Do you actually think the buyer of the property (who is going to build tour
busses) was there bidding on the heavy equipment because of talk on WOG?
>
> Sheesh!
>
> On 10/21/2009 at 3:23 PM gregory O wrote:
>
> >It is just a shame that so many people made it to the auction. It sounds
> >like wog shot the bus in the foot by making the auction a big successful
> >event for the bank.
>

[Pete Masterson]

I saw ads for the auction in FMCA magazine and possibly one other RV-related magazine. I received a flyer directly from the auction house (I presume because I was a member of the BB Chapter of FMCA). The auction house probably also contacted all other potential bidders they might have identified. This is what auction houses do -- their job and their commissions depend on getting the highest (best) prices for the offered materials as can be arranged. They will advertise and promote the auction to as many people as is possible.

The creditors can (and probably did) set opening bid prices and may have had reserve prices (minimum acceptable bid) on many of the items. I doubt that talk on WOG or anywhere else had any impact on the number or quality of bidders at the auction.

Pete Masterson

(former) '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Oct 21, 2009, at 8:54 AM, Don Bradner wrote:

That is simply ridiculous. Do you actually think Cerberus and Parliament were there bidding (the two heavy bidders on the IP) because of talk on WOG?

Do you actually think the buyer of the property (who is going to build tour busses) was there bidding on the heavy equipment because of talk on WOG?

Sheesh!

On 10/21/2009 at 3:23 PM gregory O wrote:

It is just a shame that so many people made it to the auction. It sounds

like wog shot the bus in the foot by making the auction a big successful

event for the bank.

[Ernie Ekberg]

I received that flyer, also. Ended up in the recycle bin. Ernie Ekberg 83PT40 Wanderlodge Weatherford, Tx 817-475-3991 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/erni...gandrepair --- On Wed, 10/21/09, Pete Masterson wrote: From: Pete Masterson Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Coachworks, Ft Valley GA. Auction To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 2:49 PM I saw ads for the auction in FMCA magazine and possibly one other RV-related magazine. I received a flyer directly from the auction house (I presume because I was a member of the BB Chapter of FMCA). The auction house probably also contacted all other potential bidders they might have identified. This is what auction houses do -- their job and their commissions depend on getting the highest (best) prices for the offered materials as can be arranged. They will advertise and promote the auction to as many people as is possible. The creditors can (and probably did) set opening bid prices and may have had reserve prices (minimum acceptable bid) on many of the items. I doubt that talk on WOG or anywhere else had any impact on the number or quality of bidders at the auction. Pete Masterson (former) '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 El Sobrante CA aeonix1@mac. com On Oct 21, 2009, at 8:54 AM, Don Bradner wrote: That is simply ridiculous. Do you actually think Cerberus and Parliament were there bidding (the two heavy bidders on the IP) because of talk on WOG? Do you actually think the buyer of the property (who is going to build tour busses) was there bidding on the heavy equipment because of talk on WOG? Sheesh! On 10/21/2009 at 3:23 PM gregory O wrote: It is just a shame that so many people made it to the auction. It sounds like wog shot the bus in the foot by making the auction a big successful event for the bank.

[bumpersbird]

Sorry Greg,

We didn't have that great an impact on the auction, though it's nice to know you
think that highly of us back East. Coach owners were in the minority of bidders.
I don't see how any of the BS that flys around on these sites would influence
anybody to spend any money. No more than a visit to your web site would
influence me to change my lifestyle. One guy that was there bought all the
motors, a truck dealer or something. Scrap dealers were the big winners,along
with Ceribus buying back stuff for pennies on the dollar, several outfits that
work on Birds as well were in attendance, the single largest group I could
identify were the EX-Employees they bought lots of tools and shop equipment.
Also your incorrect in your assumption of 10 cents on retail. it was more like
10 cents on wholesale. USED WHOLESALE! It was a slaughter for the bank make no
mistake this was an absolute auction, no minimums or reserves if you bid a $1
and none else upped the price for that lot number you got it for a buck, highest
dollar won. The auctionieers knew nothing about this buisness they just pushed
stuff into piles and assigned a lot number you bid on the lot. I missed out on a
lot at the very end that had over 20 Allision Control Pads in it along with some
other garbage it sold for $125.00 I believe youd be getting down to tenths of a
penny on the dollar on that one. Plain and simple it was a court order public
auction to liquidat the assets of a company that screwed up. I do feel as though
in your post your somehow blaming the guys who are coach owners that went as
being somehow responsible for the demise of whatever it is were guilty of.
Coachworks was the entity that went bankrupt. Can you say CCW and Friends?????
What does it matter anyways? No one will ever do what The Luce family and the
people of Bluebird Wanderlodge did again in their haydays, 2 finished coaches a
week?????!!!!!???? I won't live to see that again. Don't blame me. I went there
and tried to do what I could. Somebody had more money than I was willing to
spend to save what I couldn't. I will reitterate it was an auction not a sale.
Don't blame the guys that went to save what couldn't be saved!

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Ernie Ekberg wrote:
>
> I received that flyer, also. Ended up in the recycle bin.
>
>
> Ernie Ekberg
> 83PT40
> Wanderlodge
> Weatherford, Tx 817-475-3991
> http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/erni...gandrepair
>
> --- On Wed, 10/21/09, Pete Masterson wrote:
>
>
> From: Pete Masterson
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Coachworks, Ft Valley GA. Auction
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 2:49 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I saw ads for the auction in FMCA magazine and possibly one other RV-related
magazine. I received a flyer directly from the auction house (I presume because
I was a member of the BB Chapter of FMCA). The auction house probably also
contacted all other potential bidders they might have identified. This is what
auction houses do -- their job and their commissions depend on getting the
highest (best) prices for the offered materials as can be arranged. They will
advertise and promote the auction to as many people as is possible.
>
>
> The creditors can (and probably did) set opening bid prices and may have had
reserve prices (minimum acceptable bid) on many of the items. I doubt that talk
on WOG or anywhere else had any impact on the number or quality of bidders at
the auction.
>
>
>
>
> Pete Masterson
> (former) '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> El Sobrante CA
> aeonix1@mac. com
>
>
>
>
>
> On Oct 21, 2009, at 8:54 AM, Don Bradner wrote:
>
>
> That is simply ridiculous. Do you actually think Cerberus and Parliament were
there bidding (the two heavy bidders on the IP) because of talk on WOG?
>
> Do you actually think the buyer of the property (who is going to build tour
busses) was there bidding on the heavy equipment because of talk on WOG?
>
> Sheesh!
>
> On 10/21/2009 at 3:23 PM gregory O wrote:
>
>
> It is just a shame that so many people made it to the auction. It sounds
>
> like wog shot the bus in the foot by making the auction a big successful
>
> event for the bank.
>

[bumpersbird]

Sorry Mike, I Forgot!

Kurt Horvath
1995 PT 42 Bluebird Wanderlodge
Tennessee
American by birth.
Southern by the grace of GOD!

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bumpersbird" wrote:
>
>
> Sorry Greg,
>
> We didn't have that great an impact on the auction, though it's nice to know
you think that highly of us back East. Coach owners were in the minority of
bidders. I don't see how any of the BS that flys around on these sites would
influence anybody to spend any money. No more than a visit to your web site
would influence me to change my lifestyle. One guy that was there bought all the
motors, a truck dealer or something. Scrap dealers were the big winners,along
with Ceribus buying back stuff for pennies on the dollar, several outfits that
work on Birds as well were in attendance, the single largest group I could
identify were the EX-Employees they bought lots of tools and shop equipment.
Also your incorrect in your assumption of 10 cents on retail. it was more like
10 cents on wholesale. USED WHOLESALE! It was a slaughter for the bank make no
mistake this was an absolute auction, no minimums or reserves if you bid a $1
and none else upped the price for that lot number you got it for a buck, highest
dollar won. The auctionieers knew nothing about this buisness they just pushed
stuff into piles and assigned a lot number you bid on the lot. I missed out on a
lot at the very end that had over 20 Allision Control Pads in it along with some
other garbage it sold for $125.00 I believe youd be getting down to tenths of a
penny on the dollar on that one. Plain and simple it was a court order public
auction to liquidat the assets of a company that screwed up. I do feel as though
in your post your somehow blaming the guys who are coach owners that went as
being somehow responsible for the demise of whatever it is were guilty of.
Coachworks was the entity that went bankrupt. Can you say CCW and Friends?????
What does it matter anyways? No one will ever do what The Luce family and the
people of Bluebird Wanderlodge did again in their haydays, 2 finished coaches a
week?????!!!!!???? I won't live to see that again. Don't blame me. I went there
and tried to do what I could. Somebody had more money than I was willing to
spend to save what I couldn't. I will reitterate it was an auction not a sale.
Don't blame the guys that went to save what couldn't be saved!
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Ernie Ekberg wrote:
> >
> > I received that flyer, also. Ended up in the recycle bin.
> >
> >
> > Ernie Ekberg
> > 83PT40
> > Wanderlodge
> > Weatherford, Tx 817-475-3991
> > http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/erni...gandrepair
> >
> > --- On Wed, 10/21/09, Pete Masterson wrote:
> >
> >
> > From: Pete Masterson
> > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Coachworks, Ft Valley GA. Auction
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 2:49 PM
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I saw ads for the auction in FMCA magazine and possibly one other RV-related
magazine. I received a flyer directly from the auction house (I presume because
I was a member of the BB Chapter of FMCA). The auction house probably also
contacted all other potential bidders they might have identified. This is what
auction houses do -- their job and their commissions depend on getting the
highest (best) prices for the offered materials as can be arranged. They will
advertise and promote the auction to as many people as is possible.
> >
> >
> > The creditors can (and probably did) set opening bid prices and may have had
reserve prices (minimum acceptable bid) on many of the items. I doubt that talk
on WOG or anywhere else had any impact on the number or quality of bidders at
the auction.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Pete Masterson
> > (former) '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> > El Sobrante CA
> > aeonix1@mac. com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Oct 21, 2009, at 8:54 AM, Don Bradner wrote:
> >
> >
> > That is simply ridiculous. Do you actually think Cerberus and Parliament
were there bidding (the two heavy bidders on the IP) because of talk on WOG?
> >
> > Do you actually think the buyer of the property (who is going to build tour
busses) was there bidding on the heavy equipment because of talk on WOG?
> >
> > Sheesh!
> >
> > On 10/21/2009 at 3:23 PM gregory O wrote:
> >
> >
> > It is just a shame that so many people made it to the auction. It sounds
> >
> > like wog shot the bus in the foot by making the auction a big successful
> >
> > event for the bank.
> >
>