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Post by vintagebruce on Sept 29, 2014 6:03:59 GMT -8
That shape has a bit of character to it, and it is competitive with a number of other similar sized 1970 campers trying to capture a segment of the market. If it is as structurally "clean" as first glances seem, I don't think $1000 as an asking price is out of line...might be cool to stick 8 Benjamins in one pocket and then pull them out folded in half, fanned out like they do in Counting Cars, when lowballing a bit. Then if an inspection does not set off any alarms and the seller won't budge, fumble around and discover you have the full asking price after all. 1K for this camper with a bathroom isn't bad at all imho. Could be flipped in the spring for $1500 - 1750 if it was cleaned up a bit if you find something you like better over the winter. Why are sellers so unmotivated that they can't clear out their clutter (15 minute job?) before taking pics for an ad?
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Post by Teachndad on Sept 29, 2014 11:16:09 GMT -8
Well, we may never know how it looks in person. The only way to reach the seller is with the telephone. The area code was missing from the phone number and when i called it with the most likely area code, it goes to a pet store that doesn't work on Mondays. (GGRRRRRRRRrrrrrrr!) No email or texting contacts. Ugh.
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Post by vintagebruce on Sept 30, 2014 10:27:04 GMT -8
If it is a Craigslist ad could you put a WTB ad in there asking the seller to contact you? Or, pet store owners/employees like to camp too. Try the same number on Tuesday and ask whoever answers the phone if they are selling the camper or if an employee might be selling it. Growling is acceptable...giving up is not an option.
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Post by Teachndad on Sept 30, 2014 11:34:04 GMT -8
If it is a Craigslist ad could you put a WTB ad in there asking the seller to contact you? Or, pet store owners/employees like to camp too. Try the same number on Tuesday and ask whoever answers the phone if they are selling the camper or if an employee might be selling it. Growling is acceptable...giving up is not an option. Hi Bruce,
LOL! on your last comment.
I spent the better part of 2 hours yesterday after work trying all these different permutations of the phone number listed in the ad and got nowhere other than a ticket on the Frustration Highway. My only hope was that the number in the ad was correct and that I would hear from the owner.
Of note: I originally came across the ad after it had been posted for about 20 minutes. I called the number and got an answering machine with the pet store. Then, yesterday, I called 3 more times spread out through the day making sure they knew I was interested and also that I hoped I had been the first caller on the ad.
Well, I got lucky! Today, at just before 10 a.m. I got a call from the owner. The husband had put the business number in by mistake. We chatted a bit about the trailer and I asked if I could see it tomorrow, since I have a doctor's appointment later today. The trailer is 250 miles from my house. They agreed. to show it to me tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. If it's acceptable, I will buy it and drive it home.
I learned from the owner that he is only the second owner. It was kept by a family for all this time up until a few months ago. There is some water floor damage in the bathroom floor and some on the corner that can be seen in the bathroom image that is now on the ad. He said the linoleum had curled in that area. other than that, he said he didn't know of any leaks. I will check the skirt areas first. I have seen the underside of a 73 Aristocrat and it had lotsa rotsa below, so I have an idea what to look for. The present owner just used it to sleep in when they camped. They didn't use the appliances, but he knows the PO and was told all the appliances work. Toilet works. He did say the trailer roof needs to be recoated. (not sure what it was coated with. They had camped in the rain this summer and he said it didn't leak, but I realize that just means it didn't show if it leaked. The half window in the back appears to be original. The bathroom is on the other side. It has two original roof vents. Tires are supposed to be relatively new and the bearings were supposedly done less than 6 months ago. It's licensed. No battery, but the PO says that the electrical works. No propane tanks on it either.
I did notice a slight bulge down in the front of the trailer. Does that indicate some water damage below? Easy access, I guess to find out.
I head out tomorrow.
Stay tuned.
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Post by vintagebruce on Sept 30, 2014 18:28:37 GMT -8
Great news teachndad. Make sure to have a good light source, and as for that bulge in the front, it is not uncommon to have some water damage under the front window, even if the window was not left open in a thunderstorm, in the colder parts of the year, condensation on the inside of the window can cause moisture to travel down the inside of the paneling. you should be able to view the front wooden sill and see if there is punky wood or discoloration due to moisture intrusion. That kind of problem can be repaired and should not be a deal killer. Good luck, hope she follows you home!
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