Date:         Sat, 8 Dec 2001 13:52:53 EST
Reply-To:     ThingGuy@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steve Lashley <ThingGuy@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Fw: buying cars sight unseen
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Tough question.  I recently bought 3 EuroVans sight unseen all within 1 week.

One was on ebay where I got the seller to end the auction early.  I sent a
$1000 deposit, reserved a flight from St. Louis to Omaha and then the seller
called a couple of days before and told me the head gasket blew.  I got the
deposit back, but I suspect the seller may have received a better offer.

The next one I purchased was listed on Autotrader and was at a Dodge dealer
in Topeka KS.  I called the previous owner and was told that the van was in
excellent condition with all maint. work completed and up to date.  The Dodge
dealer said it was put through their inspection and it checked out and was
guaranteed.  I drove 271 miles out of my way to look at it and found a host
of problems.  The heater blower squealed, the exhaust system burned through
the test pipe rubber cap on my test drive, and the brakes that the dealer
said they replaced didn't work.  The battery was supposed to be new, but it
and the battery compartment was covered with corrosion where it looked like
the battery had been overcharged and boiled over.  The interior was dirty and
stained and there were some good sized holes in back that hadn't been patched
from a wheelchair lift.  Also the belly pan and battery compartment covers
were missing.  No doubt I passed on it.

So I ended up with a nice 1993 Weekender that a customer traded in to a
dealer in St. Paul.  I flew up last weekend and drove it home.  It checks out
great with the exception of the exhaust system that will soon need
replacement.

Sometime you need to travel a long way to get the vehicle you want.  It is
always a good idea to have a way out through.  An agreement to get your
deposit back if you don't agree on the condition of the vehicle and a return
ticket in case you back out.

I would never consider buying something and having it shipped to me.  I've
heard too many horror stories.

Steve Lashley
SKL Enterprises Inc.
http://EuroCampers.com
636-797-9015
636-789-2127 fax