Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:34:39 -0500
Reply-To: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: cooperative Westy ownership?
In-Reply-To: <CAKT-6MuaV5gsa0deskbnE4x-NHYcnrMsAomgAz0Nr4T7zZkb=A@mail.gmail.com>
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My only experience with this sort of thing was part ownership of a small
twin-engine airplane.
Six of us did a sub-chapter-S corporation, then kicked in $1000 each to
provide a basis and then purchased the airplane. A fixed monthly fee was
set for each of us to cover the monthly payment, pay for maintenance,
insurance, hanger storage, etc. We each paid our own fuel and oil used
when any one member used it. It always had to be fully fueled and oiled
and clean when returned after use. A user log was mandatory. Maintenance
costs incurred on a trip was born by the user, and he was refunded upon
return from the maintenance reserve account. Our little club worked
really well.
The one thing I would say that I gleaned from the experience is that you
cannot expect to do these kinds of things on the cheap. If the intent is
to have cheap use of the vehicle - forget it! There are to many
financial factors involved that absolutely must be covered. If they are
not - the whole thing will unravel. If you plan to do your own
maintenance - go ahead - but put the equivalent cost of that maintenance
into a maintenance reserve account. That will build up and provide
coverage for things you cannot do. There were two aircraft mechanics in
our group - and when maintenance was done - everyone turned out and
worked. But the cost of one mechanic and one helper was always paid in.
When we had to do a $15,000 engine change we had the money without
having to assess the membership for the cost.
BTW - assessing a mileage rate from the users log using the start and
stop mileage would be a smart move.
Good luck.
John
On 6/16/2013 11:02 PM, Mark Hersh wrote:
> So at a neighborhood BBQ tonight, someone (a neighbor that admires our
> camper) came up to meand said they were thinking of trying to get together
> a small "cooperative" with the purpose of joint ownership of a camper.
> Figuring that they would all pay in for maintenance, cleaning, etc., and
> knowing they would have to come up with some reasonably democratic and fair
> way to allocate time slots.
>
> Seemed like a reasonable enough idea to me to volunteer to put it out to
> the group (because I'm not about to volunteer my camper!).
>
> Anyone have any experience with such a thing, or know of such a thing? A
> Google search came up with a couple interesting leads, but I thought I'd
> ask the collective Vanagon brain trust.
>
> Thanks
>
> Mark
>
> --
> 86 Campmobile Six-Seater "Monty"
>
> Black dogs are euthanized at a greater rate than other-colored dogs,
> regardless of temperament. Learn about Black Dog Syndrome at
> http://www.blackpearldogs.com/ Learn about black dogs in a Vanagon at
> http://www.pbase.com/mhersh/image/108220533
>
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