Recently the wife and I decided that we should get a bus.
We are preparing for a Cross-Canada trip (one-way) and rather than renting a u-haul + car trailer etc we came up with the idea to buy a used school bus. It would give us much more room, space for the dog, an area to sleep / cook / eat oh and of course, room for our stuff.
Economically it makes sense - no hotel rooms, less restaurant eating, take as much time as we want to travel, and we get to keep the bus.
After the cross country move, we would like to convert the bus to an RV. Heck before we go we might convert it.
Bus # 1 - 1987 Blue Bird All American, Front Engine, Propane, Vanderhoof BC
Just shortly after we made the decision, we found one that was almost perfect. On sale from the government auction website, by a local school district (only an hour away). This was an intense week from the time it was posted, to the time it was sold.
We were able to look at it, and it was so much better than what the auction said (was rated overall fair/poor). When we looked at it, and spoke with the mechanic, it was only rated so low because of the age, still a good bus.
The final night of the auction, the bids have been jumping, the price tag is now $797.00, in the last 10 seconds I placed my bid of $1050 hit submit, and low-and-behold a big blue message "Sorry, you have been outbid". Of course, no time to resubmit a higher bid. The bus sold to Snika1 for $1063!!
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Such disappointment. I've learned to hate auctions.
If only I could get a hold of this Snika1, I would totally offer to buy the unit from him. More than what he paid, plus his travel. But, unlike ebay - you can't send messages to other users. Bummer.
Since then I have checked with other school boards, craigslist, and kijiji in search of a bus.
Bus #2 - 1991 Bluebird All American, Front Engine, Diesel, Revelstoke BC
Found another bus! Looks decent from the 2 pictures I can see. But don't know very much about it, the ad is fairly vague.
I emailed the owner requesting more pictures and more information, he told me that the bus is in good condition, and all the seats are removed. Also that he was on the road, and that he could answer any questions, then asked for my phone number.
I sent him my list of questions, and he requested my phone number again, so I forwarded that as well as when I could be reached. After a few days of waiting, I emailed again asking when I would be getting a phone call, he emailed back telling me he was on the road. (Well no shit, wasn't that the point of giving my phone number?)
In short, I don't see this one going anywhere - the owner isn't making much effort to make the sale.
Moving on....
The Search Continues
Bus #3 1992 Thomas Safe-T Liner, Rear Engine, Diesel, Kamloops BC.
This one sounds great! Auto Transmission, air door, air brakes, low milage. Also on that auction site - but listed for 11 days??? What the hell? I watched this on day one, it jumped from 50 cents (auctions start at 0) to $777.77 day one. Day 2, nothing, day 3 (today) it is at $1000.00.
If its anything like the last one it will sit for a while at one price, but the last day it will jump Hundreds of dollars in seconds. I see this unit selling for around $6000.00 or more.
Again, moving on....
