Saturday, Feb 17, 2007 at 02:49
Just some facts you need to factor into your position:
People sell for all kinds of reason. 45 have gotten second vans, (just started counting 3 years ago) 45 have sold primarily because they wanted a larger van. But some sold because they wanted an updated van. All but two we know of sold for a profit...
People often call me to find out where to sell their vans, so I get the reasons.... They include some of the following:
Change of Business or Station condition back home, forcing them to short cut their plans and return to manage affairs.. Often they come back later for another van once it is straightened out...
Change of health (most unfortunate, but does rank up there).
Change of layout or size requirements (usually wanting larger one out of 45 wanted smaller, and a few want a major change in layout)....
Offered a position overseas, (yes happens and they would rather sell and replace it on their return than store it).
Some have a Sabbatical year off, some are here on a year visa, many reasons like that.
And then of course some just want another new one and updated model with all the latest toys and technology and equipment. I have them say: "When they can sell their old one for a profit..... Why not????"
Now, what does this tell you about quality? We have, according to reports from our Clients, the highest resale value of any caravan in Australia... And, right now we have an EXTREMELY low inventory of second hand even available... Last month zero, with 3000 plus in the Caravan Trader no Bushtrackers... And this month only 3???? With as many as we have built I would expect sort of 20-25 for sale at any one time.. But no..
You can add all of that up for yourself. It speaks for itself, and while there are not guarantees for the future, it does not get much better than this... But like I said, there are obviously no guarantees for the future, do what you can afford. If it is a financial stretch for you, possibly you should consider alternatives... No offense, just trying to give you the analysis of the 1000 I see coming through here.. I will tell you this, our so called Competitors are the same money and there is only one Number One...
Bushtracker
Regards, from da lone Ranger... duh..!
AnswerID:
570657
Follow Up By:- Saturday, Feb 17, 2007 at 03:17
Saturday, Feb 17, 2007 at 03:17
Hi Ranger,
Thank you for the response. Ah, the uncertainty factor and I agree this makes resale value pretty important. I'd say if you are still working then the van purchase will be based on totally different assumptions to when you become unshackled and travel regularly. The quality just seems to have a different emphasis when you travel a lot compared to travelling a couple of weeks each year.
Not arguing with either the quality or resale here but, I say to the bride lets get air bag suspension she says - that's a lot of dough. My response is, that it is kinder on the goods, lighter, more durable - not we'll get a better resale. See what I mean?
I'll concede it is a moot point but it is like buying something based just on a favourable tax treatment - hardly sound, because it can change in the future. I know it was a nonsense question but I wanted to see why others make the choices they make as I am still wanting to get it right for 20 years.
Kind regards
FollowupID:
847254
Follow Up By: Bushtracker - Thursday, Feb 22, 2007 at 19:10
Thursday, Feb 22, 2007 at 19:10
Beatit,
One more thought, on the side of Bride... Save the money and do not get the Air Bag Suspension... In all fairness, yes it rides better. But in severe off-road conditions it has proven to be more maintenance intensive than most thought. We will still build it, if you are fixed on that idea. But I do not have it on my own van...
It requires that you travel to the heat of the shocks, not too fast over the corrugation, and it is not very forgiving if you get too much rebound. Most people just do not want to have to pay that much attention to their suspension, it is not the drive hard and just get there sort of equipment. Rebounding, shock heat (shock fade), potential threat of brush and hardwood staking of the light airbags and lines; that sort of maintenance is not what most people want to deal with. You can do it, but I would say save the money.
The system on caravans is just too light of gear. It is not the 20 tonne thick airbags of Road Trains....
Just a thought... Regards, Ranger
FollowupID:
847255
