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remcolent · 11-11-2006, 04:06 PM

OK you bought a AS but did not look good enough.
You paid the price for what should be a decent trailor.
But when you got it home it turned out to be a real nightmare.
Erverything that can be wrong with it is wrong.
So they realy got you.
What would you do.
Be honest and take your lose and sell for a mutch lower price than what you paid for it.
Or forget to mention the bad parts and try to get your money back.
If the 2nd option is what you do would you list it here of go for something like Ebay?.

Ken J · 11-11-2006, 04:49 PM

Whats wrong with the trailer - its all fixable....

ABRACADABRA · 11-11-2006, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remcolent

What would you do if you bought a wreck

Laissez-faire ... Ebay it ... & get the cash ...

hendrie42 · 11-11-2006, 05:45 PM

ones man wreck is another mans treasure-----------

RedSHED · 11-11-2006, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remcolent

Be honest and take your lose and sell for a mutch lower price than what you paid for it.
Or forget to mention the bad parts and try to get your money back.
If the 2nd option is what you do would you list it here of go for something like Ebay?.

You're kidding, right?

Goin camping · 11-11-2006, 07:26 PM

I'd swear and have a drink and then start fixing it.

SafeHarbor · 11-11-2006, 08:06 PM

Hi, Remcolent,

You can buy a REALLY nice Airstream and have every major appliance lay down and die in the first year. That racks up some frightening funds, but was that a judgement that missed? No, it's just an OLD trailer.

I think the best answer is either

*keep it and fix it into what YOU want and never let it go

or
* sell it, but be honest and describe it as a fixer-upper. There are folks out there who WANT fixer-uppers and not everybody wants to steal it from you. If somebody names a figure that's just fantasy, say, "No, thanks." If they really want it, you'll soon know - they'll be back knocking, "Hello.". If they're fantasy-shopping, hope that they eventually get just what they deserve, but don't be THEIR victim.

Lamar

FreshAir · 11-11-2006, 10:01 PM

We bought our '66 Tradewind in April. I had no illusions that this OLD trailer wouldn't need work. Well it does need more than I hoped. But nothing structual just leaks (plumbing) and failing pumps and electrical. I have bought beautiful classic cars and then find myself under the hood more than I wanted. I myself have had neck, back and 2 hips replacement surgeries. I love my vintage convertible, I love my vintage Airstream and I love old ME.
Neil

wingfoot321 · 11-11-2006, 10:05 PM

What are some of the items you are seeing?

Do you have a good frame, how is the outside metal, windows leaking, other leaks, axles sagging, etc.

Ken J. is right. It is all fixable.

You should see some of the old trailers that come to our rallies. A lot of people do just enough to keep them on the road.

Mine is an 87. I spend about a 1000 per year on it. I have a punch list that I am working my way thru since 2003. Previous owner did mostly cosmetic items and I am doing mostly mechanical items.

Bob Thompson · 11-11-2006, 10:44 PM

Sometimes, fixing them up is part of the journey! It's a chance to hone your skills, and make it better than you ever thought it could be. When we bought our trailer it was 7 years old and our first trip with it generated a list of things needing fixing. The list was 56 items long! And there were no "gimme's"; every item was serious, like "remove original shower door and build a new one that actually works." Or, "the toilet is so tall it is uncomfortable to use because my feet dangle, so rebuild the platform, lowering the toilet 3". You get the idea. All 56 items are now done as well as a few more and we love the ease with which we can travel with the trailer.

As "goin Campin" says, swear, have a drink, then roll up your sleeves and make it into something fantastic!

Poprivet · 11-11-2006, 11:07 PM

Not knowing what the list of items consists of or how handy you are with doing your own repairs, I think I would go ahead and fix it up. The end result would depend on your decision of what to do with it after the repairs are completed. Part of the fun of "Airstreaming" is the repair and modification of your unit.

Jim & Susan · 11-11-2006, 11:13 PM

Rem, give us a few details about what is wrong. Maybe include a few pictures. Everything that is broken can be fixed and I promise you, somebody on Airstreamforums has already fixed it!

As to your original question, I would keep the camper and fix it, not sell it and try to purchase another one. However, I may be looking at things a bit differently than you. That is what I wanted when I bought my trailer--A camper that I could take apart and rebuild the way that Susan and I wanted.

Let us know how it's going for you.

Jim

CaddyGrn · 11-11-2006, 11:40 PM

We would be tempted to repair it...if just too far gone, then we might part it out. I imagine one could get their money back by cleaning up what there is and selling off pieces. If one paid much to much for the trailer and just didn't know... do what feels right. Take your losses and go on, or repair the trailer!

Mrs. NorCal Bambi (traveling in S Tardis)

ayresdream · 11-11-2006, 11:49 PM

We bought our used Airstream at a dealership, so although we paid a lot more than we would privately, we ensured that it was checked over for safety, and that everything worked the way we wanted it. (Even got them to change the light bulb in the fridge before we took delivery).

Our poor baby's starting to show her age a bit (what does 35 years add up to in trailer years?) so we've accepted that she will need a bit of TLC occassionally (this year we had the step replaced, new air conditioner), and I'm in the process of replacing the gaucho with a dinette, since that fits our lifestyle better.

My wife and I both agree that if we won the lottery tomorrow, we would get a full restoration and still consider ourselves ahead.

muddy_hollow · 11-12-2006, 04:51 AM

Emmm, it's more than 30 years old what did you expect?

Have a drink, figure out what can be re-used and start working out a plan to fix it and use it along the way.

No one ever said Airstreaming was cheap. Even the new ones need repairs.

If you paid too much, in your opinion, chalk it up to a life lesson and be more thorough on your next airstream purchase. But, don't peddle it on ebay as something it is not.

asta2 · 11-12-2006, 06:01 AM

By most people's definition I just bought one!

But just give me some time...

Sean

65overlander · 11-12-2006, 06:14 AM

although i did not drastically overpay, i did not get what i thought i was getting. but, that was my problem for not knowing how to fully inspect it before closing the deal. i'm now in the process of doing what's right- fixing it up myself. why would you even consider passing it on to someone else without disclosure since you know there are things wrong? selling something "as is/where is" when you can fill in the blanks will certainly come around. guess that's why they say buying your first a/s is just necessary prep for your acquiring your second one. "what would wally do?"

overlander63 · 11-12-2006, 07:01 AM

My definition of a "fair deal":
If both the buyer and seller thought they got taken, it was a fair deal...
If it's the tri-axle you just bought, has the trailer left the States yet? Is it in Europe? That would also make a difference as to what I would do with it. Depending on what was wrong with it, if it was still here, I may try to sell it here, and save the transportation charges getting a questionable trailer sent to Europe. If it's already there, I would give more effort to repairing it, because you will probably never get the extra transportation expense back out of the trailer.

Pschoerrn · 11-12-2006, 09:17 AM

Remco,

you scare me... What is wrong with your new Trailer?? It looked so good on the pics... Give us a list of what is wrong and if you keep it and need a helping hand from a fellow Airstreamer let me know! It is just a 5 hours drive!!

BTW: We had some visitors from the Netherlands on the Airfield in Stendal yesterday and they will hold the 2007 Nationals in Gliderflying there in May! 60 Planes and about 70 to 80 Pilots! That will be a great and cool event!!

Bjoern

safari57 · 11-12-2006, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remcolent

OK you bought a AS but did not look good enough.
You paid the price for what should be a decent trailor.
But when you got it home it turned out to be a real nightmare.
Erverything that can be wrong with it is wrong.
So they realy got you.
What would you do.
Be honest and take your lose and sell for a mutch lower price than what you paid for it.
Or forget to mention the bad parts and try to get your money back.
If the 2nd option is what you do would you list it here of go for something like Ebay?.

Rem = I can only say that many of the folks I've seen who have joined this forum and bought an Airstream that turned out to be misrepresented have been extremely disappointed in themselves - and the seller for not being straight up with them and it has caused a lot of heartache, distrust, and for some caused them to move on to some other brand when they finally get out from under what could have been a long and happy relationship with their Airstream. I could not sell something that was less than what I indicated it was. I may take a hit on what I paid versus what it turns out it's truly worth but that's my issue, not the people buying it from me who are trusting me to be straight up with them. My approach when I've purchased a car or truck that turns out to be less than I was told is to properly assess what it is I have, what will it take to fix it, can I do it or afford to have it done if I cannot, and then make a keep or sell decision. I've not necessarily had to take a loss when reselling, but I've also been very straight up with the buyers and they appreciate that a lot. If you bought it right to start with you should be able to either break even or get close. Good luck and sorry to hear that this one turned out to be a disappointment.

Barry