Buying from afar...

[Plan4Travel]

Hi, new member today. Have been following E-Bay and dealers all over the country, to get an idea of prices. However, the idea of buying a trailer on E-Bay is daunting to me. I have read in other sections of the forum that you should spend hours going over the trailer and also spend a night in it to make sure it all works, not signing papers till all is OK. The logistics of this - especially if one bids on E- Bay - seem impossible.

I saw a trailer I liked at a CA dealer's web site (I live in New Mexico), and just wonder how one buys long distance. I do see there are people who will go out and inspect listed on this web site, which is great. But if that was the case, would you then buy on the inspector's say so?

Also, we are planning on buying a tow vehicle after the trailer so we get something appropriate. It's not like we can drive to our local dealer (we have one 20 miles from us) and pick it up.

So logistics advice is what I am seeking.

Thanks to all.

Nancy

PS - we like the 23' L lounge, and have a "buy" window now to next April or May. We do need to find a used one.

[Bluto]

There is a Classified Section on the top of the page you can click on to view some being sold from people on this forum. This will at least give you a starting point and a price range.
Another thing you can do is contact an Airstream dealer and ask them to keep a look out for someone trading a nice unit in or selling one thru them on consignment. Have them call you when one arrives at their dealership. If it is a really nice trailer it will usually sell in a couple of days, so be ready to travel to the dealership you ask to do this service for you. If you call several dealerships and ask them to keep you in mind your chances might be a little better of finding what you want.
I have never bought one long distance so I can't help you there. There is a dealer about 35 miles from where I live and several in other parts of Texas.
People seem to find some nice slightly used units in the Arizona area. At least in that state hail damaged or flooded units should be less likely.

[Jezibels]

Hi Nancy!

We were initially looking for a pop up, then a new Airstream, then after viewing them, both online and in person we fell in love with a Vintage model. It took us one year plus of searching everyday. We found ours many many miles (1100 round trip) away and it was worth every mile, the trip was an excellent adventure in itself. We put the word out we were looking for an inspector on this website to go and look for us, we were contacted by someone who had first hand knowledge of the unit and had given us a good idea of how nice it was. We then decided after talking to the sellers on the phone that it was worth the trip. It was just meant to be that we would find her, and we are still in the "honeymoon" stage. I would recommend you see the unit in person before you purchase.

Check out this thread:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...per-57939.html

[Mikethefixit]

Nancy
If you cannot REACH OUT and TOUCH the Unit in the Ebay add in a days drive. FORGET IT. As far as dealers,Id trust em about as far as I can see em. Not only are there Classifieds here,but there are also VOLUNTEER inspectors that will go out and inspect for you and let you know whether is safe to travel across country to do a personal inspection. Ours was on ebay and the classifieds here. We lucked out it was less than a 100 miles each way so we were able to see it first hand.
GOOD LUCK with your search.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Plan4Travel

Hi, new member today. Have been following E-Bay and dealers all over the country, to get an idea of prices. However, the idea of buying a trailer on E-Bay is daunting to me. I have read in other sections of the forum that you should spend hours going over the trailer and also spend a night in it to make sure it all works, not signing papers till all is OK. The logistics of this - especially if one bids on E- Bay - seem impossible.

I saw a trailer I liked at a CA dealer's web site (I live in New Mexico), and just wonder how one buys long distance. I do see there are people who will go out and inspect listed on this web site, which is great. But if that was the case, would you then buy on the inspector's say so?

Also, we are planning on buying a tow vehicle after the trailer so we get something appropriate. It's not like we can drive to our local dealer (we have one 20 miles from us) and pick it up.

So logistics advice is what I am seeking.

Thanks to all.

Nancy

PS - we like the 23' L lounge, and have a "buy" window now to next April or May. We do need to find a used one.

Hi, this could be a gamble, especially sight unseen. A volunteer inspector would be a lot better than no inspector. I bought my trailer from out of state, sight unseen, but I bought it from an Airstream dealer and it was a new trailer. It was in line for production when we bought it, so nobody saw it for months. Would I go on an inspectors advice? I think most dealers or sellers tend to paint a prettier picture than I would if I inspected one for somebody, but I would only be able to look things over. No wheels would be pulled, no appliances would be tested, and the trailer would not be towed. So some trust would have to be with your inspector and/or seller.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

There are more Airstreams in your state than anywhere I have ever been. You cannot find something local to you? I know New Mexicans do not use for sale signs much, so just go knock on some doors. You might meet some fine people that way.

[ebair]

I had good luck searching the online (not ebay (lots of scams)) and found a nice unit (see link)
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f306...one-41844.html
Be prepared to inspect or have it inspected and to move quickly as good units dont last.
The classifieds here are a good place to educate yourself on price and condition
Best of luck

[Plan4Travel]

Thanks for all the advice. Yes, I think closer is better. I have contacted the one inspector that came up in NM, to see how far he travels. Maybe people do well with E-Bay, but I would not be comfortable buying unless it was close enough to see first.

Will let you all know when we find something. I have been following the Classifieds here, also.

Nancy

[ZoominC6]

Smart decision Nancy. Good luck with your search.

[az-streamer]

plan4travel -

as you are finding out, most of us AS owners would never buy an AS unless we can poke, touch and kick it first.

my wife found ours on-line and flew across country to inspect it before we bought it. we then drove across country [AZ - MA] to pick it up and drive home again.

at the same time we bought a new TV to pull it.

good luck on your search!

az-streamer

[Oly10]

I bought my 70 Overlander on Ebay about 6 weeks ago. I trusted the pictures and the sellers word about any problems. Then I drove 600 miles to pick it up. I didn't get burned, but I found out the PO didn't know much about the AS because he had never camped in it, and had only owned it for 6 Mos. I wouldn't buy one I (or someone trusted ) hadn't looked at personally. Dale

[Lucy815]

Welcome to the most sage advice arena for all things Airstream, plus!! I can't think of another website which offers independent volunteers who will inspect a unit for you and offer recommendations if you ask first; that alone is worth its weight in gold!! My husband and I searched, read, asked questions and kicked many, many tires before we bought our 30' model. In fact, today we sold our Excella through AirForums, and now we begin a new search. Best of luck to you, and do enjoy the journey.