With the price of fuel going up by leaps and bounds, it may be a good idea to set a boundary for "absolutely free" inspections, of say, within 10 miles of your home. Anything over that, even (at the time I write this) $.15/mile will help defray the high cost of fuel.
Also, obviously someone took advantage of Roger's free service to make a profit, which is not in the spirit behind volunteer inspections.
I'll see if I can find out who currently has control of the volunteer list, and ask them to remove Roger from it, or at the very least make his "inspection area" a lot smaller.
What do you say Rog, within 10 miles for a private purchaser only, or drop you from the list altogether?
...............Rog , I couldn't agree more ! If , the trailer is maybe five miles away I'd be willing to pay you a minimum of 50 bucks just to take a look . Why shouldn't an airstreamer who has valuable knowledge be compensated for their time and effort ? Some folks are just cheap and try to turn their nickles into quarters by laying them on the railroad tracks . r66
What do you say Rog, within 10 miles for a private purchaser only, or drop you from the list altogether?
Terry, I've agreed to do an inspection tomorrow on a trailer 25 miles away. I take these inspections seriously. I check everything from stem to stern and from tires to tv antenna. I crawl underneath to look at the torsion arm angles and I take lots of photos. An average inspection takes about 1 hour plus driving time plus the time to handle the correspondence.
Four of the 6 people who have asked me for inspections joined the forums just to ask for the freebie inspection, then were not heard from again after they got their freebie. They conveniently overlooked the line at the bottom of the list which says "Please offer to reimburse for expenses. Suggested rate is $0.30 per mile". That's just gas money. The inspection is still free, as it should be.
What really bugs me is not the lack of payment, it's the lack of gratitude. Since I'm the only volunteer inspector in my area, I'm willing to continue the inspections but only on a "pay per play" basis for trailers in my immediate area (within 25 miles) and assurance that the requester is serious about finding an Airstream trailer for personal use. No more inspections at any price for anyone looking to profit from my time. Once burned, twice learned!
Nuff said, let's all get out and enjoy our Airstream adventures.
__________________ Rog
May you camp where wind won’t hit you, where snakes won’t bite and bears won’t git you.
I don't blame you there.That would make me mad.Theres not alot around here.I wished i had someone that knew what to look for before we bought ours.If your being ask to look at trailer so they can just resell them.I would want a cut of it too .If i would even go look at it at all.There are some people who try to get something for nothing and am sorry to hear you had some run ins with a few of them...I would never ask someone to do anything for free.Even if they say no just gas i give them some extra anyway...I figure if there nice enough to help me then ill return the fav.
What really bugs me is not the lack of payment, it's the lack of gratitude.
I could not agree more. The American philosopher William James (1842-1910), said "The deepest principle in human nature is the desire to be appreciated." I believe he was, and is, correct. I first came across this quotation while reading one of the sixteen million copies of Dale Carnegie's "How to win friends and influence people", first published in 1937. www.abebooks has many copies for under four dollars, and I'd like to present a copy to each of the offenders. I view it as one of the most important books I have read.
The karma system on this forum reflects the importance of this principle. A kind word of thanks for a carefully considered post encourages me to continue what, on selfish consideration, could be thought to be a pointless activity.
Rog has my sympathy.
Nick.
__________________
Nick Crowhurst, Excella 25 1988, Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. England in summer, USA in winter.
"The price of freedom is eternal maintenance."
There is an AS on e-bay that we'd like to have someone take a look at for us -- A '56 Safari that my wife is ready to buy now! I didn't find any active members on the thread so I'm spreading an all points "HELP". Thanks.
Following a thread from awhile ago, I'm wondering if there's anyone willing to check out my 1969 International? I've actually already purchased it, and my main question is about the water system. I'm really not very savvy myself yet, and the previous owner didn't really use the trailer, so didn't know about the water system. If there's anyone around willing to take a quick look, it would be much appreciated!
As I'm in the hunt for one myself right now, I've looked at a half dozen trailers around Atlanta in the last few weeks. By no means a pro, but I'm willing to help check'em out in and around ATL....just keep in mind I'm looking too
I have found a TV in Waterbury, CT, but hesitate to buy it without someone saying something favorable about the dealer, having delt with them, or looking at it, just to see obvious flaws. The salesman said it is very nice, in the condition that a 2005 with 21,000 miles on it should be. That is what has me concerned. We have a 2005 with 16,000 miles that is nearly perfect.
A couple of months ago I was looking at one on Ebay for sale by an auto dealer. Everything was supposed to be in very good condition. Luckily, I asked my stepson to take a look at it. It had obviously been repainted and the paint was even bubbling and rust was showing thru.
I have found a TV in Waterbury, CT, but hesitate to buy it without someone saying something favorable about the dealer, having delt with them, or looking at it, just to see obvious flaws. The salesman said it is very nice, in the condition that a 2005 with 21,000 miles on it should be. That is what has me concerned. We have a 2005 with 16,000 miles that is nearly perfect.
A couple of months ago I was looking at one on Ebay for sale by an auto dealer. Everything was supposed to be in very good condition. Luckily, I asked my stepson to take a look at it. It had obviously been repainted and the paint was even bubbling and rust was showing thru.
Thanks!
Pat
Greetings Pat-
I live in Bethel, CT about 30 minutes +/- from Waterbury. Who is the dealer you have been talking with?
Rick
__________________ J. Rick Cipot Sandi Gould NEUNew England Unit Airstream Life Magazine WBCCI #3411 AIR #17099 2009 Silverado 2500HD 2004 22' Safari 1960 24' Tradewind
Hi all! Wondering if anyone out there would be able to inspect a trailer for me in Lisbon, NH? Just needs mainly a stuctural inspection as it is gutted on the inside!
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