2010 19' Bambi. What's a fair offer to make?

[2Rhinos]

Looking at a 2010 "Dimple Darling" and need to know what a fair price might be. Everything in working order, just took a slight beating in a hail storm.

[Shiny16]

Can you find a list value without all the damage? If you can I’d say that minus 1500 per damaged segment might be a good start.

[Boxite]

I’m trying to imagine what Shiny16 is using for a comparison to allow only $1500 for the hail damage.
Three years ago our 2008 Bambi (22’FB) was similarly damaged. We had it insured for $30K. The repair estimate was $24K+ and insurance totalled it, and we kept it as a salvaged trailer. We were written a check for the difference, essentially buying our own trailer for $8K and ins writing us a check for $22K.

In other words, our dimpled trailer is completely useful and not in any meaningful way damaged other than cosmetically. It’s worth a lot more to us as a travel trailer than $8K .... but I think you should keep in mind that the seller of this 2010 19’ Bambi has already been paid for the majority of the value of that trailer.
Using a “blue book” guide to determine a comparable value and subtracting $1500 is not anywhere near correct, IMO.
I’d offer them $20K less than what the bluebook suggests and negotiate from there.

[2Rhinos]

Boxite,
Thanks for the useful information (from a fellow Texan that just relocated to Scottsdale).
I am bidding on this trailer and I believe the situation is just as you described.
The auction has a "reserve price" that hasn't been met and the current bid is approx $18K.
I own 2 vintage AS, 1970 & 1974 27' Overlanders that I've done shell-off restorations on, so I am very familiar with what a good trailer looks like. This one is in very good condition, actually it looks barely used. I don't want to overpay, but I also don't want to miss out on a good one. It looks like a low/high retail would be: $21k-$25K for a trailer without hail damage. So, what ya think?

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by Boxite

I’m trying to imagine what Shiny16 is using for a comparison to allow only $1500 for the hail damage.
Three years ago our 2008 Bambi (22’FB) was similarly damaged. We had it insured for $30K. The repair estimate was $24K+ and insurance totalled it, and we kept it as a salvaged trailer. We were written a check for the difference, essentially buying our own trailer for $8K and ins writing us a check for $22K.

In other words, our dimpled trailer is completely useful and not in any meaningful way damaged other than cosmetically. It’s worth a lot more to us as a travel trailer than $8K .... but I think you should keep in mind that the seller of this 2010 19’ Bambi has already been paid for the majority of the value of that trailer.
Using a “blue book” guide to determine a comparable value and subtracting $1500 is not anywhere near correct, IMO.
I’d offer them $20K less than what the bluebook suggests and negotiate from there.

You may want read my post again and you will see your response in regard to my post is no where near correct.

[Shiny16]

Dealers charge about 1500 to replace a segment. Those pictures show 3 damaged segment. There are probably more but hard to tell from the photos. The 18k bid is the max I would go if the damage is limited to just 3 and everything else is as advertised. Also check to see if it’s a salvage title.

[2Rhinos]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

Dealers charge about 1500 to replace a segment. Those pictures show 3 damaged segment. There are probably more but hard to tell from the photos. The 18k bid is the max I would go if the damage is limited to just 3 and everything else is as advertised. Also check to see if it’s a salvage title.

Shiny16,
Thanks for the comments.
I did not have the opportunity to observe the entire roof, but expect the same damage throughout. The auction states "clear title" not "salvage". Looks like the seller is asking a reserve price that may be unreasonable. I'll keep ya'll posted as the auction ends today.

[Brentsdeal]

Originally Posted by 2Rhinos

Boxite,
Thanks for the useful information (from a fellow Texan that just relocated to Scottsdale).
I am bidding on this trailer and I believe the situation is just as you described.
The auction has a "reserve price" that hasn't been met and the current bid is approx $18K.
I own 2 vintage AS, 1970 & 1974 27' Overlanders that I've done shell-off restorations on, so I am very familiar with what a good trailer looks like. This one is in very good condition, actually it looks barely used. I don't want to overpay, but I also don't want to miss out on a good one. It looks like a low/high retail would be: $21k-$25K for a trailer without hail damage. So, what ya think?

Keep in mind it becomes “just” a trailer not a Airstream once it has that damage and most likely you’ll end up with a salvage title

[2Rhinos]

Originally Posted by Brentsdeal

Keep in mind it becomes “just” a trailer not a Airstream once it has that damage and most likely you’ll end up with a salvage title

Brentsdeal,
According to the listing, it has "clear title".

[Sailor12]

This situation is the reason I don’t and will not own another Airstream. Airstream trailers are not worth the exorbitant price, because they are fragile, constructed wIth average workmanship and shoddy components. Exterior repairs are out of sight in terms of cost. There are cheaper and better trailers made.
I know many Airstream owners will take issue with my opinion. Unless you have lots of money don’t buy.

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by 2Rhinos

Shiny16,
Thanks for the comments.
I did not have the opportunity to observe the entire roof, but expect the same damage throughout. The auction states "clear title" not "salvage". Looks like the seller is asking a reserve price that may be unreasonable. I'll keep ya'll posted as the auction ends today.

Good luck!

[2Rhinos]

Well, I am not the new owner of the "Dimple Darling"!
I bid up to a level that I felt was reasonable, but apparently there were others that felt it was worth a lot more than I did.
Final sales price: $25,550 plus TTL
Too rich for my blood....
Oh well, there's always another one out there.

[Shiny16]

I think that’s way more then I’d be comfortable with.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by Sailor12

This situation is the reason I don’t and will not own another Airstream. Airstream trailers are not worth the exorbitant price, because they are fragile, constructed wIth average workmanship and shoddy components. Exterior repairs are out of sight in terms of cost. There are cheaper and better trailers made.
I know many Airstream owners will take issue with my opinion. Unless you have lots of money don’t buy.

I don't really have any issue with your opinion, I just wonder why you are here.

[Boxite]

Originally Posted by 2Rhinos

Brentsdeal,
According to the listing, it has "clear title".

I have had autos “totalled” and kept one with a “salvage” title. But as far as Airstream trailers go.... it’s not the same.

My airstream title NEVER CHANGED HANDS when I accepted the insurance settlement and therefore it still has a CLEAR TITLE.

So the posters who are attempting to disparage the trailer as having a “salvage” title are unknowledgeable regarding that.

It’s good that you “lost” that bid. I think you “won”. That is far too much to pay for that trailer.

I too wonder why Sailor12 is here if he doesn’t like Airstreams.

Airstreams are no different than most other travel trailers... they ALL are damaged in hail-storms. The difference is that Airstreams are still useful afterwards while many of the other brands are destroyed beyond use or value. The hailstorm in which ours was damaged occurred in a Colorado Springs RV park in the summer of ‘18. The very expensive motorhome next to us could not be driven out of the park because of it’s roof-damage that left gaping holes and water damage inside. The Jayco on the other side fell-apart, leaning like a parallelogram on it’s frame. The Casita parked by the pool ended up with it’s seam split at the window-frame and the lap-dog had it’s paw stuck in it until the mgmnt brought a reciprocating saw to open the split.
My wife and I spent the next two months in our Airstream completing our vacation thru Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, and back to Texas. The only repair work we did was to replace two panels where I had backed it into a cottonwood tree in Canyonlands NP while boondocking the month after the hailstorm. (Those two upper/rear panels were the same ones in the picture and they did not cost $1500 ea to replace...they cost $6800... by an experienced Airstream repair shop whose proprietor is also president of a local AS unit, so the other estimate is not accurate in our experience.).
We still have the pleasure of using our little 22’Sport and no longer disturbed in the least for it’s “character” and still enjoy it very much.
See ya’ on the road!

[PB_NB]

Originally Posted by 2Rhinos

Well, I am not the new owner of the "Dimple Darling"!
I bid up to a level that I felt was reasonable, but apparently there were others that felt it was worth a lot more than I did.
Final sales price: $25,550 plus TTL
Too rich for my blood....
Oh well, there's always another one out there.

This looks like a Caravel trim level. Perhaps that's why the selling price went a bit higher.

I like the dimpled look, it tells a story about the trailer's travels. So long as there are no holes in the aluminum sheet.

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by Boxite

I have had autos “totalled” and kept one with a “salvage” title. But as far as Airstream trailers go.... it’s not the same.

My airstream title NEVER CHANGED HANDS when I accepted the insurance settlement and therefore it still has a CLEAR TITLE.

So the posters who are attempting to disparage the trailer as having a “salvage” title are unknowledgeable regarding that.

It’s good that you “lost” that bid. I think you “won”. That is far too much to pay for that trailer.

I too wonder why Sailor12 is here if he doesn’t like Airstreams.

Airstreams are no different than most other travel trailers... they ALL are damaged in hail-storms. The difference is that Airstreams are still useful afterwards while many of the other brands are destroyed beyond use or value. The hailstorm in which ours was damaged occurred in a Colorado Springs RV park in the summer of ‘18. The very expensive motorhome next to us could not be driven out of the park because of it’s roof-damage that left gaping holes and water damage inside. The Jayco on the other side fell-apart, leaning like a parallelogram on it’s frame. The Casita parked by the pool ended up with it’s seam split at the window-frame and the lap-dog had it’s paw stuck in it until the mgmnt brought a reciprocating saw to open the split.
My wife and I spent the next two months in our Airstream completing our vacation thru Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, and back to Texas. The only repair work we did was to replace two panels where I had backed it into a cottonwood tree in Canyonlands NP while boondocking the month after the hailstorm. (Those two upper/rear panels were the same ones in the picture and they did not cost $1500 ea to replace...they cost $6800... by an experienced Airstream repair shop whose proprietor is also president of a local AS unit, so the other estimate is not accurate in our experience.).
We still have the pleasure of using our little 22’Sport and no longer disturbed in the least for it’s “character” and still enjoy it very much.
See ya’ on the road!

2 years ago I backed into a small tree. 3 panels were replaced by Colonial Airstream at approximately 1500 each. I pretty sure Colonial has a experienced shop. I’m not sure if the owner holds any office in the local Airstream club though.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

At least from "chat" with various people, the used trailer market is going nuts right now. People have decided they need to get one if they are going to be out this summer. I'd suggest (if that's true) that "good deals" on any used RV are going to be few and far between for a couple months.

Bob

[GaryRI]

Was in tip top condition. Sold it on consignment thru a TT dealer in Bandera. Sale price $23,000. My sales person said their sales activity right now is 2-4X what is normal.
I also just bought a 2014 22' Bambi Sport that has a pretty bad scrape on the left rear lower corner panel. The seller had a quote to repair from the Airstream dealer in New Hampshire for $2000. I considered having it fixed but the unit is still waterproof so I am going to use it as is.
Re: hail
I intend to use my Airstream in Texas in winter and leave it there the rest of the year. Don't think I will do that. I live in coastal Rhode Island. Hail isn't the issue here that it is in Texas

[Copperdan]

Hi, I also bid on the airstream in AZ. I was Outdoors101. I gave up too. I had a stop point at 22k and I kept going until 24k. It was addicting. lol.
After reading this thread I’m glad I was bid out.
It is really hard finding one in my price range, especially with all the demand.
Good luck on your search.