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escapeez · 08-19-2002, 11:40 PM

Hello gentle-people,

My husband and I are <>this close to buying our first Airstream...well, our first trailer ever!

Thing is this. We went to our Credit Union to see about getting a loan on the vehicle but it is older than 1977 and so is not listed in the NADA book. They have no way to put a value on it and have told us to get the trailer appraised.

We need to find someone in the Midwest who does this - does anyone know where to go? How to move forward?

We are in Portland, OR, the trailer is in Indiana. Time is of the essence.

If you have any info we would GREATLY appreciate it.

Andrea & Jai

InsideOut · 08-20-2002, 01:01 AM

The Airstream manufacturing plant is in Jackson Center, Ohio which is close to the eastern Indiana border. They may have service people that could look at it if it were brought there...probably not an appraisal, but an estimate of what you could expect in the way of repairs...

They may also have a recommendation of who does appraisals in the area...just a thought ~

Their phone # is (937) 596-6111

Good luck!

Shari

P.S. Our credit Union just took our word on the value, we did show them similar units for sale that had closed on ebay & other online sales for comparison...but they didn't require it.

escapeez · 08-20-2002, 01:17 AM

Your reply is soooo appreciated, we're going to call out there tomorrow and find out what they know.

Honestly, I couldn't believe our CU didn't just take ours on this one - but then again some folks don't know what we're dealing with here.

Andrea

InsideOut · 08-20-2002, 09:53 AM

This is just your first lesson (of many to come!) for becoming very creative in tracking things down for your "baby"...that's half the fun, nothing comes easy! Everything is a quest ~

The challenge is in keeping everything in perspective & having fun along the way...

Keep us posted!

Shari

Pick · 08-20-2002, 08:24 PM

Just a thought: If you have a credit card with enough of a cash advance limit, use that, then get a bill consolidation loan from the credit union??

InsideOut · 08-20-2002, 09:02 PM

Be afraid...be very afraid!

Shari

P.S. You think alot like me!

pjtaia · 08-20-2002, 10:16 PM

Re: Prices:

Try this: http://www.vintageairstream.com/rr_t...condition.html

They give descriptions of conditions and estimates based upon age and size. I found it very helpful...

I put mine (1975 Overlander) on the credit card...

InsideOut · 08-20-2002, 10:59 PM

We once put a down payment for a Mercedes on a credit card...scary!

Shari

escapeez · 08-21-2002, 02:50 AM

We have been thinking just like you people! omg....

That is certainly something we've been tossing around. This trailer is a real sweety - a definite 'gut' feeling about it........

Will let you know how it all goes. Keep those ideas coming!

Andrea

Jim Clark · 08-21-2002, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by InsideOut
We once put a down payment for a Mercedes on a credit card...scary!

Shari

I did the same with my truck. I offered a dealer to buy a new RV with my CC but he didn't want any part of it, which is why I now have a Airstream. I had the credit limit and didn't feel like wasting time dealing with a finace company or bank. He lost the sale. He was DUMB.

I bought my Airstream trailer using a Credit Card check washed through my bank. The amount wasn't worth going to bank for a loan. I wrote the CC check to my account and mailed the seller a personnel check. I always felt that if the trailer was grossly misrepresented I could try to have the Feds go after him for mail fraud. I did buy over the internet using pictures for a guide. It worked out ok but probably wouldn't do it again with out more of a personnel inspection.

escapeez · 08-21-2002, 12:25 PM

How many of you have bought sight unseen and been happy in the end?

I must admit I feel really comfortable with the owners of the trailer, having talked to them several times on the phone now and many emails between, pics and so forth.

It does seem that the trailer is in really good condition and I have one of those 'gut' feelings about it - but at the same time it's a little scary.

Any thoughts on this one?

Andrea

uwe · 08-21-2002, 12:38 PM

Hi Andrea,

I would be careful with sight unseen things, unless it's a bowling ball.
I spent 2 hours or more inspecting my trailer before buying it, and still ran into all sorts of small hidden problems that the owner herself probably did not even know about.
The price must be right for this kind of transaction, in my humble opinion.

thenewkid64 · 08-21-2002, 12:58 PM

My wife and I flew to Ohio to look at a motorhome that was described to me as needing a little work. My plan was to buy it and drive it home. I had seen a photo of the exterior and the owner said that the interior had been "redone" a year or so ago. The price was right(read low) so off we go. When we got there it was a basket case that is by now probly in a boneyard. We expected a few things to be wrong with it but not everything to be wrong with it. Needless to say we got back on the plane and came home empty handed. There is nothing like seeing it in person. The trip cost me close to a thousand dollars, but I saved 10 times that much by making the trip.

ALANSD · 08-21-2002, 01:07 PM

You might have heard my tale before- but-for those who haven't;
I found my Morohome on the internet...for sale....emailed back and forth and then had the owner fax me copies of their repair orders to look at, not all, but the most important ones...
then they emailed me a number of photos. Lastly we talked at length on the phone about the vehicle. I then flew up to buy it with the agreement that my 500 deposit would be held until I got to see if it was actually as stated.
They actually gave me back the check, and I gave them a cashiers check for the total.
We met at the airport, did the deal in a hour or so, and they gave me an orientation on the motorhome. I then drove the 9 hours back to my home. A well executed deal, but I moved a bit slowly at first, especially needing to see what had been done to maintain the Airstream, and getting a feel for their attitudes.
The hardest part for me was convincing them to take my deposit and hold it a few days until I could get up there....as they had some other "interested parties" coming soon after.

InsideOut · 08-21-2002, 01:35 PM

This must be the same trailer as queried on the VACList this morning ~

Quote:

I received the following message from Ralph E. Shumaker and wonder if anyone can help him with his qestion. I put a picture of his trailer up on the following location: VACList Photo Attachment

Tom...

"I have a completely restored 69 Overlander for sale, the bank has asked these people for an appraisal.

Would you have any idea how I could go about it. I live in Indiana and there aren't very many Airstreamers in the area, let alone Vintage."

Looks like a legitimate "goodie" to me...

Shari

thenewkid64 · 08-21-2002, 01:50 PM

I have a Motorhome and seeing that picture made me drool!

escapeez · 08-22-2002, 02:31 AM

That's exactly the one my friends! That's it.

We have spoken many on the phone with the owners - both husband and wife and my husband and I both feel very comfortable with these folk. The problem of course has been the Credit Union requiring an appraisal and the trailer is in an area fairly remote from an auth'd dealer.

Unfortunately we don't have credit cards with limits enough to handle an outright - but are doing lots of research on vintage values etc., etc., to show the bank we're really serious about this and willing to do what is necessary.

I must admit that hearing someone say "it made me drool" was a positive. I have a fairly good sense for people and this trailer is the one that made me stop looking elsewhere. I've had a personal love affair with airstreams all my life. This opportunity feels like a good one and worth pursuing.

By the way - thank you for sharing your stories, I really appreciated you taking the time to post.

Andrea

PeterH-350LE · 08-22-2002, 06:15 AM

Andrea,
Lock in the deal asap, if you haven't done so already. Now that it is out in the open, Brett is not the only one drooling.
I found that once an Airstream picks you as the new caretaker, you have to move fast.

escapeez · 08-22-2002, 09:19 AM

Sound advice Peter - thank you for it. I must agree with you because as of this morning it is. All that's left is the arrangements to go pick it up!....yowza!

I loved the way you put that - "once an Airstream picks you for its caretaker!" That is outRAGEOUSLY well put...

Andrea

InsideOut · 08-22-2002, 09:50 AM

Sooo...fill us in on the details!

Did you finally get an appraisal or did your credit union let you off the hook? When do you expect to pick up your new baby? Details, details, details...we want details!

Shari