Charter bus rentals are much easier than buying a bus, here’s what to look out for when purchasing

March 5th, 2007

Seven commandments governing the purchase of any make or model bus for sale. Break just one of these rules and you will probably be sorry for the rest of your life, possibly ruining your bus ownership experience altogether.

I - Thou shalt NEVER buy a bus that has rust on critical areas of frame or supporting body, this cannot be permanently fixed without a huge expense.

II - Thou shalt NOT buy a particular bus for which you have not determined your source for repair and replacement parts. If you can’t find a supplier in a month then you probably will never find that part. Many are surprised when they see attractive $30,000+ buses sitting idle and don’t realize it is normally due to replacement parts problems.

III - Thou shalt NOT purchase a project bus, one in need of substantial conversions or repairs, without a clear, accurate cost estimate, deadlines and plan for completion. “Great bus buying deals” can quickly become embarrassing “projects that never get done”.

IV - Thou shalt NOT purchase a bus until you have identified exactly what problems you are trying to solve or what needs you are trying to meet with the vehicle. The needs of a church for an inexpensive shuttle bus vary greatly from those of a wealthy musician traveling 90,000 miles a year. You may have many choices in the market but only ONE will be your best solution - and the path to happiness starts with identifying exactly what you need…NOT which pretty bus the salesman can get you financed for the quickest.

V - Thou shalt NOT buy a bus without a complete professional inspection of major parts, engine, transmission, frame, electrical, and air conditioning. Warranties, service records, and history of vehicles use can be very valuable in helping determine value.

VI - Thou shalt NOT purchase a bus without an absolutely verifiable title with year of original production in place. For instance, it is legal in many states to “re-title” an older bus, say a 1980 model. First the dealer will make repairs and renovations up to DOT standards. Then they can legally re-title it. The new title will say, for instance, year made, 2004. There is nothing wrong with this as long as it is disclosed and the price reflects the value.

VII - Thou shalt NOT purchase a bus for charter use or church transportation without having a complete business plan in place, including insurance costs (which are routinely underestimated), license fees, maintenance costs, repair estimates, and breakdown contingency plans. Financing is typically the single most important issue to handle correctly after customer retention.

BusForSaleGuide.com is a comprehensive guide for used buses for sale, what to look for when purchasing a bus, and other used bus resources.

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