prob the state its in £800 but if they cleaned it up opened curtains it would look more interesting,all tho as a buyer because it looks like that you could nock them down,i spent 2 days this week cleaning mine (not that it was dirty) just so i could take pictures to put it up for sale,same make as mine too but mines a little newer,and its the 415.
I personally reckon they've way over priced it at £1200, more like just over half that., especially as they can't even be bothered to put a sponge over it & move all the bits & bobs out the way for some decent pics.
It never fails to amaze me just how lazy sellers are these days. It wasn't that long ago that people used to take a pride in what they were selling, nowadays they don't even bother to clean things or move some junk out of shot to take a few pics!
Time & again I see caravans listed on ebay & the picture of the washroom is just a load of water containers & EHU leads!
I mean, do these people actually want to sell these items??
Sorry, rant over, maybe it's just me?
Seriously, at this time of year, way up there in Scotland, I reckon you're looking at about £800 worth of caravan. Maybe £900 if it's got all the bits (battery, gas, water containers, EHU lead etc.) & provided it's not damp (make sure you check in the cupboards, especially round the wheel arches & around all the windows. Oh yes, & the ceiling, especially as it's a boat-roof).
The location will put a lot of people off. I find a lot of things bigger in Wales go very cheap on ebay that need collecting because a lot of people have something of a mental block that once it is out of England it's further than the moon.
Covered in algae like that, it's not going to bring much, but you also need to consider that if the seller were to break it, he would probably get more than the asking price. The folding sink / washroom unit alone would cost over £100 to replace with a second hand one. If someone were converting a van to a motor home then it would be worth the asking price for the parts, even if it were riddled with damp. On the other hand, as a cheap caravan, there are cheaper ones around, it all depends on whether it is dry or not.
If the seller couldn't be bothered to give it a wash before taking the photos for ebay, it seems unlikely that he has changed the tyres in the last 5 years, so really they should be changed before you even consider picking it up, the gas system could be in a potentially dangerous condition and the list of alarm bells that are ringing goes on and on, just because of the external algae.
Out of interest, could we have a quick show of hands here, who would be prepared to tow this caravan home in it's current state if it were given to them for free?
Hmm.. regards the seller not being bothered...when my Father was very ill he sold his van...didn't tell hubby and I. It went for a song as he was so poorly and he hid it from everyone. Van was previously his pride and joy :(
On the other hand....we looked at a van with noticeably filthy underpants left on the floor....despite healthy (if dodgy) sellers ....ewwwww.
I would tow it, but not "home" as I live in south east England!
I tow mine all over & it was stood for over 2 years when I bought it in early November. I can feel the brakes work & I've kept an eye on the tyres.
But, I've got a background in mechanics & engineering, so although it's a fine line, I tend to know full well when I'm likely to cross it.
For the right money it'll be a good van. even if it had a few minor soft spots (as long as it wasn't major).
The amount it's worth in spares is always an interesting one. I never see it as a relevant point when sellers bring it up. For starters, it's a right pain breaking a van (or car for that matter) for spares. If you let buyers break it they'll make a mess & take the micky. If you do it yourself you need to be careful, these old plastics get brittle. You also need somewhere to store it, whilst breaking, & somewhere to store all the bits, & of course the time to do it all in (rusted screws, old mastic, dusty & dirty bits need cleaning etc etc).
Then you've got a thousand & one little odds & sods to get rid of, each one on ebay, delivered & posted, problems with postage, couriers, & of course you've got to actually sell the stuff. Some of it could hang around for ages.
& of course, some of you will know, it's a right pain selling stuff on ebay. Some of the time it's OK, but, IMO, there are more rogue buyers on there than there are cow-boy sellers. You'll get allsorts, from "it's not as described!" to "it never arrived!". I did a bit of selling on there & learned a very big lesson, very quickly.
Then, at the end of it all, you've got a chassis & a load of other scrap, that no one wants, to get rid of. (Probably at a cost).
Never quite the money spinner people make out. If it was, we'd all be doing it.
Well it's been re-listed on ebay. The starting price is still £1250. I am going to see it tomorrow and have been told I can buy it there and then for £1250. Despite numerous attempts the seller is not for being knocked down re the price.
He has however had the van steam cleaned by his caravan storage yard and in fairness from the pics the exterior scrubs up quite well.
The van has blackout binds and fly screens on all windows. It also has an electric hot water heater. I am not sure if it has blow air heating (doesn't look like it), but my plan would be to buy and fit a plinth heater so I can heat it on electric rather than gas.
It doesn't have an oven or grill but I am not so bothered about that as I quite fancy buying a halogen oven instead.
The seller also states the van comes with a "good quality" awning.
Having spent the last week trawling gumtree and ebay for equivalent vans I have formed the opinion that £1250 is not that bad a price, especially if the awning is upto scratch.
My plan would be to pimp the van as follows:
1. Strip out carpet and replace with wood effect laminate tiles.
2. Spray the bathroom unit and shower tray with gloss white plasti-cote to give it a modern contemporary look.
3. Re-upholster (DIY job) the seats, pelmets, curtains etc.
4. possible play around with the rear seating / bedroom to see if I could get a couple of fixed bunks in there.
Anyway I am going to see it tomorrow and may well pay the asking price if it's in good nick.
Quote: Originally posted by tazhearts on 12/3/2012
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370592533737?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_500wt_1156
Be a bit careful here. Caravan's are NOT supposed to be steam cleaned or jet-washed, as it washes out the mastic, so this bloke may well have just ruined a reasonably good van.
At best it will require a re-seal, which can be done DIY quite cheap, but is a long & laborious job to do yourself.
Have a damn good check for damp & soft spots, especially around the windows (behind sofa cushions).
Try & get more information about how he cleaned it, but obviously don't give too much away about why you are asking, as he may now try & cover his tracks.
Good luck. I suppose up there it could be worth the price, as there's less to choose from.
I would be careful, I don't know why anyone would advertise it in it's original state only to relist - why not clean it first.
That aside, i think it's over priced and would agree £800/900 is nearer the mark.
------------- Gail
March - Bamburgh
Easter - Low Park Wood CC Kendal
May - Yellowcraigs CC North Berwick
June - Wharfedale CC Grassington
Steam clean could mean anything. Its ok to use a pressure washer provided you don't blast the seams at close range. All you can really do with a caravan of this age is take your damp meter. The seller states its dry so if the buyer discovered damp they could walk away, strictly cash on collection, this one.
The listing does the seller no favours. The description is minimal, there is no clue as to the age, early 90s, I think, the photos are poor & there is no excuse for failing to get them right way up. I don't like old caravans with central seam along roof, a potential leak point.
It also suggests the caravan is just being 'sold on' rather than being sold by an owner who has looked after it. The seller may well have bought cheap & is attempting to get highest price at peak caravan selling season.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: How much would you pay for this?
