I'm sure there is but anyone on here living near Cranbourne, Melbourne with enough mechanical knowledge to check out a campervan for me.
Looks like a good one and I've been following it on Ebay for sometime but unsure about putting a bid on it till I know more about it. Have spoken to the owner Andrew on the phone, he seems quite genuine. Selling it for health and age issues. It seems to have everyhting needed.
What do I do next as can't get down there to check it out myself and wouldn't know what I'm looking for anyway.

If you are a member of one of the motoring bodies, ract etc they have places the seller could take it for you to have a mechanical check done cheers blaze

I am a member of RACV blaze, forgot about that. But not sure how that works when its on Ebay. How much do they charge me? Can you ask for that to be done before you start bidding. After the bidding has finished I think is too late as you are obligated to buy once you win the item. I have spoken to the seller, seems a nice man, happy for me to come down and have a look. Impossible for me to get down that way, would have to take a train from Echuca return as can't drive through Melb, and then and only after viewing start bidding and may not win it.

Darling no gain without pain and expense. If you go down and see the nice man and get an RACV inspection you may be able to negotiate a good price direct to face. Even if you have to spend overnight and deal costs you $200 it could be a good buy. If checks out OK you could drive it home. You would have to book an appointment with an RACV inspection to see how soon you could get it done. Other option is to offer to pay for RACV inspection and ask the nice man to take it to the inspection. Then you could go down for a looksee. If you think it is good you need to make an effort to snag it. Good ones at good prices dont come up that often. Did you ask the nice man on how much he actually wants for the unit as he may have an unrealistic price compared to what you want to pay.
Jacko who prefers to be wise prior to the event

-- Edited by Jacko on Saturday 11th of December 2010 04:24:02 PM

Yep Jacko. Have asked all relevant questions. His starting bid is 5000 but his reserve is 9,500. He said on the phone he would like to get 9,500. I would like to get it a bit cheaper of course. I don't mean it's too inconvenient to go down its just not possible at the moment, also the bidding has 8 days to go. I don't mind the pain and expense, I just can't do it at the moment. After Xmas I can, will probably be gone by then. I will try and work something out

I will ring RACV on Monday to see how they go about vehicle inspection.

I agree with Jacko, Melbourne is not far away for you. I drove from Newcastle to Balnarring (Vic) to check out the Goldstream before I bought it.

PS: I was writing my post while you did yours so I hadn't read the bit about not possible to Melb. at this stage.

Jim

-- Edited by jimricho on Saturday 11th of December 2010 06:07:29 PM

Hi Happywanderer, I am having the same issues. Quite often see what might be the right van, but they always seem to be a long way from home. All that expense of getting there and it might only take a quick look tp decide that its not right. Even if I think its right, I don't really know enough about the mechanicals. I'm not sure that I would be able to make the decision to buy. I'd probably go home, think about it for a while and miss out. Its such a big decision to spend the very hard earned.

Exactly ChiChi1. I have no knowledge mechanically and my going to look at it would serve no purpose anyway. I have asked every possible question I can think of and am very happy with what I know. I could say yes, drive it home and it breaks down half way there. I used to belong to the forum on Ebay and read of that happening a couple of times. The buyer doesn't have a leg to stand on, should have checked it out properly first.

Happywanderer wrote:

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Exactly ChiChi1. I have no knowledge mechanically and my going to look at it would serve no purpose anyway.
I have asked every possible question I can think of and am very happy with what I know. I could say yes, drive it home and it breaks down half way there.
I used to belong to the forum on Ebay and read of that happening a couple of times. The buyer doesn't have a leg to stand on, should have checked it out properly first.

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If you can co-ordinate with the RACV so you both arrive at the same time then why not make the trip to Melbourne just that a little trip, the start of things to come so to speak, and who knows maybe a shakedown cruise on the way home if the inspection gives the all clear and you decide to purchase the camper.

 

JRH, Thats it, a matter of co-ordination. Will try and work something out next week but no way can I get down there myself, so will think of some other way.

Happywanderer wrote:

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JRH, Thats it, a matter of co-ordination. Will try and work something out next week but no way can I get down there myself, so will think of some other way.

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Yes sorry I didn't read the other post correctly.

 

Son has bought off Ebay and in the past he has emailed the seller and has asked for the right to have a vehicle inspection and a test drive before committing to the purchase if he is the highest bidder.

Thats exactly the order that I was thinking Pam, thanks for that. Will have to check with seller first before bidding as I notice some on there say things like You bid, means you win and you have to buy. If you don't buy after winning bid you will be reported. Even though this chap doesn't say that, it still has to be done right.

Not all sellers agree on giving you the right to change your mind but so far son has not had any trouble

if you pay via PayPal and the unit is not roadworthy I think you can claim your mony back, the unit looks real clean in the pic but cannot tell the mechanical side, you do need to get RACV to check it when you are there, email him and ask if you come down can you get RACV to do a check on the same day, or can he take it to get check for you and will he accept x amount of $$ for it and cancel the eBay sale.

wombat, thanks for that. That is what I am thinking except You never use paypal for vehicles. Always safe to pay cash. There is no comeback on vehicles, if it is not what you thoguht it was supposed to be. You lose your money. I'm going to have to go down, but have to go via Geelong. Trying to work out just what day I can get away now. Will definitely get RACV to do a check. Just a b.....r when no one in your family is prepared to help and you are trying to do it all on your own. 2 sons and one son in law, all useless.!!!!

bet they know where to come if they need any help, here's one on Gumtree for $5.300 http://melbourne.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-caravan-campervan-motor-home-MITSUBISHI-EXPRESS-WITH-EVERYTHING-YOU-NEED-AND-READY-TO-GO-W0QQAdIdZ250361498

You are so right wombat. I checked out that link. Couple of things, its auto, would rather have manual and no internal kitchen, its all bed in the van and everything else has to be used outside. Will get on to the one in Cranbourne tomorrow and see if I can get it RACV checked and work something out.