A few weeks ago–after I had my designated minimum two cups of coffee–we decided to start shopping online for a pop up camper. We have been wanting one for a long time, but our very tight budget always kept it from being within our grasp. Super Rockstar was perusing Craigslist and found one listed at a price and in a condition we didn’t know existed. Hopes set high–he made the call. But, we found out it had already sold. Darn. Oh well. At least now we knew and could start searching more and seeing what else might come up. It didn’t take long–a couple days later, another one in really great condition showed up and he immediately contacted the seller–wanting to see if we could go take a look. It too had sold. It was only listed for 15 minutes and someone had purchased it– sight unseen.
So, doing the math, we realized we were going to have to change our previous ways of purchasing used items. This was not going to be a typical–shop for item, go look at item, and then purchase after inspecting. No, we learned very quickly that when shopping for campers–at least in the price range we were looking at–it is a speed race. Super Rockstar has always been an eBay champion– winning the bid on items as the clock is winding down with seconds to spare. I knew if anyone could jump into this camper purchase amazing race and win–it was him.
A few days later he got his chance. One came up for sale–right price and looked good. Deep breath. Head in the game. Super Rockstar made the call immediately and told the seller we could come the following day to purchase it. The guy said fine and we were EXCTATIC! YES! We got one! We woo hoo’d and high fived. However, a couple of hours later he called back to say his son had sold it to a friend. Sorry.
Wait! What? No, no, no, no ,no. When you are told it is sold to you–it is sold TO YOU. What is this nonsense? My husband was frustrated to say the least– on a last desperate attempt, he decided to contact the seller just to let him know we were serious and that we really wanted to buy it. Get this: he says–“well, the other guy can’t come until 10:00am, if you can get here before him, I’ll sell it to you.” Really? I felt a little disgusted about the whole thing.
We found out the hard way–that not only is purchasing a used camper a speed race–it is a without scruples speed race. There is no first come first serve. It is first come, verbal agreement, but sold to whomever shows up at their doorstep first with cash in hand.
We told him that doing that didn’t seem right to us, but if the other guy changed his mind–we would be happy to come purchase it. As it turns out–the other guy did change his mind (apparently he forgot to talk to his wife about it first) (oops!). So, we got the boys out of school a little early (thrilling to them) and made the drive as a family to purchase our “memory making vehicle on wheels”. I have to confess the whole purchase process left me a little breathless and bewildered. I’m not used to making such snappy decisions with a large purchase–but apparently this is how the world of used camper buying works. We had to just go with our “gut” and hope for the best. So far, we are completely pleased and so excited about our purchase.
Oh sure, she’s in a bit rough condition. But, we’re having a blast already–fixing her up and making her our own. I can’t wait to take you all along for the ride as we take this rather groovy 80’s machine and transform it into our tent cabin on wheels–it’s going to be quite the “fixer upper” project. Stay tuned!
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