I have not called Foretravel yet but will they tell the new owner what maintenance/work has been done to the coach?I called
them when we were looking to buy but they would not disclose anything.The previous owners passed away suddenly last
year so no info there.Would be nice to know what major work was done.According to relatives they had all work done at NAC,
I'm sure this is correct because the shop knew him on a first name basis.
They will not tell unless the previous owner says it is ok.
A representative of the estate would likely have the authority to have the information released to the new owner.
When we bought our first Airstream, I came upon a bunch of service orders, the salesman said, "those are gold." Our FT coach came with four 3-ring binders and a phonebook pile of invoices. It took me a couple of days to sort through everything, putting them all in plastic sheets, discarding what had been replaced. The two things that sold me were the fresh paint job, AND the paperwork! ^.^d
Found out when researching a 94 Lexus that Lexus actually has a satilite,if you talk to them nice they will print out all previous work.
(assuming it was done at dealer).
Our coach was a consignment sale from Foretravel at NAC and it came with no records and they would not give them!!
It was originally sold by a Foretravel dealer up here in the NW, who of course was dropped with the reorganization of FT. and they also would not give any records.
So I am guessing that you are out of luck.
Glad we don't sell airplanes that way!!! You at least get a log book.
Speedbird 1.
When we bought our 2001 U295 on consignment at Foretravel, I had it serviced before we picked it up and the service department was happy to print out all previous repair orders they had in there computer.
Without a log book (service records) 30-50% price reduction and only bottom feeders and gamblers would consider buying the airplane. Too bad autos and (and motorhomes) don't work the same way...
The previous owner had all his work done at FOT,he was the original owner and coach was/is in very good condition.That being
said he probably had a written record or computer record that the family just has not found yet.A few items like the air drier
and a couple of things would be good to know when serviced last.In the meantime I will service them now.
You might ask the family to notify FOT, and give their permission to have the service records released. Might get lucky.
It seems a logical approach would be to agree upon a purchase price, place a refundable deposit (preferably in escrow) and stipulate in the contract the purchase is contingent upon the satisfactory review of the service history and current condition. Also, place a reasonable limit on the amount of time the seller has to deliver the service history and records and how much time you, as the buyer, requires to review the records. This is similar in concept to purchasing a home and it is, after all, a Motor "Home!"
This way, this task is placed upon the responsibility of the seller and it's one less thing you have to worry about.
While I'm not playing "lawyer," in this situation the buyer is the party who gets to determine the definition of "satisfactory review."
Or, you could just write a check and hope for the best!
If you've done your research, met the PO, looked through the service records & rooted the coach, there is no reason to not say, "deal". One gets a feeling for "the right coach", we did. Life is too short to blow valuable time "kicking tires".
Some though, it seems, are really in it to "kick tires" rather than wear them out.