MOT Inventory Thoughts

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MOT Inventory Thoughts

April 21, 2019, 08:19:52 pm

So I have and am reading everything I possibly can on FT. This site is beyond helpful. It is SO much better than any other forum for other similar types of specialty vehicles, etc. Thank you for the history that is on here. I am currently reading everything I can on MOT. And I pretty much know their inventory by heart. I'm focusing on 1998ish to 2001ish. Prefer 36 foot, 295 or 320, Probably prefer no slide but would do one. Any insight on the current inventory in that range, pricing and how to proceed would be most helpful. I'm still reading about who can do the PDI as well. Thank you in advance!

We may rent a car one way and drive down next weekend if we can secure something. It's a 16-hour drive!

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #1 – April 21, 2019, 11:25:39 pm

MOT prices can vary - the coaches owned by MOT are priced pretty much to market - the consignment ones can be well priced (IE - priced to what the market wiol pay) or they can be overpriced if the seller is not acting on the MOT suggestions on how to price or they owe more than the coach is worth. For the most part MOT will not put anything on the lot that is too high price - no sense it just sitting there, using electricity and space and not selling.

Also, if the seller is motivated, the pricve can be undwer market, but those coaches move quickly and some dont even make the web site before they are gone.

Condition is everything, and then buying the floorplan you like. Definately worth a trip there to see the coaches first hand, always a decent selection on site. You can also wander down the street to the factory and take a tour. Usually the factory does not have used inventory in the year range you are looking at, but check the Foretravel web site to see what they are advertising.

And every buyer should bookmark barry's web site.

FORETRAVEL Motorhomes service and Repair Information

yes, you want a qualified individual (our Brett Wolfe for instance) to do a PDI onb any coach you strike a deal on.

Good luck in your search, keep us informed!

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #2 – April 22, 2019, 05:29:20 am

Thank you Tim. That is great advice. I have a PM into the infamous Brett Wolfe.

At MOT, at first glance, is the 2000 U320 3610 with full body paint anyone's on this forum?2000 U320 3610

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #3 – April 22, 2019, 10:14:11 am

Any stock # with 'C' in front of it is a consignment coach. So you are basically buying a private party coach through someone else making money on it. Nothing wrong with that, but I found our coach for 15-20K less by just looking.
You need to be proactive, they do not always contact you when a coach comes in you are looking for. I was talking to them weekly, when a coach came in that turned up up their web sight,but they never called me. It got sold right away.
They told me they would find me another, that was over 2 years ago, have never heard from them again. I was a cash buyer with money in hand.
Just my 2 cents.
CW

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #4 – April 22, 2019, 10:33:06 am

CW - I appreciate the experience and reminder. The problem is MOT seems to have the market fairly well cornered. Especially on 36 footers in my year/price range. I don't have a problem with their business model and all businesses need to make a profit. Just not all of it on one customer... I try to be proactive. We will see what happens. Maybe someone on here will decide it's time to sell their nice, well-maintained coach to a nice couple that will take excellent care of it...

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #5 – April 22, 2019, 10:47:53 am

I have purchased 3 coaches in the past years from MOT and have been very satisfied with all 3. It really doesn't matter weather they own the coach or not, you can always deal. I do like to trade my older coach because one only pays sales tax on the price difference, which can save several thousands of dollars. When they do own the coach MOT does go through the coach completely changing all filter and fluids. If it is an consignment you will have to take care of that yourself more than likely, which is the first thing I always do, usually doing this myself. Either way MOT is a good company to buy a used coach.

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #6 – April 22, 2019, 10:56:34 am

Call them and talk to them. Tell them what you are looking for. They often know of additional coaches not yet brought in. Many of the better coaches never hit the website.

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #7 – April 22, 2019, 11:04:23 am

My two cents....you have to be prepared to move immediately. They sell a lot of coaches quickly. When my coach popped up I called and gave them a deposit to buy the coach pending an inspection. It seems that most coaches don't make it to the website.

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #8 – April 22, 2019, 11:07:42 am

I am reading these and I appreciate it very much. But since my posts have to be approved first it looks like I am not responding. I am...

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #9 – April 22, 2019, 11:20:26 am

They have sold 4 coaches for me, 3 of them did not even make to their website before selling.
Find a specific salesperson [I use Mel C.] and ask him to call you when he sees something that you may like. As Chappell mentioned, trading in may save you some sales tax.

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #10 – April 22, 2019, 11:38:58 am

Mel has been promoted to sales manager and Jason is now general manager.

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #11 – April 22, 2019, 12:27:58 pm

Good company I agree but like Chris said , I went there with a pillow case full of money to buy what I thought may be the right one. It wasn't but I left a list of wants and a phone number but never got a call and I know some coaches came thru that fit me.. like said above be proactive. Seems they seldom feel in a bind to find a qualified buyer.

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #12 – April 22, 2019, 02:51:03 pm

We went there looking for a coach in December of 2017 and test drove a few they had that we liked. Both of them were in a slightly higher price range. A coach had just come in that they purchased and we were the first ones to see it. My wife loved it and the rest was history. Timing is everything. If we were not there that day it would of likely been sold to someone else!

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #13 – April 22, 2019, 05:11:37 pm

MOT had a consignment arrive and Jeff Bowser (who is longer listed on the website) called the same day and said if I didn't hold the unit over the phone it would be gone by morning. I committed, flew down from Idaho and couldn't be more pleased.

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #14 – April 22, 2019, 06:28:10 pm

Bought my u320 from Jeff same experience!

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #15 – April 22, 2019, 09:18:38 pm

Bought my U320 from Jeff also, was not happy with him after I bought and realized a few things.. they have a great service and parts dept. if I ever buy another coach yes I would consider them, just not Jeff if he is still there. I did notice the other day he wasn't listed anymore also.

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #16 – April 22, 2019, 09:30:44 pm

Please understand, that on consignment units, the dealership (MOT in this case) does NOT go through the coaches to determine mechanical condition. NOT THEIR JOB.

So, you will find the whole gambit from rough to excellent. Depends on how the owner/seller took care of their coach.

Same for PPL and all the other consignment lots.

Caveat Emptor.

MOT IS, repeat IS, an excellent organization. But you do have to realize where they fit in the scheme of things.

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #17 – April 22, 2019, 10:10:56 pm

Thank you all very much for the excellent advice and candid experiences. It is helpful. And the PMs with advice and leads beyond value. I try to pull away from FT and look for something closer, newer and cheaper and I keep getting pulled back in. Weird...

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #18 – April 22, 2019, 10:20:26 pm

We saw a couple online at MOT, set up an appointment with Mike Phillips and drove up to look. Mike was great. He showed us several others all with potential. We had also seen one at the factory and had an appointment there as well with Kristen Conklin. They had a consignment '03 U320 that had just come in and was waiting to go through their inspections. We put a deposit down and negotiated the repairs needed after the inspection and made the deal. Went back up a few weeks later to take delivery. We hated not buying from Mike but Kristen did an awesome job as well and when we took delivery we were treated as if we had bought a new coach. Spent the whole day going through and learning about the systems. Spent that night in it then half the next day. They told us we could stay the week if we wanted. We may have paid a little more but the experience was worth it.

Re: MOT Inventory Thoughts

Reply #19 – April 23, 2019, 05:18:38 pm

It's easier to buy newer,cheaper and closer but you will always be thinking of what you could have had. You don't get to take this journey but once so drink good wine and drive a good bus. Life is to short to compromise unless you must. Just my opinion.

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