where we were ..... right we placed the ad on Melbourne Gumtree and left Sydney for a long 990 miles drive. In a day and a half we were exhausted but in Melbourne and, although we had just few energy left, we saved the last bit for our sales speech.
In fact, luckily, during this anxious rush, not only once but so much as 8 times our phone rang, all madly in love for "Manuschka" (our van).
Things got even better. We arranged all viewings for the same day and 7 out of 8 possible buyers wanted to take her straight away home if... it wasn't for two small details: a big truck the previous night kicked up a stone on our windscreen (which didn't worry us since we were covered by the insurance) but, mainly, they were all after the legendary RWC, roadworthy certificate. We needed it to sort this asap.
The day after, with no hassle, we replaced the windshield and set on a search of a trustworthy mechanic. This was the tricky part: though we hoped there are honest mechanics out there, they surely know that at this stage all backpackers are desperate to get that piece of paper to sell their van, so some of them MIGHT try to take advantage.
We were not convinced, not even 1%.
We are not mechanics but comparing the itemised bill of the previous RWC, which was made only 6 months ago, many parts were the same. Something smelled fishy, it was just ridiculous! We then visited another garage but same story.
We wouldn't pay for something that our van didn't need it. As last hope, we thought of pay a visit to that garage where Manuschka got her previous, very expensive remake. We crossed all Melbourne till the northern outside suburbs.
Desperation, anxiety, frustration were only few of our feelings in that moment. The van was checked through once again.
Result: only the back wheels weren't matching. Phew!! Maybe was the mercy of the mechanic or, perhaps, it was just the right thing but with only $190 (including a pair of wheels obtained from the nearby car wrecker) we got all the paperwork sorted. HURRAY!No need to haggle and with the RWC on hand the deal was done! The fate wanted a lovely Irish couple as Manuschka's new owner and she were now ready to take them on their big loop.
Even if now we had to take that atrocious 12hours bus ride back to Sydney, we were smiling again! Now it's on to the USA!
Our final tally: $4350 spent for purchasing the van, $368 for 6-months fully comprehensive insurance, $190 RWC check, $490 for previous mechanic issues and touch-up, $4500 the selling price = we ended up paying out from our own pockets $898. Having covered 11,000 km in OZ over almost 4 months this is equal to less than $10 a day plus of course the petrol's costs, not bad!
1 comments:
- At 8/2/10 10:04 PM AdventureRob said...
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Hurray! Selling vehicles is always a stomach churning time for me, Never want to lose the money I put into them but its the way it goes.
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