Selling a Bus

So - you've decided to sell your bus. Before you start posting wildly on the internet, there are a few things to consider. If you decide to forego a professional dealer and sell independently, you have to be willing to donate lots of your time. A quick sale will depend on good marketing, which may cost money and any claim you make to prospective buyers needs to be backed up with paperwork.

Let's start with marketing. Using the Internet is probably your best bet, and you can find countless bus sale sites using your favourite search engine. After you have cleaned your bus and made all necessary repairs, take a series of accurate pictures. List all the features of the bus, and try to use a catchy headline that will pique interest. In terms of buses for sales, phrases like "great deal", "barely used", and "like new" have been known to work. Remember - private bus sales often take time. The more people you can attract via advertising, the better your chance of a sale. List a contact number in your ad. If you will be showing the bus from a private property, it is NOT recommended providing your address. If you do so, people may start dropping in unannounced.

Now, let's fast forward a bit. You've placed your ads on the internet, and you've started getting inquiries from prospective buyers. If you are getting a lot of calls from different buyers, it might be better to designate a time to do your viewings (example - every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.). If the calls are sporadic, you have the freedom to schedule individual viewings.

When buyers come to see the bus, provide them with a list of your vehicle's features. Give them a quick tour and answer any questions they may have. Give the buyer as much time as they need to look around - and then disappear for a bit. Most buyers will not feel comfortable looking at the coach with you present, so assure them they can take all the time they need. Always respond to questions honestly, and don't get defensive. If there is something wrong with the bus, say so, and if a buyer has an opinion you disagree with ("I heard these features were expensive and useless"), GENTLY tell them otherwise ("I've found those features useful"). Buyers do not want to launch into heated debates with you, and if you lose your temper, you'll probably lose the sale as well.

A serious buyer will probably ask you for paperwork. Give them copies of anything you have - records, maintenance receipts, and documentation that came with the bus. Keeping an extensive record of your vehicle’s past performance denotes you as a responsible and trustworthy seller.

If people aren't buying right away, don't get discouraged. Selling a bus can often be a lengthy process. However, if a significant amount of time passes and you have had no offers, you may want to consider hiring a professional dealer. While they can be costly, they will help expedite process. Just remember to be honest with your customers. If you're patient, your bus will eventually sell.