I purchased a bus (mci 9) awhile back from Mike Kadetz who publishes bus conversions magazine and had a horrible experience with him. I paid more than i wanted to because it had options like jake brake, cruise control, locking compartments and the body was suppose to be in great shape all of which were found to be untrue or they did not work. Im a complete NEWBIE and was taken advantage of by MAK / Mike Kadetz. BEWARE if your thinking of buying a bus, there have been numerous others with similiar situation.

I wish you would have posted soemthing here before making the purchase. I've been burned by him too, on a smaller scale, and I have known others who have also.

IMHO , anyone that purchases an older bus shell or an older conversion , should have many years of experience in all phases of RV and home repair . Why would a bus salesman be any more reputable than a used car saleman . Their job is to sell stuff . You do not have to tell a lie when describing an item for sale , but merely be very careful how a question is answered - some buyers do not know the right questions to ask , or what the right answer should be . I spent 2 years of research and looking at everything with wheels before making decisions that I thought would be critical , and still could have done a few things better . I do not think it is possible to get it right the first time . Good luck .

quote:

Originally posted by Cruizer:
IMHO, anyone tha t purchases an older bus shell or an older conversion, should have many years of experience in all phases of RV and home repair...

Just out of curiousity Nick, how many years of RV and home repair do YOU have???

Rule #1: NEVER let Nick near a power tool!
His wife converted their bus!

Yes she did. I'm just the eye candy around here

Lorna , Nick's account of the build process , the details of the materials used , and the ability to have help from many different parks that allowed Miss Terry to perform her miracles had a happy ending . After counseling with Jack Conrad and many of the " Bus Nuts " , I determined that even though I had tools and knew materials , I would be only marginal at building all of the systems that were required to have the comfort , safety , and reliability that is necessary without a resident expert . I even spent a week building the entire interior out of cardboard to confirm all measurements and dimensions as realistic and useable . I'm sure the guys working in the warehouse that I was using thought I was ready for the mental hospital . I used blue painters tape to mark the dimensions of both 40 and 45 foot coaches on the floor to better determine which shell would work best for my needs . I am now planning to retire for the final time in April and have thought about having a new coach built , but the voice of reason soon takes over and I realize that it will be best to keep everything as is . To those that are building , I wish God's speed , as there is a great feeling being able the wander the roads and seeing this great country .

I built a mockup of cardboard too, just to make sure I could get my wheelchair around all the corners.

Then of course, when I started to actually build and install things, I changed my mind.

Oh well.

Hello
I just read this last night and made some calls today to purchase a bus. I saw bus advertized by Mike. The price was good but now I am worried.
What type of experience did you have?
Dishonest?
Misrepresentations?
Please help. I need to purchase a good used bus for our business immediately.

Thanks

Hello
I am a newbie to say the most. I need to purchase a bus. I spoke to Mike (at Bus Conversion) and he seemed helpful and knowledgeable. Is it safe to purchase a bus from his company. I am worried now.
What source do you suggest?
I would like to purchase a reliable MCI to use as a mobile office and for recreation.
Thanks

Carl, I just sent you a PM

Carl;
Just in case you don't know, ( I know I didn't for a long time) PM is a private message, and you have to look for it, to read it.
Tony

Hi Nick!

Hi Tony. How you doing?

Hi Nick,
GREAT PEOPLE are born on June 22nd!!
Today is MY BIRTHDAY too!!!!!!!

Tell your sweetie Happy Birthday!!!! I wish I was as young as she is!!!!

Regards
Mike

When i bought our bus, i grabbed a couple experts, went to a bus rally, interviewed a number of folks. then i paid an "expert" (Jack Conrad) to inspect it for most of the issues. he found some minor ones and i paid him to fix them, so i could test drive it. after all of that, i'm mostly happy.
there are a number of buses for sale. many are well done, some aren't. it's a buyer's market, so be choosy and don't exceed your capabilities to make repairs, or your capability to pay someone else.
you might also want to visit the busnuts online board and or the mak forum for questions, although there are plenty of experts here.
good luck.