Date:         Wed, 14 Sep 2005 21:30:13 -0700
Reply-To:     John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Exciting things happening at Van-Again!
In-Reply-To:  <13c.1ba85b99.305a4d75@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

> I can't understand your beef with Pop Top Heaven. Their name sucks, but 
> they
> weren't lying to you about the what your van is worth. It is common
> knowledge, and for good reason, that a modified car is worth much less 
> than a stock
> one of equal condition.
> 

Hogwash. It may be "common knowledge" in the matching-numbers, 60's muscle 
car collectors market, but no buyer who knows ANYTHING about Vanagons would 
think that his modifications SUBTRACT from its value. You might find a few 
odd birds here and there who are only willing to purchase a bone-stock 
low-mileage Vanagon, but most of those looking to drop a princely sum on a 
Syncro Westy certainly aren't going to offer LESS because he's got 
"modifications" like SA brakes and quality aftermarket bumpers! These aren't 
collectors cars-- people buy 'em to USE them. Besides, even assuming this 
"common knowledge" applied to such a utilitarian vehicle, there's no WAY a 
price of $6,000 is anywhere near reasonable for ANY syncro westy. 
There was no "standing bid" for a $6000 syncro westy! Anyone putting out 
such a buid would be laughed out the door. The guy was lowballing him and 
hoping to get lucky.