Date:         Mon, 20 Sep 1999 16:46:43 -0700
Reply-To:     AL_KNOLL@HP-ROSEVILLE-OM2.OM.HP.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Al Knoll <AL_KNOLL@HP-ROSEVILLE-OM2.OM.HP.COM>
Subject:      Westie Values
In-Reply-To:  <199909202327.QAA22073@palrel3.hp.com>

Item Subject: cc:Mail Text


September 6, 1998


Attn:  Dan
Claim Number:  nnnnnnnnn

Dear Dan,

Thank you for your letter dated August 3 offering me an insurance settlement of
$14,693.93 for my Volkswagen GL Syncro Camper, minus $2078 salvage.  See
attached copy of your letter.
I have been trying to locate a comparable replacement for my camper.  After more
than a month's worth of research, I found that I could not hope to find another
one like mine for the $13870.00 valuation placed on the vehicle. There was such
a large difference between selling prices of used Volkswagen GL Syncro Campers
and the  $14,693.93 that you offered, that I decided to do my own research to
get a better idea of the market value of these vehicles.
I found that there were fewer than 1,800 Syncro (four-wheel-drive) VW Campers
imported into the US during the five years (1986-1991) they were manufactured
and that they trade rarely.  In the survey you sent  me, done by CCC Information
Services, for 1989 Westfalia Campers, I did not see any valuation of the
four-wheel-drive GL Syncro Camper, and that may account for the difference in
market values.  I found the recorded sales for syncro campers range from $16,200
for a 1987 to $25,950 for a 1990.
In my search, I found out that the desirability and short supply of these
campers has set them apart in value from the two-wheel-drive variety.  Recorded
sales of similar 1987 through 1990 Volkswagen GL Syncro Campers show that the
trade value is significantly higher than your valuation.   I have contacted
several dealers in California, Nevada, and Washington state along with several
private parties advertising similar campers for sale.  Several of the contacts
obtained from classified ads had already sold the camper by the time I called.
In some cases, the sale was to the highest bidder, others sold in a very short
time for cash for the asking price.  I personally traveled to Reno and Santa
Rosa to look at similar campers for sale by dealers and have found no comparable
campers near the valuation of  $13870.00.
I discovered a small group of registered dealers, which I have listed, that have
had recent sales of campers like mine. Feel free to contact any of them and ask
what a customer would have to pay to get a good used syncro camper like mine. I
have also included a list of  campers recently offered for sale.
Based on this research, I believe the reasonable fair market value for my 1989
Volkswagen GL Syncro Camper is  $19,000 considering condition, upgrades, and
mileage.   Please refer to the attached valuation tables included with this
letter from which I have made this calculation.
From a total of 13 recorded sales, the average camper is a 1988.8 model with
93,383 miles that sold for $21,285, not including tax. Note that this figure is
derived from recorded sales only, not from the asking prices of campers for
sale.
With this in mind, I propose the following settlement to my claim (18-M222882).
Market Value                            $19,000.00
Plus Sales Tax                          $1,472.50
Less your quoted salvage                        $2,078.00
Less Deductible                         $250.00
Net Settlement                          $18,144.50
Also, I wish to retain title to my camper for use in upgrading a new purchase to
the same excellent condition as mine was.
Sincerely,

Heather  S. Olson
Attachment 1:  Auto Dealers with Syncro Camper expertise.


SOME REGISTERED DEALERS WITH SYNCRO CAMPER EXPERTISE

Hoch Motors, Santa Rosa  (CA) (707) 584-1199
J&R VW Vans, Reno (NV) (702) 323-4943
Volkswagen Santa Monica (CA)
Campbell Nelson Volkswagen (WA) (425) 778-1131
Carter Volkswagen (WA) (206) 782-7474

 Attachment 2:  Market Research Tables

USED VOLKSWAGEN SYNCRO CAMPERS RECENTLY SOLD:
(wf/syncro denotes westfalia syncro camper)
Hoch Motors Recent Sales 707-584-1199
Model   Year    Miles   Sale Price
wf/syncro       1991    120,000 $22,500
wf/syncro       1990    100,000 $22,950
wf/syncro       1990    80,000  $23,950
wf/syncro       1990    56,000  $25,950
wf/syncro       1989    80,000  $22,000
wf/syncro       1989    123,000 $20,000
wf/syncro       1987    57,000  $19,950
wf/syncro       1987    71,000  $20,600
wf/syncro       1987    100,000 $18,000

J & R Vans Recent Sales 702-323-4943
Model   Year    Miles   Sale Price
wf/syncro       1987    140,000 $17,000
wf/syncro       1987    142,000 $16,200
wf/syncro       1990    117,000 $21,200

Private Sales                           Buyer
wf/syncro       1991    28,000  $26,400 R. Rudisill     Seattle

Average Sales Price for these 13 Sales
        Year    Miles   Sale Price
Average 1988.8  93,385  $21,285


USED VOLKSWAGEN SYNCRO CAMPERS FOR SALE (Aug/Sept):

Syncro Campers for Sale
Model   Year    Miles   Asking  Location        Telephone
wf/syncro       1990    97,000  $19,000 Grass Valley    (530) 477-8558
wf/syncro       1987    67,000  $17,500 Northridge      (310) 390-8527
wf/syncro       1989    137,000 $18,000 Reno    (702) 323-4943 Jerry
wf/syncro       1989    90,000  $19,000 SantaRosa       (707) 584-1199 Marty
wf/syncro       1987    100,000 $18,500 Sacramento      (916) 551-1500 (Susan)