My previous article, in the January 2008 issue of Religious Product News, focused on recommended steps for purchasing a new bus. The focus of this article is on suggestions for what not to do when purchasing a bus. These suggestions are based on two decades of working with purchasers, many of whom devote the time and energy to make sure they do it right.
A good first step is disassociating the process of purchasing a bus with purchasing a car. It may be hard to do since we all have experience with buying cars, but, the fact is, a bus is not a car, and the buying process is not the same either.
Automobile manufacturers mass produce thousands of similarly designed cars and trucks every year, while bus manufacturers produce customized, purpose-built units in small quantities as ordered by their dealers for either specific customers or for their inventory. A Ford Taurus is the same whether it you buy it in Florida or Washington; a bus on a dealer's lot in Florida is likely to be equipped very differently than the same brand on a lot in Washington. Automobiles have had over a century of product and design evolution; small buses, as we know them today, have been around for about 25 years.
Small buses built on Ford or Chevrolet chassis have an automotive look on the surface that gives the impression that they are all the same. The fact is that all buses are not the same. It is very likely that a bus dealer in Minnesota is going to stock buses with more heating capacity than cooling. Pity the purchaser from Phoenix who buys such a bus rather than from the local dealer who knows how to equip a bus for a desert climate.
If you want to purchase a bus the right way, there is actually a lot to learn about buses. What is the best source of information? A reputable dealer, preferably one that is relatively close to you. Unlike car dealers, you are not going to find a bus dealer in every town, but you can find more than one typically within driving distance. Make an appointment and go see at least one. Take your committee. Test the dealer's product knowledge. Check out their facilities. Are they committed to the business, and are they here to stay? Do they have product support staff and offer repair service?
You may be inclined to try to save that time and just shop and buy on the Internet. In my view, that is a mistake. The Internet is a great way to gather information or to buy a pair of pants or a book, but not a bus. Don't treat this purchase like a commodity that you can buy just anywhere. A bus is not a mail-order item. Learn about the different brands, the history of the manufacturers, the features that they offer, their warranty policies, their product testing, safety record, etc.
You may be inclined to try to save that time and just shop and buy on the Internet. In my view, that is a mistake. The Internet is a great way to gather information or to buy a pair of pants or a book, but not a bus. Don't treat this purchase like a commodity that you can buy just anywhere. A bus is not a mail-order item. Learn about the different brands, the history of the manufacturers, the features that they offer, their warranty policies, their product testing, safety record, etc.
Your church will very likely own a bus for at least a decade. Is saving a small fraction of the price worth it when you consider what's at stake? Just because someone claims something about their product or themselves doesn't make it true. It's certainly easier to verify the facts looking someone in the eye than it is on the phone or via e-mail.
There are a number of very solid and reputable bus dealers located throughout the country. If you call a reputable manufacturer, they will refer you to their dealer for your area.
What about buying factory direct? Again, I suppose the attraction is saving money by cutting out the middle man. However, factories are designed to produce products. To the extent that they are structured to provide service, it is usually to their dealers. It is the job of the dealer to provide service to the end user.
"Well, they said I could just take it to any Ford or Chevrolet dealer for service." That's a line that is often used when the seller cannot provide you with service. Ford and Chevrolet dealers are trained and set up to service products they sell, including a bus chassis. But, when it comes to electrical systems, entry doors, air conditioning, wheelchair lifts, and other components not common to that brand of automobile, a Ford or Chevrolet dealer is at a real disadvantage to provide service efficiently. It may be your only choice in a pinch, but it is not the best long-term solution for bus maintenance and repair, in most cases. And, when it is a solution, it is usually because that Ford or Chevrolet dealer has the support of the selling bus dealer's product support staff to guide them through the areas that they are unfamiliar with.
Having the right size and appropriately equipped bus for your church can add so much to the activities that you provide your members. The number of options that are available to you is staggering. The best way to find out about them is by working with a dealer who is interested in doing more than just selling you a bus quickly. Take your time, do your due diligence, and focus on more than just the cheapest price. In the long run, you'll be glad you did.
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