Topic: Have to re-home the 72 Cheiftain-pricing help?

[Roxyred]

Hi Everyone!


Though I haven't posted a ton, I have been lurking a bit and reading a TON of posts which have helped immensely! This forum rocks! Thank you everyone!


Sadly, my Sewbago has not turned out to be a good business model, though not from lack of interest or any fault of the Bago, just a severe lack of students over the past year. Since I'm not a big camper/travel across the country sort of person, that means I need to turn it over to someone who will love it and give it the life on the road it deserves. He runs too well and is in too nice of shape to be put in storage endlessly. I think its a fabulous funky fun machine, and he deserves a good home.


I'm considering listing at $8500 in the Denver market. Here's all the info:


1972 Bago Cheiftain, 25ft


New roof vents, fridge cover, roof resealed
Interior CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN with minor wear over 40+ years...a few wood chips, scratches, but it's all there, except...[size=78%]The dinette has been replaced with a fold out "breakfast bar", that was done by the previous owner and is nice as a workspace[/size]
Carpet has been replaced with pergo wood flooring
All water works and is leak free as far as I know, currently dry from winter
No water damage, leaks, etc
Lights all work, bulbs replaced with LED options on ceiling, reading lamps are still standard bulbs
Mechanically AWESOME! I've been driving it twice a week for over a year to teach my classes in it, transmission was rebuilt professionally by previous owner, motor runs strong, I think it has 82k original on it, No runs, drips, etc
New main battery, 1 year old deep cycle for aux
Finally got the generator straightened out, it was a bad hose! Runs great now
Front tires are really new, backs are good but older
Have two spares for rear
The backup camera is not hooked up nor is the radio to the speakers. I didn't need either so I never bothered to fix from previous owner
AC works amazing, Heater the same! Oven replaced with a microwave, stove works great
Fridge and freezer work great! Some wear/scratches on the shelf grills, nothing major
Full cover for the Bago!
I painted the upper half about a year ago and have all the leftover paint for touch ups
Many accessories and leftover parts from fixing up come with
All receipts and books are intact! I'm the 5th owner and everyone kept really good records. Denver native Bago! Has Colorful Colorado mud flaps


Things it needs/is missing:
Spare tire rim
A couple of window handles, I just haven't gotten around to buying them
Does have some dents on driver's side from recent hail storm here in Denver, but cosmetic damage only
The screens need to be redone, they are there but some have holes or are not attached well. I am working on this


I've included some pictures, I have a ton more but can't upload any more.


Thoughts? Ideas? Anyone interested? I would feel comfortable saying you could hop in it right now and drive from Denver to Albuquerque no sweat. With gas stops of course


Thanks for your input!





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[stanDman]

so sad to hear your enterprise didn't work out = I thought it was a good idea = people just don't want to learn any more
well where I come from any ways ! good luck on your sale

[TerryH]

Sorry to hear this. I've been kind of wondering how you were making out. I am a 'reasonable sewer - yeah Mike, the kind with a machine that uses needles and thread, not the kind that disappears to where we don't want to go - and have found it to be very helpful. Regardless of the looks and assumptions that come with being male and owning a sewing machine.
Have you considered, in conjunction with teaching, visiting RV parks etc. that may be amenable and offering re-upholstery? Possibly lessons there as well?
On site?
Hate to see you give this up.
You may find you do enjoy travel and camping across the country.

[CapnDirk]

Did I miss something?  is there some sort of stigma about a man with a sewing machine?  I have a Singer 221 that just finished repairing the front curtains after I fully rebuilt it!   


Sorry to here about the business sale, I enjoyed the few posts and think everyone admired your adventure.  You may want to advertise it on various craigslist's within a several hundred mile area.  While people may not go that far to buy a car, a road trip to come back on a mini vacation is enjoyable.

[Rickf1985]

Not only do I want to learn how to sew I have been looking for a commercial sewing machine for some time now so I can redo the cushions in my boat. They were going cheap on the government auctions until I found out about them, seems everyone else did at the same time and the deals are not there anymore.

[Oz]

Sorry to hear this. I've been kind of wondering how you were making out. I am a 'reasonable sewer - yeah Mike, the kind with a machine that uses needles and thread, not the kind that disappears to where we don't want to go - and have found it to be very helpful. Regardless of the looks and assumptions that come with being male and owning a sewing machine.
Have you considered, in conjunction with teaching, visiting RV parks etc. that may be amenable and offering re-upholstery? Possibly lessons there as well?
On site?
Hate to see you give this up.
You may find you do enjoy travel and camping across the country.

Very good ideas!

[Roxyred]

Thanks for all the kind words!


Part of the problem is getting a proper biz license, which my city changed their rules and pretty much made it impossible to have a mobile business without huge fees. Many of the older folks at rv parks already have a sewing background, or are more focused in quilting which is too big for a small rig. (Well,once you get the pieces together!)


I tried at several parks, however depending on the park supervisor, some are ok, others want you to get a permit for every visit to the park if you "conduct business". While students paid me in advance and therefore we were just meeting, not actually exchanging funds, one of the park guys felt this still qualified and made things very difficult.


I also promoted the heck out of it at farmers markets, makers faires, and other events all through to fall, doing on site alterations and lessons. Despite's the extensive advertising, I had few take advantage of this as well.


I had so many people interested, thinking this was a great idea, I'm not sure why there was a lack of sign ups. I'm beginning to think some people just feel more comfortable in a "brick and mortar" setting. Now that I have a new "real" location my sign ups have picked up dramatically. But I already miss my 70s living room on wheels.


Took the Bago in for the hail repairs to be made, I'll let you know how things go as I get the last bits resolved!