This had belonged to a client of mine. He bought it new and only used it a few times before having a stroke about 15 years ago. He gets around ok, but just can't climb up in it anymore. Since then It's just been sitting in his driveway. A few years ago he bought an Aliner popup which he liked at first but turned out to be junk. The roof leaked and a few things either completely broke or no longer quite worked as they should. This spring he traded that in and ordered a 20' Airstream which should arrive late next month. Since I met him about 4 years ago he has been interested in selling the Bushwakka, though wasn't trying very actively. I had even posted an ad here for him once. He had wanted $3000, then a year or two ago he said he'd be happy to get $2000. Last fall we were doing some work for him and he said he just wants it gone and hinted he might even give it away.
About a month ago I was at his place and he came out to chat. I told him I was thinking I might be interested in his trailer. He said "Really?" Uhmmm, yeah. What's your price these days? "Nothing! Get it out of here."
So I stopped by that weekend and he had all kinds of goodies for me that came with the trailer. An 80W solar panel, four 6 gallon steel gas cans, six 5 gallon water cans with an air pump faucet, a two way Dometic fridge, a Thetford porta potty, and some gas lines to go with the installed 20# LP tank. There is also a solar controller and 120vac battery charger mounted in the trailer that I haven't had time to investigate yet.
A week or so later he had an appointment at the DMV to transfer the registration, so I came to his place and we drove over there. We finally get to the window and greet the nice lady who works for the gubbamint and is therefore incapable of independent thought. She starts asking questions.
She asks my buddy Keith:"You're transferring ownership?
"Yes."
"To him?"
<we both look at each other>
"Yes."
"What's the sale price?"
"Zero."
"What?"
"Nothing, I'm giving it away."
Gubbamint lady"
"So she asks,"Are you related to each other?"
<we both look at each other>
"Uhhm, no."
So, then the
start spinning in gubbamint lady's eyes, and she recites from her memorized script."In order to figure 'use tax' we need to know the value. Do you have an idea what the value might be?"
Here's where Keith skidded off the rails a bit. My dad had a stroke years ago and afterwards his mind tended to work this way also. Keith heard "value" and got stuck on that topic. "Well I had most recently been interested in getting $2000 for it..."
gubbamint lady"If that's the valuation you wish to claim, use tax will be figured at x% and..."
I may have been the only one who heard it but I swear there was this horrible wailing of a tonearm needle scraping across vinyl. I quickly reached in my wallet and produced a bright green surrender flag with a photo of Ben Franklin on it.
"Keith, let me make the math MUCH easier here. I'll give you $100 for it."
Keith:"
Oh, wonderful!"<gubbamint lady immediately changes to a different script>
"Sale price being $100 multiplied by X%, plus filing and transfer fees... your total will be $24.75!"
So, for $124.75 I ended up with a fantastic off road utility trailer with a rooftop tent, plus the above list of goodies which would easily go for over $500 new. Not a bad deal. Now while I continue my considerable procrastination skills in the design and building of the Mystery Machine I have something I can drag out into the woods for a day or three AND Keith now has a place to park his Airstream when it arrives.
Winning!
You're very fortunate! 