| Author | Message | ||
| Peter River (Whitebus)
Registered Member Username: Whitebus Post Number: 71 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 204.62.111.51  Rating: N/A |
this is a humorous topic, at least for me. You've had this happen to you before. Friends, relatives, acquaintances, strangers, homeless people, all want to take a "look" inside your bus. I want to be friendly, but I don't want people to see all the crap bouncing around inside my unfinished bus, not to mention the porta potty in the corner, piles of junk in the other, and lose all respect for me in the process. how do you handle people who want to take a look inside YOUR bus? | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1089 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.3.157.139  Rating: N/A |
First, our bus is now completed, or as close as it will ever be, always changing or modifying. Even when we were first starting our conversion it depends on who it is. We have always allowed fellow busnuts into our bus. Even if it was decorated in the early conversion decor with temporary everything, they understand. As for family, I never really cared what they thought LOL. And for friends, most of them already think I am a little on the crazy side. LOL. We usually let fellow campers in campgrounds see the inside, after visiting with them and getting a "feel" for there character. We never let total strangers into our bus. This is our way, YMMV Jack (Message edited by JackConrad on May 22, 2009) | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 743 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.211.84.156 Rating: |
"Total strangers" to me would be someone one does not know....and doesn't always fit the pattern, necessarily, of hostile, dubious, questionable or whatever. If it a "street scene", that is a different story. Our eight year experience is that if one wants to "see inside" it is usually after a bit of conversation or " someone told me" or other display of interest...otherwise it does not enter the conversation, and we seldom invite the possibility of incursion. Let 'em look!....why not....what is there to hide...or...if there is, better not do it. As FF says, do it your way...with pride  | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 330 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 74.244.14.221  Rating: N/A |
We have always alowed people we have spent some time conversing with first take a peek. I have been surprised at the number of people who will aproach us to talk about the bus who are familiar with what it is. I had someone pull into a parking lot where I was because he hadn't seen a Flx in a long time and wanted to know about it. I have always felt being friendly helps atract others to our madness : but obviously use the good judgement God gave you. | ||
| John and Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 193 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 96.42.7.186  Rating: N/A |
I have always found the bus community open and freindly and almost always invited us in to see their work. I think it's one of the reasons I ended up with a bus. Thanks everyone for always being ready to share ideas! | ||
| Ray Drummond (Ray_d)
Registered Member Username: Ray_d Post Number: 53 Registered: 4-2006 Posted From: 68.124.102.126  Rating: N/A |
Let them in hell, I drag them in over, under, through the bus and talk their ears off for hours on how I did everything myself. Funny thing is, they run when they get out and never come back........ Ray D | ||
| Chuck Newman (Chuck_newman)
Registered Member Username: Chuck_newman Post Number: 350 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 99.0.41.3  Rating: N/A |
Ray, Did you do the paint job yourself? If so, I'd like to buzz down there and you can talk my ears off about it. Darn nice looking Prevost. | ||
| macgyver (91flyer)
Registered Member Username: 91flyer Post Number: 418 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 12.198.81.194  Rating: N/A |
OT: Ray... I *LOVE* your paint job!! -MAc | ||
| Glenn F Campbell (Gfcgfc1)
Registered Member Username: Gfcgfc1 Post Number: 21 Registered: 12-2008 Posted From: 70.162.227.38  Rating: N/A |
Ray The Paint scheme on your coach REALLY is good looking!!!!! Glenn | ||
| Douglas Tappan (Dougthebonifiedbusnut)
Registered Member Username: Dougthebonifiedbusnut Post Number: 89 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.69.223.64  Rating: N/A |
Hey Ray,I'm the same way.I'd have them crawling under the bus if they were willing. I feel as though I am that forunate to have what I have that it is to cool too to share it with whoever has an obvious interest. I just preface going inside with "It's a work in progress". | ||
| Ray Drummond (Ray_d)
Registered Member Username: Ray_d Post Number: 54 Registered: 4-2006 Posted From: 68.124.102.126 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the compliments, yes I am painting it myself. I drew the lines on adobe illustrator, converted it to cad, then had it plotted full size on house plan paper and then traced it on the bus. Be glad to show it to you Chuck. 530-673-0112 Ray D | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1480 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9  Rating: N/A |
If you leave strangers look inside your coach, leave an unloaded pistol in plain sight. | ||
| Clint Hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 194 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.235.190  Rating: N/A |
yep, makes them feel safer around me if they can have a empty gun to fondle, the three dogs laying around work well to, they would help even a complete stranger not fear me when im'am happily in the bus with them ? Kind of like M.A.D. mindset ? besides bus madness is a good madness to pass on ! | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 787 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.214.45.118 Rating: |
Most of the folks who have asked were in a campground , and seemed to have some concept of bus conversions. So they get the tour. FF | ||
| Frank Allen (Frank66)
Registered Member Username: Frank66 Post Number: 108 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 205.188.116.203 Rating: |
i always allow anybody to look at whatever, the bus people are the best of the best. Frank Allen 4106 | ||
| Grant Thiessen (Busshawg)
Registered Member Username: Busshawg Post Number: 167 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 206.45.93.160  Rating: N/A |
I don't mind people looking if they are interested, my only pet peave is when they come on the bus with dirty shoes and don't think anything of it. I usually tell them so. Canadian Customs ususlly manages to piss me off though, one of these days I'm going to push it with them as we do have the right as Canadians to watch them do the search, and not from across the parking lot! | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 755 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.211.182.102 Rating: N/A |
Yep....BTDT....  RCB | ||
| Chuck Newman (Chuck_newman)
Registered Member Username: Chuck_newman Post Number: 353 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 99.0.41.3 Rating: N/A |
Grant, Sort of on topic, as a Canadian, what is the deal with the border customs there? I've read some folks go right through, and some have watched their bus/RV, as you say, searched from across the parking lot with no explanation. Can't depend on what the media says, so what's the mood with Customs up there today? | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 758 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.208.56.65 Rating: N/A |
On the Southern border it's called "profiling".... RCB | ||
| Mike Eades (Mike4905)
Registered Member Username: Mike4905 Post Number: 191 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 97.106.122.149 Rating: N/A |
I ahve had people want to look after my wife and I finish a show and the answer is no way. In campgrounds and with bus nuts, no problem. I just have to put htings in our floor safe first. | ||
| Jim Gibson (River_rat)
Registered Member Username: River_rat Post Number: 51 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 75.95.96.192 Rating: N/A |
I will show it to almost anyone who seems "decent" and interested, the same with my boat. But, when I leave, I always tape a hand written note to the door that says " Don, I'll be right back - if you go in, be sure to turn the alarm off or you will wake up the whole damn campground!" Just to deter any that want to re-visit on their own. Jim | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 794 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.192.1.192 Rating: N/A |
"But, when I leave, I always tape a hand written note to the door that says " Don, I'll be right back - if you go in, be sure to turn the alarm off or you will wake up the whole damn campground!" Just to deter any that want to re-visit on their own." Other fun is a big bowl and strong chain outside , and a sign Silent Kill Guard Dogs for sale. Or Sally,, The unit was broken into, I went to call the cops. Good at truck stops. FF | ||
| Grant Thiessen (Busshawg)
Registered Member Username: Busshawg Post Number: 170 Registered: 10-2007 Posted From: 206.45.93.160 Rating: N/A |
Chuck, we haven't had big issues with Customs , however they are watching closer. We now have a unmaned plane patrolling the prairie border. I think it all depends on the officer and if he gets any bad vibes. I did insist on watching Canadaian Customs go through our bus, which probably didn't sit right with them, but it is our right as Canadians I feel we need to exersise it. I don't trust them anymore than anyone else. Most of the Customs officers along the small prairie borders are locals who got the job, and some of them need to know we all have rights too. You know how some people can't handle autority. If they ask questions that don't deserve an answer I simply don't answer them. Such as "how dark is your window tint". Having said that, as a Canadian this works on the Canadian side, but we do give up our rights on The U.S. side where we are at their mercy, which is okay by me. I am the one crossing. All in all I wouldn't be scared to cross, just procedure. | ||
| Keith Wood (Ft6)
Registered Member Username: Ft6 Post Number: 117 Registered: 8-2008 Posted From: 75.211.94.138 Rating: N/A |
During the earliest part of the conversion process, I invited people to come look (or, more accurately, I held them hostage for 5 minutes, while I described what I was planning). When I got the bed installed (Select Comfort queen on the adjustable foundation), that changed it from a bus to a home in my mind. From that point on, only friends and fellow busnuts have been allowed to see into the back part. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 804 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.216.69.160 Rating: N/A |
Letting folks see what you can do , helps wannabees dream of joining the fun. Internal tours may help the Bus Nut population. It could build an ownership desire in someone without the skills to convert , to simply purchase a finished coach . THe advantages of a coach over a S&S are EZ to understand , once explained. OPEN HOUSE! (with discretion ) FF | ||
| David B. Sweet (Sweets4104)
Registered Member Username: Sweets4104 Post Number: 30 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 76.230.107.188  Rating: N/A |
I always enjoy showing the inside of our '04, it usually knocks the visitor's sox off. I have quite a collection. The light colored paint and all the ceramic tile and the home style decor really surprises most visitors. When you say bus they think "Hippie bus", it is really fun to show a finished one bedroom traveling apartment.  | ||
| Kasse Weikel (More_s_than_as)
Registered Member Username: More_s_than_as Post Number: 38 Registered: 4-2009 Posted From: 24.205.97.163 Rating: N/A |
i have always been a fan of not locking my doors, i was robbed at an old 1 bedroom apt once (but it was stationary lol). still i keep my doors open and ill do the same with the bus...this will help me be lazy too cause i can just leave the doors how they are(no lock). i do like that safe idea though...i think ill install one in the floor along with some storage compartments thanks for the tip! i usually cant help dragging ppl in there myself as well, its sooo cool to me, especially since where my bus is right now she dun get many visitors :-( i read in the archives that a good tip is a note saying "so-and-so ill brb" along with a used pair of shooes/ boots on the outside of the door as to indicate someone may be inside or the near vicinity. |
