FAQS

How do all the different Smart Choice Sales LLC business models work?

Smart Choice Sales LLC is a licensed bus dealer based in North Carolina, but we also serve as a "broker" connecting buyers and sellers. Here's how we operate through three different models:

Traditional Dealer Sales: We purchase quality buses and resell them directly from our NC location, just like buying from any vehicle dealership; whether that's a large manufacturer-level dealer or a small independent car lot. Very straightforward and similar to what you're used to when buying your last car.

Consignment Sales: Bus owners bring their vehicles to our dealer lot, and we handle the sale on their behalf, facilitating the transaction between seller and buyer. The bus may not be owned by us, but we handle the whole process start to finish for the bus owner at our location.

Brokerage Services (our primary business model): This is the model where our 45+ years of bus industry experience really shines and why it is our primary business model. The really awesome thing about this model for buyers is the sellers pay 100% of our fees. Meaning you as a buyer when you buy from us pay us nothing as 100% of the money paid to us by you as the buyer along the way is applied directly to the purchase price of the bus, so long as you complete the purchase of that bus, meaning you pay us nothing for our services when you complete the transaction. In this model we are hired by the coach owners (sellers) to leverage our extensive network and industry connections to connect bus owners (sellers) with bus buyers. In these transactions, we don't own the bus, take final or bulk payment, handle titles, or ectara as we simply act as the agent facilitating the deal between the bus owner (seller) and buyer. Because we often do not physically inspect the coach or meet the seller or buyer in person in these brokerage transactions, we are not responsible for verifying the condition, compliance, titling, or suitability of the coach and we make no guarantees regarding its operational status or readiness for service. Buyers are encouraged to conduct their own inspections and due diligence prior to completing a purchase.

All information provided is based on seller provided data and is believed to be accurate to the best of our knowledge. Smart Choice Sales LLC does not guarantee any aspect of condition, compliance, titling, mileage, or readiness; buyers are responsible for independent verification prior to purchase.

In this model when asked I like to tell people to think of us like a real estate agent for buses. Just as homeowners list their property with an agent who knows how to market it (has a large marketing budget and many established listing services) and has the connections to facilitate the sale, bus owners bring their vehicles to us. We have the expertise, marketing reach, extensive marketing budget, listing site connections, and industry relationships to connect them with serious buyers. Like in real estate, the information we provide comes from the bus owner and it's the buyer's responsibility to perform due diligence on the bus just like they would a house to ensure the bus meets or exceeds their needs. Similarly, it's the bus owner's (seller's) responsibility to perform due diligence on the buyer to ensure the buyer meets or exceeds their needs for a safe and legitimate transaction.

On that one key difference from real estate: we're typically not present during the transaction or even on pickup day, so it's up to the bus owner (seller) and buyer to verify everything together such as, but not limited to payment methods, vehicle condition, title, and paperwork. We do our best to facilitate this process for both parties so it is smooth, but because we often haven't physically met the seller, buyer, or even seen the bus in person, we can't make guarantees.

Unlike typical online listing platforms that are household names like eBay for equipment or Zillow for homes, we take a more personalized approach. We provide live, real-time human customer support throughout the entire process. We're with you every step of the way from making needed connections, answering questions, and facilitating the transaction with personalized service by phone calls, text, emails, and every other communication method you can think of to help get the sale completed. We're not just a listing site with links to services, but rather we're real humans ready to work with and for you.

With over 45 years in the bus industry, we work to represent all parties fairly and efficiently, saving sellers time by managing buyer inquiries and helping buyers with financing connections, insurance options, delivery arrangements (within the US only), and expert consulting to ensure a smooth transaction.

Are all the coaches that you market directly owned and sold by you?

Short answer some are, but no not all. That said, be sure to read the long answer below as it is good for you in the way that we do things, and you will see why in great detail below!

Long answer This approach is by far better for you, the buyer, as it allows coaches to remain with the current owners/sellers until purchased and often continue in their active service. This means the current owner/seller should be responsible for maintaining the coaches in DOT compliance, mechanically, and cosmetically while they are available for sale. most coaches we market remain in active charter fleets and continue to serve passengers until purchased, so they should be in suitable condition for your use. Buyers should independently confirm that the coach meets their operational needs.

Coaches that sit for extended periods, such as on a traditional dealer lot can develop issues that may not be immediately apparent once they return to service. Our experience during COVID highlighted this as operators bringing coaches back into service sometimes encountered mechanical and operational challenges. For this reason we recommend that any coach being considered for purchase should have been actively used for at least 15–30 days after any period of extended storage to reduce the chance of surprises.

Additionally, for coaches that have been sitting for more than a short period on traditional dealer lots a longer test drive is recommended to verify that everything is in working order. When we have coaches onsite we generally start and run them weekly and including a test drive route every other week. This helps do what we can to keep them in proper running condition while they remain available for sale.

Finally, we always encourage buyers to perform their own inspections and test drives before completing a purchase to ensure that the coach meets their needs and expectations. Thorough due diligence is the best way to start with confidence in your purchase.

Will I ever be able to talk with the current owner/seller or only you?

Yes of course! Once we get a coach or coaches narrowed down that you are interested in purchasing, we will facilitate and set up a time for you to not only meet in person with the current owner/seller to ask questions and confirm information, but also to see the coach in person to inspect and test the unit out. This is ANOTHER GREAT BENEFIT to the way we do things as this allows you to meet with the current owner where you can ask them questions about the history of the coach, but also allows you to look over and often times take copies of the coach's history with you post purchase. This is a VERY IMPORTANT benefit often times that is lost when purchasing through a more traditional dealer route. So, as you see the way we do things you get the best of both worlds. You get the personal private party experience, but with the access to the professional network for all your coach sourcing, financing, insurance, delivery (within US only), and so much more for all your wants and needs.

Why are coaches in different locations?

As stated above, we approach things differently than most by representing coaches directly out of active charter service. This allows both us and our buyers to have greater confidence that the coach is ready for use. Typically, coaches listed on our site are used regularly on the owners/sellers trips while marketed for sale. This approach helps provide confidence that the coaches represented by us should be DOT compliant and trip ready. Keeping coaches in active service until purchased helps demonstrate this. Buyers are encouraged to perform their own inspections and due diligence before completing a purchase.

Why are there not miles on your listings?

This is for a multitude of reasons, but see below for a couple of main reasons. As well, we like to take the time with each customer to provide the information to save them from being misled, misinformed, or deceived, and give as many details on the miles as we know and how the number we give was obtained.

1. Again as previously mentioned most of the coaches we list for sale are still in service until sold. So because of that the mileage today is different from the mileage tomorrow and this is amplified if a coach is listed more than a few days or weeks especially during busy seasons.

2. Commercial vehicles, unlike your personal car per say, don't have detailed auto history reports that can catch mileage discrepancies. It is very common on larger passenger vehicles for the odometers, ECMs, and other mileage tracking devices to either roll over (1,000,000) where many start back at 0, be replaced due to failure of the odometer, failure of other gauge in the cluster resulting in the dash cluster to be replaced, other mechanical failures in mileage tracking devices thus starting mileage back at 0, or be replaced when either the engine or transmission are replaced to track the mileage of the more important drivetrain. On older coaches most parts on the coach have been replaced due to age or failure so miles are relative depending on what part is being discussed such as body, engine, transmission, shocks, and etc.. Further some ask can the odometers or ECM be trusted if they match? When they match that is a good sign, but still not a guarantee. Lastly during the "covid times" many parts were hard to get and some owners had to resort in replacing parts like gauge clusters (including odometer) and ECMs with used parts thus showing inaccurate information for the coach in question.

So with these couple of reasons and several more we don't want to list mileage if we can't 100% be certain as we don't want to be misleading like other sellers who post miles or photos of miles that they know are likely not real in hopes to deceive somebody. It should be noted as the most important take away being without full maintenance records from new (day 1) to present, nobody can be certain on the miles on the coach.

Why are your photos photoshopped and/or blurred on the listing photos?

As previously stated, many if not all the coaches represented by us are still in active service until sold. Once a deposit or commitment is made the decals will either be removed or a decal removal credit can be negotiated in its place. Furthermore, the decals are either photoshopped or blurred to protect the identity of the owner/seller client so they are not bombarded with calls as they have exclusively hired us to handle the marketing and help facilitate the sale of the coach. With our marketing methods, listings on average are put in front of over 50,000 people monthly based on stats at time of writing. Please know all photos are provided for marketing purposes and are based on information from the owner/seller. Buyers should inspect the coach in person to confirm its actual condition before purchase.

Can I bring my own mechanic or hire a 3rd party for a pre-purchase inspection?

Yes, absolutely and as well we actually encourage that you do that. In addition, if you don't know of one in the area of the coach(es) we will we be more than happy to find a few options in the area to recommend to you.

Can you tell me more about a coach as I don’t see the information I am looking for?

Yes, 100% we can tell you anything you want to know about the coach. While our website and 3rd party listing services are limited in the amount of information we can post, just drop us a quick call, text, or email and we will be happy to answer all your questions and more. We can tell you everything we know about the particular coach(es) you are interested in, but also obtain further information to meet and exceed your wants, needs, and expectations.

Are the prices listed negotiable?

Short answer is yes, you are always welcome to make an offer and all reasonable offers are presented to the coach owners/sellers and considered. Long answer is, before we list coaches, we reference many coach value tools as well as we use custom data we manage internally by following recent coach listings, recent coach sales, and current coach listings all over the industry to come up with what we believe to be a fair market value. So with that we list each coach with a market value best attempt at a pre-negotiated price for you in an attempt to save you, the buyer, the seller/owner, and us time. We understand what it takes to run a charter business and with that we want to do our best to make sure you do not have to lose focus on that while trying make fleet changes. We want to make each transaction as hassle-free as we can for all parties.

What are all the benefits of utilizing your services when buying or selling a coach that makes you stand out better than the rest?

OUR NETWORK! We have built a solid network to include, but not limited to, financing assistance, insurance assistance, delivery assistance (within US only), start-up assistance, and so much more. As well we use our teams combined decades of experience to help consult with our clients to help them grow and meet/exceed their goals.

Furthermore for both our buyers and sellers: We use our extensive experience and robust network we have built over the decades to best serve you at only the highest level possible. Between our website and all the other platforms we pay to list on we reach around at time of writing 50,000 views monthly. This draws both new buyers and sellers in at all times. This high level of exposure can’t be obtained quickly and is due to our years of marketing efforts to build this expansive reach to where it is. As well our owners have been in the coach industry for over four decades. The affiliated charter side of the business and family is involved in almost every if not every industry organization currently or at one time or another for the past 40+ years. Most of that time they are as well serving in leadership roles of many of the industry organizations. As you see this network built is unprecedented and is the main key to our success at serving you at only the highest level. So call today and put our network to work for you at little to no upfront cost to our sellers until your coach(es) sell and at little (if you don't buy) to absolutely ZERO cost to our buyers if you do buy aside from the purchase price of the coach.

Additionally for buyers: When buying from us, you get to utilize our network and experience at very little cost if you don't buy, but use services or even at ZERO cost to you when you do buy as any money you pay is applied to the purchase price of the vehicle when you do buy.

Additionally for sellers: We market your vehicles where we take not just the upfront listings costs off your plate, but also handle all the time-consuming duties that come with marketing, finding the right buyer, and selling the coach(es), the paperwork templates, and so much more.


What options do I have to sell a coach with you?

1. Your best option for you, the buyer, and Smart Choice Sales is for us to consign, broker, or represent the coach. This is the best method for you as the coach can remain in service with you where it earns money until sold. It is also the best method for the buyer as they can meet with you and ask questions about the coach before purchasing as well as know it is ready to go into service for them since it is working for you and your customers until they buy. Lastly it is best for us as it cuts down on the time and expenses of getting the coach to our site and as well maintaining a coach that is no longer in operation. All this usually not only leads to keeping all parties the happiest, but also comes out better on the bottom line for all parties. For you the seller the revenue earned in addition to the same sale price and quickest sale option is great. For the buyer and Smart Choice Sales as we don’t have to pay the fees associated with getting the coach to our site and other additional expenses. So, as you see this option is the best for everybody. It is also the most selected and utilized option among our clients.

2. Trade the coach in towards the purchase of your next coach if buying through us.

3. We are also a licensed dealer so we can buy your coach outright, so you don’t have to buy your next coach with us if we don’t have what you want and need at the time or you are looking to downsize or even if you're just needing quick capital. For this we can either come to you and purchase or you can bring the coach to us. Either way please know we will inspect the coach thoroughly before making an offer and paying. The latter option will net you the highest offer from us.

Financing, Insurance, Delivery, Start Up Assistance and More!

As discussed previously we have built an extensive network for all your wants and needs. Please contact a Smart Choice Sales LLC sales associate with your wants and needs and we are standing by ready to put our extensive network to work for you in all these areas! (Please note we do NOT export or work with anybody exporting a vehicle outside the US or Canada.)

How much insurance do I need?

This is a question best answered by an insurance company or your legal team as it may vary by the type of use, type of business, and many other factors. That said, because it is asked so much and often times, we have found the insurance companies are not getting the right polices done for our charter/for hire clients we wanted to provide some brief insight for conversations with your insurance company. The following is not official advice, but just general opinion and sharing of information as it has been told to us and based on our own experience. At time of writing the minimum of $5,000,000 is required for all charter/for hire transportation companies that plan to operate the coach across state lines. If operating in one state only or only smaller vehicle sometimes the minimum is lower. Please make sure your total insurance from one of more polices equals the $5,000,000 amount to ensure you are compliant. When seeking a loan through our financing options and most others we have seen this is a requirement they will verify before funding a deal and is one of the most common holdups we experience in the deal.

Can I bring my own outside financing or do I have to use yours?

Yes, because we charge no finance fees and we do not mark up interest rates like some dealers do it makes no difference to us if you bring your own outside financing or use ours or even pay without financing. Also know that if you bring your own outside financing we will even connect with them directly to get them everything they need and as well work just as hard with both them and you to get the deal done just as if it was our financing partner. It makes no difference to us if you use your own outside financing, pay in full without financing, or use our financing as in the end we get you in the coach you want and that is all that matters to us. That said, there are many benefits to using our partnered financing company. For example, we have a personal relationship with them and can call on them at all hours of the day (even after normal business hours) to pull last minute items off more quickly and efficiently. As well being that we work with them on a daily basis we know exactly what they need which helps expedite your transaction. That all said we just want to help you and are here to do what is best for you no matter what that may be when it comes to the payment of your purchase.

Warranties?

This one is tricky as both sellers and 3rd party warranty services can in theory provide warranties. If a seller claims they are offering a warranty, be sure to get all the details and agreement in writing, but even with this, it can be hard to enforce. With 3rd party warranty companies, options are limited, but more reliable as they are regulated. However, the costs can be high (contact sales associate for more details).

You should safely assume all units sold by any seller be it private party, auction, dealer, broker, agent, or any other type of seller including, but not limited to Smart Choice Sales LLC unless otherwise noted on the bill of sale and supporting warranty document(s) are sold "as is" with no warranties of any kind. (For more details on this from Smart Choice Sales LLC please check the listing, check with a sales associate, or check out our disclaimers page.)

What is the difference between an Allison and ZF transmission?

The best way to describe a ZF transmission is that it is a manual transmission with an automatic clutch. The gears change automatically. When shifts happen, you will get the sensation as if you are changing gear manually. The power comes completely off, the shift happens, then the power comes back all the while your foot stays on the gas pedal. The Allison transmission is no different from your car's automatic transmission whereas the ZF could be compared to some sporty cars where they have a “manual” mode where you can shift gears with either paddle shifters or using the gear shift with no clutch.

Do passenger counts include the driver or only physical passenger count?

Our listed passenger count is how many actual passenger seats are on the coach which of course does NOT include the driver's seat.

Do I need a CDL or is this coach California compliant?

Both of these questions are asked a lot and while due to legality we can't answer these questions with 100% certainty, we will give you as much information as we can. More importantly when we can we will send you links to information for your local state resources to help you find the answers you are looking for. All information we provide on this is to the best of our knowledge and shouldn't be taken as guaranteed fact and should be confirmed with your local agencies.

Are we a licensed, bonded, and insured dealer?

Yes we are! There are many people out in the coach resale market right now that are doing it as a side gig/hustle with no license, bond, insurance, or physical location. While you may wonder why that is an issue, I can say from my opinion this allows them to disappear quickly in the event of an issue. We have a large physical location that we have been at since inception of Smart Choice Sales LLC, but for 45+ years for our other affiliated companies, a dealer license, a bond, insurance, and so much more that shows we are set up legitimately and here to stay for the long haul. You may think that when buying and selling coaches you can handle any issues that may arise on your own or even prevent them. However, I can tell you from experience that issues can and do arise and when they do, we don’t flee as we do everything we can to help resolve issues quickly and effectively for our clients where we can within our power and network.

This setup also allows for us to act as a traditional dealer where we can buy or take in on trade your coaches when you need out quickly in order to buy the coach or coaches you are looking for.

All information we provide on this page is to the best of Smart Choice Sales LLC's knowledge and shouldn't be taken as guaranteed facts and should be confirmed with the appropriate parties, agencies, or external sources.