I think the clipboard and checklist is an excellent idea! The purpose is to avoid forgetting something. This is exactly how the places that do buyers inspections operate. Its even how the manufacturer does their own quality control checks at the factory.

--- On Thu, 1/20/11, David Vickery <david_vickery@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

From: David Vickery <david_vickery@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: first time buyer
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Thursday, January 20, 2011, 10:29 AM

People will have different tolerance for risk, but if you come to look at my van with a clipboard, see ya.� You got to know what you're looking at to evaluate it.� Or take it to a VW mechanic. 

I didn't say I wouldn't talk about the van, just that a checklist and clipboard approach is not going to work for me. It is kind of a seller's market, especially if you want to buy one nearby that is in pretty good condition and priced appropriately.�