I think in a lot of cases the owner doesn't really know what they have. You're correct, Stephen, that there is certainly some advantage to the buyer who broadens their search terms.

Sometimes the ad for a "VW camper" means the owner doesn't know enough to insert the word Westfalia, and other times it means the vehicle is a non-Westfalia conversion.

I once found a '67 camper for sale in Craigslist with no mention of VW, Volkswagen, bus, split-window, Westfalia, or any other useful term. (I found it using "Bainbridge")

I purchased my Syncro in 1999 from an online ad for a "VW Vanagon". No mention of Syncro or AWD etc. The only clue was "5 speed transmission", which made me wonder if it might possibly be a Syncro. It was, and $900 later it was mine!

Angus
Bainbridge Island WA

On Nov 1, 2013, at 9:38 AM, Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

> This is the third local CL ad I've seen recently wherein the ad title only mentions VW Vanagon and does not specify that it's a camper van.  In the first two cases, nowhere in the entire ad copy did it state that although the pictures in each case clearly showed a poptop camper-type vehicle that in all other respects matched the description.  This one is slightly better in that the body copy mentions it.
>  
> http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/4159544021.html
>  
> This is great if you happen to be looking for a camper and you're relying on other shoppers to not pursue the ones advertised this way, giving you a small but significant advantage.  Sorry, just a small Friday rant.
>  
> I read a motorcycle forum with one thread on "Craigslist Dumba**es" and ads like this qualify.  Quite an entertaining read, actually.  
>  
> Stephen