Correct.  The major difference is there are two warranties on a vehicle
bought from a reputable (and state licensed and regulated) dealer like Go
Westy.  The first is the written warranty, and the second is the "implied"
warranty.  If you have a problem you think they are responsible for and they
refuse to fix it, you can cause them a lot of PR trouble that could have a
big impact on their business.

Typically a reputable shop will either fix problems or refund your money,
even to the point of buying it back at full price.   In fact, my '84 Westy
was a VW warranty buy back that I purchased in '86 from a dealer.  But
that's another story.

A private seller will offer a vehicle only "as is,"  and it should be
cheaper.

Since GW offers a warranty, you can assume they have gone through everything
to justify their price.  At a minimum the brakes, tires, and other safety
related equipment will have been brought up to snuff to avoid liability.
You won't be stuck with a lemon.

Stuart

Nice '85 Westy--yours for $25k, no warranty.  Not even half a block.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Tom Hargrave
Sent: Saturday, December 28, 2013 4:26 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Selling my 1989 Bluestar ($25k)

There is a difference between Go Westie and a private seller. They have
spent years developing their market and the name has a premium.

Set-up your vanagon exactly like one of theirs and yours will still sell for
less. Regardless vanagons are expensive and I believe you will eventually
get what you are asking for.

Thanks, Tom Hargrave