Interested in getting into a skoolie conversion? When talking about how much a school bus conversion cost, we all know the initial expense could be the heaviest. So, where can you find cheap used school buses? This list is updated for 2022, including several new marketplaces!
We Sell School Buses
If you prefer to buy from a small business, this website is perfect for you. This business is run by a couple in Tampa, FL but they deliver nationwide. There is no dealer fee when you buy from them. Also for a small business, they have a very impressive inventory!
Macalister Transportation
You know the quality is ensured when you actually buy from a freight equipment dealer who sells used school buses. They also sell parts and provide maintenance services, making them a convenient one-stop-shop for those just getting into skoolie conversion.
GovDeals
Don’t want to call the school districts up one by one? We got you. Check out GovDeals, a website for government surplus auctions. School buses are listed under “Buses, Transit, and School”, so you’re more than likely to find other types of buses as well. Explore your options from hundreds of listings and find the best deal!
Purple Waves
This is another great auction site where you can snatch insanely good deals, so long you’re willing to put in the work! This is a no-reservation auction site, so whatever you see you need to grab it right away. You’ll also find other construction tools and equipment here, which could come in handy down the road for your conversion.
r/skoolies on Reddit
If you’ve thought about buying a used bus on Craigslist, then, you might as well check out Reddit. Users of the skoolie subreddit vary from experienced conversion veterans, actual bus dealers, to those who just started with the school bus adventure. Any selling resources you find here are often vouched by regular users so you know those are legitimate.
Busesforsale.com
As one of the most trusted bus-selling platforms in the United States, Busesforsale.com is definitely many people’s first choice when it comes to buying a bus. They have everything from regular school buses to double-deckers and the prices are usually affordable in the middle tier.
This website also provides you with plenty of information for bus insurance, which makes many new owner’s life so much easier.
Nationalbus.com
Nationalbus.com is another great place to buy used school bus. They also have parts for buses for sale. This is more than just a selling platform, as it comes with other services like painting and body work, or servicing and inspection.
So, for those looking for a one-stop-shop for their new school bus purchasing journey, definitely check out Nationalbus.com.
Nwbus.com
Nwbus.com is a regional bus sales platform and has a wide inventory covering everything from short buses to coach buses. This is one of the few platforms that offer great financing options. They also have fantastic customer service. So, if you’re not good at shopping for buses online, you can just give the ma call and they’ll take care of you.
Publicsurplus.com
Publicsurplus.com is one of the best places to buy used school buses for cheap. But the site is a bit outdated and navigation could be challenging. This is the place that would take more time and research to dig through, but it definitely is worth the effort.
Since this is not a school-bus-specific trading platform, you don’t always find buses listed here. But when you do, it’s often much cheaper than other sources.
Americanbussales.net
American Bus Sales is one of the oldest bus trading platforms and is still going strong. They are one of the only platforms that would help you with warranties. American Bus Sales also has a comprehensive servicing department that will help you maintain your new purchase. The nationwide delivery also makes our life much easier.
Should You Buy a Bus From Craigslist?
Occasionally, you may see an RV, camper, or even schoolbus deal on Craigslist. And many would ask: is it a good idea to buy a school bus from craigslist?
The answer really varies. If you’re an experienced converter and know what you’re looking at, you can sometimes find really good deals on Craigslist. However, if you’re not familiar with buses, it’s best for you to buy from a trusted resource.
Buy Directly From a School
Finally, another place where you can buy used school buses is from schools directly. All you need to do is talking to the school districts nearby, and see if they have buses for sale or if they’re planning on swapping out their buses.
Buying directly from the school is an easy, safe method since they can give you all the details you need about the bus, and the quality/mileage is usually acceptable. Buses coming from school directly are also maintained and inspected up to date.
So, if you don’t mind doing the research and outreach, we definitely recommend you to talk to your nearby school districts for a used bus.