OK to set the scene, I was watching crap TV when the Budget Direct Insurance ad comes on. A little bit bored and for shits and giggles I decided to use the net to see what their cover and premiums are. Well as expected they have no idea about cars like Shannons, and only want to insure new, unmoded jap crap. i checked their quoted replacement price which they get from REDBOOK. so I decide to ask redbook if they can find a car at that price, no make that 50 at twice their quoted replacement cost, I'm sure i could make my money back on the reasale.

Here is correspondence so far.

On Sat, Sep 20, 2008 at 1:29 PM,

i have used your ENLIGHTING website to check the value of a car for insurance valuation and am interested if you would be able to find one at the price quoted on your site. the details are for a 1962 Volkswagen Kombi standard. I am willing to pay you twice your listed price for a one in good condition with RWC. PLEASE get back to me ASAP as i am interested in your findings. I would love to know where you are able to find these and will purchase 50 if you have them at that price.

thankyou for your promt feedback.


REPLY________________________________

Good morning,

Thank you for enquiry. The Redbook provides a vehicle valuation and specification service to its users. We research the information from a number of sources including auctions and magazines. Unfortunately for this reason we are not able to assist you in actually purchasing this vehicle.

I hope this information has been useful and should you have any further questions please feel free to contact me at anytime.

Kind regards,


Rachel Luxton | Production Supervisor
The Red Book | Level 2, 111-117 Devonshire St, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010
t: +61 (0)2 9310 7622 | f: +61 (0)2 9310 7455
The Red Book - The Pricing Authority


I am currently trying to find out where they get their info so i will keep AVD posted, hell sometimes i have nothing better to do than challenge these poeple.

how about leave the lovely lady alone.. you got something else to do?!

AP61, maybe you should go fix yours so it's worth more than $1500.

I personally think splits are totally over valued at the mo, although it is better than 18 months ago. Things are only worth what people will pay and some people will only pay $1500. I personally would pay less for what you have in your avatar. Food for thought?

Like VWCOOL said, leave her alone. Not everyone thinks VWs are the answer to life the universe and everything and she's just trying to do her job. Give her a break.

At Volksrestore in the 90's, we had, on a couple of occasions, the good people from redbook asking for recent sales and restoration costs for thier research. Sounds like they dont do this anymore.

I reckon send your emails.

as a motor assessor i know for a fact these glasses guides are way out on early model cars and nothing seems to get done about them, at the end of the day you insure your car for a sum insured amount or market value which then you supply info of vehicles for sale of the same make and model etc for whatever the avg price is so you get what they sell for, THE GLASSES GUIDE IS ONLY A GUIDE to determine market value, trading post and carsales etc is more helpful in determining the value of older vehicles, personally i think you should spend your time fixing your car or something usefull instead of harassing a poor lady who at the end of the day is just a little fish employed by a big company who has no control over these things.