Why Buy from a Specialty Bus Dealer? What to Expect
One team for choosing, financing, delivering, and servicing your bus. Here is what to expect before and after the sale, and what to ask.
By Dominic Menard - National Director of Marketing & Technology
Published • Last updated
Carpenter Bus Sales is here to help you find the right bus and take care of you after you buy it. We sell, deliver, rent*, and service buses, plus run a bus parts store with over 600 parts listed online, so we're here to help you with all of it, before and after the sale.
Key takeaways
- We keep a big lineup ready for you. Carpenter Bus Sales generally has 200 or more new and used buses in stock.
- We bring it to you, wherever you are. Carpenter Bus Sales delivers to organizations in all 50 states with its own delivery team.
- Your warranty goes where you go. Every new bus from Carpenter Bus Sales gets free coverage on the entire vehicle, and you pick a qualified local shop for repairs.
- Need a bus while yours is in the shop? Carpenter Bus Sales service customers get a reduced rental rate*.
- Not sure how to pay? Carpenter Bus Sales' Business Manager, Heather Blackburn, can walk you through the ways to finance your bus, including loans, TRAC leases, walk-away leases, and lease-to-own.
Source: Heather Blackburn, Business Manager at Carpenter Bus Sales.
What does a specialty bus dealer do that a general seller can't?
A specialty dealer takes care of your bus from the first call to the years after the sale. Carpenter Bus Sales helps you pick the right bus, finance it, deliver it, service it, supply the parts, and stand behind it with a warranty. We've been doing that since 1953, and we're family owned.
Here's what that looks like from start to finish.
| Stage | What we do | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Pick the bus | Carpenter Bus reps help you match size, license rules, engine, storage, and accessibility to how you'll use it. | Buses for sale |
| Pay for it | Loans, TRAC leases, walk-away leases, and lease-to-own through a network of lenders. | Ways to buy a bus |
| Get it delivered | Carpenter Bus delivers to organizations in all 50 states with its own delivery team. | Find your salesman |
| Make it yours | Carpenter Bus handles bus graphics, lettering, and custom wraps before delivery. Allow a couple of extra weeks on your timeline. | Your Carpenter Bus Sales rep |
| Stay covered | Every new bus from Carpenter Bus Sales comes with free warranty coverage on the entire vehicle. | Warranty Department |
| Keep it running | Carpenter Bus services buses in Franklin, Tennessee, and Elm Mott, Texas, including buses it didn't sell. | Service department |
| Get the bus parts | CarpenterBusParts.com, the Carpenter Bus online bus parts store, is open 24/7. | CarpenterBusParts.com |
| Keep moving while yours is in the shop | Carpenter Bus service customers get a reduced rate on bus rentals* in Tennessee and Texas. | Bus rentals |
| Trade in or sell yours | Carpenter Bus accepts trade-ins and applies fair market value toward any new or used bus in its inventory. It also buys well-maintained buses and vans nationwide. | We buy buses |
Carpenter Bus has sold over 10,000 buses and generally has 200 or more new and used buses in stock. Carpenter Bus sells shuttle buses, church buses, activity buses, wheelchair accessible buses, passenger vans, and wheelchair vans. For new vehicles, Carpenter Bus carries Starcraft, Glaval, and Collins buses. It also carries Forest River Vans, FR Conversions vans, ADA Boy wheelchair vans, and L.A. West luxury Sprinter, Transit, and ProMaster conversions. Carpenter Bus used inventory can include other chassis, like Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, and Freightliner.
Inventory changes, so ask your rep to confirm that a specific model is available. Tell us what you need and we'll help you find it.
What questions should a good bus rep ask and answer before you buy?
A good rep starts with how you'll use the bus: who rides, how many, who drives, where you go, and what you carry. From there, Carpenter Bus reps walk you through size, license rules, engine choice, storage, accessibility, and new versus used. Here's each question and where to read more.
| Question to settle | What a good answer covers | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| How many people ride, driver included? | Passenger counts include the driver. Small buses seat 15 or fewer, medium buses 16 to 30, and large buses 31 or more. | Your Carpenter Bus Sales rep |
| Who will drive? | License rules depend on weight, seating, use, and your state. | Shuttle buses and driver's licenses |
| Gas or diesel? | How the tradeoffs play out for your miles, weight, and terrain. Carpenter Bus sells both. | Gas vs diesel engines |
| How much storage do you need? | Cargo space and seat count work against each other. | Storage options on buses |
| Do you need a wheelchair lift? | Most Carpenter Bus buses can be set up with a rear or side lift. Lifts from Braun, Ricon, and Maxon handle up to 800 pounds. | Wheelchair buses for sale |
| New or used? | New buses come with Carpenter Bus Sales warranty coverage. Used buses don't. | What to look for in a used bus |
Take Rick Cassels, Regional Sales Manager at Carpenter Bus Sales. He spent about 22 years in local church ministry and about five years in the automotive business before joining Carpenter Bus in 2015. On his staff page he says, "Every organization has unique transportation needs, and I enjoy helping customers find the right fit while making the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible." That is the spirit we want you to feel when you call Carpenter Bus Sales: help finding the right fit, and a buying process that is as smooth and enjoyable as we can make it.
What type of license do you need to drive a bus?
It depends on the bus and your state. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires a commercial driver's license (CDL) for a vehicle rated at 26,001 pounds or more, one built for 16 or more people including the driver, or one carrying placarded hazardous materials. In most states, a bus built for 15 people or fewer is under that line.**
**License rules also depend on the bus's weight, how you use it, and your state, so check with your state DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) before you choose a bus.
Some states, including California and Connecticut, apply stricter rules to churches and nonprofits, not looser ones. Not sure where your group lands? Call us, or read our full guide to shuttle bus licensing.
In Carpenter Bus Sales delivery records, roughly two-thirds of the buses delivered since January 2022 (through July 2026) were small buses, 15 passengers or fewer. That's our customers, not a national number, but it shows what other buyers choose.
Rick Cassels, Regional Sales Manager at Carpenter Bus Sales, tells of a rural Texas church with only two CDL drivers. It lost both and wanted to sell its bus and leave the bus business. Rick says that is becoming more common, so keep recruiting CDL drivers if you run a CDL bus. That's one church's story, not a national number, but it shows why a backup driver plan matters.
How do you avoid storage regret?
Plan your cargo before you pick a seat count. Rick Cassels, Regional Sales Manager at Carpenter Bus Sales, says too little storage is the regret he hears most often from customers after a purchase. That's what he sees with Carpenter Bus customers, not a national survey, but it shows you the mistake to avoid before you order.
A rear luggage area takes floor space that would otherwise hold seats, so the same bus seats fewer people with it. Tell your rep what you haul on a typical trip, like airport bags, sports gear, or mission trip supplies. Then ask for the seat count with the luggage area in place, so there are no surprises. Not sure what you need? Call us and we'll help you sort it out. Storage options on buses shows your choices.
What do you get after the sale?
You get a team that stays in your corner. Carpenter Bus Sales backs every new bus and van with a free warranty on the entire vehicle, has two service shops ready to work on your bus, runs a parts store that's open all day and night, and can put you in a rental bus while yours is in for service. Here's how each piece helps you.
A warranty that covers the whole bus and lets you pick your shop
Every new bus and van from Carpenter Bus Sales comes with our free SilverCare warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles on the entire vehicle, bumper to bumper. Want even more peace of mind? You can upgrade to our GoldCare warranty for a one-time $800. Churches, ministries, and senior care communities get our PlatinumCare warranty free, with 8 years and unlimited miles. All three cover the entire vehicle. They differ in who qualifies, price, and length.
| Program | Who gets it | Price | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| SilverCare | Every new bus and van buyer | Free | 5 years or 60,000 miles |
| GoldCare | Any new bus buyer who upgrades | $800, one time | 7 years or 70,000 miles |
| PlatinumCare | Churches, ministries, and senior care communities | Free | 8 years, unlimited miles |
Carpenter Bus Sales offers the only 8-year unlimited mile warranty in the industry for churches, ministries, and senior care communities.
Using your warranty is easy, and you don't have to haul your bus back to us. You can use any qualified local repair shop, so help is close to home wherever you are:
- Call the Carpenter Bus Sales Warranty Department before any work begins.
- Take the bus to a qualified local shop you choose.
- Pay the $100 deductible. Carpenter Bus pays the shop directly for approved parts and labor.
Routine maintenance and consumables like filters and fluids aren't covered. Carpenter Bus Sales warranties don't transfer to a new owner, though a factory chassis warranty may transfer under the manufacturer's terms. Confirm current terms with your rep, and read the ins and outs of your bus warranty for the full walk-through.
Buying used? Used buses don't come with a Carpenter Bus Sales warranty, but any factory warranty that's left still applies. Your rep can tell you whether an optional service contract is available for the bus you're considering.
Two service shops that know buses
For regular service, repairs, and inspections, you can also bring your bus to Carpenter Bus. We have two service shops, and our qualified technicians work on buses every day, including buses we didn't sell. This is separate from your warranty, so you can use our shops for any service, and your warranty repairs can still go to the local shop you choose.
Franklin, Tennessee, services buses and vans. Elm Mott, Texas, just north of Waco, has six full-service bays and a 60-foot paint and body booth. It does federal DOT inspections and also works on vans, trucks, RVs, and other specialty vehicles. Both shops are open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Central.
Parts, any time you need them
Need a part? CarpenterBusParts.com is our online bus parts store, and it's open 24/7. Order when it's convenient for you, even in the middle of the night.
A rental bus while yours is in the shop
If your bus is in for service and you still need to get people where they're going, we've got you. Bus rentals* are available in Tennessee and Texas, and service customers get a reduced rate while their bus is in for service at either location. You'll need proof of insurance that meets the rental requirements, and the rental team will walk you through it. Confirm current terms with the rental team. Just ask when you schedule service, or see our bus rentals page.
How can a specialty dealer help you pay for a bus?
Carpenter Bus Sales has a few ways to help you pay: loans of 24 to 84 months on new buses, TRAC leases, walk-away leases, and lease-to-own programs, all through a network of lenders. Heather Blackburn, Business Manager at Carpenter Bus Sales, says used-bus loans depend on the bus's age and usually go up to 48 months. Terms change, so check current options with your rep before you set your budget.
Once Carpenter Bus Sales has your completed credit application, it typically gives you a credit decision within one business day. For churches, Carpenter Bus almost always finances with the church entity itself, so pastors and board members aren't personally liable. If your church leases a new bus, PlatinumCare still applies, and the coverage is in your church's name, not the leasing company's. Qualified organizations can also ask about $0 down and seasonal payment options. Carpenter Bus can't promise approval, a rate, or a payment amount.
Heather says senior care communities usually choose a walk-away lease so they can return the bus after a handful of years, while churches usually choose a loan or lease-to-own because they plan to keep the bus a long time. On a walk-away lease, you can return the bus, re-lease it (depending on credit approval), or buy it at fair market value. You're responsible for lease return damage beyond normal wear and tear and for mileage overages. See ways to buy a bus to compare leasing and buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a wheelchair lift change the license I need?
A lift doesn't decide the license by itself. The bus's weight rating, the number of people it's designed to carry, and your state's rules do. Most Carpenter Bus buses can be set up with a rear or side lift, and your drivers should be trained to use it.
Does Carpenter Bus Sales sell both new and used buses?
Yes. Carpenter Bus Sales sells new and used buses. New buses come with Carpenter Bus Sales warranty coverage. Used buses don't, and any factory warranty that's left still applies.
What kinds of organizations buy buses from Carpenter Bus Sales?
Churches and ministries, hotels and resorts, airport shuttle operators, casinos and entertainment venues, senior care communities, adult and child day care centers, and limousine and transportation companies all buy from Carpenter Bus Sales. Looking for a church bus or a senior care bus? See our church bus page and senior care bus page.
Can Carpenter Bus Sales help me if I am not in Tennessee or Texas?
Yes. Carpenter Bus Sales sells and delivers nationwide with its own delivery team. Browse current inventory online, then talk with the Carpenter Bus rep for your state about the bus you want and what delivery looks like where you are.
Does Carpenter Bus Sales service buses it did not sell?
Yes. The Carpenter Bus Sales service department works on buses no matter where you bought them, and it supports all major bus brands and chassis. Call (800) 370-6180 to schedule service at the Franklin, Tennessee or Elm Mott, Texas location.
What is the next step?
Call us and tell us who rides, who drives, and what you carry. A Carpenter Bus Sales bus specialist will help you find the right bus, and we'll be here for the service, parts, and warranty after the sale. Find your salesman online or call (800) 370-6180.
*Bus rental services are provided solely by CB Bus Rental LLC, a separate legal entity from Carpenter Bus, LLC. Carpenter Bus, LLC sells new and used buses, parts, and service. It does not own, operate, or provide rental vehicles or rental services and is not a party to any rental agreement. All rental vehicles, rental agreements, and rental obligations are the sole responsibility of CB Bus Rental LLC.
