Third motorhome: something different
Now that we already had two motorhomes, I decided to get something different for the third. I wanted to offer customers – and ourselves – the chance to experience trips in different mobile homes. I fell in love at first sight with the LMC Innovan 590 model. I especially liked its modern gray 'base color,' which gave the van a trendy look.
I started looking for the right vehicle, but in Finland this newest model was only available new. So I turned my gaze once again to the German market, which is famously vast – with plenty of supply and often better prices.
Delays and doubts
After the deal, communication with the seller started to falter. He responded poorly to messages – and sometimes not at all. I repeatedly asked when the van could be picked up and what was delaying it.
Time after time the answer was that the van was waiting for a final inspection. After over a month, I started to suspect something fishy. Eventually I got an explanation: the van's gas heater had been found defective and they'd been waiting for a spare part.
I always check the backgrounds of vehicles bought abroad using CarVertical and the chassis number. I also often verify with a local brand dealer that the information matches.
An unusual registration plate solution
I decided to try an alternative solution: I got red-and-white sticker plates from a Finnish inspection station in advance. Within the EU, you could drive with any country's transit plates, so I assumed this applied to Finnish sticker plates too.
Journey to Leipzig
I took out a separate insurance policy for the purchased vehicle and booked a flight to Berlin. Traveling alone, the most convenient route was by plane to Berlin, then by train to Leipzig and by bus to the dealership.
German train seating practice is peculiar by Finnish standards: if you haven't reserved a seat, you can sit anywhere – but since reservation info isn't shown on the seats, someone can ask you to move at any time.
Van finally in hand
In the dealership's yard, the right van was waiting, ready for pickup. There was only one salesperson who didn't speak any English. He was friendly though and handled the handover professionally.
The drive home began leisurely. I had reserved two days for it, so there was no rush. On the first day I made it to Poland, near Wrocław. Using Park4Night, I found an idyllic lakeside park where I spent the night.
Hotel night in Kaunas and homecoming
Driving north, the weather only got colder, so I decided to sleep the next night at a hotel in Kaunas. Via Baltica runs right past the city, and Kaunas was already familiar.
The next morning I continued toward Estonia and Tallinn port. I made it just in time for the evening's last ship and arrived home at night. Nobody stopped me during the entire trip because of the sticker plates, so this seemed like a workable concept for quick pickup trips.
All costs considered, I saved over €15,000 in two days – and got an exciting adventure as a bonus.
