It was to be a van like no other in Washington.
Now, it’s like all the others at the Mercedes Benz of Lynnwood dealership – for sale.
The white 2011 Sprinter, which weeks ago was slated for a customized conversion into a “Lottomobile”,
is being sold on consignment for the Washington State Lottery. The asking price is $42,995.
Lottery officials returned it to the lot last week after Gov. Chris Gregoire halted their plans for transforming it into a roving outlet for selling lottery tickets.
The state Lottery Commission bought the vehicle in June for $44,905. Add in taxes and fees and the total cost reached around $49,000. Commissioners approved spending another $75,000 to customize it into a “Lottomobile” that would travel to fairs, festivals and other events around the state. Proceeds from sales of lottery tickets were to pay for it all.
Gregoire put the kibosh on the project Oct. 3 saying the $125,000 undertaking sent the wrong message at a time state leaders are looking to curtail spending due to a budget deficit. She told them to sell the van and “ensure that you recoup all costs.”
Lottery officials probably won’t be able to get every dollar back primarily because the van is no longer brand new; it’s got nearly 400 miles on the odometer.
They’ll wind up around $2,410 short of the goal, said lottery spokesman Arlen Harris said.
Of that, $1,910 is the difference in the price paid in June and the asking price today. The rest is for a $500 payment to the dealership to compensate employees for their time in trying to sell it.
“Our deputy director has talked to the governor’s office so I think there is an understanding,” Harris said.
And will it be sold below the asking price?
That’s a decision based on the customers, Harris said.
“(The dealership) will contact our deputy director to present any and all purchase offers for us to accept or decline,” he said.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
