Anyone had troubles with Discovery (Mendip Caravans) after Sales

[Mark_374373805]

I thought I had problems but my sister in law bought a brand new Magnum from Mendip Caravans at Weston-super-Mare, delivered to the site at Easter 2008.

Since then the furniture has become thread bear, with the threads actually becoming loose and hanging.

Went back to after sales at Mendip, who have now sold out to Discovery, and to give them their due, eventually, said that they would replace (as a good will gesture). Good News! But then - Cracking has appeared on the exterior of the van just below the seal, low and behold, Discovery are now disputing that the warranty is with Mendip caravans (who are no longer trading) not themselves.

It looks like its going to be a long battle!!!

You worry about after sales when buying secondhand but when buying brand new from a so say, reputable dealer? you expect better than this.

Been to some consumer advice institutions and they haven't given her much hope, they have said that if she would would have bought through credit she would have had more support.

We have heard that others have had problems since the takeover and wondered to what extent.

Let me know, Thanks for reading,

Mark

 

[emmerson2]

Rumour control says that Discover Group are in trouble, so you might have an even bigger struggle. Good luck.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Mark,

Your sister in law, may well be suffering problems as a result of the change of ownership of Mendip.

Firstly lets get the warranty and guarantee positions clarified. Without any doubt, your SIL's warranty rests with the organisation that took her money, in this case Mendip caravans. Her contract was with Mendip, and if the caravans is proving to be faulty as a result of original faults then the Sale of Goods Act comes into play.

Depending on the commercial arrangement that caused Mendip to sell to Discovery, the liability for warranty may or may not transfer. In essence if Discovery bought out Mendip as a going concern, they also bought the liabilities for warranty costs. But if the sale was a result of a bankruptcy, then the business has gone and the warranty liability has also dissolved. After such a bankruptcy the buyer can in essence pick and choose what aspects of the business they assume responsibility for. Warranty is usually a casualty of such deals.

Now your SIL will most likely also have a manufacturer's guarantee. This is separate and in addition to the sale of goods warranty and is backed by the manufacturer, not the dealer. So provided the manufacture is still in business and nothing has happened to the caravan to cause the guarantee to be void, then she should be able to get some satisfaction from the manufacture.

She should look in details at the documentation she received when she purchased the caravan. Look for the manufactures guarantee and check the details.

If she is in any doubt then she should seek professional legal advice. Trading Standards, and the CAB can be good sources for help.

Best of luck

 

[Russ2]

I would agree with John L about getting in touch with the manufacturer. I have done this on several occasions, over the years, where a retailer hasn't been helpful and have always found the manufacturer to be most helpful once you explain why you want top deal direct.

But there is a BUT here! I think Magnum is Mendip's own brand. Not sure who makes it for them though, or what the position would be.

Good luck

 

[ThePlotter]

It is correct if it was bought on finanace that was arranged by the dealer then the finance company would be liable for repairs under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 section 56,equally if any of the cost (deposit maybe) was paid by credit card then they will be liable so long as the amount paid on the card was

 

[Mark_374373805]

Many Thanks to all that have replied or advised on this topic, I have passed on all your comments, which has enabled her to try a different approach to this complaint.

Watch this space for any update.

Thanks,

Mark