Avondale Caravans NO LONGER!

[Jason2]

Avondale caravans has been closed since 12Aug.

If you call them you get a recorded message saying that they are closed until the 28 Aug.

Any ideas whats happening?

 

[mark_374368910]

Any chance that could be the out of hours message that just hasn't been updated yet?

woody

 

[mark_374368910]

Any chance that could be the out of hours message that just hasn't been updated yet?

woody

just to also note their phone lines open at 10am not 9.00am

woody

 

[Jason2]

I`m pretty sure it isn`t Mark

 

[Jimbob1]

Jason.

Annual Holidays,factory shutdown.Jim

 

[mark_374368910]

Jim thats what I initially thought oo, but their web sites states different dates from 18th July to 04th august (from memory) and also the August B/H.

woody

 

[RogerL]

Avondale apparently haven't resumed production after their summer shutdown.

Given the economic downturn/recession it makes good sense to avoid over-production by extending a holiday - but that's usually accompanied by some sort of press release.

I've not heard any local rumours - they're just down the road from me.

 

[Ian341]

Whilst away last weekend I was told by the person next to us who works in the caravan industry that Avondale have gone bust, dont know whether it is true or not.

Ian

 

[Dustydog]

At the moment there is nothing I can find to substantiate this rumour. If the rumour is true then it is possible the "receiver " may be trying to find a new owner before the 28th August.

Don't forget Avondale make other things as well as touring caravans.

Cheers

Alan

 

[ThePlotter]

I went past the factory an hour ago didnt see anything to indicate a problem if I dont forget I will pop around 2mrw as it is only about 4 mile away.Nothing in the local rag which you would expect as it is a large employer for the area

 

[ThePlotter]

I have just made enquires and sorry but they did in fact go bust last Wednesday and all staff laid off,next yea would have been thee 40th yea.

 

[john_5040743]

they sent all staff home some have worked there for over 30 years. I think thats the end of Avondale unless they get a buyer to take over

 

[vernon]

Ah well! Looking for something to be positive about it, no Avondale possibly means no warranty, so I can go back to servicing my own caravan as I did for the previous 34 years, and save

 

[Guest]

Might be worth pointing out that if an Avondale that is still under warranty was financed (or if a credit card was used in the purchase transaction) the finance company can be held liable for any claims that Avondale are now unable to meet.

Make 'em pay - they're fast enough to hit their customers with the small print, so return the favour.

 

[RogerL]

If they're in Administration they may be looking to split the business, if it's the "park homes" division that's in trouble it may be viable to restructure the touring caravan division.

 

[mark_374368910]

Seems strange if it's the touring division, tghey only signed up another two dealers in April this year, so one would have thought they were doing ok.

woody

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

hi, they also own raymond james caravans in coventry.

see if they can shed any light on it 02476 474747

thanks

jo-anne

 

[bill_374369314]

Just spoke to James caravans in Coventry (0915hrs) and they confirmed that Avondale caravans Has gone bust but Avondale Property and other Avondale subsidiarys are still trading but the caravan/coach building side has ceased trading so unless you bought your caravan direct from them your dealer warrenty will still be valid. We only bought our Avondale (used) in July so it was out of Avondales warrenty so we took out an extended one with the dealer so touch wood we should be ok but not sure how we would go on if we needed any major parts should the worst thing happen??? but still sad news for Avondale.

 

[ThePlotter]

It was an Avondale dealer that told me they had gone bust,I have just gone past the factory (photos on www.carryoncamping.org)and some workers are there (not as many as normal) and look to be completing part built vans,there are loads of new vans in the compound.The park home bit etc I would have thought would be ok as they have the land.

 

[Dustydog]

Thinking about the collapse of Rover a couple of years ago does anyone know the exact Legal position regarding the Avondale warranties on water ingress and also on the fixtures and fittings?

How far is the supplying dealer responsible for remedying any of the faults which were "covered" by the Avondale guarantee?

Under the Sale of Goods Act do you think it could be argued that the dealer is responsible for the same terms and conditions as Avondale?

Cheerrs

Alan

 

[ThePlotter]

Undr the sales of goods act your contract is with the supplying dealer so they are liable even if the manufacturer has gone bust.As someone else mentioned if you bought your van on finance arranged by the dealer(not your bank or elsewhere) then under the Consumer Credit Act 1973 the finance is liable for any faults with the van the same applies if you paid all or some (deposit maybe) on credit cad so long as the amount paid on the card was over

 

[Dustydog]

Plotter ,

I can see a lot of very unhappy dealers picking up claims that they did not expect, eg cracked panels etc.

Cheers

Alan

 

[ThePlotter]

Alan youcould be right but if they were swallowed up by the big groups they may agree to pick up the warranty

 

[Rioja]

Considering the caravan industry is meant to be going through a major growth period this is a surprise. Avondale seemed to get very positive reports whenever you read test reports although personally I never saw a single model I liked.

Whoever came up with the interior designs was colour blind.

Just my opinion of course.

 

[Mark.Bigault]

Hi all,

Just wanted to let you know what we know, which frankly isn't all that much just yet.

We are aware that something is happening, but details are scarce right now.

As far as we know the factory is closed for two weeks while the company looks for a buyer.

As soon as we hear more, you'll hear more.

But until then we just have to sit tight and hope for the best.

Mark Bigault

Features editor