Buying new from the NEC

[MandM1]

Hi

Never bought a new van before but now wishing to. I have settled on a Bailey Ranger 510/4 thanks to some advice from this forum.

I understand there are good deals to be had buying from the NEC what are the advantages? - are there any disadvantages buying this way. A number of Questions.

1) If I buy a van new at the NEC, Do I just pay a deposit? on the day

2) How long would I expect to have to wait to collect the van - is it any different than if I went to my nearest dealer?

3) Would I be buying a 2007 or 2008 model?

4) How do dealers manage trade ins. I have a 2001 Discovery 474. Do they give me a price which is then binding?

Anything else I need to consider?

Many thanks in anticipation.

Mat

 

[AnnM1]

Hi Mat

Congratulations on going ahead with a new van from the NEC!

To answer your points:

1. A deposit is usually asked for at he time of 'signing up' on the deal.

2 & 3. It will be a 2008 model and the dealer should be able to give you some idea on delivery (although this is not set on stone!).

4. There is no difference in trade-in whether you go to the local delaership or purchase from the NEC. As is usual on PX they will take your current van in a week before you take delivery of your new buy. This enables any finance to be sorted out prior to the BIG day! Even cash buyers are normally asked to take their current van in a week earlier for some reason.

One other very serious point I should make! Not too scary though.

When buying a new caravan from a 'show', whether it be The Lawns or NEC, etc., take into account that any service work will be undertaken by the company you purchase the van from. Make sure it is not too far away from home as you may have teething problems to sort out on Warranty. All warranty work is (wrongly I know) referred back to the original selling company. Bear in mind also that you will have to pick up your van!

Try, if at all possible, to purchase through a local dealership. You can find out if they are 'standing' at he NEC by asking them direct. No doubt they will already know you and this can be helpful. If you have a couple of companies in your area all the better. You can alays play one off against the other. It is surprising what you can get by playing 'the game' as all dealerships have sales figures!

Servicing, however, can usually be undertaken anywhere.

Good luck, I am sure you will have a great day out.

Ann

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi M&M,

Ann has pointed the major pitfall of purchasing from a show, that is the distance your home might be from the supplying dealer.

It is vitally important to understand that your warranty as defined in the sale of goods act is with the seller, and no one else. - not even the manufacturer, so if real warranty work is needed you may have to return the caravan to the seller.

Please bear in mind that if they are some way away, you should not only factor in the time to take it to them, but also the fuel, and may even be return visits and accommodation.

These costs soon add up and can easily out cost the saving you may make by purchasing at the show - so beware.

For clarification on the sale ans supply of services see:-

http://www.dti.gov.uk/consumers/buying-selling/sale-supply/sale-of-good-act/page8600.html

 

[WatsonJohnG]

We were looking at Coachman caravan at the 3 counties show as Bailey no longer produce the Oklahoma layout and the salesman said that Coachman have a list of approved service centres that can be used for the servicing

He was saying that it is not necessary to have the van serviced at the dealer of purchase

Is this true or just a sales ploy

Anybody know?

 

[SMS]

I would be very wary about taking a van in as PX a week before collecting the new van. This is a practise that should by now have died out. I have never had to do this and would go to a different dealer if it was insisted on.

You are on very dodgy ground if you sign over a px van then the company has problems. (When Wellands went bust a few years ago I seem to remember a few people losing out...no new van no old van).

Would you take a px car in a week before collecting your next one?

Bottom line is that it is personal choice but I wouldn't!

 

[WatsonJohnG]

We've never been asked to do that==yet!

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello John,

With regard to servicing, many years ago it used to be the case that the caravan manufacturer would decline to accept any manufacturers guarantee claim, unless the caravan had been serviced by the seller. They then changed it to being serviced by one of their dealers, and now it is generally accepted that any service can be carried out by any one provided the work conforms to the manufactures specification, and genuine parts are used. The service book should be completed by the service provider.

The majority of caravan dealers/service centres are approved by the Jones-Venning organisation who assess the industry.

Service work is different to warranty. True warranty is the sole responsibility of the seller, not the manufacturer. As defined in the sale of goods legislation. It is not limited to 12 months.

Most manufactures do offer a manufacturers guarantee, which is a gift from them to you. As it is a gift, the manufacturer can set the acceptance criteria. So read your small print.

Some companies offer to extend the guarantee by charging you extra - this is not a guarantee but an insurance policy, and it is an easy way for manufactures to make extra money. Check carefully that you really need or want this policy, it may not be worth it.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hello John,

With regard to servicing, many years ago it used to be the case that the caravan manufacturer would decline to accept any manufacturers guarantee claim, unless the caravan had been serviced by the seller. They then changed it to being serviced by one of their dealers, and now it is generally accepted that any service can be carried out by any one provided the work conforms to the manufactures specification, and genuine parts are used. The service book should be completed by the service provider.

The majority of caravan dealers/service centres are approved by the Jones-Venning organisation who assess the industry.

Service work is different to warranty. True warranty is the sole responsibility of the seller, not the manufacturer. As defined in the sale of goods legislation. It is not limited to 12 months.

Most manufactures do offer a manufacturers guarantee, which is a gift from them to you. As it is a gift, the manufacturer can set the acceptance criteria. So read your small print.

Some companies offer to extend the guarantee by charging you extra - this is not a guarantee but an insurance policy, and it is an easy way for manufactures to make extra money. Check carefully that you really need or want this policy, it may not be worth it.

Thanks John

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hello John,

With regard to servicing, many years ago it used to be the case that the caravan manufacturer would decline to accept any manufacturers guarantee claim, unless the caravan had been serviced by the seller. They then changed it to being serviced by one of their dealers, and now it is generally accepted that any service can be carried out by any one provided the work conforms to the manufactures specification, and genuine parts are used. The service book should be completed by the service provider.

The majority of caravan dealers/service centres are approved by the Jones-Venning organisation who assess the industry.

Service work is different to warranty. True warranty is the sole responsibility of the seller, not the manufacturer. As defined in the sale of goods legislation. It is not limited to 12 months.

Most manufactures do offer a manufacturers guarantee, which is a gift from them to you. As it is a gift, the manufacturer can set the acceptance criteria. So read your small print.

Some companies offer to extend the guarantee by charging you extra - this is not a guarantee but an insurance policy, and it is an easy way for manufactures to make extra money. Check carefully that you really need or want this policy, it may not be worth it.

Thanks John

 

[cokey1970]

Hi Mat,

It's worth remembering that Bailey have a transient warranty which means that you can have any waranty work completed at a dealer of your choice regardless of where you purchased the van.

We've just ordered a new Bailey Pageant Bretagne from a dealer in the south west yet we live in Staffordshire. It just so happens that they offered the best deal.

Martin.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi Mat,

It's worth remembering that Bailey have a transient warranty which means that you can have any waranty work completed at a dealer of your choice regardless of where you purchased the van.

We've just ordered a new Bailey Pageant Bretagne from a dealer in the south west yet we live in Staffordshire. It just so happens that they offered the best deal.

Martin.

Better than North Staffs Caravans --wow

 

[cokey1970]

Better than North Staffs Caravans --wow

Yes John, even better than NSC. ;-) We live 5 miles away so they were our first call but after shopping round we were able to better their price by nearly

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi Mat,

It's worth remembering that Bailey have a transient warranty which means that you can have any waranty work completed at a dealer of your choice regardless of where you purchased the van.

We've just ordered a new Bailey Pageant Bretagne from a dealer in the south west yet we live in Staffordshire. It just so happens that they offered the best deal.

Martin.

Hello Martin,

What you have described is the manufactures guarantee that allows the customer to take their caravan to another dealer in the network. They are not obliged to offer this and occasionally you may find that if you approach a dealer who has not sold the caravan, access to workshop time may be limited. You may also find that a non supplying dealer may be restricted in what they will accept as warranty work. Claims may be vetted by the manufacture and rejected, where as different rules apply to the seller, who is legally contracted to the purchaser.

Under consumer legislation, the correct and legal route to a remedy for a product failure is through the seller. This is where your contract sits, and not with the manufacturer. In these cases the manufactures opinion about a claim is not binding as they are not a party to the contract.

The use of the description of seller is important, as it referes to the person/organisation to which you pay your money. So if you use a finance house then they are your seller.

The seller would in turn apply to their supplier for reimbursement of warranty costs. But the outcome of that claim will have no legal bearing on your own claim against the seller.

True warranty work; that is for faults that were present when the caravan was sold, or the caravan having elements or (the whole) that are not fit for purpose, or of faulty design, or unsatisfactory workmanship or materials., but it should be noted that as time goes by the level of sellers liability diminishes. It is generally accepted that the practical time limit for claims would be no more than the general life expectancy or the part or product or 6 years which ever is less.

You should seek professional legal advice when making claims of this nature.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Martin,

What you have described is the manufactures guarantee that allows the customer to take their caravan to another dealer in the network. They are not obliged to offer this and occasionally you may find that if you approach a dealer who has not sold the caravan, access to workshop time may be limited. You may also find that a non supplying dealer may be restricted in what they will accept as warranty work. Claims may be vetted by the manufacture and rejected, where as different rules apply to the seller, who is legally contracted to the purchaser.

Under consumer legislation, the correct and legal route to a remedy for a product failure is through the seller. This is where your contract sits, and not with the manufacturer. In these cases the manufactures opinion about a claim is not binding as they are not a party to the contract.

The use of the description of seller is important, as it referes to the person/organisation to which you pay your money. So if you use a finance house then they are your seller.

The seller would in turn apply to their supplier for reimbursement of warranty costs. But the outcome of that claim will have no legal bearing on your own claim against the seller.

True warranty work; that is for faults that were present when the caravan was sold, or the caravan having elements or (the whole) that are not fit for purpose, or of faulty design, or unsatisfactory workmanship or materials., but it should be noted that as time goes by the level of sellers liability diminishes. It is generally accepted that the practical time limit for claims would be no more than the general life expectancy or the part or product or 6 years which ever is less.

You should seek professional legal advice when making claims of this nature.

 

[LesleyRussell]

We have purchased 4 Coachman caravans over the past 10 years and can confirm that you are able to have warranty work or services carried out at any Coachman dealership or one of their recommended service centres. You must bear in mind that the Coachman dealers will be giving priority to their own customers so you may be at the end of a waiting list!

 

[trucker]

John L

the only thing you need to be aware of taking you caravan else where is wether they will service it. if you know somewhere upo front brilliant however......

I tried to get a service at large dealers in Exeter, they asked if I bought the van from them wich i did not and they refused as they were so busy with their "own customers"

Needless to say I will never be one of there "own customers"

I do understand this is quite a common practice as the dealers are so busy, they like to look after there own first

Kevin H

 

[gooner44]

Went to the NEC show yesterday & having decided on the new van we wanted (Sterling Elite Searcher)we asked if there was a representative from a dealer local to our home base on the stand.

We were told that regardless of where we purchased the van, they would honour any warranty & service work through a dealer near to us and would contact local dealers to confirm their acceptance before completing any deal. One local dealer declined, 2 others accepted one within 10 miles of our home,so we duly completed the transaction. We were happy with the terms, p/x etc and impressed by the cooperation of other Swift Group dealers. This was coordinated by a Swift Group Manager who made the necessary phone calls.

 

[cokey1970]

John L,

I have spoken to the Bailey at the NEC show about the transient warranty and am aware that not all dealers participate in the scheme. My local dealer does participate so I am happy with that. The proof of the pudding, will as they say, be in the eating.

On a footnote, I bought my Kia Sportage from a Nottingham dealer and subsequently found out that a power lead that supplies the radio memory had not been connected. I booked the car into my local Kia dealer in Newcastle, Staffs, and they sorted out the problem without any fuss.

Martin.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello All,

I am please that some have heeded my warnings about obtaining warranty work at non-supplying dealers, and sought confirmation of from your local dealers. This is usually the case for the more common smaller items such as adjustments or minor works, works but still you may find that your work may put to the back of the queue.

If you run into bigger problems that your local dealer (non-supplying) is refusing to deal with completely, Seek and independent view on what is required, and put the matter in the hands of your seller. You would be wise to seek professional legal advice.