caravan dealers

[John_374320778]

I've just upgraded my 2004 compass omega 482 for a 2006 compass omega 484 with fixed bed on tuesday 3/3/09, this was before i was informed on change over that my old van was suffering from damp and that it would cost £500.00 to repair and my options were to pay for the repair or for the dealer ********* of Preston to add the £500.00 onto the cost of the new one.

i didn't have much choice but to add it onto the cost of my new van.

After 2 hours i finally hitched upto my new van and was on my way.

When i got home i realised that the van did not have a corner steady wind down handle so i had to go back home and pick up a friends to assist.

On further inspection of the van which i was told had been carried out over the month i had to wait for the van to be prepared i noticed the shower tray seal was broke so i contacted ********* who told me to take it to them which is a 40mile round trip only to be told that they can repair the seal but it will be in April !!

What a waste of a journey and customer service

its my first caravan from ********* and my last i get the impression once they've got your money they just move onto the next potential customer

 

[Dustydog]

John

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience.

Over the years there have been many posts on what to do when collecting your new caravan. It sounds like you haven't seen these, a great shame. I think it may have saved you the current aggro.

Going forward i would now put your toy through her paces and thoroughly examine and test everything before you return to your dealer in April.

We have had three new caravans over the years and they have all had minor snagging faults , all of which have been properly fixed by our dealer .

Hopefully when you present your dealer with your snagging list they will do al the jobs correctly.

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[caravanoracle]

im sorry your having this problem and the fact that you bought from that dealer in the first place. they do have a bit of a reputation for not giving a toss once you have made your purchase. how frustrating to find the problem with the shower tray and being told to tow it back, to then be told they wont look at it until april. they are taking the P**S. why didnt they just do it there and then, when it would only take 30 minutes. maybe its because they laid off nearly all their technicians before christmas?!?

 

[John_374320778]

im sorry your having this problem and the fact that you bought from that dealer in the first place. they do have a bit of a reputation for not giving a toss once you have made your purchase. how frustrating to find the problem with the shower tray and being told to tow it back, to then be told they wont look at it until april. they are taking the P**S. why didnt they just do it there and then, when it would only take 30 minutes. maybe its because they laid off nearly all their technicians before christmas?!?

I was contacted by the manager who stated that the seal must of broke away when i picked the van up originally,talk about trying to switch the blame.

He also stated that he would look into it but i haven't heard anything since.

I was told that one of the supports in the shower tray had gone so i don't know how i could of done this by towing.

Basically like you say they aren't bothered after they have took your money

 

[dan the man]

I was contacted by the manager who stated that the seal must of broke away when i picked the van up originally,talk about trying to switch the blame.

He also stated that he would look into it but i haven't heard anything since.

I was told that one of the supports in the shower tray had gone so i don't know how i could of done this by towing.

Basically like you say they aren't bothered after they have took your money

a mate of mine had a similar complaint with the same dealer and they are very reluctant to help or pay to get it fixed in the state of the art workshops , he did eventualy get it sorted but it seemed to drag on for a couple of months and leaving him with a bad feeling about the new van he had purchased. when i changes my van i whent to the dealer nearby st***t L****on and the whole experiance was different, professional handover the van vas waiting for me with everything on hot water, lights, radio, oven, heating,ect and the salesman going through everything. Aletter followed a week later from there head office asking me to answer questions on there salesman and there branch , I will be going back there this year to upgrade. so john you are not the only one this has happend pr will happen to. good luck with your new van mate

 

[JON2515]

If its the same Preston dealer that I have bought from, I would definitely agree that their after sales is diabolical - I bought a brand new caravan from them and there were faults on collection that should have been picked up in the PDI - when I took it back for several jobs, half of them had not been done when I collected it and some others I was told to try and diagnose myself and let them know the outcome, meaning yet another journey back to the workshop plus the van floor was in a filthy state - never again!

 

[Surfer]

Under the Sale of Goods Act, if it is less than 28 days old from the time you pointed out the fault, state that you do nort wnat the caravan any more and ask for a full refund as you are unabel to sue the caravan. This actually will aply even if it is over 28 days old as the condition of the caravan is not consistent with SOGA. Many of us on thsi forum have gone down this route and had either compensation or the caravan replaced.

Pity PV did not highlight SOGA more often in the mafgazine and what consumer rights you have or are they scared to lose advertising.

 

[Parksy]

The tired old 'Practical Caravan Magazine are scared to lose advertising' jibe is trotted out every time......

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/features/complain.html
This forum contains countless posts which offer advice to dissatisfied buyers up to and including the rejection of new caravans. The forum and website is hosted and run by Practical Caravan Magazine so your statement makes no sense Ian.

 

[xtrailman]

John

I had the same experience as you, when i took the van to exchange.

This overbearing jobs worth women, started dictating "this is how we do it sir".

"First we connect you up to you new(2 year old) caravan, while we check over you van".

I had the children with me and they were excited as children are, so it was easier to just let her take control.

I did want to watch the chap check my van, but let it go.

Shortly after we were connected up to the new van, all ready to go, and then the damp check man comes struting in, and states you have damp sir, we will have to reprice you exchange value.

When i had struck my deal the caravan industry was on its knees, but during the time it took to exchange, a step change had occured, suddenly the showrooms were busy.

This is i believe the reason for the diabolical way we were treated.

The dealer knew he could sell our van for much more than we were paying.

Anyway the trade in value had dropped by

 

[ANDREW_374368566]

This happens often - it did to me when I had my first new caravan. there it was sat gleeming, name in window - you feel so proud. then salesman says-sorry mate but your caravan has damp, big shame as its very nice otherwise. I had a long standing argument and as they gave me diffrent prices to repair I didnt accept any. In the end they let me take new van and left the old one. It may have cost you

 

[baggy2508]

Hi.

Had my van checked over at the storage yard by Chichester Caravans,so new caravan costing as agreed.

Regards ob.