Dogs Breakfast

[Auvergne]

We have had our new van for approx 12 weeks. One of the problems with it was that the overhead drinks locker floor was unsupported meaning that when you put a bottle in it it bowed. With a list of other things it went to the dealers and came back like this.



Is it me or am I being unreasonable in rejecting this "fix"? I think it looks an absolute dog's breakfast. For just under £17,000 I feel I deserve more than this.

 

[Grahamsprite4]

i think you are quite just in not accepting the way they have dare he say rectified the problem

that to me is just a quick and very badly thought out solution

id be taking it back and demanding they replace the panel they have damaged in the process of "fixing your prob"

you have paid good money for your van and for a dealer to damage it like that is descraceful in my opinion and totally unaceptable !

 

[Auvergne]

Thank you Graham. The dealers are unwilling to order a new fascia saying that they have had a look at their stock Coachman Caravans and they are all the same........

They say if I check the undersides of all my lockers I will see they are fitted in the same way....... deep breath, and...relax...

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Diabolical, atrocious. I could think of much stronger words to describe the bodged job but they are not acceptable in a forum. Like Graham said, they have even damaged the panel as well. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with it and I hope you pursue the matter Valerie. Good luck.

 

[AnnM1]

We could all do a bodge job like this! Warn the sellers that you are thinking of taking further action if they don't sort it out very quickly. Do NOT accept such shoddy workmanship. If they "try" they may get away with it. Fight, I say.

Ann

 

[davedee]

If their stock caravans are all to the same low standard, then some poor unfortunate is in for a shock when they sit on the seats of their new pride and joy and look up!

Come on Val, it's time to name and shame Chichester Caravans....oops!

If only Coachman monitored this site - dream on, eh!

Dave

 

[Auvergne]

I can't believe they've done it myself Dave, as you know I have always thought very highly of them until this latest debarcle. I hope Coachman ARE monitoring this thread, I have certainly written to them. I have contacted Trevor Baxter as a recent poster suggested so I am hoping he will sort this out.

As you know Dave, the stock caravans are not like this - even the adjacent panel in OUR van is not like this!

I've gone past the anger stage, I'm deeply upset, I really am - we both work bloody hard for our money and saved for our new van. We had booked it in to have the door and frame replaced and it sat there for 4 days before they even touched it, that was only because I pushed them to get going on it so's we could have it back. It was a rush job - half the things on the list haven't been touched at all. They have taken us for fools, how dare they damage our van like this and tell us all the vans on the forecourt are like it. I know I'm blonde but.......

Val.

 

[davedee]

Try not to let it get to you,Val.

As I say, we both know how you must be feeling.We've been in that self same place and no,it's not nice. It's not fair. They're taking the p*ss and you feel angry but don't know for sure what to do next for the best result.

One of the worse things we've found is when you've brought the van back home (or to storage in our case) and you find faults that haven't been repaired,not touched.

And it's ok people saying things like "you should have left it there" or similar stock judgements.

When you want your van back to use it or when you collect it as they're locking up or they're "rushed off their feet" it's not that easy to just leave it. Things just aren't that simple.

But never forget,Val - it's their fault! You are not to blame for any of this! It is them, Chichester and Coachman who are at fault. And it's them who WILL have to put it right for you.

By heck.Don't I go on!

Dave

 

[Auvergne]

Try not to let it get to you,Val.

As I say, we both know how you must be feeling.We've been in that self same place and no,it's not nice. It's not fair. They're taking the p*ss and you feel angry but don't know for sure what to do next for the best result.

One of the worse things we've found is when you've brought the van back home (or to storage in our case) and you find faults that haven't been repaired,not touched.

And it's ok people saying things like "you should have left it there" or similar stock judgements.

When you want your van back to use it or when you collect it as they're locking up or they're "rushed off their feet" it's not that easy to just leave it. Things just aren't that simple.

But never forget,Val - it's their fault! You are not to blame for any of this! It is them, Chichester and Coachman who are at fault. And it's them who WILL have to put it right for you.

By heck.Don't I go on!

Dave

I do feel like a nag though, starting to question myself, we've had so many problems, I start to wonder? Thats why I posted on here to get honest feedback as to how others would feel if it was their van - it was a risk but worth it now I know others agree with me. V.

 

[GeorgeB]

Valerie,

Sorry to hear about the bodged repair, you're quite right in being bl**dy angry and not wanting to accept this lash up!

As a matter of interest, what branch of CC (no not the Caravan Club) was it?

George

 

[Icemaker]

I have had a look at our van which is a vip 530/4 for you val and our has got 2 screws under the drinks cabinet which where obviousley fitted at the factory as the van has never been back to the dealers other than for its first service, the difference with ours other than only having 2 screws is the screws are smaller than the ones on you van they are allso brass not silver and they have plastic caps over the heads to hide them.

I would definately take this up with chichester caravans as its not good enough workmanship.

 

[Auvergne]

Hi Icemaker,

We have one screw holding the whole length on the adjacent side, thanks for the feedback on yours.

George B, this was the workmanship of Redhill Branch of Chichester Caravans.

Thanks

Val.

 

[Andrew._374353608]

Never having had a new caravan and never lokely to do so, it's quire shoking to read of the faults that others suffer with theirs, is this something new as caravans get more up market, or being going on since time began.

Valerie if you are not happy with the repair and having seen the picture quite rightfully so, would it be worth contacting the Tradings Standards to fight your corner.

Good luck, Andrew.

 

[GingerPete]

hi valerie , i was going to redhill to buy a new caravan, not now & i'm going to phone them tomorrow & tell the salesman why....pete

 

[davedee]

Hi Val. Been to the van again today. Dinked the near side rear corner in Scotland in April so I've been doing a minor repair.

I checked our under locker paneling and the few screws that are there have the tiny brown plastic caps on them.

On the way home I bobbed into B&Q and guess what; a pack of the same cap. 62million caps for a few pence.

So that's the kind of 'cant be arsed' penny pinching we're talking about from your dealer.

Dave

Sorry to certain members for 'language'.

 

[Dustydog]

Valerie

What a shame they botched the job like this.

I suspect with a little afore thought Ch' Ca'vans could have secured the bowing panel internally with a good strong wood glue rather than whack in screws.

Are any of your other locker panels screwed?

I hope you give them grief.

Cheers

Alan

 

[Auvergne]

Hi Val. Been to the van again today. Dinked the near side rear corner in Scotland in April so I've been doing a minor repair.

I checked our under locker paneling and the few screws that are there have the tiny brown plastic caps on them.

On the way home I bobbed into B&Q and guess what; a pack of the same cap. 62million caps for a few pence.

So that's the kind of 'cant be arsed' penny pinching we're talking about from your dealer.

Dave

Sorry to certain members for 'language'.

That's even better than ours then Dave, the original screws (one each side of the van) had no caps on them, you ARE posh!

 

[Auvergne]

Valerie

What a shame they botched the job like this.

I suspect with a little afore thought Ch' Ca'vans could have secured the bowing panel internally with a good strong wood glue rather than whack in screws.

Are any of your other locker panels screwed?

I hope you give them grief.

Cheers

Alan

We had one screw either side which held up the whole panel. We've never had the little screw caps like Dave has.

 

[Rowan]

Well that's just awful. I think I'm going to steer clear of Chichester Caravans too. If enough people steer clear they should start to get the message...

In the meantime, make sure you do reject the repair in writing, explaining why and providing proof (photographic) of why it wasn't done in the correct way. Give them a reasonable time to put things right but tell them you will take things further if they don't resolve the matter within this timescale. For something like this I would probably accept a month or so. After that you are looking at getting trading standards involved and possibly taking the matter to court.

You may have some sort of legal services cover. If you do, get them involved now. They'll help you write the letters and, if necessary, take things further. It takes much of the strain out of the situation. If you don't have cover you may wish to look at getting some. Which Legal Services have a good reputation and are not too expensive -

 

[Auvergne]

Thanks Rowan, thats interesting, didn't know about the Which legal services.

Unfortunately we had to take legal advice when we first had the van over a separate issue and to be fair, Chichester stepped up to the mark when faced with it.

I have written to both Chichester and Coachman about this latest fiasco and have not even received so much as a holding reply. I want to give them the opportunity to put things right but don't intend to let it go on indefinitely.

As we hope to keep the van for a good few years I will be leaving no stone unturned to get this resolved to our satisfaction believe me. I will update the thread accordingly.

Val.

 

[Rowan]

Good luck Val.

I wonder if anyone from Chichester Caravans monitors these forums?

 

[Auvergne]

Good luck Val.

I wonder if anyone from Chichester Caravans monitors these forums?

Yes, I believe they do, and I reckon Coachman do on the quiet as well!

 

[Surfer]

Unfortunately with Chichester before they do anything they need a real kick in the rear but when they get it, they normally exceed your expectations and do a quality job.

I would put this issue down to bad design by Coachman and unfortunately there is not too much that the dealer can do however it gives you a very good grounding to take it to court.

I do have a solution to this problem as I have used it with great success but for obvious reasons cannot post it. It was with the same dealership. If you wish, you can ask the moderator to pass on my contact details so that I can update you.

 

[Auvergne]

Postie has just bought me a present!

Some screw caps in a jiffy bag from Coachman!!!

 

[davedee]

Who's the posh one now then.......heh,heh.

Dave