Our Avondale van has some serious damp issues which Avondale have agreed to put right - including replacing the front panel. Our dealer has said the work will take 40 hours to do. My problem is the dealer is saying that 40 hours means they need the van for 3 weeks, which means that a second holiday will have to be cancelled. (The first was because it has taken 8 weeks for Avondale to send the part). As we originally asked the dealer to check the damp at the beginning of January and assuming the part arrives we will not have the van back until 21.5 are we being unreasonable in demanding the repair is done quicker. Can anyone help please as I have a very upset family. Thanks
Front Panel Replacement time
- Thread starter Kate3
- Start date
Damian
Moderator
Kate, whilst the dealer has told you it will take 40 hours, that does not mean it can be done in one continuous time scale.
It wil take quite some time to remove the panel to start with, then ensuring all the damp has been treated, and possibly parts removed and replaced, dried out properly, then the new panel put in place.
This work will undoubtedly involve different tradesmen who will also be doing other jobs as well, so each van in for repair will have certain time slots allocated to it.
As for time to get parts, 8 weeks is very fast in comparison to a lot of delivery times, which can be up to 6 months or longer.
Whilst you can ask if it can be a shorter time, it will depend on how long it takes to dry the van out and the other workshop work in progress.
It wil take quite some time to remove the panel to start with, then ensuring all the damp has been treated, and possibly parts removed and replaced, dried out properly, then the new panel put in place.
This work will undoubtedly involve different tradesmen who will also be doing other jobs as well, so each van in for repair will have certain time slots allocated to it.
As for time to get parts, 8 weeks is very fast in comparison to a lot of delivery times, which can be up to 6 months or longer.
Whilst you can ask if it can be a shorter time, it will depend on how long it takes to dry the van out and the other workshop work in progress.
Kate,
You have my full sympathy, I know just how you feel. Our Crown had the same problem last year water in it and with a holiday booked our first ever 2 week one, to Holland.
The repaiers then had the van for about 2 months, but just managed to get it done in time, by one day, so we were lucky.
The van had another serious leak whilst under the repairs guarantee and was back in for repair on the 5th Jan this year, we finally got it back only last week.
Admited unlike yourself we were not using the van, whilst it was in both time, but can fully understand how you feel and the length of time taken for repairs to be done.
If caravan makers made them properly in the first place, none of us would ahve these problems and disappointments.
Our own van which we bought new in 2001 first new van we ever bought in over 25 years caravanning, has been the biggest pain ever.
Not a trip out with it has there never been a time when soemthing either bent, broke of stopped working. Is the explorer group interested, not on your life, their attitude is tough get on with it.
The van has spent more time with the repairers than we have using it.
Now I've had my moan, I do hope that you can get your van sorted ASAP and start enjoying some quality time in it. But as I say, all this could be avoided if they we made as they should be, rather than flung together from a great distance.
Good luck,
Ian.
You have my full sympathy, I know just how you feel. Our Crown had the same problem last year water in it and with a holiday booked our first ever 2 week one, to Holland.
The repaiers then had the van for about 2 months, but just managed to get it done in time, by one day, so we were lucky.
The van had another serious leak whilst under the repairs guarantee and was back in for repair on the 5th Jan this year, we finally got it back only last week.
Admited unlike yourself we were not using the van, whilst it was in both time, but can fully understand how you feel and the length of time taken for repairs to be done.
If caravan makers made them properly in the first place, none of us would ahve these problems and disappointments.
Our own van which we bought new in 2001 first new van we ever bought in over 25 years caravanning, has been the biggest pain ever.
Not a trip out with it has there never been a time when soemthing either bent, broke of stopped working. Is the explorer group interested, not on your life, their attitude is tough get on with it.
The van has spent more time with the repairers than we have using it.
Now I've had my moan, I do hope that you can get your van sorted ASAP and start enjoying some quality time in it. But as I say, all this could be avoided if they we made as they should be, rather than flung together from a great distance.
Good luck,
Ian.
Why not ask the dealer if the van is still in safe condition to be used for your holiday, and schedule the work when you get back?
Thanks for all your comments. We don't want to put off the work until after our holiday as you use the van about every other weekend from April through to September and the dealer has made no suggestion of us borrowing one - I will ask him today. We had to have the rear panel changed when the van was less than a year old, due to cracks appearing and that job only took a week, so I still have difficulty in accepting that a front panel takes an extra 2 weeks. I will keep you informed.
Kate,
S**t what a posistion to be in!
realisticaly the dealer probably won't be able to move your repair slot forward, as his repair shop is probably committed to other repairs, to move yours forward would mean putting someone else off, and yes, 40 hrs continuous would mean about 2 1/3 to 3 weeks repair time.
As you've already said that you're going to aproach the dealer for a loan van, if the repairing dealer is the supplying dealer, then you've got a bit more clout, just casually mention that if the repairs take place at the "appointed" dates and if they can't (wont) lend you a replacement van, and as a result you have to cancell another pre booked holiday, then regretably you'll have to sue the for damages in the small claims court, of course you really don't wont to resort to litigation, but as you've already had to cancel 1 holiday, you now have no option.
you never know. it might just get the desired result.
GeorgeB
S**t what a posistion to be in!
realisticaly the dealer probably won't be able to move your repair slot forward, as his repair shop is probably committed to other repairs, to move yours forward would mean putting someone else off, and yes, 40 hrs continuous would mean about 2 1/3 to 3 weeks repair time.
As you've already said that you're going to aproach the dealer for a loan van, if the repairing dealer is the supplying dealer, then you've got a bit more clout, just casually mention that if the repairs take place at the "appointed" dates and if they can't (wont) lend you a replacement van, and as a result you have to cancell another pre booked holiday, then regretably you'll have to sue the for damages in the small claims court, of course you really don't wont to resort to litigation, but as you've already had to cancel 1 holiday, you now have no option.
you never know. it might just get the desired result.
GeorgeB
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