Further downturns in the industry

[otherclive]

Two dealers have moved over to storage only, and pre owned sales by appointment, although servicing will continue. Two more have gone bust, Trigano doesn’t expect an improvement in the downturn of the market any time soon and Swift announce a pre tax loss. In addition the C&CC aren’t attending the NEC exhibition either. Wonder how things will fare as autumn and winter kick in, I cannot see it improving, although it could open up prospects for buyers.

Caravans & Dealers - Practical Caravan

www.practicalcaravan.com

 

[RogerL]

The dealers are bearing the brunt of manufacturers' incompetence - if you build fault-laden products, sell at high prices and make warranty repairs difficult, why would it end any differently?

 

[Mr Plodd]

Such statements as this, in an article in the Mail on Sunday about caravans (static and touring) certainly don't help either.

"It is illegal to sleep overnight in lay-bys in Britain, and it can land you with a £200 police fine"

As a Traffic Cop for 30 years I for one never heard of such a law. Plus what about all the long distance HGV's that have sleeper cabs that seem to occupy just about every lay-by around here at night? Can't blame that on being "Two Tier"

 

[Jcloughie]

I wonder if the downturn affects camper vans and motorhomes in the same way. Be interesting to see a comparison.

John

 

[otherclive]

I wonder if the downturn affects camper vans and motorhomes in the same way. Be interesting to see a comparison.

Pre owned motorhome prices are reported to have reduced and stocks at dealers are high. But campervans seem to still be attractive to younger people, and families, but can also double as a family vehicle too, so are attractive to a younger generation.

 

[Buckman]

Such statements as this, in an article in the Mail on Sunday about caravans (static and touring) certainly don't help either.

"It is illegal to sleep overnight in lay-bys in Britain, and it can land you with a £200 police fine"

As a Traffic Cop for 30 years I for one never heard of such a law. Plus what about all the long distance HGV's that have sleeper cabs that seem to occupy just about every lay-by around here at night? Can't blame that on being "Two Tier"

True, but if you consumer alcohol while parked up in the lay bye, is there a possibility that you could be charged with being over the limit as the car keys will be in your possession. Same may apply to a pub car park?

 

[Andy Norfolk]

We purchased our caravan two and a half years ago. The dealership still have the motorhome we traded in. They've just reduced the price!

 

[Guzzilazz]

Let's remember back to Covid times. In the absence of the ability to jet off to exotic countries, the sale of leisure vehicles - including boats- went crazy. My fortune was to sell my boat for full asking price in 6 weeks in early 21. Brokers were clamouring for stock, and with the broker I used I was one of 27 boats on his books (normally between 80-100).
Turn to today. I know of a number of boats that have been listed for 2 years plus. Prices have tanked as the 2021 bubble blew away. The caravan/moho situation is no different. All the newbies flew out as quickly as they flew in, and with the "interested population" reducing back to normal there are too many vehicles chasing too few buyers

 

[otherclive]

True, but if you consumer alcohol while parked up in the lay bye, is there a possibility that you could be charged with being over the limit as the car keys will be in your possession. Same may apply to a pub car park?

I think that is the case, as you are in possession of the vehicle.

 

[Buckman]

We purchased our caravan two and a half years ago. The dealership still have the motorhome we traded in. They've just reduced the price!

Glancing at Campervans, Motorhomes, caravans etc on Autotrader, it cannot be all that bad as the prices are ridiculous high for dealer units. Private do seem cheaper if you are willing to take a chance. Quite a number of the campervans and motorhomes were being sold by "brokers" so not CRA 2015 protection.

 

[Dustydog]

Roger hit the nail on the head.
Poor product, high price, poor customer service.
The new version of my TA is a nudge over £50k🙀.
Way beyond most pockets.
I know lots of people who used to trade in every 4 years or so. I was one. No longer. Like me most are keeping theirs years and doing all their own running repairs.
No frustrating warranty issues for me😉

 

[otherclive]

Let's remember back to Covid times. In the absence of the ability to jet off to exotic countries, the sale of leisure vehicles - including boats- went crazy. My fortune was to sell my boat for full asking price in 6 weeks in early 21. Brokers were clamouring for stock, and with the broker I used I was one of 27 boats on his books (normally between 80-100).
Turn to today. I know of a number of boats that have been listed for 2 years plus. Prices have tanked as the 2021 bubble blew away. The caravan/moho situation is no different. All the newbies flew out as quickly as they flew in, and with the "interested population" reducing back to normal there are too many vehicles chasing too few buyers

Even as far back as 2021 there have been posts discussing the “ bursting of the bubble”, which was totally predictable. Like you and your boat, we sold our caravan in early summer 2021 and within minutes of the ad appearing dealer agents were ringing up and not offering bad prices. I sold it within hours as a private family buyer drove from Cardiff and paid £500 cash holding deposit . 2-3 days later it had gone at very near the asking price. Nowadays I think it’s likely to be a Buyers market. But if MHs are still on the sales lots after two years then the dealerships really need to reflect on their ability to do business.

 

[birdman101]

I know we keep reading of poor quality, but that Is probably as only people with faults post their problems. We have had no problems since the 1990’s when we bought new Elddis ones that both had leaks at around 2 years old. Since 2000 had Swift for 8 years no problem ,Bailey 4 years no problem only changed for different layout,Another Swift 10 years again fine and present Swift 2 &1/2 years. So in my experience quality is not as bad as perceived.

 

[RogerL]

I know we keep reading of poor quality, but that Is probably as only people with faults post their problems. We have had no problems since the 1990’s when we bought new Elddis ones that both had leaks at around 2 years old. Since 2000 had Swift for 8 years no problem ,Bailey 4 years no problem only changed for different layout,Another Swift 10 years again fine and present Swift 2 &1/2 years. So in my experience quality is not as bad as perceived.

Caravan forums have always heard mainly about those with problems, rarely from those with no issues - but it's the same set of problems, leaks and cracked panels - despite decades of opportunity to improve and several new construction methods we still hear of the same issues and owners having to go through hoops to get repairs done under warranty.

 

[birdman101]

But as I have just said this keeps getting brought up as a major problem,but probably only a very small percentage.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I understand what birdman is saying, and some people are perfectly satisfied with their caravans. I am really happy for them. BUT can they honestly tell us they have never discovered any sort of manufacturing error, no matter how small, - even the odd screw or sawdust in a bed locker, No evidence of loose screws. or something that's not been installed correctly - it may still work to your satisfaction but is it really perfect?

Customer satisfaction survey continue to produce results that show 20% or more caravans suffer significant faults that are claimed under warranty. That fact alone is a stagering ly poor perfomance and shareholders should be challenging the directors to improve. What I strongly suspect the surveys don't show are the faults that could be claimed under warranty but are resolved either by the user, or by the dealer who does not then not for it from the manufacturer. There are complex T&C in dealers contracts with manufacturers which actively tend to sheild the manufacturer from the customers issues.

I guestimate based on industry knowledge and figures I have seen, that if customers had reported every warrantable fault the figures would be at least 50% or more caravans have faults that reach the customer.

When this level of imperfection has been discussed previously, some correspondents have said they actually enjoy fixing these little issues, so they can't be bothered to report them or have sorted under warranty, That is for everyone to make their own mind up about, but the fact is the goods were not perfect. - which is what you have actually paid for.

UK caravanner's have had to put up with such shoddy workmanship for so long it's become engrained in culture it is almost become expected, and tolerated.

If customers were to stood up for their rights such as expecting perfect new goods from retailers, It would make retailers more carefull about what goods the sell. The message would have got back to the manufacturers and they would have had to improve, but we have given them and inch so easily they now expect to be able to take a foot.

I am perhaps the exception, as I don't currently own a caravan, Nor have I had a major failure in a caravan, Yet through work I have done, I have witnessed the realities of how these companies poor quality has let caravanners down in those few precious days of holiday. That is why I am so vocal on the subject.