Helping hand

[Beehpee]

Hi I have been wondering for a while how people would feel about giving info as to where about they are located in the uk, the reason I ask is we all know how expensive repairs of any sort can be with this hobby of ours, I am sure there are many people who use this forum who have skills they are willing to share, I'm not talking about major work just the little issues that crop up such as recent posts about electrical drains, I for one would be more than happy when I see a post I think I could be more help with in the flesh so to speak and it's on my doorstep to pop round and see if I can be of any assistance, so what is the general opinion, I'm happy to say where I am but on my own it's not of much use, I also can't see how giving the town where you live would be giving too much personal info away but then maybe I'm just a trusting sort of person, anyway for what it's worth I live in Daventry, northants. BP

 

[Robtel]

Hi Beehpee,
A very kind hearted and thoughtful gesture. Some forums have the facilty to display the poster's location, if they wish it displayed, underneath their avator, but not unfortunately on this forum. The mian drawback I see to your idea would be, that unless it was made a "sticky", the info as to who lived where would soon disappear into the mists of the forum's inner workings. What about if the person who is seeking help makes their location known in their post then who ever lives local and wants to help out can make the offer?
I think the principle of the idea is good, there are a lot of relatively simple jobs around the caravan that become even easier when someone actually shows rather than describes how it's done. Just for the record I live in darkest Lanarkshire.
Robert

 

[Beehpee]

Hi Robert, yes I see your point re the info being lost as the post moves down the page and I also agree that if people were to say where they were that would be a much more workable solution, as to how to get people to actually say where they are when asking for the help is another matter, maybe if parksy were to see this post he may have ideas on how or even if it's workable, anyway the thought is there all we can do is see how things pan out from here, thanks for the reply anyway.

BP

 

[carper2]

BP

I also think this is a good idea, some people would appreciate it if there was someone in their area who could help them out.
BP if I need help I will let you know as I live in Rugby.

Les

 

[RayS]

Great idea; unfortunately I don't quite see how the mechanics of the contact is going to work, given that there may be problems under the Data Protection Act and also that people will be understandably reluctant to contact given that this is an open forum which could be used by those seeking to steal a caravan, find an unoccupied house etc. Nasty thought, but it could happen.
Some years ago it was suggested that your post code should be displayed in large letters on top of the van to assist recovery by sightings from police helicopters. Eually visible of course to low-life on a fly-over near the ferry port.... Te same sort of principle applies.
Perhaps someone can come up with a way of overcoming the problems and I would be very happy to join any such scheme if this can be arranged. I have recently sold some caravanning items on behalf of a friend and one of the 'customers' was a brand new caravanner so anxious to learn that the sale took about 2 hours, stretched with a demonstration on my own 'van on the very basics - loading, gas, stabiliser etc.

 

[Damian]

Whilst I think the idea is reasonable, as such, there comes a point where it becomes fraught with problems.

Whilst an owner of a privately used caravan can do almost anything he wants without needing qualifications, once another person becomes involved, it changes the dynamics of the situation, and the "helper" must be able to show "competence" in whatever he or she is advising or touching, which is only demonstrable by way of qualifications and provable in court..

Once a "helper" helps, THEY then become liable should anything go wrong, and with the best will in the world, what was initially a friendly meeting can, and does, quickly turn into litigation and blaming.

For those reasons it is probably better not to go that route, unless you have a very good insurance cover in place.

 

[Beehpee]

I understand what you mean Damian, must admit I never thought about the liability side of things, would any advice offered tho be any more open to litigation if given in person as opposed to advice etc given on this forum, I knew when I posted the initial post it was going to be difficult if not impossible to put into practice, just a shame given the wealth of knowledge and skills that seem to abound on here that more practical help can't be given, oh well never mind it was worth a try and I still stand by my saying I live in Daventry and am always happy to offer any help gratis whether in person or as always on here, the nature of my job brings me into contact with caravanners fairly regularly and I understand what Ray means when he says the sale he did took 2 hours, I will often turn up to do a job on a customers caravan and a one hour job will more often than not take anything up to three, the wife reckons I talk too much, dont know what she means!

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Hi Beephee. What a wonderful thought. I too live in Daventry and if one or two others were to own up you will find there are quite a few of us here ..
Good Luck with your idea just a little bit more thought to go into it and Im sure you can make something of your idea
Sir Roger

 

[Parksy]

I endorse the point made by Damian, it's a great thought but in these times of no claim no fee lawyers voluntary helpers need to be very careful indeed.
On the other hand there's nothing to stop anyone from offering advice on the strict understanding that it's the responsibility of a caravan owner to decide whether to accept the advice or not, much in the same way that internet forums operate.
The only way that I could suggest that those who wished to do so could show their general whereabouts such as which county they live in without the information continually disappearing over the horizon would be to add this general information to their forum signature by using the edit settings from the 'My Account' menu next to the log in.
If the information was written in the signature box and the user clicked on 'Save' this information would be permanently displayed but great care must be taken when giving details about where a person lives because we have no control over who can browse the information given on this forum

 

[DeliDave_]

and I'm in Daventry near my liege and good friend Sir Roger

 

[Beehpee]

Hi again, one of my reasons for putting this post on was as well as being a helpful sort of guy I had an idea there were a few daventarians using this forum, just from little things being said and mentions of the likes of venture caravans which is a local dealer, well I'm pleased things have moved forward if only slightly and I think parksy's tip about the signature change is excellent idea and I am going to change things on mine as soon as I've finished this post, I should have done it before I wrote this then I could have checked it had worked. BP

 

[Beehpee]

The signature change worked as it's also changed all previous post signatures as well, speaking from a personal point of view while I know we all neednto be aware of identity theft and take steps to protect ourselves and also the same re gving out our home details so as not to advertise us being away I don't think I am putting myself at any additional risk by saying what town I live in, if I gave my full address and then went on here stating when I was going away and returning then I would have to accept the likely consequences, firstly I make a point of never ever saying I'm going away and will only ever mention I've been on my return and secondly of I did say I was going away any scrote wanting to rob me would then have to do a tour of the whole of Daventry in the hope of finding the right house.

 

[erica11]

Hi I think yr idea cud work ok and I for one would be willing to help people out. I re - did my caravan curtains and made throws anyone needs my help please ask me. I live Greater Manchester. Leigh area. I,ve now done to sets of curtains plus a privacy curtain as well. Willing to help with sewing etc. My hubby will help with problems that need advise etc as well. Greater Manchester.

 

[mat1]

Erica1,
Such a small world as i live near The Flash.

Mat,

 

[DeliDave_]

Have changed my signature as well good thinking Beehpee

 

[Whittakerr]

Hi
I understand the liability issues, but still think the concept is good. Having only had a caravan for a year, I have got a lot of tips and information from this and other forums, some easy to pick up from the descriptions, others would have been much easier to understand through a verbal discussion our practical demonstration.
ERICA1 and MAT. I also live in the Leigh area, near Sainsbury’s and the new Morrison’s.
Roger