LIVID WITH SWIFT

[pog]

I collected my new conqueror 630 two weeks ago. On our first outing we discovered the shower tray is either warped or incorrectly fitted and the water flows away from plug hole. So even a quick shower floods the tray and then potentially the bathroom floor.

The caravan is now with the dealer and I have been advised the replacement part will take about 6 weeks to arrive and will ential the entire washroom being removed for the new shower unit to be fitted - including the removal of the side panel!

I am livid that the shower was clearly not checked prior to delivery - I am disgusted I will not be able to use my caravan for most of the summer.

But above all I am appalled with Swift as they have handed the whole issue over to the dealer. I am at the mercy of the plastics firm to make the unit and the schedule of the dealership to fit it - With the exception of being the middle man, Swift have absolved themselves of doing anything to fix this problem. Not the bevavior of a reputable manufacturer.

Has anyone had anything like this issue? Can you recommend someone at Swift to talk to?

I really do not want my new van pulled to pieces. The dealer has suggested fitting a second drain in the shower tray but Swift will not endorse this action. So what do I do??? When I spoke of my concerns to Swift of the skill level of the dealership I was told as they are an approved dealer their work would be as good as if it were carried out by Swift themselves. Yet this is the dealer who suggested I make a second drain hole, a hole that Swift said they would not endorse - so this tells me the dealer is clueless as to Swift procedure. How can I trust what they say without checking it with Swift first?

If they do pull my brand new van apart, will it ever be the same again? Am I right to be paranoid about damp etc?

I am at a loss as to my next step.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Bj

 

[Garfield]

That's obviously a serious pain leaving you with 3 options, reject the van altogether with the consequences that involves,

Get it fixed but like someone hitting your brand new (or older for that matter)car, it's never quite the same,

or use the alternatuive solution of a second drain, I have often considered a second drain on our own Lexon as it never drains properly unless you site the van so the rest of the van is out of level. To make caravan shower trays lighter they are made without a fall and sit flat on the caravan floor so the slightest slope the other way and they don't drain

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Bj . NOw look here Chappy Fellow Lookout on this Forum for a young Lady by the name of Kath.

Very often drops in this forum you know to see what is going on and Im sure she will read your posting and and help ease you mind. Anyway Lady Roger calls I hope this helps .

Regards Sir Roger

 

[Auvergne]

Hi Bj,

We had a similar situation with our new van this year but with Coachman who, it has to be said, completely washed their hands of the problem/s. We took legal advice and were told that legally our contract is with the dealer, not Coachman and it is the dealer you need to put pressure on. We pointed out an anomoly in the Coachman literature and were assured that when selling, the dealer takes on not only responsibility for the van but all said literature etc, your contract is with them for the whole thing. If the literature is misleading its the dealer you take to task.

Our Coachman is going back in soon to have a brand new door fitted as it literally fell off on our first trip. We also have a list of ten other faults.

Having said that, our dealer has been extremely helpful and we wouldn't be without our van.

I've posted on here before about a site, from memory its "Consumer Direct" (if its any different I'll post a comment) who are brilliant on advising about rights and responsibilities, they even give you template letters to send quoting relevant legalities. If you are in the Caravan Club its possible their legal beagles can help, its worth a phone call even if its to signpost you elsewhere.

I really do hope you get your van sorted, I'm afraid unless you deal a heavy hand nobody takes any notice.

 

[trucker]

Bj, sorry to hrae about your new van. I must say Swift and my dealer were great about some problems I had with my new van.

Dont let them keep it for the summer just cus of the shower tray get it back enjoy it (just dont shower) and let them have it when the new tray arrives.

Go over it with a fine tooth combe taking pics before any work is done and again go over it when work complete, if its not up to the original standard of fit reject the van.

Kevin

 

[davedee]

Good advice,Kevin. I'd just add one thing; when you collect the van,get them to run the shower and demonstrate that the repair is successful before you take the van away.

Dave

 

[davedee]

Hi Bj,

We had a similar situation with our new van this year but with Coachman who, it has to be said, completely washed their hands of the problem/s. We took legal advice and were told that legally our contract is with the dealer, not Coachman and it is the dealer you need to put pressure on. We pointed out an anomoly in the Coachman literature and were assured that when selling, the dealer takes on not only responsibility for the van but all said literature etc, your contract is with them for the whole thing. If the literature is misleading its the dealer you take to task.

Our Coachman is going back in soon to have a brand new door fitted as it literally fell off on our first trip. We also have a list of ten other faults.

Having said that, our dealer has been extremely helpful and we wouldn't be without our van.

I've posted on here before about a site, from memory its "Consumer Direct" (if its any different I'll post a comment) who are brilliant on advising about rights and responsibilities, they even give you template letters to send quoting relevant legalities. If you are in the Caravan Club its possible their legal beagles can help, its worth a phone call even if its to signpost you elsewhere.

I really do hope you get your van sorted, I'm afraid unless you deal a heavy hand nobody takes any notice.

Hi Val.

We got the van back from Wandahome with all the work apparently done; pump,aerial signal booster,shower leak,etc.etc.

We're off away for a few days next week to try it out again.We'll let you know how we get on.

TTFN Dave

 

[Auvergne]

Hi Val.

We got the van back from Wandahome with all the work apparently done; pump,aerial signal booster,shower leak,etc.etc.

We're off away for a few days next week to try it out again.We'll let you know how we get on.

TTFN Dave

Fingers crossed then!

Val.

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

Dave and dee

I am sorry that you are so upset. Please call us and let us see what we can do.

Our telephone number is 01482 874740 and ask for Kerry,I will let her know about your post so that she is expecting your call.

Sorry I didnt see this yesterday, I must be blind.

Regards

Kath

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

bj, i had two brand new sterling elites off swift. the first one the door frame was to big for the door. the second one had cuts in the lyno floor and cracks in the wall of the shower. it also had various other minor issues.

the first van i rejected within a couple of days the second i rejected at about 6-8 weeks.

swift did offer to do the repairs but they wouldnt be to my standard so did the dealer offer.

i got all my money back within two weeks of rejection.

i know what you are going through.

in all fairness kath at swift was great but i should never have had a first faulty van never mind a second.

get the moderator to give you my email address if you want.

i feel for you both its so stressfull and frustrating you feel like your banging your head against a brick wall.

good luck and please dont be afraid to ask email me.

jo-anne

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Ask for you money back NOW. You where sold faulty goods.Take the van back and dont leave till you have your money back.

 

[ThePlotter]

What I would say is take Kath up on her offer to see what she can do,she is not obliged to do this as your issue by law is with the supplying dealer and not the manufacturer (sale of goods act)yes fault can be laid at the door of Swift but also your dealer who is supposed to carry out PDI.This topic also takes me back to a question I asked of Swift why is the plug hole not in the middle with the tray slightly dished so ir will alwats drain.

Anyway back to your case if you bought the van with finance supplied by the dealer,then contact them and tell them of yout problem as they are jointly and severally liable for the merchandise under the Consumer credit act 1973,this only applies to finance via the dealer.Equally if you paod some or all of the deposit by credit card and so long as the amount was more than

 

[dawn_374362809]

hi bj we have also got problems with a cracked shower tray in our new swift challenger we have had our van since febuary and have never been able to use the shower the bathroom door is also damadged we havebeen waiting 18 weeks to get problems sorted and still waiting the dealer blames swift for delay waiting for parts ring swift they just direct you back to dealer they have had your money so not really bothered i have

 

[dawn_374362809]

bj contact consumer direct they will advise you to write to your dealer and send a copy to dealers head office idid try this but have not been told when van will be sorted so consumer direct haved passed it on to trading standards iam now waiting for them to contact me

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

Dawn

Would you like to contact me direct? Nothing should take 18 weeks to sort out. My email address is kpowell@swiftleisure.co.uk

Regards

Kath

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

BJ, reject your van to the dealer and ask for a full refund give them 14 days and send the rejection letter special delivery. you have spent

 

[Stephen_374341239]

BJ IF YOU LOOK SWITGROUP HAS ASK YOU TO CONTACT THEM DIRECT.

11 Jun 2008

YOU CANNOT ASK FOR BETTER THEN THAT? Yes i do know i am shouting. Not even Bailey do this well done swift group Ps I own a Bailey.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

this isnt points at anybody but ive been through what bj is going through. no one at the end of the day is bothered they have had your money. they are only trying to save themselves even more money. i have had two vans i have had to reject back to the dealer for problems as bad as bj's. the van will never be the same again if you accept a repair. ask yourself if you did have it repaired could you guarantee that you would be happy with the repair. would it be as good as when it should have come to you in the first place.

would you accept a repair on a new

 

[Stephen_374341239]

this isnt points at anybody but ive been through what bj is going through. no one at the end of the day is bothered they have had your money. they are only trying to save themselves even more money. i have had two vans i have had to reject back to the dealer for problems as bad as bj's. the van will never be the same again if you accept a repair. ask yourself if you did have it repaired could you guarantee that you would be happy with the repair. would it be as good as when it should have come to you in the first place.

would you accept a repair on a new

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

bump

 

[bigbilly]

Surely if the van is only 2 weeks old and 'not fit for purpose' you can demand your money back or a replacement from your dealership ?

The van will never be the same if it is repaired !

Bill

 

[SirRogerFFS]

PLease can I just point out that twice Kath from Swift has tried to reply to this thread surely its only fair to let Kath try and help you .

I have dealt with Swift direct thro Kath and found them more than helpful.

Regards Sir Roger

 

[whitetop]

I had a problem with my shower base in that it was split. I noticed it on delivery.

Dealer ordered new part and we never used the shower over the Summer, but did use the van.

I visited the dealer during the "repair"......not nice to see the guts ripped out of a van.

3 years later and not a single problem.

My van was not new, but the colour match was perfect.

I would advise that you get the shower base ordered, confirm with dealer AND Swift, that you will use the van until a suitable, TO YOU, time can be arranged for the work to be done.

When the base arrives,remember that "about 6 weeks" can be 10 weeks or longer... arrange a time to repair.....but get a time for the work to be done....ie 1 week etc.

Confirm in writing that if the repair takes longer, the dealer will supply you with a van to cover any holidays etc.

If van is Brand New, you might want to consider the "not fit for purpose" route and contact Trading Standards.

That said.......Contact Kath......... kpowell@swiftleisure.co.uk

Keep us posted........word of mouth is important to manufacturers.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

bump

 

[DeliDave]

when we had a problem with our jewel they said it was our responsibility to get it back to them (and our expense) it was never the same and we part ex'd it for a bailey I'd deffo want my money back if I knew then what i know now.I think it cost me