We are looking at buying a new caravan and have been told that by going to the caravan show at Birmingham we should be able to save atleast a couple of grand off the dealer price - has anyone been and know if this is correct - or are we better off just buying from our local dealer in the first place.
The Caravan Show - NEC
- Thread starter HelenAndy
- Start date
You have raised the six million dollar question. Yes there are good deals to be had but if your local dealer really wants to get ride of the caravan on his forcourt to make room for a new model, well the sky could be the limit.
In the past I have always bought at Earls Court but this year I am going to the NEC in October. The advantage is that you can have a good look around at all the makes and models without having to drive miles and miles.
I would suggest doing some homework first and having a reasonable idea of what you are after before you arrive otherwise you could end up feeling like a kid in a sweet shop.
In the past I have always bought at Earls Court but this year I am going to the NEC in October. The advantage is that you can have a good look around at all the makes and models without having to drive miles and miles.
I would suggest doing some homework first and having a reasonable idea of what you are after before you arrive otherwise you could end up feeling like a kid in a sweet shop.
Helen & Andy
Your local dealer mite be at the show.
Our deal who we got our caravan form as bee there for the last two years we been going to the show.
Mark
Your local dealer mite be at the show.
Our deal who we got our caravan form as bee there for the last two years we been going to the show.
Mark
Helen and Andy
I would go along with Mark and Sharon. Have a good idea what you want before you go, see your local dealer and get a price, I did this last year went to the show the best deal I was offered was a " Free " TV , my local dealer, gave me his price some
I would go along with Mark and Sharon. Have a good idea what you want before you go, see your local dealer and get a price, I did this last year went to the show the best deal I was offered was a " Free " TV , my local dealer, gave me his price some
Hi folks,
Always remember,wherever you buy the van.....that's where you have to take it for servicing,and that might be 100's of miles away from home.
Maureen
Always remember,wherever you buy the van.....that's where you have to take it for servicing,and that might be 100's of miles away from home.
Maureen
Good point Maureen. The same problem exists in the motorhome world. Some dealers won't service or honor any warranties unless they sold the van in the first place. Having said that, the flip side is do you want to take it to a dealer for servicing anyway? If you are happy to run the risk of not using a franchise dealership, you could save a fortune.
Well said Tom, i can relate to the finance company getting involved, it was a case of which hoop and at what hieght sir. Check out your local dealer and his finance package, that has the van of your dreams then doo the same at the show, compare the two and then decide. Taking finance gives you a bit more clout when things go wrong, as the ownership of the c/van is more with the finance company than with yourselves. Best wishes and happy campings, Bazz.
OK to simplify the show deal thing. There are two things which effect pricing.
One is new models and clearing space for them. As each dealer will have a list from the manufacture of models in stock and if there are any special discounts given to the dealer to clear that stock.
The second is how busy the show is and the number of customers who are there to buy. A poor show with lower attendence will offer a better chance to get a good deal. They have to sell to cover the cost of the show and to get the money they need there will be a chance to buy at a very very good price IF you are serious about spending money. Don't forget they see tyre kickers everyday and can smell money a mile off. We were lucky as the show we attended was quiet and we were going to walk away with a caravan order in our grubby mitts. So it was down to the best offer and we did not keep going back and forward to play them off! We clearly said give us your BEST! Price as we are buying and we have to see a few other dealers and the best one we have for the spec we want out of possibly Bailey or Abbey will get our money. As we walked away from one or two salesmen we did get asked if they were close or if they could make another offer if they were not the best deal. But I did say I do not want a haggle fest and what they put down had to be the best offer so I would only work to that figure they quoted first time! True to our word we did not go back and forward and we did get the spec we wanted with a special edition from a dealer at a price significntly less than the base model price all in! They even admitted after we paid our deposit that they had not sold one that low and would not have done that deal if the show had been busier.
One is new models and clearing space for them. As each dealer will have a list from the manufacture of models in stock and if there are any special discounts given to the dealer to clear that stock.
The second is how busy the show is and the number of customers who are there to buy. A poor show with lower attendence will offer a better chance to get a good deal. They have to sell to cover the cost of the show and to get the money they need there will be a chance to buy at a very very good price IF you are serious about spending money. Don't forget they see tyre kickers everyday and can smell money a mile off. We were lucky as the show we attended was quiet and we were going to walk away with a caravan order in our grubby mitts. So it was down to the best offer and we did not keep going back and forward to play them off! We clearly said give us your BEST! Price as we are buying and we have to see a few other dealers and the best one we have for the spec we want out of possibly Bailey or Abbey will get our money. As we walked away from one or two salesmen we did get asked if they were close or if they could make another offer if they were not the best deal. But I did say I do not want a haggle fest and what they put down had to be the best offer so I would only work to that figure they quoted first time! True to our word we did not go back and forward and we did get the spec we wanted with a special edition from a dealer at a price significntly less than the base model price all in! They even admitted after we paid our deposit that they had not sold one that low and would not have done that deal if the show had been busier.
Hello Helen & Andy & others,
It is often thought that you can get a good deal at a caravan show, well in some cases that can be true, but for others the real cost of purchasing remotely from your home can offset the apparent saving.
Maureen, has hinted that in some cases there may be difficulties in getting your pride an joy serviced locally, well in fairness provided you give plenty of notice you can usually find a local company to do the service, but warrant work is different kettle of fish.
Because initial warranty work is the responsibility of the seller, (Sale of goods act) many dealers will not undertake warranty work unless they have actually sold the product. After all why should they carry the cost of the sellers failure?
I have met someone who lived in the Scottish Highlands but purchased a new caravan from around Birmingham because it was a
It is often thought that you can get a good deal at a caravan show, well in some cases that can be true, but for others the real cost of purchasing remotely from your home can offset the apparent saving.
Maureen, has hinted that in some cases there may be difficulties in getting your pride an joy serviced locally, well in fairness provided you give plenty of notice you can usually find a local company to do the service, but warrant work is different kettle of fish.
Because initial warranty work is the responsibility of the seller, (Sale of goods act) many dealers will not undertake warranty work unless they have actually sold the product. After all why should they carry the cost of the sellers failure?
I have met someone who lived in the Scottish Highlands but purchased a new caravan from around Birmingham because it was a
I agree with not buying from dealers located too far from where you live due to warranty issues. Luckily in the midlands there are loads of places to get the ones we wanted without traveling. I think it also made it easier to get a deal as the dealers we spoke to could not use location to get the sale. The dealer we did go to are one of the most reputable dealers in the UK from what we understand so going to them was a bonus.
There can be some good deals but it will take a lot of homework on your side to make sure you get exactly what you want and need. The main thing is do not bluff as many dealers do walk round and un-officially price fix on many show items and bluffing can show up and may stop you getting a genuine offer which you would be happy with.
There can be some good deals but it will take a lot of homework on your side to make sure you get exactly what you want and need. The main thing is do not bluff as many dealers do walk round and un-officially price fix on many show items and bluffing can show up and may stop you getting a genuine offer which you would be happy with.
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