What Credit Crunch?

[CornishMike]

Rather stupidly we sold our last van in 2007, and regret it deeply. So we've just done a tour of the local dealers and reckon that the Bailey Pageant Champagne suits our needs very well indeed, especially the 2009 model.

As we have nothing to trade in, and are cash buyers, I was expecting a pretty hefty discount even before the serious haggling began. All we've been offered is a "free" delivery charge!! (£495)

Is the market still that good?

Are there still '000's of punters out there with about £14K to spend on new 'vans?

If there are, then great - our hobby and manufacturer's will weather the storm, but the cynic in me says that things can't be that good - or have I been watching too much News?

Comments please

Mike

 

[Auvergne]

Hi Mike

We were in a similar position last year buying a brand new van with nothing to part ex. We literally rang round to find the cheapest which turned out to be about 50 miles away, saving around

 

[CornishMike]

Hi Valerie

Thanks for the prompt response. Our problem is that as we live in the deep south-west, we'll have at least a 40 mile journey to any dealer!! Out of interst, how much discount, as %'age did your discount represent, and was that over and above the cost of the mover?

Mike

 

[Auvergne]

Just talking to my OH, he says try Discovery at Highbridge (was Mendips). He says they were the cheapest overall for our Coachman, offered scotchguarding of all the internal furniture too but they couldn't deliver the van until June. We chose the other place because we could have it in March (wanted it for Easter).

He is racking his brains, saying we saved about 12 and a half% of the original asking price for the van and the mover together.

 

[Allyson]

Hi Mike

The Bailey Pageant Champagne should only be costing you

 

[Mikey1]

What they have started to do is cut back production so not that many vans on the market.This seems to be what is happening in the car industry,you can only get the deals on stock cars if you need to factory order it then hardly any discount.

I read an interesting article in a motoring magazines saying that all the car manufactures have now cut back production meaning the stock of cars is reducing after this has gone then they will build to order so no need to discount heavily.

Although good deals are to be had it does affect the resale value of your vehicle in the future

 

[Ken_374329292]

Why buy new ?

We bought a year old Bailey Senator last year and we paid

 

[mark_374372336]

Hi mike

try chichester caravans at bromsgrove (west midlands)and speak to either jason ashly or brandon davis (both sales) they deal in bailey and i must say they are both top blokes who will go out of their way to help you and im sure they will give you the best deal around and arrange for your van to be delivered to your door. Im already on my third van from them in 2 years and will always return for my next van but it wont be for a few years yet i hope! their number is 01527 831515

regard mark

 

[trevor_374376718]

See my post in the general section, titled "removed posts" you wil find an interesting link which details the mark ups of a very large dealer group, may help with your negotiations

 

[triker1]

Hi Mike,we just bought a new Bailey Limousin from our local man dealer,no trade in.After some serious haggling managed to get for

 

[weejock]

Hi Mike,we just bought a new Bailey Limousin from our local man dealer,no trade in.After some serious haggling managed to get for

 

[Rioja]

Trevor is trying to point everyone in the direction of a link that suggests caravan dealers are making huge mark ups on caravans. That may well be the case but perhaps they have to make them to survive. Certainly the one he is banging on about is in real danger of going under it seems. The more companies that fold the less choice there will be then it will be take it or leave it for sure.

There is a lot more to a good deal than price. Aftersales service is extremely important, especially where caravans are concerned. When I bought my last van ( 7 years ago now, so there was no crunch on then!) I got a brilliant deal from my nearest dealer both on price and extras thrown in but the after sales was appalling. My van spent about 10 months of it's first 24 back at the dealers trying to get problems solved eventually I went to another dealers , got them to fix it and paid myself as the warrenty had expired.

I don't think I am far wrong in saying the caravan that was perfect on delivery hasn't been made yet !

 

[Thorpedo]

Mike

I also live in the 'deepish' south west (south devon). 2 years ago I was a cash buyer and by getting best prices from one Bailey dealer at Weston I used that to negotiate a huge discount and no delivery fee at Outdoor Experience. It took 3 attempts though. They do have better deals during promotions which I seem to recall happen in late Jan.

My last phone I simply said, I'm going to buy x caravan from x dealer, I'd like to buy if from you as your local, could you match the price. They did match it and more on the basis that I pay a deposit there and then over the phone.

I'm not much of a negotiating sales type person so I found it easier to be hard nosed over the phone.

And they still gave the Wife a huge bouquet of flowers when we picked the van up 6 weeks later.

Suggestion above that without a delivery charge the van may be towed to the dealer seems unlikely to me. 4 or 5 caravans on one transporter would be far cheaper to transport than driving a 4x4 there and back with the cost of a single driver per caravan.

I suggest you take your time, don't give yourself tight timescales, get known as a serious customer with the sales people at the dealer and shop around for best prices to use as a negotiation lever.

 

[WilliamLX]

To get a better deal try and find a left over 2008 model (I have just done so). You will get a much better deal, and IMHO the interior decor of the 2008 Bailey models is brighter and nicer than the 2009s. Also more internal lights.