Ups & downs of buying a caravan
Submitted: Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 11:15
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Member - Fred L (NSW)
7 December 07: Ordered new van due for delivery 1st week April.
10 March: Letter in mail. Dealer has apponted an administrator. Call to both dealer and admin. - don't worry all is
well and order will be processed, deposit will be honoured but sorry because we can't accept a trade in will give you a 8% discount. OK I am happy with that.
19 March: (
Easter Thursday) - all is still
well - van due to leave factory about 25th March. Still happy!!!
25th March: Letter from administrator. Sorry, you lost your deposit - dealer going into receivership - deal directly with the factory. Now not happy!!!
26th March: Contacted the factory. Sales manager says they will do anything to honout the original quote, delivery etc. Fax info to another dealer. Outcome - call from the other dealer - they will process the order at the discounted price as
well as will honour the deposit. As
well - will do the best they can to get the van to us on time.
Great service under the circumstances and am happy with that. Just now waiting for confirmation of deliver date (was supposed to hear yesterday but considering they are all at the
Sydney caravan & camping show I will give them some leeway.
Still looking forward to hitting the road for a few weeks in April.
Happy again but will be realllllly happy when it all happens.
One thought though 'is the fact that this dealer - a pretty big one I thought - is going under is a
sign of the times?
Cheers
FredL
Reply By: camwill69 - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 17:23
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 17:23
The quality of new vans is appauling. My parents just took delivery (Nov 07) of a
well known top end of the market ($95k) van and it has been back for waranty work 4 times.
On delivery the air bag
suspension failed, both water tanks leaked, LCD TV did not work, Roof leaked (cut shower hatch in the wrong place and covered with masking tape).
After the first trip the shower reccess had to be totaly replaced as it held water and leaked, while this repair was being carried out the electrical system failed and had to be replaced. On pick-up after shower repairs they had not tested shower for leakes and decided to do a quick
test before we left. Sorry we forgot to connect the the plumbing behind the wall, flooded van and had to replace the shower again. Another week off the road.
A few other issues not worth mentioning. The manufacture's assosiation are thier for the manufactuerer only and do not provide help in these matters, so if you buy from a member of one of the governing body's do not expect much help from them.
The caravaning industry should be appauled at thier reputation.
Buy second hand.
Regards,
Cam
AnswerID:
295035
Follow Up By: Member - 'Lucy' - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 22:50
Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 22:50
Oi!
You now have me cacking my daks as I ordered a Jayco Outback-Basestaion in September 07 , which is allegedly on the production line as we speak.
I think I will refuse to think about it as I won't sleep (LOL)
You just have to hope these things go to plan, otherwise you would be an alcoholic, druggy trying to ease the 'pain'.
FollowupID:
561096
Reply By: wendys - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 15:47
Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 15:47
Over past 10 years of travel with our van, have heard many complaints similar to all these, and overall build quality in general - especially regarding a brand that would be considered one of the biggest in the country. e.g. van bought new in
Sydney, towed up the highway to
Brisbane, all the cupboards fell off the walls..... We bought our offroad van new, direct from maker in
Melbourne, could go & watch it being built from chassis up; had no teething, or other problems, and after 10 years of heavy use, would never change to another brand.
Any business can go under due to poor management,over-extension, etc., rather than poor quality product. Despite rising fuel prices more & more people are vanning and this will only keep on rising as baby boomers come up to retirement. Maybe the proliferation of van makers - and dealers - will see the poorer quality ones continue to go under?
AnswerID:
295420