Writing an article for a popular caravan magazine. CAUTION

Alan, firstly sorry to hear of your troubles. It personally really miffs me when people won't just put their hands up and `do the right thing'. I reckon after sales service is just as every bit important as every other aspect of running a business. Lets face it, in the caravan/camper trailer industry, after the purchase we all remain rolling adverts for these manufacturers. A fact which I think is somewhat lost on some of them. Good reputations are made over years and destroyred in seconds.
I think it is an unfortunate situation when we can't write facts as we find them, and name parities involved without fear of crossing some legal line. It would be a very powerful tool for the consumer to be able to use when issues arise. I am sure alot of manufacturers would be a lot less dismissive and fair in their analysis of problems if they thought bad publicity would tarnish their names.
We've been very fortunate ourselves. We have had issues with our new van and can only say that the company we purchased from have handled themselves in a very professional and exemplary manor. In fact we are collecting our new van tomorrow.
I think the whole legal system is breaking down and flawed. No longer is it about who's right or who's wrong. Ultimately its down to who has the most money.........

I'm with AlanTH
Would do the same for any mag just to get the same point accross

Regards

Geoff

Interesting post Alan, seeing as how I just spent a couple of hours crawling over and under a few vans in the dealership run by a "nice old bloke" and maybe his offspring.
Did you have a good read of the warranty document available on the manufacturers website before laying down your hard earned dollars? Maybe a bit late now, or maybe not. Well worth a read right down to the last section entitled "Other Laws".
After doing a fair bit of research it looks like this is not the only manufacturer that uses a similar warranty document with it's extensive list of escape clauses and palming off issues to whatever supplier of goods they happen to be using at the time including the bloody chassis. Makes you wonder just what they do warrant themselves.
Obviously this document was prepared for them by a battery of well paid lawyers so that they stayed marginally on the right side of any legal issues.
Made me wonder if I shouldn't buy a second hand and cheaper van out of any warranty and just carry the cost of repairs myself with the money saved.

Cheers
Pop

Don't be timid name the manufacturer.
Many others do so on this site without fear.
I’ve posted complaints about my son’s dealings with Toyota, dirty fuel from a Shell petrol station and a few doggy caravan parks etc – the sky hasn’t fallen in.

To be honest Pop I didn't. I have read it since and it appears to my non legal mind to be the usual type of document declaring nothing is their fault and for the buyer to pursue the original manufacturers. If the fridge breaks down ...."Don't bother us" type of thing.
The caravan industry seems to be run purely for their benefit. Well they've had the last dollar out of us and we've already told our story to 2 other club members who were possible buyers from that yard.
I'm keeping their wheel cover on the back but adding the words "Never again" above the old blokes very well known face and company name.
It may be petty, but it'll please me.
Good luck all.
AlanH.

hi
its easy for w.a people to work out thats is george day and his 2 sons you are talking about been selling caravans for many years
i have no connection with the business
and nor am i promoting it

Thanks mazcan – I hate these guessing games

Possibly a little off-topic, but new(ish) federal consumer laws are now much stronger and they sit above any "limited liability" paper warranty that a manufacturer or retailer might try to wave at you. Fit for purpose and reasonable expectations (in regard to longevity for example) are now major tests, irrespective of what the warranty says - ie the warranty paper cannot remove your basic rights. It's well worth having a read of the ACCC website to get a better understanding of your rights as a consumer. And the good thing is that you don't need any legal expertise to understand the principles involved.

That well known 4WD mag should have drawn up a contract then if that was their intention. I dont know of any mechanic that could afford $20 grand advertising bill plus loss of workshop time and materials with out budgeting for it.

Free Camping Magazine number 9 September issue of parent magazine . C & M on Tour (Boggabri Drovers Camp Fire)
Yes I do have an email from the Deputy Editor detailing her thoughts on the Article
Thanks for your thoughts
Regards
Peter Millar