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oh no huge huge hugs

have you tried contacting the seller ( highly unlikely but maybe they are honest and were unaware is it worth a try ??)

huge hugs again

As has been said on here many times - take a damp meter when viewing used vans.  Some buyers go to view a van and the sellers take a figure well below the advertised price.  Whe the van is bought after haggling the price down then I think the van is sold as seen and the phrase buyer beware applies, as long as it is fit for the purpose it is sold.

If your van isn't fit for its purpose then maybe you can ask the owners for the costs of repair or a refund.  If they refuse inform them that you will go ahead with repairs and recoup the money from the small claims court along with legal fees and expenses.

Brian

linda, unfortunately there is a lot of total crooks out there that sell crap vans, honesty doesnt come into it. if you have any mates that are joiners between them and the fixed it club on here it will get sorted

best wishes

al

Knowingly selling a caravan which is damp & concealing that fact is a totally different thing from selling a damp van as a damp van of course.

I really feel for you linda, as, I`m sure, will the majority of others who see your post-especially those of us who really do know what it's like to be a bit hard-up in the cash department. As if you didn't have enough grief with your girl (daughter?- sorry I have no idea what dd means) being so sick.

I think some of these replies have given you good advice though, I kknow of 2 cases where people genuinely did not know damp was getting in (no visible signs to begin with) till the water ingress had done a lot of damage within wall cavity, so I do think you should approach the seller if you haven`t already.

If they DID deliberately stiff you, I hope they rot in hell too. Sorry I haven't got any concrete advice to give you, but I really wish you luck. Don`t beat yourself up about it. Most decent people get had at some point. Been there, done that....

Posts like this convince me that I will only buy our used van from a dealership, even if it costs us a thousand pounds over buying privately. I would be heartbroken if I was in your position because the money we spend on our new van is money we can only spend once.  It is tempting to buy privately for the lower prices and all the accessories thrown in but I would prefer the peace of mind of a reputable dealer and at least 3 months warranty. This is the 3rd post I have read in the past 3 months where people have been shafted by seemingly lovely people and left with damp vans on their hands. I hope you find a solution to your problem and may the people you bought it from rot in hell.

Carol

As regards buying from a dealer for the peace of mind, all very well but when the 3 months warranty is up & you have a problem what then ? It's much the same as going to a car dealer, you do have some `come-back', but it's very limited & of course it costs an awful lot more for exactly the same thing bought privately.

 If you know someone who's practical (or are yourself) & knows what to look out for, then esp armed with a damp meter) it may mean the difference between being able to afford to buy something which will give you at least a few of years pleasure  - or just plain not getting anything at all. And if the caravan you paid twice as much for from a dealer turns out to be a dud, you'll have lost an awful lot more.

I reckon Steve's post above is a sound idea.Hey Linda, let us know how it works out.

Quote: Originally posted by steve1961 on 22/7/2009

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Hi
I have just repaired a damp van & it really is not that difficult, it takes time & very basic diy skills, after all they are only thin ply, insulation & wooden spars inside. If you dont feel as though you can repair it yourself do you know a local handyman or out of work joiner who is willing to have a go? If not i think that you would be better off having it repaired at a dealers than scrapping it, i know that it will cost but at least you will have a good van once its done, if you scrap & look for another one whos to say that wont be damp or have some other hidden problem?
Whatever you decide, good luck   

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Quote: Originally posted by Gypsydoll on 22/7/2009

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As regards buying from a dealer for the peace of mind, all very well but when the 3 months warranty is up & you have a problem what then ? It's much the same as going to a car dealer, you do have some `come-back', but it's very limited & of course it costs an awful lot more for exactly the same thing bought privately.

 If you know someone who's practical (or are yourself) & knows what to look out for, then esp armed with a damp meter) it may mean the difference between being able to afford to buy something which will give you at least a few of years pleasure  - or just plain not getting anything at all. And if the caravan you paid twice as much for from a dealer turns out to be a dud, you'll have lost an awful lot more.

I reckon Steve's post above is a sound idea.Hey Linda, let us know how it works out.

 

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I have seen a diagram on using a damp meter to test a caravan for damp and it advises approx 200 points on the van that you should test. I doubt any of us would damp test a van to that extent. A 3 month warranty is about all you can expect on a van over 10 years old but it does give you the time to take the van home, test and inspect it and put it to use and then get it back to the dealer for problems to be put right. At least you are not buying a dud right from the start and you have some redress.

Carol

Carol