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Has anyone any knowledge about the situation with Avondale going into liquidation a while back?  We have seen a nice 2008 Dart and would be interested in changing our caravan for it but would like to know if any arrangements have been put in place re warranties and spare parts etc. and if any owners have since had any probelms with this.

Cheers

Carol

here

http://www.motorhomefacts.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=52234

Atherstone caravan firm goes into administration
Sep 17 2008 By Steve Evans

A CARAVAN manufacturer in north Warwickshire has suspended manufacturing with the potential loss of nearly 150 jobs - the latest victims of the credit crunch.

Avondale Coachcraft, based in Carlyon Road, Atherstone, went into administration yesterday after trading for more than 40 years.

Mark Hopkins and Matthew Hammond, of PricewaterhouseCoopers, have been appointed joint administrators of the company.

Avondale Coachcraft has been involved in the design and manufacture of touring caravans with an annual turnover of around £16million and employs 149 people from its head offices in Atherstone, selling its range of caravans throughout the UK.

A company statement said the firm had experienced a drop in sales during the summer.

The statement said: "The effect of the fall-off in sales is that the directors took the decision to suspend manufacturing operations at Atherstone for a short period of time until sales levels increased.

"Unfortunately, this has not proven to be the case leading to Avondale Coachcraft being placed into administration by its directors."

Mr Hopkins said: "The administrators are reviewing the position at the company in respect of the caravans that are presently part-built and are hopeful of recommencing trading so that the caravans can be completed.

"The extent to which we are successful in being able to complete the work in progress will be dependent upon the support of employees and suppliers with whom discussions are taking place."

He added: "The lack of working capital available to the company and the fact that only existing work in progress is being completed in the short term means that only those employees required to complete the work in progress and assist the administrators with caravan sales and possible sale of business will be retained.

"Regrettably, we have been forced to make the remainder of the employees redundant."

Mr Hammond said: "... the company owns the design rights to a number of new models which together with its existing range of models means that it may be attractive to a purchaser.

"We are in discussion with a number of parties who have expressed an initial interest in acquiring the business."

He stressed the administration process was limited to the caravan manufacturing operations of Avondale Coachcraft. Other companies in the group continue to trade normally.

Quote: Originally posted by LegsDownKettleOn on 18/9/2010

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The warranty should be covered by the dealer as it is they whom the purchaser has a contract with, not the manufacturer. However, due to Avondale ceasing trading, spare parts have become harder to source and therefore the resale value of Avondale has been effected.

For what it's worth, a warranty is not automatically transferred to the new owner when the caravan is sold anyway, although some manufacturers will transfer a manufacturer warranty to a new owner for a fee.

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believe these guys bought a lot of parts for avondale.

https://sslrelay.com/olearymotorhomeshop.co.uk/sess/utn;jsessionid=15436a70a87e14d/shopdata/index.shopscript

Quote: Originally posted by jeanm on 19/9/2010

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I took advantage of the situation and bought a fantastic 2008 Avondale. It was actually registered in 2009. I bought it privately with a transferable 5 year wananty.. I have previously owned Avondales before and had no hesiatation on their build quality. I have not been diappaointed. I would have paid twice the price for a caravan by another manufacturer for something similar. Parts for most manufacturers come out of the same factories anyway! Thomson Plastics, Bonus Electrical, Thetford etc etc. Decals etc can still be bought from Magnum Motorhomes at Grimsby who bought the entire lot and have warehouses full of spare parts specifically for Avondale. I would say "Grab yourself a bargain!" I certainly did!

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Ditto ! And we love it too ! We were given a year's warranty by the dealer which we could renew if we wanted.  

 

Thanks to all for your comments, it does help to have live feed back.  I think we are leaning towardsl sticking with the Lunar as although some of you were delighted with your bargains we are worried that if we were to do something silly, resulting in a new roof being fitted, again we would have trouble finding the bigger spare parts.  I have googled Avondale spares etc and looked at the link provided but can not find anything other than the small items which as already pointed out, are supplied by various companies for all makes of vans.   And  gasmansteve's remarks about his unfortunate experience does not breed confidence in the Avondale manufacturer, not surprising that they went out of business.  So so tempted by the trade in price against our Lunar, which actually makes me think that they are desperate to get rid.

Cheers

Carol

There are good and bad of all caravans.My last caravan cost 24k and was by one of the so called better manufacturers-horrendous and I wouldnt have one given me now or swap it with my Avondale! I do think that you have to bare in mind how many caravans they actually made! You only have to look around and its not unusual to see many from the 80s and earlier still in active service! Mine came with a 5 year warantee that does include damp. Push the dealer further for the same. Its a buyers market particuarly at this time in luck!the season! Good

Quote: Originally posted by Carolbay on 19/9/2010

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.......... not surprising that they went out of business.  Cheers

Carol

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Quote: Originally posted by shirl250 on 20/9/2010

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Quote: Originally posted by Carolbay on 19/9/2010

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.......... not surprising that they went out of business.  Cheers

Carol

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Now there's a nice thought out thoroughly reasoned statement !

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Just reasoned that if the workers knew they were probably going under for whatever reason, the work force could have been so demotivated that they gave up trying and workmanship could have suffered.  If so, word gets around and sales could have been even more affected.  I have complete sympathy with them and any other people who are affected by job losses.

Carol

Well, after the mainly encouraging posts about Avondale we went down to the dealers this pm and will be collecting the Dart 470-2 on Friday.  It has a fantastic shower and wash room which was the main reason we wanted it.  We got a good trade in price and a 1 year warranty, although I did try for 5 years but no go.  Just have to hope that this one is a good one!

Cheers

Carol

Quote: Originally posted by Carolbay on 20/9/2010

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Quote: Originally posted by shirl250 on 20/9/2010

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Quote: Originally posted by Carolbay on 19/9/2010

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.......... not surprising that they went out of business.  Cheers

Carol

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Now there's a nice thought out thoroughly reasoned statement !

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Just reasoned that if the workers knew they were probably going under for whatever reason, the work force could have been so demotivated that they gave up trying and workmanship could have suffered.  If so, word gets around and sales could have been even more affected.  I have complete sympathy with them and any other people who are affected by job losses.

Carol

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I think you need a shovel !