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Had a quick look, which model are you going for?   I think the Fairway is based on the Swift Charisma by the look of the "woodwork".  Are Broad Lane your only nearby dealer?   Any dealers who are doing Abbey and/or Ace will soon be going over to Swifts and/or Sterlings, so if there are any near you it could be worth asking.

Without a trade in you should get a good price on a branded van, but it does sound like the Fairway range is well priced with so many extras.  Have you been to another Swift dealer and checked prices/asked for discount/extras?

if you really like the van , then go for it at least you will get the right one.

we had a similer problem we wanted the elddis odyssey 544, we wanted to buy local for the service waranty work, in the end we managed to get some extras throw in.

we had no part ex as this was are first van, so glad we did the deal just finding the right van was hard work, go for it!

Quote: Originally posted by york54 on 26/11/2008

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We hadn't planned to part ex our van as it is so old!!! We were going to give it to a family member. We wouldn't consider a dealer that was a long way from home - for the reasons mentioned here - distance for service and problems whilst under warranty etc. There were about £850 worth of extras on the Fairway as opposed to the Sterling Europa - but the Sterling was slightly less in price. Really like the Fairway tho' - but can't get any where else except Broad Lane Caravans. We agree that we probably should wait a bit and maybe the VAT will bring the price down - our main worry is that we may have to miss out on getting the van till late season - oh the dilemmas! Once again - I appreciate all the viewpoints - to chew over!!! THANKS!!!

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I do appreciate the point about buying from a dealer close to home as that certainly has some advantages. However if you are saying the dealer is unwilling to make any sort of deal off the the new price without a partexchange that does seem odd. It makes the deal I got at Nenecourt seem pretty good! If you like that particular van you mentioned it might be worth coming a bit further south to see what White Arches of Rushden have to offer as they do a very similar dealer special. If they were to offer a better deal then at least you could go back to Broadlane as see if they would match it.

David

Quote: Originally posted by york54 on 26/11/2008

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Hello!! new to the forum. We went to the show in October looking to buy a new van (our present one is 19 yrs old!!) . Not many bargains to be had I'm afraid - we really like the Fairway which is made for Broad Lane Caravans. They wouldn't budge on price!!

We are undecided whether to wait and try again in Feb or to just go to the dealer - who have told us they don't know if there will be any promotions like last time - offering cashback. We also want the van for the start of the new season - any ideas?

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Surfer 01 - think we will. We have looked there before - it's by Webb's Garden Centre - right?

Gazmister - your experience sounds horrendous - yet when you visit the shop there are loads of "thankyou" letters on the board. I suppose there is always a time when a dealer does not come up to scratch. We have visited their dealership in Kenilworth and were treated very well by the staff - they are supposed to pride themselves on being a family company with long serving staff- all dealerships run by brothers - but then who knows!!! We looked at the Charisma at the show but preferred the finish on the Fairway - it's a personal thing.

david - looked at NeneCourt on the net - good sale of 2008 vans. Weren't they auctioning a van this last weekend?

Quote: Originally posted by york54 on 27/11/2008

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Surfer 01 - think we will. We have looked there before - it's by Webb's Garden Centre - right?

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Correct and as you are within West Midlands no issue with servicing etc.  They also have a branch in Stourport and offf the A456 Hagley road in Birmingham.  Google Chichester caravans to have look at some of their stock.

The dealer seemed more interested in us if we had finance - presumably they "make" something from this!! Gone are the days when money "talked"!!!

Money still talks but mine only says goodbye

I'd go to your dealer, see the boss & tell him what you want the van for, ask him if he's able to do anything for you.

If he can't, tell him you'll leave your number with him & ask if he'd call you should he find enough room to move in the deal. Otherwise, you'll go to the NEC in February hoping to see some discounted deals about.

If things get tight, I reckon there'll be some deals around to be had. These big dealers know they can't have yards ful of caravans with falling sales for long without chasing a deal here & there.

BB