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Having viewed the new 2007 Hymers today on the Lowdham stand at the Caravan/Boat Ex. at the NEC, I am more convinced than ever to buy from Germany. Lowdhams have (in their opinion) insisted on "improvements" for the British market. As a Hymer owner, they have totally destroyed the very reason why I chose Hymer in the first place. Now many people may want a full size cooker, personally, a Smev oven/grill/rotisserie and a three burner gas hob do me just fine. I also like the plainer fabrics of Hymer - now replaced with "cottagey" chenille. Likewise, I can see no reason for a window in the door, but Lowdhams can - apparently.

Gary, Would be most interested to know where you are buying from in Cologne, did you visit, or arrange it all on-line? As for the tax, presumably you will have to pay VAT on arrival in the UK if you are claiming the german tax back??

We have a UK Hymer and Lowdhams wouldn't service it because we bought it privately rather than from Lowdhams so its not just forgein vans.

That said the parts department at Lowdhams in Nottingham have been excellent we have not had to wait more than about 3 weeks for any part, which I think compares well with a UK van.

Out of interest is your new hymer, a hymer or an Eriba?

Quote: Originally posted by boff on 23/2/2007

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We have a UK Hymer and Lowdhams wouldn't service it because we bought it privately rather than from Lowdhams so its not just forgein vans.

That said the parts department at Lowdhams in Nottingham have been excellent we have not had to wait more than about 3 weeks for any part, which I think compares well with a UK van.

Out of interest is your new hymer, a hymer or an Eriba?

 

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If Lowdhams have refused point blank to service your van, then I would take the time to contact Hymer Germany direct and tell them what has happened.

I say this as Hymer vans have a six year water ingress policy, and this only applies if the van has been checked annually.

Hymer warranties are transferable from owner to owner!!!

If Lowdhams are Hymer appointed dealers you should find that they are obliged to service your Hymer regardless of where you acquired it.  A polite yet firm letter of complaint to Hymer Germany should see a swift rocket heading their way.  Having said that I doubt whether I would trust such a outfit with any van of mine.

If you're prepared to visit Scotland I'm sure Sandy at Jandi Caravans (see earlier post) would be happy to have your business. 

Carr

I agree, I think its high time someone put a rocket up Lowdhams. They are arrogant beyond belief. We had a similar incident having bought our van "second hand" from someone who had bought if from Lowdhams and then had not been able to use it as the doorway was too narrow for a disabled wheelchair access.

We had a minor warranty problem, and they asked if we had bought the van from them, and initially we were met with the same attitude "we only service vans that have been bought from us". I pointed out that they had in fact supplied the van, it was still very much under warranty, and if they continued to refuse then I would contact Hymer Germany directly. It was immediately booked in.

Quote: Originally posted by JTQU on 23/2/2007

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I don’t think “its arrogant beyond belief” to look after their customers, it’s simple business sense.

Loyalty I have found works both ways. If I had chosen to purchase elsewhere it would I suggest be a bit naive to assume Lowdhams will chose to look after me, if by doing so it prejudices looking after those who had chosen them to supply their vans.

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We had gone to Lowdhams, and liked the Hymer 545, BUT Lowdhams couldn't supply a new one until the following year. We were then lucky enough to find exactly what we had wanted, and a van that HAD been supplied by Lowdhams, and that was under full warranty, and a warranty BTW that is fully transferable from owner to owner.

Its not a case of Lowdhams "choosing" to look after us, Lowdhams were under a LEGAL obligation to carry out the warranty work, and also to service the van  - they had supplied - in order to ensure the warranty remained valid.

This week we looked at the new 2007 Hymers at the NEC show  - on the Lowdhams stand, but in view of the changes that Lowdhams have insisted (their words) be made for the UK market, then we won't be buying new from them.

Think about it, are you seriously trying to say that if you had bought your Discovery privately at 3 months old, your local Landrover dealer could legally refuse to service it because you hadn't bought it from him, or because you'd bought it from a dealer in Invervess? I suggest you read through this thread entirely, and you will see that simply isn't the case legally. Nor would it be the case if you had bought your Discovery from say Holland and wanted it serviced back in the UK.

So, yes, Lowdhams are indeed arrogant beyond belief!

certainly stirred up a hornet`s nest with this subject ! for everybodys info. we have decided not to have the caravan serviced this was decided right from the start.we know it`s a risk but a calculated  one, we propose to keep it long term,yes we know the implications and it`s a risk we are prepared to take.just out of interest how much does an annual inspection cost at lowdens ?a few hundred pounds i suspect.

With regard to our van, the manufacturers warranty is for three years and six in respect of water ingress. This warranty is, under the terms and conditions of purchase, fully transferable from one owner to another. Now, you can ask Lowdhams sales people about that, and they will confirm it is indeed so. Therefore, Lowdhams have a legal contractual obligation to fulfil the terms and conditions of that contract.

Regarding cars, many people believe that they must have their car serviced at a franchised dealer in order for the warranty to remain valid, when this is not the case at all. Manufacturers' warranties are typically valid for one or two years after purchase and do not usually specify where a car must be serviced, but do say they must be serviced in accordance with specified service schedules as issued by the manufacturer and parts of an equivalent quality must be used.

Dealer extended warranties are another issue, and they are normally valid only if the car is serviced by garages within the manufacturer's network.

When you buy a new car, you have a contract with the garage that supplied it, as you quite correctly stated. If the vehicle develops major problems,say soon after purchase, then you have the right to return it and reject it as not fit for purpose. If however, you are living in Inverness, and buy you car from the local dealer there, and then move to Guildford, the local dealer in Guildford has an obligation to carry out warranty work as he is the manufacturers appointed agent and franchisee and in fact dealers make good commission on warranty work so are usually only too pleased to do the work.

The OFT conducted an investigation in 2003 into new car warranties and competition, and as a result of that, changes came into force.

With regard to importation, you'll find this interesting:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/guides_to/importing_servicing.shtml

Quote: Originally posted by JTQU on 24/2/2007

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susa,
Stop for a second.
There is no argument about warranty work be it a car or Hymer caravan; clearly in Lowdhams case they have an obligation to meet Hymers warranty commitments for UK spec vans. And I understood in 2002 that it was very specifically just that, UK spec vans. It's a contract they have with Hymer AG, not with you.
However you extend this to believing they have a commitment to service your van whether they chose to take your work or not. Repeat service.
I certainly got no written contract that tied them to that obligation to me; it's all down to a goodwill thing.
Bye

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I think we're getting our wires crossed here.

For a Hymer to remain in warranty, unlike cars, it needs to be serviced by a Hymer agent//franchisee call them what you will, and also to have a dampness test. In the UK there IS only Lowdhams, so for them to refuse to service a van in order for it to remain in warranty is what I am referring to.

Hymer are a European company and offer a Europe-wide warranty to their customers.  Dealers who refuse to service a caravan because it was bought from another dealer/bought privately are going against this policy.

This is a similar discussion - regarding Hymer Eriba - that has been taking place on another board for some time. This is one comment, which makes interesting reading:

"I e-mailed Hymer recently asking about UK dealers servicing a van brought in personally from Holland. This is their reply:

"Due to the fact that you wish to purchase your vehicle in Holland it has a dutch specification. English specification differs in various points and includes several different regulations of the British legislator. Among other things, flame-retardant upholstery and curtains, weight labelling, gas installation etc.

As you surely know, a vehicle that does not correspond to these legislative regulations does therefore not meet the road traffic regulation and is not allowed to use it in Britain.

If you can assure to meet all standards then our authorized dealers are obliged to carry out any work at your vehicle."

"I think that Lowdhams have pulled the wool over Hymer's eyes claiming that a non-UK spec van does not comply with road traffic regulations and not allowed for use in the UK.  Anyone know if I am correct?  Hymer provide a Europe-wide warranty and it they must have given this as an excuse to get out of fulfilling the obligation."

With regard to Lowdhams determining that they will only service new vans sold by them, that as you say is a matter for them. Its is however a very short sighted view as, certainly in our case we were looking to buy a new van from them, but wouldn't do so now.

PS

Anyway, they really are the BEST vans!!!