I can see that trading standards are going to be getting rather buisy in the next few months, I to would be very interesred in any info available as I have had continuous problems with my van since new in November 2006, although no damp as yet but floor delamination, worktops delaminating, and the thetford fridge the N180 has been rubbish from the start and been replaced once as it totally packed up.now got more problems with it. the floor has now started to delaminate again in the kitchen area. I havn't missed a service and it's going in Monday for it's third service with a list of jobs yet again. maybe trading standards is the way to go ........Mark
------------- here today , where tomorrow?
yet another full timer,
Standy by blondieandi..... there is light at the end of the tunnel and its not a train coming. I have news, but will wait till its in writing before publishing what hopefully will be the final chapter. Sorry blondieandi you will just have to wait a little longer
It's worth waiting for, honest.
mjcreed: as long as the dealer is attempting( I use the term loosely) to rectify the faults, I think that is all you can ask at the moment. However, I wouldn't presume to know everything on the subject so suggest a chat with your Consumer Direct department could put your mind at rest regarding your options should the dealer fail to rectify the problems.
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Update : I now have confirmation in writing that Bailey and the dealer will now repair my caravan at no cost to me. It's a pity I had to go to such lengths to get what, after all, I was entitled to. I am advised that the new back panel and other assorted parts will take about three weeks to be delivered to the dealers, I will post again once the van has been returned to me.
What we really need is one of those "stickies" in at the top of the post entitled "what to do if your dealer is as slippery as an oiled baby and your van is a crock".
Honestly, caravan dealers MUST know the law. Which means that a lot of them are simply flouting it.
I'd love to do a "which" style consumer test and name and shame the hefty minority of terrible dealers who are giving the rest a bad name.
As for Bailey, well, I hope they are reading this thread. I know they are a budget caravan maker, but budget doesn't need to be badly made.
In fact (going a little OT), don't you think there is a niche market for a caravan maker to make a budget caravan by making a shell properly and well so it doesn't fall apart in a decade, and then fitting it out with just a gas stove, portapotti and a bed or two? Kind of like those rather splendid 50s caravans you see occasionally? Or am I the only one who would consider buying one like that?
I bought a Bailey because we liked the layout of that particular van . Any manufacturer will, and occassionally does, produce a "rogue one". It is what they do about it that is important. Bailey, although offering the parts free, should have taken a more proactive approach to discover the cause of the problem in a 3 year old van. The dealer is the one my contract was with and as you can see by my previous posts, he has also not done Bailey any favours, as he is in effect acting as their agent. His list of excuses was quite amusing at times. Anyway, I had a call from the dealer who was most keen to get my van under cover or to send an engineer to do a temporary repair to prevent the problem from getting any worse. It is a pity he never showed that concern when he was avoiding the issue over a month ago.
I take your point - every manufacturer has an off day, but...
When was the last time you saw a thread called "Eriba nightmare" or "Freedom dealer rubbish" or similar?
Bailey make a whole lot of very good vans which serve very well, but if they make the odd duff one they need to accept and repair it. As you say, your dealer's attitude was the real problem, though...
We previously owned a Lunar Lexon and thought that van had better build quality and materials but felt that the Bailey offered the best use of space in this instance. I know people will say "Leaky Lunars" but at the end of the day I have owned 2 Lunars and 1 Bailey and the Lunars are winning the damp issue 2-0. Bailey build a lot of vans and get the body integrity right most times, as do most manufacturers, but as I have previousy stated it's after sales care and service that is paramount. Due to this dealets attitude, and by treating me like an idiot, he will not be seeing me on his premises aver again after I have collected my van.
Hopefully the Final Chapter : Picked van up today. All looks O.K. It's a pity that I had to threaten legal action before the dealer would accept his responsibility. Still Chichester Caravans(Bromsgrove), and Mr J Bolton(owner) in particular, will never see any more of my money. I am sure there are people out there who will say how wonderful they are , but I can only go on my personal experience with them. Boycey could learn a thing or two there.
Navver, As I was not actually asked by the dealer to provide the report, this was done to speed up the process, I paid for that myself. Had it gone to court then of course I would have claimed for costs. It would appear that there are dealers out there, hard to believe I know, who rely on either you not knowing your rights or being intimidated into just giving up when they drag it on and on. Funnily enough when I was in the dealers the first time having the van examined there were two other customers waiting, both complainants, one of whom said "He will try and wear you down mate in the hope that you'll just go away". One bad apple doesn,t spoil the whole barrel though and I am sure there are dealers out there who give exceptional service to their customers and will reap the benefits from return sales and recommendations.
glad it was all sorted for you.This thread had certainly made interesting reading over the last few weeks.It amazes me that man has the technology to get to the Moon but not to make a damp proof caravan.
------------- Those that danced were thought to be quite insane to those who could not hear the music. Angela Monet