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On our latest caravan, French I might add, I found that the tyre pressure stated in the handbook was far too high, and well above the max stated on the tyre. I phoned the dealer, Campers and Leisure, and without asking he offered to pay for a new set of tyres. I totally agree about the dealers, I'll certainly go back to Campers and Leisure.

I did have a lot of trouble with a new Vauxhall once, (about the same time as the caravan), and the dealer was  equally poor. I wrote to the MD of Vauxhall, and within 3 weeks I had a brand new car, a better model incidentally, with a new towbar and taxed for the year.

Why are some of the caravan manufacturers and dealers so bad?  Is it because the caravan manufacturers have a captive audience, or more likely is it because there is a high percentage of caravans being made that have an indifferent quality control? Makes you wonder.

Quote: Originally posted by Jerry+Tina on 05/12/2009

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I am always puzzled by posts where one party claims  dealer service was poor and another claims the same dealer was brilliant. At first I thought it was their attitude with the dealer that maybe affected the dealers response but now am thinking this is not the case.I am known to have a short fuse and also my OH says there is no grey with me, it's either black or white. With this in mind she gave me a lecture about remaining calm and not to "lose it " when we took the van in for him to have a look at. I, for once, was the soul of tact and diplomacy, quoting the "Sale of Goods Act" etc, My OH was the one who lost it and had to walk out before she "thumped him" for treating us like idiots. Any Ideas ??????

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Not really, I failed miserably with Swift!!!

If I have to complain, I first decide exactly what I am complaining about, what evidence I have, and if there is any underlying legal bit I can quote. The more factual and uncontroversial you can be the better. If its a matter of opinions, you may have to argue until the cows come home. With Campers and Leisure It was factual, the tyre pressure in the handbook was much higher than the maximum tyre pressure stated on the tyre.

Then, yes, be calm. Politeness and keeping to the point is far more disconcerting than shouting. I always try to seek out someone who is in a position to respond. If the salesman says they will have to consult with the manager, then I ask to see the manager for myself. Another good one is to take a notebook, and make notes as you go along, particularly making sure you get everyones name, ask them to spell it too! That is so disconcerting.

Finally, be prepared to compromise if that's what it takes. Better to get something rather than nothing.

 

Quote: Originally posted by sparky40 on 04/12/2009

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freeatlast, glad you had success with campers and leisure, we had on the other hand lots of problems with them and certainly wont recommend them.

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Sorry to hear that Sparky. Our Trigano has been pretty good, its had a fair bit of use in the last two year. By the way, check the tyre pressure ratings on your tyres and compare them to the handbook, we ran ours for 18 months with them 10psi over the rated maximum.

PS got a few weeks to spare to teach me to fly?

I didnt compromise one bit. All I asked for was what the law saysI am entitled to, nothing more nothing less.The dealer just fobbed me off with the usual :

1. Take it up with the manufacturer, it's not my problem.

2.  Complain to head office, when I was actually speaking to one of the owners.

3. You have never had your van serviced here, irrelevent really, however I had receipts proving I had.

In the end I threatenedcourt action on the recommendation of Trading Standards.

I started  putting it in writing with a Recorded Delivery letter giving them 7 days to reply to an Independent Assessors Report on the damp in my van.

That did the trick, the report cost me £110, but it showed I was willing to go all the way.

Result : my van was dropped off this morning to have a complete back panel and inner wall replaced.

I think they rely on people backing down.

Quote: Originally posted by freeatlast on 05/12/2009

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Quote: Originally posted by sparky40 on 04/12/2009

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freeatlast, glad you had success with campers and leisure, we had on the other hand lots of problems with them and certainly wont recommend them.

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Sorry to hear that Sparky. Our Trigano has been pretty good, its had a fair bit of use in the last two year. By the way, check the tyre pressure ratings on your tyres and compare them to the handbook, we ran ours for 18 months with them 10psi over the rated maximum.

PS got a few weeks to spare to teach me to fly?

 

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