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Well. we have a German caravan, and have had German for many years. We wouldn't even contemplate buying a UK made van for several reasons, the main ones being poor build quality and cheap and nasty fixtures and fittings, and the apparent lack of customer service, which is a major feature of this forum.

Yes, new ones available here are expensive, due in main to the pound/Euro exchange rate, and that also affects the price of used vans in Germany. That said, the residuals on a German van remain far higher than any UK van,and they will outlive anything made on these shores (sadly).

We have certainly looked at German vans and nearly bought one a few years ago. We did also find them very heavy,dark and unappealing and subject to being stolen.

I think it depends what you are looking for and we have been very happy with our 5 Swift vans we have owned. 

At least I do have a German car!

Good job we are not all the same as it would be a very boring world.

We've never been able to buy new as regards a caravan,but in someways we are glad,reading this thread. At least with a second hand nearly new van, all the problems should have been solved. We have seen and bought units in the past for cash and towed it home the same day, and got good guarantees that we have never had to use .Probably more good luck than judgment But good luck with your battle,hope you don't loose out,but what price stress?

Hi Tentz,

Don't think I agree entirely but accept you do have a point. which is that you seem to accept the fact that UK manufacturers and Dealerships do "have a stranglehold" on the UK market. This is bad for we caravaners and like all retailers who have a stranglehold on the market it results in a lack of quality control in production (because it's cheaper for them) and an absence of good after-sales service by the dealerships because an awful lot don't really care - people still buy from them whether you complain or not . As for servicing needed to be done in Germany - not true. I can have my Hobby serviced at  Hobby agents in UK. Whats more, all my 3 purchases of German vans have been part exchange deals, negotiated via Email after exchange of full info and pics of caravans and subject to final on site inspections of both vans. I didn't have to make 2 journeys either - one to Ettenheim to collect new van and leave the old one and then away on my holiday in Europe for 5 or 6 weeks and a return to UK via Ettenheim for any items to be rectified. Even such things as transferring mover and battery into new van was done for free. Best of all I paid £2850 less in 2007 for a brand new Hobby540WLU than I would have paid for the same van, same model and year from a UK dealership. I will never buy a UK manufactured van from a UK dealership as long as I can buy in Germany so easily and without problems. They are highly prized by the thieving community - doesn't that tell you something? Why steal a UK caravan of lesser quality and which is not easy to sell as the German caravans?. As for insurance (before you mention it) The Caravan Club and several others have no problem insuring it.

Anyway, the point I am trying to make is that we can all do a lot better with our money than just hand it over to UK companies who think they can strangle their customers and always get away with it.     

Quote: Originally posted by azusuk1 on 25/3/2010

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They are highly prized by the thieving community - doesn't that tell you something?

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That tells me I might lose my caravan. It is only usually Hobby vans they are after for themselves. All net curtains!!!!

Don't want the worry thanks.

Quote: Originally posted by helpmybob on 25/3/2010

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How did you pay the deposit, if it was with a card you can get the lot back through them

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Quote: Originally posted by rachntex on 25/3/2010

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We paid on the credit card-in case there were any problems.

And by the way Steve when we made our request to cancel last Friday and posted the written request last Saturday the dealer had failed to supply!

A van miraculously appeared after they received after we requested to cancel! Up until then there was nothing available until 23rd June-3 months after our estimated delivery date, or the only other option another Pastiche with Laser interior at a cost of £950 extra to us!

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Yes I understood all that after reading your initial post. Try the card refund by all means but in my opinion I don't think you would have a batinells chance.

Quote: Originally posted by millermicm on 25/3/2010

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Quote: Originally posted by rachntex on 25/3/2010

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We paid on the credit card-in case there were any problems.

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And by the way Steve when we made our request to cancel last Friday and posted the written request last Saturday the dealer had failed to supply!

A van miraculously appeared after they received after we requested to cancel! Up until then there was nothing available until 23rd June-3 months after our estimated delivery date, or the only other option another Pastiche with Laser interior at a cost of £950 extra to us!

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Yes I understood all that after reading your initial post. Try the card refund by all means but in my opinion I don't think you would have a batinells chance.

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