Message Forums

We've decided caravan manufacturers have a strange idea of years!  Our current caravan is nearly 4, and as we don't need the 4-berth anymore, we've decided to trade it in for a new 2-berth model.  After much searching and deliberating, we found a model we agree on and have reached a point where the finances mean we can do the deal .... so off we went to the dealer to open negotiations. 

It is, unless my calendar is wrong, late May .... the two dealers we visited have none of the model we want and can get no more from the manufacturer - 2010 models are no longer being made!  The dealers won't be able to get any more 'vans from the manufacturer until late August when the preview models of the 2011 range are delivered.  The manufacturer's model year runs 1 September to 31 August, but it seems you can actually only BUY a 'van between September and April!!!

I suppose, looking on the bright side, it means we'll have a few more months when the money earns interest for us instead of someone else, but please - can't even ORDER a new caravan between May and August???

Quote: Originally posted by Scampi on 25/5/2010

---

We've decided caravan manufacturers have a strange idea of years!  Our current caravan is nearly 4, and as we don't need the 4-berth anymore, we've decided to trade it in for a new 2-berth model.  After much searching and deliberating, we found a model we agree on and have reached a point where the finances mean we can do the deal .... so off we went to the dealer to open negotiations. 

It is, unless my calendar is wrong, late May .... the two dealers we visited have none of the model we want and can get no more from the manufacturer - 2010 models are no longer being made!  The dealers won't be able to get any more 'vans from the manufacturer until late August when the preview models of the 2011 range are delivered.  The manufacturer's model year runs 1 September to 31 August, but it seems you can actually only BUY a 'van between September and April!!!

I suppose, looking on the bright side, it means we'll have a few more months when the money earns interest for us instead of someone else, but please - can't even ORDER a new caravan between May and August???

---

You may be right about the caravan year but:

it seems you can actually only BUY a 'van between September and April!!!  I think this depends on the build schedule.  We had our new van in July - we were told the date on which it would be built (something like ~July 10th) and the date it would be delivered.  This was, however, a van which the retailer had already ordered before we decided on the purchase.  Our van was the Bailey Sancerre.  I think many retailers must order the vans in they think they are going to sell and the manufacturer will just make those which have been ordered by the retailer.  It could be that the retailer that you have spoken to has had all the van he has ordered and is not due anymore until the changeover to the newer models.

I suppose, looking on the bright side, it means we'll have a few more months when the money earns interest for us instead of someone else..  Good idea, but... if you wait for the new vans to come out, I'll give you a guess as to what's going to happen to the price.

If I were you, I would ring around a number of retailers, to see if anyone else is having the van in that you want.  Just because one retailer isn't having a delivery, it doesn't mean non of them will be.  It may also be down to the particular manufacturer.

Quote: Originally posted by ashwellgirl on 25/5/2010

---

We were told something similar from one dealer when it came to buying our new 'van.  Luckily our closest dealer gave us a July date.  You could see if another dealer will have the 'van you wanted but then when it comes to servicing and whatnot you've got further to travel :(

---

I don't know if it the same with other dealers, but with Bailey you need not have the van serviced from where it was purchased, for the warranty to remain valid.  It can be serviced at any approved service agent and they should also be able to deal with warranty work.  I think the whole area of warranty is a grey area.  Although you purchase from a dealer, and the dealer is 'legally' responsible, the warranty is offered by the manufacturer.  As far as I can work out, what this means is that wherever you take the van for servicing, they fill in a form (or whatever) and warranty work is agreed by the manufacturer.  After saying all that, no doubt there are those who know better than I.

As this is slightly off topic, I will open another thread for people to give advice about warranty etc.