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Subject Topic: South Yorkshire Caravans Post Reply Post New Topic
08/2/2013 at 8:40pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 530 Vango Icarus 500
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We agreed to purchase a used 2006 swift challenger from south Yorkshire caravans in December 2012. There were a few issues to sort but we were assured that they would be completed and agreed to a handover date two weeks later.
When we arrived to handover some of the minor issues as they call them hadnt been done. The bunk cushions and other bunk accessories were missing but we appreciated that these had to come from swift so stupidly we paid the balance with the understanding that the work wound be completed.
One month later still nothing, no courtesy call to update us etc. 31st January 2013 we were told that work was completed and the following saturday 2nd feb we went to collect our keys which we still hadnt taken home yet. we arrived at the van and immediately noticed some minor trim still hadnt been replaced. when we entered the van with the bunk guards they had given us in reception we noticed that they didnt have any brackets attached and also the bunk cushions didnt fit. Plus when we closed the door we noticed a huge gap at the top.
Back to sales and yet again assured that it would be completed by the following week. we told them that we had booked storage 200 miles away for the following weekend so time was up.
Wednesday 6th February yet again no call. We phoned them and were told one hour. We called back 5 hours later and it still wasnt finished and wouldnt be done that day. Told to phone back next day.
Next day told work completed so I arrived to collect the keys and inspect it. Amazingly all work was completed. I sat in the van glanced at the side console surface and there was a significant dent in the surface, coincidentally next to the bunks being repaired.
when I went to aftersales to complain I was basically told by the aftersales manager that the damage was already there and it was basically my word against theirs!! I was furious and voiced my disgust.
I left after getting nowhere with them and got home and realised that my husband has saved the images from the autotrader advert on his Ipad. I looked and surprise surprise no damage was present when they took those photographs. I informed them of this asap and emailed the photo and finally received a call from them.
I went up again today 7th feb to let them examine the damage and they have finally admitted liability but havent as yet decided what to do about it.
So I have now sent them a letter officially giving them 14 days to resolve or remedy the situation. We are speaking to the MD on monday and my husband is also speaking to the man who basically called me a lier then when I asked for an apology today he flat denied saying it.
They are unprofessional and their treatment of us has been appalling. It has really taken the shine off of our new van which was our first 4 berth for holidays with our 7 month old son.
Avoid at all costs


08/2/2013 at 8:56pm
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Adria Altea 542DT
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Hope you get somewhere with speaking to the MD on Monday.

If I were you I would ask for your money back and take your business elsewhere. The are plenty of dealers out there that will give you good service and will appreciate the business.

We had problems with our first van and when we complained the dealer offered us a repair, another van, or our money back along with some compensation for all the inconvenience.


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08/2/2013 at 9:28pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Opensauce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Opensauce Reply   Quote Opensauce Quote  
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Do I recall that you posted about this before?


08/2/2013 at 9:29pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 530 Vango Icarus 500
View thematches's Profile View Profile   Reply to thematches Reply   Quote thematches Quote  
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thanks for the reply. I have already said about getting my money back but because they have resolved the issues (except the dent) we arent in a position to legally demand it and are at their mercy.
I've been legally advised to send the letter giving them 14 days notice before any further action can be taken.
I accept that accidents happen but if they had just admitted it and not basically called me a lier I would have been annoyed but could have accepted it more easily.
We are in a funny position. The van is stored on their storage site and our storage is up in two weeks so this weekend is our weekend to move to our new storage which is in Northumberland for ease as it somewhere we love and is easy to get to. We are basically having to move it tomorrow and we will have to bring it back down (hopefully at their cost) for the repair works to be carried out. We are not entirely comfortable with this but I am not paying them another penny of my money for storage and they have assured us that they will sort it out.
Thankfully trading standards are interested in our case and are being kept informed.


08/2/2013 at 9:34pm
 Location: N Yorkshire
 Outfit: Xc60 D5 Abbey Vogue
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no way will they contribute to your travel expenses . i shudder to think how much we`ve spent in fuel back and forth to dealers for warranty work.
good luck anyway , hope you get sorted


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08/2/2013 at 9:36pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 530 Vango Icarus 500
View thematches's Profile View Profile   Reply to thematches Reply   Quote thematches Quote  
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Hi tentz
Yes I did. we did finally resolve the initial issues but its all taken 2 months which isnt good enough as far as I am concerned. Their argument is that the bunk bits and bobs were ordered over christmas and swift had a three week shutdown, but thats not my problem. As far as I am concerned they shouldnt be advertising and selling a four berth caravan which isnt capable at that moment in time of sleeping four. Thats partly why trading standards are interested.
I think they now get the idea that we are more than willing to take this further. The letter is in the correct format to be legally binding.


08/2/2013 at 9:48pm
 Location: west yorks
 Outfit:  Vango inspire 600xl 5m bell tent
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Welcome to the world of caravan sales,
I personally think they are lower than double glazing salesmen and PPI salesman,
Hopefully you will get everything sorted and have a great time with your van.


09/2/2013 at 7:55am
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: lunar quaser ultima & Merc E Class
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weve been a couple of times and never been happy with how we were treated....luckily never bought a van from them as when we were looking at new vans they were sooooo pushy and when we said we didnt want one instantly changed and walked off!!!.....would never buy from them...

-------------
Oct 2013- south lytchett manor dorset
Feb 2014- Lady Heyes
April 2014- Jasmine Park
May 2014 - Jasmine Park Again....
July 2014 - Gwithian
Oct 2014 - Beverley Park

and hopefully many more..esp Jasmine Park..


09/2/2013 at 8:02am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Opensauce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Opensauce Reply   Quote Opensauce Quote  
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The story does suggest its probably a good idea to buy a caravan as it stands when you view it at the dealers & not how a salesman promises it will be at some point after money has been paid. If you read both the op threads it does appear more about good intentions, broken promises & lack of attention to detail rather than a deliberate attempt to deceive which is probably the story of most unsatisfactory caravan sales.

One can only wish the op good luck & hope that soon they will soon have the usable caravan that the dealer should have provided in the first place.


09/2/2013 at 8:44am
 Location: Southampton
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 570SE & Kuga 2l TCDi
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Couldn't you negotiate free storage until the works are completed?


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09/2/2013 at 9:14am
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 530 Vango Icarus 500
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They don't actually own the storage it's a separate company nothing to do with them.
We actually have two more weeks left but with a new part coming from swift it could be months yet and with half term coming up my DH is limited to the leave days he can take at short notice. We've planned to make a long weekend of it as its too far for there and back.
Also I'm now fed up of owning a caravan for two months which we have no access to. It still doesn't feel like ours. Plus we get to try it out and if any other defects raise their heads they can sort them out at the same time.
Moral of the story. Don't pay the balance until the van is as promised. I certainly won't again.


09/2/2013 at 10:43am
 Location: East Midlands
 Outfit: Coachman VIP 575.Santa Fe
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Perhaps I have been unlucky butI have been caravanning for over 40 years and I cant say I would recommend any particular dealer. My last effort was to buy a new caravan locally thinking I would sacrifice price for service. No chance.
The delivered nose weight was just over the chassis max. The dealer would put it right .....for £450!
Bailey and dealer said in writing that service costs were fixed. Not only did the dealer charge £30 over the fixed price on first service but also charged extra for consumables.
Trading standards were helpful and visited the dealer(on a number of other issues!)and sorted mine as far as N/w was concerned . I paid for the service but they have lost a customer.
The lesson I suggest is to assume they will rip you off if they vcan and use Trading Standards.

-------------
Mister G


09/2/2013 at 10:43am
 Location: East Midlands
 Outfit: Coachman VIP 575.Santa Fe
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Perhaps I have been unlucky butI have been caravanning for over 40 years and I cant say I would recommend any particular dealer. My last effort was to buy a new caravan locally thinking I would sacrifice price for service. No chance.
The delivered nose weight was just over the chassis max. The dealer would put it right .....for £450!
Bailey and dealer said in writing that service costs were fixed. Not only did the dealer charge £30 over the fixed price on first service but also charged extra for consumables.
Trading standards were helpful and visited the dealer(on a number of other issues!)and sorted mine as far as N/w was concerned . I paid for the service but they have lost a customer.
The lesson I suggest is to assume they will rip you off if they vcan and use Trading Standards.

-------------
Mister G


09/2/2013 at 10:46am
 Location: East Midlands
 Outfit: Coachman VIP 575.Santa Fe
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Oops sorry got interupted and posted twice

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Mister G


09/2/2013 at 3:30pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 530 Vango Icarus 500
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Well they may have very slightly redeamed themselves.
We arrived to hook up and the lights weren't working on one side. We phoned them and they came to the storage facility, checked them and it was our tow bar electrics. The nice technician has tightened up all our wiring and its working now. Very helpful. Pity the rest of our experiance with them hasn't been so positive.


09/2/2013 at 7:17pm
 Location: lincolnshire
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Burgundy +Kia Sorento
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I hope you get this resolved and that is the last of it,
you have my sympathy.

It isn't any better when you buy a new van......I was so excited when we ordered ours.....soon knocked the smile off my face when I saw all that needed doing, graphics coming off ill fitted cupboard doors , ill fitting fly blind, ill fitting front locker new kitchen window needed etc etc. (not the same dealer as yours.)

We were told to make a list and take it back...............pardon me when we are spending over fourteen thousand it's not out of order to expect it to be in show room condition, they charge enough for the PDI.


I have hated taking ours back because I don't feel they took care with it there are signs all over where they have been coffee stains on kitchen worktops, footprints on carpet, etc. but I didn't want to leave it a minute longer.

We have since had to have a new front, a new back, a new locker front (twice) and I'm sure the second time it was second hand.

We will not be looking to replace our van because I can't be doing with all the hassle another one may bring, we buy them to go away in don't we? not run around the place taking them back and forth to the dealer.

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**********
HAPPY DAYS
**********




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