Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Caravans and Caravanning 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Best place and time of year to buy Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonI800 dave
13/3/2015 at 1:31pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View I800 dave's Profile View Profile   Reply to I800 dave Reply   Quote I800 dave Quote  
Joined: 12/3/2015

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   127
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Hello everyone, my family and I are looking to get our first caravan :) I can't wait to be honest!

What time of the year is best to buy? I presume at the end of the season? I would buy sooner however we need to save the pennies!!

Also is the best place ebay or free ads etc? Dealers are a no go due to the age/price we are looking at as we only want our first van to get us into it untill we can afford a nicer, newer model, any help much appreciated,

Dave


Personbilly
13/3/2015 at 1:38pm
 Location: North Essex
 Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400 View billy's Profile View Profile   Reply to billy Reply   Quote billy Quote  
Joined: 19/4/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4364
Site Reviews Total: 39
Site Reviews 2024: 9  
Site Reviews 2023: 6  
Site Reviews 2022: 7  
Site Reviews 2021: 10 
Site Reviews 2020: 7  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 121
Site Nights 2023: 45
Site Nights 2022: 91
Site Nights 2021: 112
Site Nights 2020: 84
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Ebay auction in Oct-Nov if you want a cheapie, ie once the warm weather has gone. This time of yr a £400 caravan in Oct will go for £700 & a £1000 'van in Oct will fetch £1500. The flip side is that you have less choice in Oct because those that can will hold back & sell in Spring.

If you are paying little money though you do have to check carefully for damp but expect to do a bit of diy work & also budget for chassis service wheels/brakes & probably new tyres to be safe. Do that & an old caravan is good to go for any towing mileage including abroad.


Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

Personbarney68
13/3/2015 at 1:57pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View barney68's Profile View Profile   Reply to barney68 Reply   Quote barney68 Quote  
Joined: 15/10/2014

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   74
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 3
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Be very,very careful of getting SCAMMED on e-bay,last year I was looking to buy and sell and was nearly conned on several occasions from people from abroad telling me to pay money into western union account and they would pick up/deliver van and if I changed my mind in 7 days was covered by paypals money back gaurantee.even had an e-mail from one tosser pretending to be from INTERPOL,saying the british he had put into my paypal account (which was £0.00) so beware the bastards will try anything to SCAM you.

-------------
Barney


Personbarney68
13/3/2015 at 1:59pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View barney68's Profile View Profile   Reply to barney68 Reply   Quote barney68 Quote  
Joined: 15/10/2014

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   74
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 3
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
sorry,that should read..the british POLICE are coming to arrest me,if I didn't pay him his money back.

-------------
Barney


Personbilly
13/3/2015 at 4:22pm
 Location: North Essex
 Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400 View billy's Profile View Profile   Reply to billy Reply   Quote billy Quote  
Joined: 19/4/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4364
Site Reviews Total: 39
Site Reviews 2024: 9  
Site Reviews 2023: 6  
Site Reviews 2022: 7  
Site Reviews 2021: 10 
Site Reviews 2020: 7  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 121
Site Nights 2023: 45
Site Nights 2022: 91
Site Nights 2021: 112
Site Nights 2020: 84
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Just treat ebay as an ad in your local paper. For a cheap caravan arrive at seller's address, pay cash & tow away.


Advertisement



PersonI800 dave
13/3/2015 at 5:58pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View I800 dave's Profile View Profile   Reply to I800 dave Reply   Quote I800 dave Quote  
Joined: 12/3/2015

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   127
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Yeh I will have a look in oct see what's about, if not it can wait untill this time next yearish, I know I'll need to put tyres on it but that's fine as part of my job is tyre fitting, I'll need an awning though so if one comes with it that will be nice!


Personnavver
13/3/2015 at 9:33pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4664
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
You need to be on the ball. Towards the end of the season the prices will fall and suddenly many will be withdrawn from sale.

Getting one with all the accessories, awning, water barrels, EHU lead, step etc will save you a fortune and in many ways may indicate a van being sold because they are giving up caravanning rather than just replacing it because it is starting to look as if it will have problems, like damp.


Persondiesel steve
13/3/2015 at 10:13pm
 Location: fife
 Outfit: vw t5 adria isonzo View diesel steve's Profile View Profile   Reply to diesel steve Reply   Quote diesel steve Quote  
Joined: 13/8/2011

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   781
Site Reviews Total: 9
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 1
also look out for ads that caravanners are giving up due to ill health at any time,you could pick up a fully kitted van at a good price


VangoMan02
13/3/2015 at 10:51pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View VangoMan02's Profile View Profile   Reply to VangoMan02 Reply   Quote VangoMan02 Quote  
Joined: 18/5/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3531
Tent Reviews:   7
Site Reviews Total: 21
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 1
Quote: Originally posted by diesel steve on 13/3/2015
also look out for ads that caravanners are giving up due to ill health at any time,you could pick up a fully kitted van at a good price


Agree with that! There is a lot of crap out there but amongst all that there are a few wee gems!


-------------
It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.


PersonColin21
13/3/2015 at 11:13pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6281
Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 7
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 21
Site Nights 2018: 18
If you are going to buy on an auction site, NEVER buy without going and taking a very good look at it. Don't even bid on anything you haven't seen, even if it looks a bargain, as it's quite likely a scam, or a pile of rubbish.

We bought our oldie off ebay in November 2013, but we had looked at several beforehand. We put two new tyres on and did a bit of maintenance, and had a great year last year. Now we are looking forward to this year's trips.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


Advertisement



Personpencamper
14/3/2015 at 8:05am
 Location: Derby
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 530 4 View pencamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to pencamper Reply   Quote pencamper Quote  
Joined: 19/3/2014

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   307
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Always see the vans first.
Check for damp or have it inspected by a caravan engineer.

Look around and get an idea of what you want layout / year wise then keep a lookout for what they are selling for,
If you buy from a dealer you won't get many extras and will pay top price.
If it looks to good to be true it probably is.
We bought ours last September from a guy who had owned it for 7 years it had every extra you would want including 3 awnings.
We paid a good price for it a little less than dealers where asking for just the van alone, we paid a little more than some where fetching on eBay (about £500) but all the extras were worth at least £1500.
We sold some of the gear we got including 2 awnings but kept the main awning with annexe (isabella) we bought new inflatable awning for weekends.
The van is dry and in very good condition and been well looked after with service history.

Don't always go with the cheapest van your best to look at the whole package, the people who are selling it and service history.

If it's a good van in good condition people won't sell it for less than it's worth no mater what time of year it is.

Be very careful and good luck with the search .

Pen camper


Personbarney68
14/3/2015 at 2:09pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View barney68's Profile View Profile   Reply to barney68 Reply   Quote barney68 Quote  
Joined: 15/10/2014

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   74
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 3
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Try the pre-loved website,i think its a fiver to register but there is NO bidding,you contact the seller and do business with him direct..a lot easier than e-bay (in my opinion)

-------------
Barney


PersonI800 dave
14/3/2015 at 3:08pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View I800 dave's Profile View Profile   Reply to I800 dave Reply   Quote I800 dave Quote  
Joined: 12/3/2015

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   127
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Yes I would like to buy it as a package as if anything it will not only save money but I know it will all be compatible etc, I was thinking of nearer the time investing in a damp meter to make sure that any damp may be in the van (the price range of our first van, there is bound to be some)


PersonJulietaylor
14/3/2015 at 4:34pm
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: Bailey Unicorn Valencia Audi A6 Avant View Julietaylor's Profile View Profile   Reply to Julietaylor Reply   Quote Julietaylor Quote  
Joined: 28/8/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   27
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I've just bought a 9 year old Avondale dart with everything in it to start enjoying caravanning, I looked everywhere gumtree, preloved etc it took a while but I found a bargain the couple I bought from had to give up due to ill health, the van is in perfect condition no damp (you can get a meter to check this) or wear and tear, I saved about £1500 buying private. Be prepared to travel to get what you want it's worth it, happy caravanning!

-------------
Julie


PersonI800 dave
14/3/2015 at 9:22pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View I800 dave's Profile View Profile   Reply to I800 dave Reply   Quote I800 dave Quote  
Joined: 12/3/2015

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   127
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Yeh traveling isn't an issue :) about the damp meter, I think that will be a wise investment


Personmaggie51
15/3/2015 at 7:45am
 Location: manchester
 Outfit: coachman festival View maggie51's Profile View Profile   Reply to maggie51 Reply   Quote maggie51 Quote  
Joined: 21/4/2006

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   657
Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We bought our first van from an older guy giving up cos of ill health .Seemed really genuine but it was full of damp. Buy a damp or moisture meter off ebay You can get scammed anywhere even off dealers as we have just took our last van back as it has damp got it changed without too much cost. Just be really careful when you buy and if it dosent feel right walk away. What the first gy did was tell us when we wen to view it .There is someone interested and they are coming to look also .That way it puts pressure on you that if you like the van and want it then it could be gone when you come back.Dont be fooled like we were Good luck and I hope you get a good van you enjoy

-------------
maggie



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

4529 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder