Sidetops Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 (edited) Hi everyone, would greatly appreciate any experiences of buying a caravan please. I went to view a caravan at a dealership in West Sussex recently and am a bit surprised by the process, and wondering if my expectations are perhaps too high. Went to view my caravan of choice, a 2012 Coachman VIP priced around £16,000. Although the caravan is generally in good overall condition, it wasn't as clean as it could be. For example there were a few marks here and there, the carpet was a bit grubby where people had walked in and out with shoes on over the past few weeks. Outside there are no dents or scuffs, but there are slight scratch marks from bushes to the sides and windows and there were streak marks down the back. I enquired to the dealer whether the caravan will be valeted before delivery. His response was "not valeted as such, but we do our best". I work in the motor trade, and a 2012 car priced at £16000 would be immaculate! They also have a notice in the caravans stating that in effect 'the price you see is the price you pay'. After enquiring about a 'cash' no part exchange purchase deal, they didn't seem interested. So I'm sitting in the office ready to buy the caravan, but put off by the above. The salesman told me the ball was in my court. Slightly frustrating but because of the above I walked away. It occurred to me that they have motorhomes for sale also, some priced over £50k, and new caravans for £20k +. I'm wondering if a £16k caravan is their equivalent to a part exchange bagain? That's the impression I got. All staff at the outlet were polite and friendly. But maybe my expectations are too high in the caravan world? Edited February 17, 2017 by Sidetops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevan Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Dealers vary but none can prevent a caravan getting a little grubby after a week of wet weather and people going inside! Good dealers will give caravans a good clean between sale and, but "valeted" as a word is seldom (in my experience) used in relation to caravans. As to "the price you see is the price you pay", how I wish this were compulsory across the industry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidetops Posted February 17, 2017 Author Share Posted February 17, 2017 Dealers vary but none can prevent a caravan getting a little grubby after a week of wet weather and people going inside! Good dealers will give caravans a good clean between sale and, but "valeted" as a word is seldom (in my experience) used in relation to caravans. As to "the price you see is the price you pay", how I wish this were compulsory across the industry! Appreciate that about the weather, but are caravans not polished with any minor marks corrected before sale? Price you see would make life easier, but could attract price fixing and customers potentially paying more than they need to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WispMan Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 I paid £2,200 for my first van 10 years ago and was treated with nothing but respect. They gave me time and I would use them every time because they respect and appreciate any buyers. Your dealer does not sound great to me. 3 Quote Graham Unless otherwise stated all posts are my personal opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravon42 Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 When I collected my caravan, they had not opened the windows to clean the outside, so there was a border of about 4" of grime round each one. Quote 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2, Lago grey 2013 Freelander Dynamic Black, followed by a 2013 Elddis 574 Magnum GT white Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jimmythegolfer Posted February 17, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted February 17, 2017 Hi You did the correct thing by walking away. That is no way to treat someone who is about to spend cash in their premises / showroom. The owner would not be happy if he was made aware. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frazerg Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 They don't sound a very good dealer to me. I would expect the caravan to be cleaned on delivery and no negotiation doesn't sound right. After going around various dealers I can't believe the condition of some caravans they expect us to buy and when asked why they just shrug there shoulders. And this is before you buy, imagine the reaction after purchase. 6 Quote Frazer Kia Sportage towing Lunar Ultima SE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian McH Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Plenty more dealers to visit, just like buying a car you don't always purchase the first seen. A good dealer should be able to give a no-trade in sale discount. Don't forget all the other extra bits you will need, battery, step, gas etc some dealers give a discount on accessories purchased with the caravan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuningdrew Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 If you're in Sussex recommend Chichester caravans. Roundstones at Southwater have a smaller selection but are nice to deal with. They are an Adria dealer and their used stock was very varied in make and price but last time I looked it seemed to be predominantly Baileys. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Grouse Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Have a look round other dealers, even if the model isn't what you want - that'll give a good idea of typical standard. Reading the post my reaction is walk away, dealers get bad press but most are better than that. £16,000 is about what a good negotiator would have paid without trade-in but after discount for a Coachman VIP when it was new in 2012. 3 Quote 2015 VW Touareg 3. 0 V6 TDI + 2013 Lunar Clubman ES Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiffy176 Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Fwiw 16k would buy you a brand new Adria. That's a lot of money for naff service, walk away. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Stanley Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Rubbish dealer with rubbish attitude is my conclusion. One or two better ones out there. 3 Quote Kia KX 3 auto / Bailey Alicanto Grande Estoril and Swift Challenger 570 (2010 model Not towed - used as a static) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazona Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Why buy from a dealer go and check some for sale privately and have them checked by an independant engineer and save a few thousand pounds. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thensum Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Was the dealer located on the A24 by any chance? Hi everyone, would greatly appreciate any experiences of buying a caravan please. I went to view a caravan at a dealership in West Sussex recently and am a bit surprised by the process, and wondering if my expectations are perhaps too high. Went to view my caravan of choice, a 2012 Coachman VIP priced around £16,000. Although the caravan is generally in good overall condition, it wasn't as clean as it could be. For example there were a few marks here and there, the carpet was a bit grubby where people had walked in and out with shoes on over the past few weeks. Outside there are no dents or scuffs, but there are slight scratch marks from bushes to the sides and windows and there were streak marks down the back. I enquired to the dealer whether the caravan will be valeted before delivery. His response was "not valeted as such, but we do our best". I work in the motor trade, and a 2012 car priced at £16000 would be immaculate! They also have a notice in the caravans stating that in effect 'the price you see is the price you pay'. After enquiring about a 'cash' no part exchange purchase deal, they didn't seem interested. So I'm sitting in the office ready to buy the caravan, but put off by the above. The salesman told me the ball was in my court. Slightly frustrating but because of the above I walked away. It occurred to me that they have motorhomes for sale also, some priced over £50k, and new caravans for £20k +. I'm wondering if a £16k caravan is their equivalent to a part exchange bagain? That's the impression I got. All staff at the outlet were polite and friendly. But maybe my expectations are too high in the caravan world? Quote 2015 Swift Challenger 530SE & 2017 VW Tiguan R-line 4Motion 2.0TDI 150BHP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeTee Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 To some dealers a cash sale without P/E is a no deal. There is no opportunity to sell any finance. Businesses which accept large cash payments may be subject money laundering regulations. The bottom line is that there is certain be a bigger mug coming along with the next shower-probably. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidetops Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share Posted February 18, 2017 To some dealers a cash sale without P/E is a no deal. There is no opportunity to sell any finance. Businesses which accept large cash payments may be subject money laundering regulations. The bottom line is that there is certain be a bigger mug coming along with the next shower-probably. Yes sure I accept that a P/X is a further opportunity to make a profit, and if financed they gain a commission. By 'cash' I meant not to be financed The issue was I offered my part exchange of a Bessacarr, the salesmans eyes lit up and said "motorhome?" but slumped when I replied caravan! Mentioning I may sell privately, the salesman said that was the best thing to do. To quote his words "the ball is in your court" So I walked away. There are other VIP 520s out there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Grouse Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 To some dealers a cash sale without P/E is a no deal. There is no opportunity to sell any finance. Businesses which accept large cash payments may be subject money laundering regulations. The bottom line is that there is certain be a bigger mug coming along with the next shower-probably. Money Laundering Regulations apply however things are paid for - it may be a pain for them to go to the bank with a wad of cash but that's all it takes - in reality online debit card transfer is regarded as cash and safe for both sides - that's how I pay for cars and caravans. Quote 2015 VW Touareg 3. 0 V6 TDI + 2013 Lunar Clubman ES Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKH Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 We have bought two caravans from this dealer in the past, they are only really interested in selling their 'Special Edition' vans which IMHO were quite good value a few years ago but don't amount to much more than an upholstery upgrade and fancy graphics which are an advert for them now. We wanted to buy a new Coachman Pastiche a couple of years ago and they (it seemed to us) grudgingly agreed they could order one but were not particularly helpful even though our PX was one of their specials. They have always had a 'take it or leave it' attitude so we decided to leave it as well. Although we live less than 20 miles from them we travelled 250m to Yorkshire for our present van and will be doing so again for our new van in a couple of months time. For what it is worth, last September/ October time we went to Lee Davey Caravans near Maidstone to look at the 2017 Coachman vans and they were really friendly and helpful even though we made it perfectly clear we were not going to buy. If they had been able to supply the van we wanted (another dealers special edition) we may well have used them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rael Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 When I bought our van (2yr old at the time) it wasn't cleaned, not even before we collected it. My wife is a bit picky about such things and spent half a day doing the inside. Then it went back for some warranty work on snags . .. and came back dirty again. As for the 'price you see', I tried the standard cash/no trade in tactic, and the salesman wrote a figure on a piece of paper and passed it across to me (odd I know). I'd have been happy with a few hundred off, in fact he knocked off just over £2000 without me even trying. I was so surprised I said "wow, that's a really good deal" or something (bad negotiating tactic), but we got a great deal, about 17% off. It was July though which may have made a difference. However . ... caravan dealers are almost all terrible, and charge far more than qualified independents for servicing and warranty work. It's not like a car dealership where there is some value in having a relationship with the dealer. Walk away, buy one somewhere else, if you're not happy with the deal it will annoy you for years (or maybe that's just me). Plenty more fish in the sea, you'll get a better deal later in the year if you can wait that long, and there will be loads of trade ins available in April/May or thereabouts so more choice too. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevan Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 However . ... caravan dealers are almost all terrible, and charge far more than qualified independents for servicing and warranty work. It's not like a car dealership where there is some value in having a relationship with the dealer. There are exceptions! Mine gave me more than I expected for trade in. When I took it in to have ATC fitted it came back washed and spotless. Took it in for a service, came back cleaner than it went in! The salesman even sends us hand written Christmas cards, they really understand customer service. Servicing costs a little more than local mobiles but caravan prices are competitive, but what price confidence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Grouse Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 There are exceptions! Mine gave me more than I expected for trade in. When I took it in to have ATC fitted it came back washed and spotless. Took it in for a service, came back cleaner than it went in! The salesman even sends us hand written Christmas cards, they really understand customer service. Servicing costs a little more than local mobiles but caravan prices are competitive, but what price confidence? Cherish it - exceptions do exist, but they're few and far between Quote 2015 VW Touareg 3. 0 V6 TDI + 2013 Lunar Clubman ES Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidetops Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share Posted February 18, 2017 There are exceptions! Mine gave me more than I expected for trade in. When I took it in to have ATC fitted it came back washed and spotless. Took it in for a service, came back cleaner than it went in! The salesman even sends us hand written Christmas cards, they really understand customer service. Servicing costs a little more than local mobiles but caravan prices are competitive, but what price confidence? Great to hear. What is the name of the company? I'd travel for a dealer to get it right. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevan Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Great to hear. What is the name of the company? I'd travel for a dealer to get it right. . Salop Leisure. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidetops Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share Posted February 18, 2017 Although we live less than 20 miles from them we travelled 250m to Yorkshire for our present van and will be doing so again for our new van in a couple of months time. Couldn't agree more, I'd do the same. It seems to me as a relatively new caravanner of 6 years, that caravan dealers are trading like 1970's car dealers and seriously missing a trick. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidetops Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share Posted February 18, 2017 Salop Leisure. Thanks, I've dropped them an email. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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