GINGER Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Right, I may be reading too much into this but here goes. The daughter and son in law are wanting to buy an old second hand caravan to begin caravanning. They've been looking on E bay, dealers etc, Gumtree seems to be the best, and here is what I don't get, they both work so can online generally on an evening, they then attempt to ring up and can't usually get through, they'll then ring the next morning and guess what? The van has been sold. This must have happened on fifty occasions in the last couple of months, now I can't label it as a scam because they aren't even getting to that stage, but it seems incredible that every van they chase has always gone, can anyone explain why this is the case? Is it dealers getting in quick or am I just too cynical? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milkymarsh Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Ginger - I think its all about timing. Prob by the time they get to at the weekend, the little gems have been snapped up. Stick with it, and they will find something eventually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jslocks Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 If it is their first caravan I would suggest they go to a dealer. At least they will get some sort of warranty although they will pay a bit more. Quote Sadly no van anymore but 35 years was a good run John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GINGER Posted September 29, 2014 Author Share Posted September 29, 2014 CT, this is weekdays,from ringing at tea time, when there is no reply to getting through the next morning and the vans have gone, they just aren't getting a look in, how are they being sold when you can't get through? Jslocks, we've looked at dealers and they have very very little old stock, very frustrating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommanderDave Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Have they looked on here at the ads . They might pick up a genuine good deal off of someone upgrading or retiring . Dave Quote Jeep Commander 3. 0 V6 CRD Isuzu D- Max Utah Auto Elddis Crusader Storm 2000 Kgs, Unipart Royal Atlas Mover . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ribs99 Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 CT, this is weekdays,from ringing at tea time, when there is no reply to getting through the next morning and the vans have gone, they just aren't getting a look in, how are they being sold when you can't get through? Jslocks, we've looked at dealers and they have very very little old stock, very frustrating. We bought our caravan through GumTree 2 months ago. We never tried calling the seller just sent a message via Gumtree and they responded quite quickly. In the last 2 months I've bought a car and caravan through Gumtree and have always used the email system. When we went to the dealers in our area none of them had many 6 berth vans in stock and they said they sell quite quickly yet the one on Gumtree had been in there for over 2 weeks when we purchased it, and we're almost certain we were the only ones who were interested. I suppose it depends on your budget, we paid £6000 for ours so maybe at the cheaper end they get snapped out quicker. PS. I sold our old car on Gumtree and was foolish enough to put my mobile number in the ad, never again as I was bombarded with texts telling me to list my car elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopes Dad Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Try a few of the mobile service engineers local to you. There is a mobile service guy near us who has had a few beauty's, one went to a friend of mine. He picks them up from customers who are retiring from caravanning, or moving up. Worth a few calls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adora Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 The best way to avoid being beaten to the bargains is to place an advertisement in a local newspaper, Gumtree etc and specify exactly what you want and how much you are prepared to pay! It's worth the costs when compared wasted time, phone calls and fuel and disappointment. I got fed up of chasing bargains only to find them sold so I decided to place my own advertisements in local newspapers when my girls were still living at home and I was looking for a suitable vehicle for them or myself and it never failed - by advertising for what you want, you are inviting owners/sellers to contact you so you're more likely to get in there first and then you can take your time and look at all the replies which interest you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongTimeCaravaner Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Thats encouraging as I have just put our caravan on Gumtree. I had never heard of it until I asked on here where to advertise and it was suggested. Maybe by tomorrow ours will be sold or then again, maybe not Quote Kia Sorrento towing a Coachman VIP 575/4 Our blog: jennyandjohngocaravanning. wordpress. com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adora Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 (edited) Thats encouraging as I have just put our caravan on Gumtree. I had never heard of it until I asked on here where to advertise and it was suggested. Maybe by tomorrow ours will be sold or then again, maybe not I put my old Ace Rallyman up for sale on Gumtree last year and within hours of the advert going live, I was inundated with replies - it was bought by the first person to come and view it! The best way to attract interest is to put up a good selection of decent quality images and equally thorough description - be honest about any problems with what you're selling as well as listing all the good points. .. people like honesty when looking to buy something and will often consider coming to view something based on how they perceive the integrity of the seller. Edited September 29, 2014 by adora Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulR Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 I can honestly say over the past 3 to 4 years sites have never been as busy or harder to book. The problems of finding a nice starter caravan is not surprising but I would have thought as the year draws on it would get easier. Maybe go with adora's suggestion and place an add at local storage facilities maybe for someone this could be the last season and ready to sell. Good luck with the hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wigelywoo Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Try local storage yards. people packing up etc, they may even have list in office. I also like the idea of mobile service men, If they have been servicing the caravan, they will know it's condition. Quote Lunar Zenith Citroen C5 2. 2 HDI Citroen Picasso 1. 6 HDI. , Vauxhall Vectra Design 150 bhp Soon to be, 2014 Sprite Major 4 sr. With ATC. The Internet has had no effect on my life whatsoever. com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon7912 Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 CT, this is weekdays,from ringing at tea time, when there is no reply to getting through the next morning and the vans have gone, they just aren't getting a look in, how are they being sold when you can't get through? Jslocks, we've looked at dealers and they have very very little old stock, very frustrating. Ginger, As you are in Normanton, depending on budget I would suggest that they look at Tourer World in Brighouse. We got a very good trade in and a very good deal on our latest 'van. They specialise in used 'vans. Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maplecottage Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Thats encouraging as I have just put our caravan on Gumtree. I had never heard of it until I asked on here where to advertise and it was suggested. Maybe by tomorrow ours will be sold or then again, maybe not Just seen your ad - if I was you I'd remove the location map pronto. You don't really want to be advertising your whereabouts to all and sundry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongTimeCaravaner Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Just seen your ad - if I was you I'd remove the location map pronto. You don't really want to be advertising your whereabouts to all and sundry Thank you for that. I never thought of it but have changed it straight away. Quote Kia Sorrento towing a Coachman VIP 575/4 Our blog: jennyandjohngocaravanning. wordpress. com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GINGER Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 Ginger, As you are in Normanton, depending on budget I would suggest that they look at Tourer World in Brighouse. We got a very good trade in and a very good deal on our latest 'van. They specialise in used 'vans. Gordon Thanks Gordon, we'll look into that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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