“BUY GERMAN” they said !

Charente16 said:
I agee buying 'German' is a Con! All hype, first time a tree fell on our roof it leaked like a sieve.

Saying that from the day of delivery to the day the tree fell on it, never a single problem, but then it was a' Burstner', virtually French being built in Strasbourg (Kehl).

Luck of the Draw which ever make of MoHo/Car you buy. I had a bad experience with a Volvo, my second, which put me off buying a new Vovo to replace it. Bought a VW instead. I personally know very happy 'Autotrail' owners who won't have a bad word said against the marque.

Luck of the Draw as in all things in life. Each is as good as the other until you get the bad one!

Robert
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A few years ago I brought a VW transporter from a main dealer, I got it home to find virtually no oil in the engine despite the head of sales reassuring me it had just had a service When I started checking the van the drivers door had dropped and was rubbing paint off the bottom, the fog light did not work when ch turned out it never would as it was switched off in software. So I took it to another be main dealer who couldn’t believe the shoddy state of a van that was 18 months old made a list of everything thing that needed doing and the original dealer had to pay to get every thing fixed. It also turned out the van never had a PDI carried out. Wind forward to when we picked up our MoHo dealer couldn’t supply me with torque settings for the wheel nuts (these need checking 50kms after first drive) and let us take the MoHo without registering with Fiat for warenty. Dealers they really need regulating !!
 
Coolcats said:
Dealers they really need regulating !!
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But who would do that?

Better is to offer a review up on Motorhome FUN and let members vote with their feet, that will either force the dealer to up their game or go bust
 
I know it must hurt when things go wrong , I get rattled if something I spend a fiver on goes tits up but this maybe puts a perspective on things

inews.co.uk

Couple find '700 faults' in new Persimmon house

A couple say they've been left "at breaking point" after spending their life savings on a new home, only to find a staggering "700 faults" after moving in. Nicola Bentley, 46, and husband Phil, 48, paid £280,000 for their new four-bedroom dream property in Kippax, near Leeds in West Yorkshire.
inews.co.uk inews.co.uk

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eddievanbitz said:
But who would do that?

Better is to offer a review up on Motorhome FUN and let members vote with their feet, that will either force the dealer to up their game or go bust
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Eddie your one of the good guys, buy a New Hymer from say Becks, and you will have trouble getting Lowdhams to undertake warranty work. There is no dealer network as such. . So that would be a starting point to improve service.
 
chaser said:
Yeah I wasn't criticising an one van, just the proportion of one's savings buying one big ticket item especially a motorhome.
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I agree. I pass 2 MHs every day, an 09 LMC A class and an 10 plate PVC, neither move more than a few miles each year. Out of interest I checked their MOT history to check, the LMC moved 38 miles one year.

It's their money, I know but so much on a leisure pursuit, to not make use of it?

I could afford a 'better' van than my Eriba or Mobilvetta but I use both and get great enjoyment out of both - cost for both? £22k

I've said before that there have been few advances (apart from the base pickup truck it's based on)

The 1991 Eriba and 2001 Mobilvetta both have, blown air heating, boiler, toilet, shower, fridge, cooker etc................. The Eriba is a Camping Car the Mobilvetta a Motorhome - the difference is only space and size..............
 
The Wino said:
I think when I buy privately I expect a cheaper price to make up for the lack of any warranty or comeback with a dealer I would expect problems to be sorted out. If the dealer was selling it clearly stated "sold as seen" that would be fairer if they are going to walk as soon as theres a problem.
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The law has changed on this regarding private sales.

If you knowingly sell a vehicle with faults you are deemed to be in the wrong legally now.
 
Coolcats said:
Eddie your one of the good guys, buy a New Hymer from say Becks, and you will have trouble getting Lowdhams to undertake warranty work. There is no dealer network as such. . So that would be a starting point to improve service
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I’ve bought two new Hymers from a German dealer and had service and warranty work done at Premier Motorhomes without any hassle so they are out there but you need to look around.
Incidentally we have had three new vans and none had problems an Autotrail and two Hymers.
 
Coolcats said:
Eddie your one of the good guys, buy a New Hymer from say Becks, and you will have trouble getting Lowdhams to undertake warranty work. There is no dealer network as such. . So that would be a starting point to improve service.
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That will never happen as the dealers are 100% independent. The warranty issue has been argued many many times, but in essence the money is in the sale, not the warranty and service like the general car industry

It would help if the motorhome converters paid the going rate, but even Hymer are only converting a delivery van, so partially warranting the finished vehicle, whereas a Ford dealer is going to call everything that they need to do from Ford with no issues about being paid.

I am not saying that I am disagreeing with anyone about poor, crap service, but people keep buying vans from dealerships with appalling reputations, spending tens of thousands of pounds and then surprised and upset that they are disappointed

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eddievanbitz said:
That will never happen as the dealers are 100% independent. The warranty issue has been argued many many times, but in essence the money is in the sale, not the warranty and service like the general car industry

It would help if the motorhome converters paid the going rate, but even Hymer are only converting a delivery van, so partially warranting the finished vehicle, whereas a Ford dealer is going to call everything that they need to do from Ford with no issues about being paid.

I am not saying that I am disagreeing with anyone about poor, crap service, but people keep buying vans from dealerships with appalling reputations, spending tens of thousands of pounds and then surprised and upset that they are disappointed
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Problem is there are a limited number of dealers to trade with, some marques only have 1 dealer in the UK, others less than a handful so if the van you want with the layout and features that tick the boxes on your list you are screwed, you either decide the dealer is not for you or you take the chance and buy from them and keep fingers crossed. Even buying a reputable make to try and limit the damage does not always work as this thread shows and sometimes it is not practicable to travel 300 miles to another dealer when you have one on your doorstep. We personally have had good service from one dealer that others did not and current dealer is totally crap in relation to communication whereas everyone else sings the praises!!
 
chaser said:
If these people "put their life savings" into a motorhome without looking up everything they can about motorhomes but just go out and buy one on a whim and expect everything to be perfect they deserve every thing they get in my opinion, what other type of holiday is going to cost all the money you have saved up over a lifetime,
A motorhome should be a small part of your savings maybe less than ten percent , something you can live with if it all goes wrong.
Just my opinion , but if everyone did it , it would save a lot of stress and tears further down the line.
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Just 10% ???
 
Barclaybasher said:
I agree. I pass 2 MHs every day, an 09 LMC A class and an 10 plate PVC, neither move more than a few miles each year. Out of interest I checked their MOT history to check, the LMC moved 38 miles one year.

It's their money, I know but so much on a leisure pursuit, to not make use of it?

I could afford a 'better' van than my Eriba or Mobilvetta but I use both and get great enjoyment out of both - cost for both? £22k

I've said before that there have been few advances (apart from the base pickup truck it's based on)

The 1991 Eriba and 2001 Mobilvetta both have, blown air heating, boiler, toilet, shower, fridge, cooker etc................. The Eriba is a Camping Car the Mobilvetta a Motorhome - the difference is only space and size..............
Click to expand...
Friend of mine has a dinghy moored alongside a huge number of expensive yachts. He tells me hardly any ever leave the marina.:rolleyes:
 
eddievanbitz said:
But who would do that?

Better is to offer a review up on Motorhome FUN and let members vote with their feet, that will either force the dealer to up their game or go bust
Click to expand...

Dealers are being regulated, the bad ones are going bust!
The manufacturers need to "Man up" and create a set of guildines and rules that a dealer has to comply with like the motor trade.

Also customers are just as much to blame. Do your research on dealers! There are some terrible dealers that all the reviews are terrible and people still waltz in and buy the dream van then spend forever ranting about how terrible the van is. A van is a van, it can have problems and can be fixed, a terrible dealer though?..........

100% feedback, just sayin............
 
Louis said:
Just 10% ???
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If you are a millionaire several times over buying a 100 grand motorhome is small change and you can afford anything going wrong with it as it is a small part of your life , if on the other hand you have only got twenty grand and put that into a motorhome , maybe even borrowing some as well , the smallest thing to go wrong means you can't stand to have it repaired and you are stuck with no motorhome and no savings , disaster, that's when the stress sets in .
A little ray of sunshine I maybe but if someone is thinking of sinking their life savings into a motorhome and reads this post and change their mind to a cheaper version or second hand and saves themselves a lot of stress.
That will brighten my day.

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I bought a new American RV from a bad dealer and mentioned a couple of problems they wouldn’t resolve to an RV dealer at Wolverhampton when at a show and he immediately sorted them for me.
With that kind of service it was always worthwhile to travel the width of the country for servicing and extras and make a trip of it.
 
chaser said:
If these people "put their life savings" into a motorhome without looking up everything they can about motorhomes but just go out and buy one on a whim and expect everything to be perfect they deserve every thing they get in my opinion, what other type of holiday is going to cost all the money you have saved up over a lifetime,
A motorhome should be a small part of your savings maybe less than ten percent , something you can live with if it all goes wrong.
Just my opinion , but if everyone did it , it would save a lot of stress and tears further down the line.
Click to expand...
If I put my life savings into a new motorhome I would expect it to be all hunky dory.. I shouldn't have to research and look for problems.. If I am spending 70k plus I expect the motorhome to be in superb usable condition.. We are fobbed off with second quality vehicles from the leisure industry and its time it was legislated properly against.. Inmo I think there are too many loopholes in the whole industry doesn't matter whether you buy British or European..value for money doesn't seem to be available...
 
In response to 'Coolcats' re his VW. No problem with the 'VW' as such, but the Main Dealer was rubbish to deal with and one I wouldn't want to service my vehicle. Lovely showrooms though and plenty of staff!. I use a small family run 'VW' acredited 'Service' garage who I can just drop by for a chat and a cup of coffee.

My first VW (1954'is h- 3 speed box) cost me GPB 15 in 1962 and was held together with Baling wire!

Robert
,
 
On my third MH, 2 from new. I'll never buy a new van, or any van from a dealer, again.
Partly because I can't afford it, I've punted quite enough money into vans thank you. If I change, I'll sell privately, and buy privately. Maybe adding a small amount to the pot. Wouldn't be worried now about buying a van older than what I've got now.
I feel I know enough now to not be worried about buying a lemon. Think that a good look round a van with the owner, getting a feel for what he/she is like, checking out the state of his home, ie finding out if he takes pride in looking after things, all of that better than listening to a salesman.

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Larrynwin said:
I bought a new American RV from a bad dealer and mentioned a couple of problems they wouldn’t resolve to an RV dealer at Wolverhampton when at a show and he immediately sorted them for me.
With that kind of service it was always worthwhile to travel the width of the country for servicing and extras and make a trip of it.
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I make the opposite journey across the country to you to use Becks, whom I can't fault. Unlike some other dealers closer to home who get consistently bad reviews.
 
Talking about service, I bought an Auto-Trail from Marquis Devon. The service I've had has been excellent. To top is off, reports on here and the sarcasm about leaking A-T's I was worried. But no leaks and the few warranty issues were fixed next day and another issue was 2 weeks waiting for parts. Nothing serious but a couple of led strip lights failed and a couple of cupboard clips needed to be changed.

I would buy from them again. Unfortunately, I expect some will not share my experience using the same company and would give a poor review.

There is so much uncertainty when buying new or even second hand.

I put the problems down to being made from extremely light and flimsy materials. Coming from boating, I could hammer through a sea way at 40knots in the power boat, pounding down on waves and expect everything stay in one piece.

A motorhome would just fall apart in seconds simulating those conditions!

Looks to me like they have gone far to the extreme to keep the weight down, to the point in many cases of being 'not fit for purpose'.
 
Charente16 said:
In response to 'Coolcats' re his VW. No problem with the 'VW' as such, but the Main Dealer was rubbish to deal with and one I wouldn't want to service my vehicle. Lovely showrooms though and plenty of staff!. I use a small family run 'VW' acredited 'Service' garage who I can just drop by for a chat and a cup of coffee.

My first VW (1954'is h- 3 speed box) cost me GPB 15 in 1962 and was held together with Baling wire!

Robert
,
Click to expand...

Worth around 20k now as well ?
 
Charente16 said:
In response to 'Coolcats' re his VW. No problem with the 'VW' as such, but the Main Dealer was rubbish to deal with and one I wouldn't want to service my vehicle. Lovely showrooms though and plenty of staff!. I use a small family run 'VW' acredited 'Service' garage who I can just drop by for a chat and a cup of coffee.

My first VW (1954'is h- 3 speed box) cost me GPB 15 in 1962 and was held together with Baling wire!

Robert
,
Click to expand...
its interesting the VW dealer I had an issue with was a small family one, currently use the local Big franchised outlet and the service that I get is a good one. but I guess that's not to say that won't change in the future.
 
Simon Howards Motorhomes said:
Dealers are being regulated, the bad ones are going bust!
The manufacturers need to "Man up" and create a set of guildines and rules that a dealer has to comply with like the motor trade.

Also customers are just as much to blame. Do your research on dealers! There are some terrible dealers that all the reviews are terrible and people still waltz in and buy the dream van then spend forever ranting about how terrible the van is. A van is a van, it can have problems and can be fixed, a terrible dealer though?..........

100% feedback, just sayin............
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Just to ask who is the regulator? I agree them manufacturers do need to apply some dealer rules.

I did not buy from Lowdhams but have to say the sales person was professional and answered all my questions at the time, when I looked in to having warranty/habitation/service work carried out the service department really were not interested they told me they wouldn't undertake warranty work the MoHo would have to go back to the selling dealer, plus as lowdhams had not sold me the vehicle they would have to perform a full check eg gas escape holes in the draws, safety stickers etc etc and charge me the appropriate fee before they would start work on the MoHo.

The Dealer I purchased from has a network of 3rd party mobile caravan / MoHo contractors they pay to carry out work if required. I had no idea the industry was so pathetic in terms of customer service.

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You have to spend your life savings some time. We’re currently doing our best to spend ours, we have no intention of there being anything left when we go. Life is short, and you don’t know if or when it is suddenly going to get a lot shorter. Carpe diem!
 
BobtheBass said:
I make the opposite journey across the country to you to use Becks, whom I can't fault. Unlike some other dealers closer to home who get consistently bad reviews.
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Becks are just 15 minutes from us and we bought our Hymer there , excellent service.?
 
Candapack said:
Friend of mine has a dinghy moored alongside a huge number of expensive yachts. He tells me hardly any ever leave the marina.:rolleyes:
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I've heard it said that the happiest days of owning an expensive yacht are the day that you buy it and the day that you sell it :whistle2:
 
klaatu said:
You have to spend your life savings some time. We’re currently doing our best to spend ours, we have no intention of there being anything left when we go. Life is short, and you don’t know if or when it is suddenly going to get a lot shorter. Carpe diem!
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It’s a fine balancing act , not to spend it all BUT enjoy what you have , one thing never have regrets ! It’s not easy

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