Tale of Woe

[Saxon66]

Update on this for those that were kind enough to send messages of support (and anyone else who's interested).

So, we got another independent view on the problem and it was confirmed that there is a major damp issue on both sides of the van. The new guys also spotted that the garage door had been worked on previously and under further inspection it turns out that there has been a bodged repair to the rear offside quarter, not from an accident but from previous damp. It had been well hidden but obvious when it was pointed out by a professional.

Armed with this new information we dropped the MoHo down to the original dealer for him to undertake his own inspection, he said that he'd need it for about a week. When we returned, they hadn't really looked at it any more than the first visit and we started to think that maybe we were in for a fight. But........

They have confirmed that as long as we don't mind it being done over the winter period, they will put right all of the issues at their expense. I have informed them that we will obviously be getting an independent assessment of the work once it is complete but to be honest, I couldn't really wish for a better outcome other than a full refund.

They plan to start work on it this week and as they are based just 10 miles from where we live, we will be keeping an eye on the work as it progresses to make sure no corners are cut. If the work is of a good enough standard, and by that I mean that it shouldn't really be detectable unless you know what to look for, then we will be happy. If it is not then we will look to part ex the van in the spring against something else as we still wouldn't sell it privately and pass on a potential problem to an unsuspecting buyer. Will keep you updated and post pictures of the work as it progresses.

Cheers

 

[Riverbankannie]

Fingers crossed all will be well for you. If happy with the job then do post a positive review of the dealer as they sound like one of the good ones.

 

[hilldweller]

They have confirmed that as long as we don't mind it being done over the winter period,

Cheers

That is very good news because the one essential in getting rid of damp is giving the remaining good timber time to dry out before bonding in new.

Whatever you do don't mention the dealer's name because you've found a good one and if the word get out he'll be flooded with work.

 

[Saxon66]

That is very good news because the one essential in getting rid of damp is giving the remaining good timber time to dry out before bonding in new.

Whatever you do don't mention the dealer's name because you've found a good one and if the word get out he'll be flooded with work.

Hi Brian

I'll be naming the dealer once the work is complete and we're happy with it. I'm now sure that they sold the van on to us without knowledge of the previous issues as they seem as upset about it as we are and it looks like they only had it in stock for a couple of days before we rucked up and said we wanted it. Certainly the previous bodge job wasn't done by them and it would have been very difficult to spot. There is a previous owner out there who part-exed it in knowing full well what its history was but I can't blame them as we'd all probably do the same to a dealer.

If they do a good job then they will deserve all the work that goes their way.

 

[Vipar]

So pleased for your kids. No disruption to their memories.

Also glad for you and SHMBO your stress levels must be sky high at the moment. Perhaps a weekend away will lower them you can come back refreshed. With lots more memories to make with your brand new secondhand van.? there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

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[TerryL]

Thanks for updating us. Always good to know when things turn out okay. Hope it'll now all be sorted to your satisfaction.

 

[Jaws]

Who ever the dealer is he deserves praise no matter what.. He LISTENED to you, and has made the offer of making good..
Those points alone put him head and shoulder above many !

 

[Saxon66]

Hi again

New update. Work on the van has begun at the dealership and we've paid them a couple of visits to see how things are going. Now that it is partially stripped down, it is obvious that a lot of the damp has been there for a long time and could well be down to it not being sealed properly from new. It's hard to believe that there was not the slightest evidence of the rot other than some very slight rippling of the internal panels in a corner under one of the sofas, certainly there was no smell of damp.

The guys in the workshop are doing an incredible job and are also replacing all internal wall panels to ensure that everything matches perfectly. We are hoping that we will effectively get an almost new van back once everything is completed in a couple of weeks. The dealership has not shown the slightest hint of anything other than a willingness to help, they are even fixing small things that I wouldn't have expected them to look at as part of the process.

Once it is back I will post up some before and after pictures as I'm sure some will be interested in the extent of the damage.

Cheers

 

[Razamataz]

Hi again

New update. Work on the van has begun at the dealership and we've paid them a couple of visits to see how things are going. Now that it is partially stripped down, it is obvious that a lot of the damp has been there for a long time and could well be down to it not being sealed properly from new. It's hard to believe that there was not the slightest evidence of the rot other than some very slight rippling of the internal panels in a corner under one of the sofas, certainly there was no smell of damp.

The guys in the workshop are doing an incredible job and are also replacing all internal wall panels to ensure that everything matches perfectly. We are hoping that we will effectively get an almost new van back once everything is completed in a couple of weeks. The dealership has not shown the slightest hint of anything other than a willingness to help, they are even fixing small things that I wouldn't have expected them to look at as part of the process.

Once it is back I will post up some before and after pictures as I'm sure some will be interested in the extent of the damage.

Cheers

fantastic outcome.....! To a total nightmare!!

 

[Riverbankannie]

So pleased for you and a big thumbs up for the dealer.

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[Jaws]

Excellent news indeed !!
Just goes to show what can be done when a decent dealer puts their mind to a job
And with out putting too fine a point on it, how total crap of of them are... when it comes to doing a minor job and taking 6 weeks over it

 

[JockandRita]

fantastic outcome.....! To a total nightmare!!

Sorry, but shouldn't that be the other way round, ie, from a total nightmare........... to a fantastic outcome? ?

Cheers,

Jock. ?

 

[The Wino]

When we ran out business and people had problems we saw it as an opportunity to put things right well done for your dealership

 

[Geistguy]

All good and positive news, when the repair is complete and checked independently please name the dealer. They certainly sound good on customer care.

 

[MikeD]

Excellent result and it appears you have a good dealer and one that deserves to be recommended to others.

we often read on here of people going to war with the dealer over things like this.

you obviously did not but presented a good case and must have been quietly determined

well done and congratulations. ?

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[Saxon66]

And hopefully an epilogue:

Our camper was returned to us yesterday. My criteria was always that the work had to be undetectable to a layman (me) and we're sure that most people would not be able to identify the extent of the work completed. There are a few marks here and there that weren't there before but that is a small price to pay for the almost total rebuild that has been going on.

In total it took two guys, three and a half weeks, working 6 days a week to complete the repairs and hopefully all of the bad areas have been identified and fixed. The dealer has been nothing but understanding and helpful and I have rarely experienced customer service like it. You never know how a business will react until something goes wrong, these guys have stepped up to the mark and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking to buy a camper.

They are Broadland Leisure based just outside of Norwich, a small dealership, dealing with previously loved campers and they also have workshop facilities on site.

Obviously, the proof of the quality of repair will be when we get it independently checked but there seems little point at the moment as any damp readings will just be bouncing off of new panels and wood. We will give it till early spring and then have a full habitation check done to make sure that all is now well.

Mike