Been To The NEC Show ? What's New? (4 Viewers)

[Gaston aires]

The op also asked about places to eat!

Lets have some van news, not fast food eateries. You already know that exhibition food is expensive rubbish.
Phil

 

[canopus]

Concorde (Southdowns) have three models on display. Starter model Credo at £152k plus, Charisma at £202k plus and the flagship Centurion with a Smart Car in the boot at £272k plus, then extra for the car I think. All very nice if you've got the reddies and an HGV licence for the Centurion.

Whilst we were there a jobsworth floor manager from the NEC informed Southdowns that the open boot lid of the Centurion was infringing the boundary of their rented floor space (by about 1 foot), and would have to be closed. £35k is a lot of dosh to show 3 vans and then be told you can't open the boot lid.

Southdown representative remarked to us that the NEC are so inflexible, and really should take a leaf out of their counterparts at the Caravan Salon Dusseldorf Show. The German organisers are so helpful and accommodating to their customers.

PS we ate at Wetherspoons in the Atrium - no deli belly this morning

 

[eddie]

I had a lovely full English this morning for £7.45!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Judge Mental]

I had a lovely full English this morning for £7.45!

Spoons? that's very naughty but nice

 

[barsteward]

I had to google that @barsteward ......actualy Mrs M eats fish, shellfish as well. So same as your wife...never heard the term before

Were never to old to learn are we

 

[barsteward]

I had a lovely full English this morning for £7.45!

How!!! Much!!! We'd want a three course meal (up eer in Yorkshire) for that.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Larrynwin]

What a tease....So come on what is it

It is a toss up between Pilote G740C and Carthago C Tourer I 150 and we are now leaning towards the Carthago.
Difficult to get the lounge space that we had in our RV but compromise is often necessary.

 

[Larrynwin]

Our first trip to NEC and thought what a good set up, good car parks just a few minutes walk from the halls . Great foyer area to get inside before the event opens and quite a choice of food although pricey.

 

[Judge Mental]

It is a toss up between Pilote G740C and Carthago C Tourer I 150 and we are now leaning towards the Carthago.
Difficult to get the lounge space that we had in our RV but compromise is often necessary.

Gone off Carthago after reaing te multiple reports of problems on European forums. Yes they Look flash but whats that worth...Hymer seem to offer VFM and the choice of many sensible people I know.....

Pilote looks very interesting. they have great customer satisfaction, attitude to warranty repairs refreshing. Only caveat cant see is working at 3500. good price as well not much more then an import (unusual that!)

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[barsteward]

These look very interesting are they at the show?

Broken Link Removed

 

[Charlie]

What are the accessories stalls like ? Ya know gear and stuff ?
If there ain't kit to mooch through I ain't going . Not much inspiration reading this thread !!!!

 

[Judge Mental]

What are the accessories stalls like ? Ya know gear and stuff ?
If there ain't kit to mooch through I ain't going . Not much inspiration reading this thread !!!!

Probably better of at an open air show for that as the NEC prices for exhibitors probably extortionate

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Charlie]

Probably better of at an open air show for that as the NEC prices for exhibitors probably extortionate

They have an air show near us at Thockmorton.. Had the Vulcan bomber there this year !

Never saw one MH Accessory there though Judge ................................................................................................

 

[Wombles]

Best place for motorhome accessories is shop around online It's good to look at the products in shops & at shows but not always best price.

 

[Judge Mental]

They have an air show near us at Thockmorton.. Had the Vulcan bomber there this year !

Never saw one MH Accessory there though Judge ................................................................................................

Sorry talking about motorhome shows

Bring your wellies!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[PhilandMena]

Has anybody got ferry discount codes from the show, looking to book for late December/early January?

Fairly sure the Ferry companies no longer attend these shows and have stopped issuing discount codes for a couple of years now. The days of cheap crossings have gone.
Even the Caravan Club no longer give 50% discounts.

 

[Charlie]

Sorry talking about motorhome shows

Bring your wellies!

But Judge you said open air shows.................... Me I believe everything a Judge tells me !

 

[funflair]

Concorde (Southdowns) have three models on display. Starter model Credo at £152k plus, Charisma at £202k plus and the flagship Centurion with a Smart Car in the boot at £272k plus, then extra for the car I think. All very nice if you've got the reddies and an HGV licence for the Centurion.

Whilst we were there a jobsworth floor manager from the NEC informed Southdowns that the open boot lid of the Centurion was infringing the boundary of their rented floor space (by about 1 foot), and would have to be closed. £35k is a lot of dosh to show 3 vans and then be told you can't open the boot lid.

Southdown representative remarked to us that the NEC are so inflexible, and really should take a leaf out of their counterparts at the Caravan Salon Dusseldorf Show. The German organisers are so helpful and accommodating to their customers.

PS we ate at Wetherspoons in the Atrium - no deli belly this morning

We have an appointment booked for tomorrow to look at Concorde, from drooling over brochures which I have been known to do from time to time it looks like they are trying to cheapen the build, so will have a good look.

Martin

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Charlie]

So No ferry discounts... Crap grub....Expensive drinks..... No accessories...... Far canal trips look blinding in comparison................

 

[Larrynwin]

We have an appointment booked for tomorrow to look at Concorde, from drooling over brochures which I have been known to do from time to time it looks like they are trying to cheapen the build, so will have a good look.

Martin

They were all white too

 

[Judge Mental]

But Judge you said open air shows.................... Me I believe everything a Judge tells me !

Grrr....open air motorhome shows. not open air air shows

Yes its a tosh show IMO.....once was enough

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[GJH]

We have an appointment booked for tomorrow to look at Concorde, from drooling over brochures which I have been known to do from time to time it looks like they are trying to cheapen the build, so will have a good look.

Martin

Hope you're going to wear your badge so we'll know who you are

 

[Charlie]

Grrr....open air motorhome shows. not open air air shows

Yes its a tosh show IMO.....once was enough

Yeh...................But.....................But......................But funflairs off to look at Concorde so he goes to air shows an all ??????????????

Anyway you don't get many indoor air shows ?

 

[Judge Mental]

Yeh...................But.....................But......................But funflairs off to look at Concorde so he goes to air shows an all ??????????????

Anyway you don't get many indoor air shows ?

Peps may well go and look but if they have half a brain they will buy in Germany

I'm going to have a large scotch now thanks to you...

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Charlie]

Enjoy that scotch !!!

 

[Judge Mental]

Enjoy that scotch !!!

You should b paying for it!

 

[GWAYGWAY]

I looked a round twice and never saw half of it, very difficult to actually know where you have been or not been.
I went to look at the Hymer ML-i and when I tried to get a salesman he said sorry I am from goldshitt springs and there was no others, the seemed to all be over at the N&B stand trying to sell to millionaires, Pilote were easier to talk to and the Carthago man explained about the discount business and how a factory order was how it was done for delivery next June. They all talk delivery dates in 6-8 months.
If I sell Gertie the van I need something sooner than that to replace her and I want the cash in hand to haggle with. So I will look around at January after Xmas when poverty rules and the snow blows through the showrooms. Or it might still be Germany, but I drive in the UK mostly even living in Dover.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Charlie]

You should b paying for it!

I could never encourage a man to drink....

 

[Candapack]

Was there yesterday. 6 hours to drive down, overnight in Premier Inn (West Bromwich, why?), 8 full hours at show, 6 hours to drive back.
Knackered.
Had a "short" list of 12 vans to look at, 11 of them were there. Decided on one that wasn't even on the long list!!
Did a deal today with a dealer local to me, so all the effort was worth it.
Found some time to look at accessories, wouldn't bother again. Too busy. If you know what you want, get it online. If you don't know what you want, you don't need it.
There are stalls for campsites, clubs etc, in between the main halls. For me, they just created "pinch points" and slowed us up getting to see what we were there for - motorhomes.
If you live in or within 100 miles of the Birmingham area, you have my sympathies. For someone who lives in Fife, the traffic both ways was absolutely hellish.

 

[Judge Mental]

I could never encourage a man to drink....

Grrr....,Wanna bet!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}