Well, after a visit to Newark and then Lincoln motorhome shows (thoroughly enjoying both one day visits) but not finding our ideal motorhome, I decided to make the 270 mile round trip to a dealer in Shropshire for my choice of van that I've had my eye on for the past 6 plus weeks.
Advertised by the dealer as having the 'wow factor' and even having a video clip on their website, I thought the journey would be worth the while.
After an exchange of emails of me asking questions, I called the dealership to ensure it was still for sale and that I would be visiting today. I was told that I would be expected.
Upon arrival after our 3 hour journey, we found what looked to be a new dealership with a professional set up of shop, cafe and sales area promoting park homes, caravans and motorhomes. A brief walk past the two ladies behind a massive reception desk, too deep in conversation to pay any attention to make any greetings to us, we headed straight towards the motorhome forecourt at the rear side of the building.
Fortunately, our chosen motorhome was unlocked.
We had a good look around.
What a disappointment!
A totally neglected van which in my personal opinion, was part previous owner but part dealers fault.
Stained seats, missing drawer & cupboard knobs, missing door handle from the bathroom door, torn seat on head rests, torn cab blind, missing screws, faulty table leg, partition sliding door hanging off and looked to have been for a while due to the screws causing scratches in the woodwork - and that's just inside. (Too much else to list)
But on the outside, apart from dented bodywork, scratches and scraped transfer/stripes, the piece de resistance had to be that someone had taken a saw to the rear off side corner bodywork.
All of this, on a near £50k 2010 van which is being marketed as having the 'Wow factor'.
Well Mr Salesman, I did get down to your dealership today and treated myself to a viewing, like what you said in your website video for this DETHLEFFS ADVANTAGE A7871-SG and was certainly not 'Wowed'
During the one hour that I spent viewing your wares, not one dealership employee enquired whether we wanted assistance. In fact, nobody spoke to us.
I appreciate that some dealerships may 'put right' any wrongs after a van is sold and before it goes out, but surely, for nearly £50k, dealers need to appreciate that some effort needs to go into presenting a van for sale?
Is it me being naive, asking too much or expecting service better than a fast food burger joint that says I'm loving it or what?
Some people just don't deserve new business and some shouldn't be in business at all!
I took some photos which will be sent to the dealer, if the salesman is bothered enough to find out whether I visited or not today.
The second photo of the cab seats surprised me, as this van was advertised as being leather.
Now, to me, it looked like leatherette or vinyl - especially when I saw the tear in the headrest and how thin the so called leather material was and the man made backing to it, but the cab seats were just seat covers over original seat upholstery held in place by elastic. Seen here with the seat cover peeled back.
What a let down!
Is it meant to be this hard spending nearly fifty grand?
Advertised by the dealer as having the 'wow factor' and even having a video clip on their website, I thought the journey would be worth the while.
After an exchange of emails of me asking questions, I called the dealership to ensure it was still for sale and that I would be visiting today. I was told that I would be expected.
Upon arrival after our 3 hour journey, we found what looked to be a new dealership with a professional set up of shop, cafe and sales area promoting park homes, caravans and motorhomes. A brief walk past the two ladies behind a massive reception desk, too deep in conversation to pay any attention to make any greetings to us, we headed straight towards the motorhome forecourt at the rear side of the building.
Fortunately, our chosen motorhome was unlocked.
We had a good look around.
What a disappointment!
A totally neglected van which in my personal opinion, was part previous owner but part dealers fault.
Stained seats, missing drawer & cupboard knobs, missing door handle from the bathroom door, torn seat on head rests, torn cab blind, missing screws, faulty table leg, partition sliding door hanging off and looked to have been for a while due to the screws causing scratches in the woodwork - and that's just inside. (Too much else to list)
But on the outside, apart from dented bodywork, scratches and scraped transfer/stripes, the piece de resistance had to be that someone had taken a saw to the rear off side corner bodywork.
All of this, on a near £50k 2010 van which is being marketed as having the 'Wow factor'.
Well Mr Salesman, I did get down to your dealership today and treated myself to a viewing, like what you said in your website video for this DETHLEFFS ADVANTAGE A7871-SG and was certainly not 'Wowed'
During the one hour that I spent viewing your wares, not one dealership employee enquired whether we wanted assistance. In fact, nobody spoke to us.
I appreciate that some dealerships may 'put right' any wrongs after a van is sold and before it goes out, but surely, for nearly £50k, dealers need to appreciate that some effort needs to go into presenting a van for sale?
Is it me being naive, asking too much or expecting service better than a fast food burger joint that says I'm loving it or what?
Some people just don't deserve new business and some shouldn't be in business at all!
I took some photos which will be sent to the dealer, if the salesman is bothered enough to find out whether I visited or not today.
The second photo of the cab seats surprised me, as this van was advertised as being leather.
Now, to me, it looked like leatherette or vinyl - especially when I saw the tear in the headrest and how thin the so called leather material was and the man made backing to it, but the cab seats were just seat covers over original seat upholstery held in place by elastic. Seen here with the seat cover peeled back.
What a let down!
Is it meant to be this hard spending nearly fifty grand?
