Have I made a big mistake? (2 Viewers)

Jan 27, 2013
1,334
871
Stamford
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24,452
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Benimar Mileo 282
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Seven plus years
I've quite a long history as a driver with plenty of company cars, leased cars and private cars along the way. But I think I've dropped a clanger on my new motorhome.

With new cars a whole host of problems are sorted out under warranty - if it's pretty much anything but wear and tear the manufacturer will get the bill whatever garage I use.

So they'd be no problems ordering our first BRAND NEW bessacarr at the NEC from a dealer who happens to be a five hour drive away.

But now i have been lead to believe that warranty issues with the accommodation will have to sorted out by the supplying garage/dealership.:Doh:

Is this correct?
 

magicsurfbus

Free Member
Oct 11, 2010
4,673
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NW England
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Bessacarr Coachbuilt
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Since 1997
When our 2005 CI sprang a leak in the accommodation section (due to a manufacturing defect) and a recall was issued, we were told to take it to the main national distributor at Grimsby, and not to the (more local) supplying dealer. However, when the problem recurred it was the supplying dealer who sorted it properly.

This would suggest that it may be OK to approach any manufacturer-approved workshop/dealer for initial warranty repairs. However, if you've gone for an extended warranty (we did and saved a few thousand pounds on repairs) you may be obliged to deal with the warranty-issuing supplier, as they're the agents for the extended warranty company.

Time to check the small print anyway.
 

jonandshell

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Dec 12, 2010
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May I respectfully suggest that if you expect timely and efficient warranty repairs on your motorhome, you will be sorely disappointed!:Angry:

This industry is a nightmare compared to the the customer care offered by car and van manufacturers. You will be in for a rocky ride when you try to get work done!:Eeek:

Sorry, but such is the lot of the motorhome owner!

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OP
OP
Sidney
Jan 27, 2013
1,334
871
Stamford
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Benimar Mileo 282
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Seven plus years
May I respectfully suggest that if you expect timely and efficient warranty repairs on your motorhome, you will be sorely disappointed!

Oh dear sounds like you've not felt the love from your supplier! Sorry.

But I'm not a newbie and have often carried out repair, maintanence and improvements myself to make sure it is done properly, won't fall apart and won't cost a fortune. This ensures things like torsion bars are greased rather than getting a shrug.

My concern is having something big going wrong.

Any more examples? Am I worrying too much,too early :Blush:
 

jonandshell

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Dec 12, 2010
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Speaking as a qualified engineer, I won't let any of the trained monkeys in the dealerships touch our van.

If you want it done properly, I do it myself.::bigsmile:
 

tonka

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Jul 2, 2008
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Now I dont want to panic you and i am sure all will turn out fine for your van..

On 17th Dec 2011 I notified Leisure Kingdom of Derby that our 11 month old van had a problem with high damp readings after it's first annual habitation check.. To this very day they have never replied.!!!!!!!

Luckily Autotrail came back to me straight away and they are sorting the issues out at the factory.....

The dealer is the one responsible for the guarantee and you may find other dealers do not want to get involved, even if they sell the same brand of vans..

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OP
OP
Sidney
Jan 27, 2013
1,334
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OK it looks like living not too far from the Swift factory is a bit of a bonus.

And I'm very pleased that Jon has offered to work on my van :ROFLMAO:
 

Peter JohnsCross MH

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Deceased RIP
Jan 5, 2008
9,617
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East Sussex
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1995
If I was you I would order from my local dealer (depending on who he was of course!) rather than ordering from a metal mover miles away purely on price.
You can always look at the NEC and then order locally if your local dealer is not on the stand.

On warranty work dealers do not get paid the full workshop labour rates and depend on the sales profit to balance it out should warranty arise, therefore most dealers dont want to know when they have not supplied the van.

Somewhat different to the car and van trade

I do have a slightly different aproach whereby if the owner makes up the difference, the workshop will sort it,

Peter.
 
OP
OP
Sidney
Jan 27, 2013
1,334
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If I was you I would order from my local dealer (depending on who he was of course!) rather than ordering from a metal mover miles away purely on price.
You can always look at the NEC and then order locally if your local dealer is not on the stand.

On warranty work dealers do not get paid the full workshop labour rates and depend on the sales profit to balance it out should warranty arise, therefore most dealers dont want to know when they have not supplied the van.

Somewhat different to the car and van trade

I do have a slightly different aproach whereby if the owner makes up the difference, the workshop will sort it,

Peter.

Horse/bolted

I bought my last at Johns Cross and I thought you were all lovely :thumb:

I didn't go to the NEC to buy a new van - it just kinda happened :Blush:

So, now I know the reasons why I'll happily look at offering the difference to some local chaps to ensure they're happy and I don't have the costs of time & travel.

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OP
OP
Sidney
Jan 27, 2013
1,334
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Peter

I don't suppose you'd err, suggest what the difference is on labour per hour?
 

Peter JohnsCross MH

Funster
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Jan 5, 2008
9,617
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1995
Peter

I don't suppose you'd err, suggest what the difference is on labour per hour?

Depends on the job, some of the times allowed are ridiculous as the vans are not half built as in factory and can be difficult to access.

Not many dealers will accept other dealers warranty though.

Peter
 

magicsurfbus

Free Member
Oct 11, 2010
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I've just remembered that when we had a front wheel bearing replaced under extended warranty we went direct to a Fiat Commercial repair shop much nearer to home than the CI dealer who sold us the MH (and the extended warranty), and that was all OK. However, that was a chassis-related repair. The CI dealer fortunately has a MH specialist workshop attached, and to be fair to them they did a far better job sorting the roof leak than the main distributor at Grimsby. It has to be said that 'official' dealerships vary - my nearest CI dealer recently provided me with a faulty replacement component instead of a new one, whereas the original MH-selling dealer who's further away usually does a good job on repairs.

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eddie

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Oct 4, 2007
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Best dealership in the Country based on customer feedback: Johns Cross

My opinion as to the best dealership in the Country based on what we see in our workshops regarding PDI's and workmanship? Johns Cross

When we (Van Bitz) got roped into a awning repair as a result of a guest staying on our campsite and having their built in awning ruined, we spoke to the wning manufacturer who said that "as XXXXX glue them in to make them fit properly:Doh: It is a bugger of a job and we recommend that you talk to Glen at....Johns Cross!

Not bigging them up at all, simply a good honest caring business.

Other dealerships just don't seem to be able to get right! Although I bought a new Gulf Stream Sun Voyager from Oakwell Motorhomes (specialist I know) and they have been faultless as well, and gone way beyound the call of duty but they don't sell European motorhomes.

Eddie
 
OP
OP
Sidney
Jan 27, 2013
1,334
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Stamford
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MH
Benimar Mileo 282
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Seven plus years
Ok thanks

Yeah I think I can relax, after all if its a major issue it'll be sorted one way or another.

What will be will be.
 

Hercules

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Sep 30, 2012
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I've just remembered that when we had a front wheel bearing replaced under extended warranty we went direct to a Fiat Commercial repair shop much nearer to home than the CI dealer who sold us the MH (and the extended warranty), and that was all OK. However, that was a chassis-related repair. The CI dealer fortunately has a MH specialist workshop attached, and to be fair to them they did a far better job sorting the roof leak than the main distributor at Grimsby. It has to be said that 'official' dealerships vary - my nearest CI dealer recently provided me with a faulty replacement component instead of a new one, whereas the original MH-selling dealer who's further away usually does a good job on repairs.

Just a bit of info, apologies if it's common knowledge. The Fiat Ducato has taper roller front wheel bearing, and is supposed to have some play, this can easily be mistaken for wear.

Peter

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Welsh girl

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Nov 7, 2009
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We tried to get work done at another dealer nearer us when our can was only two months old and they refused saying they don't get the rate from swift that they get from vans they have sold themselves.
The door retainer had broken so we just lived with it and taped it back up.
When we had an compass avantgard we were able to take it to another dealer for some reason.?
 

stcyr

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Apr 11, 2011
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It really winds me up hearing about the service people get after having spent huge amounts of £££ on new or nearly new MHs.
What winds me up even more is that many seem to accept it as inevitable or the norm.
Every tale of woe re. warranties reminds me of when we bought our MH about 3 years ago - from a used MH dealer in west Wales. It's a 1991 and we were given a 6 month totally comprehensive warranty with it,(as are all this dealer's vans) which covered absolutely everything that could go wrong, even cambelt failure, seals round fridge door, heating system ... nothing excluded at all. ALSO the van was thoroughly checked over before sale, full service, cambelt and tensioners replaced, new mot although the old one had 4 months left, even wiper-blades renewed, collection delayed for a couple of days because he was not happy with the functioning of the Truma (the 'chimney' had been removed, stored in a locker and the flue covered, which no-one had noticed).
AND it was pointed out to us that should any repair be needed while we were travelling a simple phone call to give the go-ahead was all that was needed... During the 6 months we only needed to have the rear brake shoes adjusted up as the previous servicers had just adjusted the cable. When I called in unannounced the MH went straight into the workshop, no quibbles, and was sorted within 45 minutes - and apologies were offered.
Since then the van has only needed one driveshaft gaiter (for last mot).
This dealer's warranties are not bought-in insurances, which have all sorts of exclusions, but covered by himself.
Best bit is that our van wasn't even bought in by him for resale but being sold on behalf of its owner as he has a policy of only buying-in post '95 vehicles and ours is '91.
Thanks, Alan, of Rolling Motorhomes nr Haverfordwest :thumb: ... shows it can be done.
 

hilldweller

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Dec 5, 2008
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Yeah I think I can relax,

Don't ever do that. Have you seen how members on here have been treated ?

If you have a fault give them ONE chance to fix it properly and if that fails go for the throat. The good guys, what few there are, need only one chance.

One sign of weakness and they write "MUG" on your file and you are stuffed.

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sedge

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Jul 7, 2009
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Well I say you can relax.

MY glass is half full not half empty, and we had really good service from our dealer and from Swift themselves without having to do or say anything except discuss the prob with the dealer. Pleasantly.

No 'You won't f-ing do that', just a mild 'I don't think so, thanks - we'd prefer if ... (this happened instead) because ....(reasons given)' To which they said 'Fair enough - we'll contact Swift then'.

I know other people have reaported very different experiences with the same actual people, dealer and manufacturer.

We reserved posting a review in the MHF Dealer Reviews section until it was sorted. Because you can't very well expect them to drop everything else and sort yours out yesterday if it's a biggish job. Once it was completed to our satisaction, we posted our review.
 

hilldweller

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Dec 5, 2008
605
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No 'You won't f-ing do that', just a mild 'I don't think so, thanks - we'd prefer if.

Very well said. Lose your rag and you've shot yourself in the foot.

But BE FIRM. Leave no doubt that they know that you will reduce the site to a smouldering radioactive wasteland if they don't deliver the goods.
 

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