Grantham Caravans (Caravan & Motorhome Dealer)

Grantham Caravans – a dreadful saga

I just want to let potential customers who are thinking of buying or replacing their caravan or motorhome at Grantham Caravans in Grantham of my experience. I will limit my experience into bullet points to save getting into finer irrelevant detail.
We had decided to trade in our caravan for a motorhome as we are into our last year before turning 80.
We chose a Bailey 730 and agreed a part ex price subject to acceptance on both sides.
We paid over a deposit to "secure the motorhome" Their website states that deposits are refundable, however the "small print" says for up to 5 days" or at the sales representative's agreement.
I was told the Bailey was going in for timing belt change and MOT
Then told it had passed the MOT and timing belt wasn’t applicable.
Timing was now sliding and almost two weeks had passed as the service department was very busy
The Bailey was then going in for PDI and valet. The salesman said he had pulled some strings, called in a favour or two and that it was all running to the new schedule.
As we were getting near the date for our holiday I rang the service department to enquire on progress only to be told it wouldn’t be going in until after Easter as they were extremely busy.
I called the salesman who started back peddling and saying they had found a problem with the heating system and needed parts but "couldn't be specific"
After some lengthy discussions partly due to both parties commitments. Firstly we had booked a holiday and ferry for the Bailey and arranged insurance all based on the MH being ready before Easter so had to re-arrange bookings and change to caravan and car. Easter saw Granthams busy meeting deadlines with other customers, we agreed a handover date after Easter and our return from France.
I was told that to smooth over the handover it is custom at Granthams to provide a video of the location and operation of the vehicle equipment the evening before handover. This arrived in the evening with strict instructions to watch the video carefully and any remaining questions would be answered on the day. The video was 4 mins and 07 secs long and was completely irrelevant and simply pointed out the fuel filler, the cassette locker and how to empty the cassette. It made no reference to any of the features or how to operate them e.g. Alde heating, water system etc. As a seasoned motorhomer of 40 years this was not an issue for me.
I turned up some 15 minutes early for a 9.30 am handover and was kept waiting for over one and a half hours before two members of their workshop staff asked for the keys to inspect our van. Their inspection took over an hour where they highlighted every little mark and scratch. The damp check itself took over an hour. I didn’t have any issue with this as they were doing their job.
What I did have issue with was the way the sales manager came up and went through each item and reduced the part ex value by £4000 sighting that due to a slight crack above the door and two vents along the side being “non standard” and obviously hiding more damage. We mutually agreed to cancel the deal as I disagreed with their £4k reduced valuation. I was told I would receive my deposit, less the cost of one months DVLA road fund tax. Throughout the morning the salesman who I had dealt with was nowhere to be seen. I returned home in total shock as I hadn’t expected anything like this.

Both caravan and motorhome were both 10 years old and it was to be expected there would be a few scratches etc. on both vehicles commensurate with fair wear and tear. Certainly the caravan was in better condition than the motorhome, the latter having badly stained and worn carpets. The mattress was stained and sagging and part of the sat dome system was missing and cupboard doors not closing property with a hook on one to prevent it opening during travelling.

On returning home I checked with other Buccaneer models and photographed the “offending vents” that are present on all these models, sending the photos to Granthams showing that the vents were not evidence of hiding damage and simply vents to assist the airflow around the standard fit microwave.

Granthams have refused to return my deposit sighting that all deposits are “non refundable” even though the transaction was not completed by mutual agreement.

The credit card company I used to pay the deposit also say that they cannot help as I didn’t get a written agreement from the sales manager that he would return my deposit. Common sense and fair play completely out of the window.

Finally I took our caravan to our local dealer who completed the work on all the items listed by Grantham's and including the annual service and Hab check gave me an invoice for just over £500

Be very aware of Granthams.