I used to have new motorhomes, because my late husband didn't have to pay the dreaded VAT due to his disability. One thing I did notice about dealers is that they will take parts off new vans to replace missing ,faulty and broken items on sold vans. So a situation can occur when you look at a van and think, I like this, but lots of bits are missing! Never known a continental dealer do this though. Then the sales person will confound you with all sorts of reasons why you should buy said vehicle and, don't worry, it will be perfect when you hand over cash and collect you shiny new van
Quote: Originally posted by Hobby101 on 30/10/2013
I had a very bad set of experiences when I bought our Hobby 50GS van from E S Hartley in Kendal. Has anyone had a similar experience when buying new ?
Hello Hobby101, just happened upon your thread when searching the web for adverse reports with regard to E S Hartley, firstly let me convey wishes of continued good health to your wife.
I have recently bought a Globecar from E S Hartley, worst dealer experience by a long chalk in my 30 years of motorhoming.
I can be more specific for those who are interested, in the meantime, briefly:-
Order placed with deposit paid Oct2013, six month delivery time, so in April last I rang for a progress report, no news, will get back, subsequent phone calls during April and May with, replies like "being constructed as we speak",..... " just off the production line and waiting for transporter"...... " now on its way, should be here at the weekend"....."as far as we know it is with the transporter company, but don't know where".
During this period of fiction I had received the V51 Reg docs from DVLA, my van UK reg date, the 15th of April, at that time I was being told my van was still in Germany.
Arrived to collect van 2nd of June, IT WAS THE WRONG COLOUR, this despite verification on order.
After a bit of haggling and a price reduction we left 6½ hours after arrival.
First stop Tebay and Hartley fitted reverse sensors not working.
Hartley fitted Remis windscreen blind top rail came adrift, would you believe, they had used plasterboard screw fixings(not screws) to pin it to the headlining.
Arriving home 300+ miles, got the stepladder and had a look at the Hartley fitted TV aerial, rainwater leaking at bodged seal, unbelievable. I've taken photos and posted to E S Hartley with a list of grievances, they replied immediately with very grand promises, that was 2 weeks ago, still awaiting their promised call.
Having previously(many moons ago) done a selfbuild, also adaptions to other vans I've had, I have re-sealed the TV aerial and properly installed the Remis blinds.
tiepin
Hello, We dont have any previous experience but we bought our first van in Sept this year. Its a Hobby 60gf premium van ex demo. It took weeks for the registration to be processed ES Hartley blamed the DVLA but I have no proof as to when they sent the paperwork. When we finally collected the van there was no spare key. I asked why and was told that the normal process is Hobby release the key once a vehicle is sold. I had never heard of that but they promised to post it on. The carpets where also missing from the van but they promised to send these on too. I had to phone every few days to find out what was happening and where the key and carpets where. Evatually the carpets where sent 3 weeks later but no spare key. I phoned every couple of days and eventually was told 'youll have to go to a renualt dealer and see if they will get you a spare key". I politely declined that offer and said they should arrange for the spare key to be ordered and paid for. Its clear they have lost it but cannot be bothered to arrange for a replacement. Im still waitng several phonecalls later including calls to renault dealer in my home town after being told by es hartley they had sorted it with them. When I called the dealer they said they couldnt help. Im still phoning ES Hartley daily but they have failed to reply to my messgaes for the last few days. Im disgusted that they dont care and their aftersales is shocking. I would not recommend using them for buying new or used based on my experience. I have recently written to Hobby in Germany to ask for help and voice my concerns especially as ES Hartley say they regulary have issues with Hobby losing vechile keys. If the service at ES hartley had been good we would have taken our van for its service but we will be lookinG for an alternative now. Avoid!!!
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Topic: Poor dealer experience
