We are inn the process of purchasing our second new motorhome despite reservations. Our first a Bessacar Hi-style purchased from Lowdhams of Huddersfield at the Manchester Caravan and Motorhome show ended up in total taking 9 months from placing our deposit to delivery. Now we are in the process of purchasing a new Bailey 750-2. After negotiations we were promised a delivery date of 17th February, very specific. Phone calls with Bailey themselves to day have informed us that our motorhome is only just in the process of being built. Apparently I am now looking at two weeks for deliivery to the dealer and a couple of weeks for PDI's and registration.
Question: is this the standard for motorhomes and do other people find that delivery dates mean nothing. Or has anyone got strategies for ensuring prompt deliveries.
Never having a new van myself I can only say that reading on motorhome forums it is not unusual for delivery date to be put back but others with more knowledge might know better.
Its a Bailey thing a few years ago there were quoting a 6 month plus delivery on their caravans. I think its to make them look very exclusive because people we met were saying look at me I managed to get a Bailey caravan I am better than anyone else. But after a few months they brought they delivery times back to about 6 weeks. But at the motorhome show some brands had sold all of their 2017 allocation so 2018 was a quoted delivery time.
We have purchased 3 brand new Motorhomes since 2008. The first one was a stock item, and an Elddis, 3 were in stock of different variants. We chose the one that suited our needs exactly, and we kept her for 3 years. The 2nd was from the same dealer and not in stock. We had however been in many of the model we fancied and decided to order her. We took delivery within 2 weeks of order. The 3rd one, again not a stock item and given a 'build date' of the first week of April. Stating delivery would be either late April or early May. We were notified by 'phone that the van was in, and being PDI'd, and went to view, and deliver our existing van for transfer of alarm, and the fixing of roll out awning (we call it a sun shade!) and a bike rack. We picked her up on 6th May. I am not going to name our dealer, I am however going to praise them. They are the best people to deal with. They do exactly what they say they will do and it is done when said they would do it. They service all makes of van, and are a family run set up. They win very many accolades for their service to customers. We feel quite at home when in the dealership. I can only suggest that you stick with the same folk to buy from each time and build up truthful relationship. ALSO I find the closer the dealer to your home concerns and incidents can be sorted more easily.
Strategy for ensuring it happens is to write a delivery date on the order and add 'time is of the essence'. If they won't agree chances are they can't meet the date they say!
sorry to say seams the norm for the past two years .the new vans we have bought have all been in stock as we buy march april time or jan seam to get a good deal .
------------- do it to day it might be too late tomorow
Like Austins we've had 4 brand new motorhomes in the last 10 years. We have always been given/agreed a collection date and our dealer has stuck to each date everytime. I will name our dealer because they have been excellent - West Country Motorhomes, Somerset.
------------- More adventures in 2026 -
Feb - Steamer Quay CAMC, Totnes
May - Cheddar & Dulverton
June - Lake District
July - Devizes, New Forest & Dorset
September - TBA
Christmas - Ayr, St Ives
New Year - Hillhead CAMC, Brixham
Thanks for the comments, Hopefully it should be sometime before we go down this road again but good news is that we have been told from Bailey's that the motorhome is built, bad news is there is still a hold up, apparently awaiting a part but the information about what part wasn't available at the time of phone conversation. Why when spending substantial amounts of money does life become such a hassle?
Could be something as simple as cooker hob that has not been delivered my manufacturer due to high demand from all motorhome makers. Interior parts are common to many different makes of motorhome & come from same suppliers.
No dealer can hold your deposit forever & must return it if they cannot deliver within a reasonable time but that does not get you the motorhome you want.
Attn Kernow Camper.....Our dealer is very good friends with your dealer. I believe our 2nd van came from them. Hope you have made a start to your season already, and get posting the pictures. Like to read of your travels.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: New Purchase blues
