Just thought I tell you about my experience of Camping World in Horsham, West Sussex. People are quick to tell others when retailers aren't up to scratch, so I thought I'd relay our good experience with this particular shop.
We've had a polyester Khyam Montreal tunnel tent for the past two years, and although we loved the space and layout, the heat generated inside the tent was almost unbearable. Remember summer last year? You should do as it only lasted a week in late July. Well, that week we were at Clippesby Hall in Norfolk, and we had to be out of the tent by about 9:30am as it was just too hot inside. And coming back to the tent after a day out was like entering a furnace. This made our mind up that we wanted a polycotton tent (actually, Mrs Macadooodle made up her mind, and I was persuaded after trying one out. It's like walking into a tent with air conditioning compared with the Montreal!).
After plenty of research we decided on an Outwell Wolf Lake 7. A bit smaller than our Khyam, but a similar layout, and made from that all important polycotton.
The best price we had was from Go Outdooors (or 'Gout Doors' as they are known in our house), but they didn't have the tent up to try out for size. However we didn't think it would be a great idea to fork out well over a grand for something we'd not even seen in the flesh.
The closest place to our house in Essex that had one up was over 70 miles away at Camping World in West Sussex. So one Saturday we went there to have a play...
The Camping World site is vast and our two boys loved going in and out of all the tents. The new Outwell inflatable tents looked very nice, and we saw a demonstration of one being put up. To say they are quick is an understatement! A member of staff told us they were selling three inflatables for every one traditional tent, and I can see why.
Anyway, we found the Wolf Lake and had a good poke around and played with all the bits a bobs. Yep, this was the tent for us. We went into the shop to get a couple of bits for the boys and got chatting to the chap behind the counter. He asks if we've seen anything we like, and we say yes, the Wolf Lake, but won't be buying today as we can get it a fair bit cheaper in Gout Doors. He asks what price, we tell him, and a few taps on his computer later and he's matched the price (tent, footprint & carpet). Mrs Macadoodle then puts on her cheeky hat and says we'd really like the awning conversion too, but don't want to spend almost £400 that it costs. A few more calculations from Mr Camping World, and he offers us a deal too good to ignore! He also threw in free ice creams, so how could we refuse?
The chap's name was David Fearn, and I suspect he was the owner. One of the nicest people I've ever done business with, and would return to Camping World without hesitation. He even offered to deliver the tent for free if we couldn't fit it in the car. He also recommended the pub next door for some lunch, as we we all a bit hungry by then.
So we left Camping world very happy campers, with the tent we wanted for much less than we were intending to pay. Result!
Not only that, but we went to the pub next door for lunch and it was the best pub food we'd ever had. Double result!
We also bought our tent from Camping world, but only living 20 minutes down the road we haven't ever had lunch in the pub next door. I love dragging my hubby up to Camping World, it's a lovely way to spend the afternoon. When we went to their opening show back in the spring, it was snowing, but still worth the drive out :)
------------- March 2013 - Crowborough - Camping and Caravanning site (didn't happen because of weather)
April - 2nd Try - Crowborough C&CC Site
May 2013 - Solent View, Lymington
June - 2013 - RiversideLakes, Dorset
August - 2013 - Breckfarm, Norfolk
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Well Done Camping World!
