We have had a call from the above company and a decent trade in offer for our old Zenith, but im wondering if anyone on here has ever bought from this company and what their experiances were, good or bad?
Thanks
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Travelled 140 miles from home last august to view a dethleffs van that we have been searching for for some time. The van was immaculate and came with 2 years warranty. The staff were really helpful and made you feel very comfortable. They even told us that if we picked it up on a certain date that they were having a hog roast to launch the new range. All in all couldn't fault them.....
Raymond James Caravans is located at the previous site where 'Avondale' caravans were manufactured in Atherstone which is about 7 miles from where we live so being local we were happy to view their used stock two and a half years ago. However, after seeing a caravan that we liked we decided to go ahead with the 'Black Horse' HP application for the purchase but instead of them referring the application themselves as dealers normally do, they gave us the paperwork to fill in at home and send it of by post at our cost so I avoided the company and went to West Midland Caravans (Jacksons of Old Arley) about 16 miles away. We seen the Coachman Amara on their premises, they offered us a trade in price for our old unit and then made the HP application to 'Black Horse' on our behalf all on the same day. The next day we received a phone call to say that the purchase agreement had been accepted so basically Raymond James lost out on a 5 grand sale merely because they just couldn't be bothered to conduct an application on our behalf which was quite off-putting to say the least in reflection of possibly their after sales approach. So to conclude your question, no I haven't bought from Raymond James but have provided a valid reason as to why we declined from buying from them which I would decline to do so also in the future. Another reason is the fact that they sell Calor-lite gas refills at £25.99 whereby Jacksons and Canwell only charge £21.99 so this alone proves that their interest is not with gaining customers to buy from their shop either at over charging every time by £4.00 a refill.
I bought a new sterling Europa 490 from Raymond James in 2004, the service I received was excellent. I had a quote from them at the Birmingham show in 2011 for a 2012 Lunar Clubman SB. I had a 2010 Lunar Clubman ES to part exchange, they made me an excellent offer which I accepted. After asking at some other dealers. When I got home I read the agreement again to find that they had put down my caravan as a 2011 model. I rang them up and told them they immediately said that the offer would have to change. I told them if that was the case I wanted my money back, which they readily agreed and the money was back in my account the next day. 20 minutes later I received a phone call from Paul at Robinsons. He said that someone from Raymond James explaining what had happened and was I still interested if they could match the offer I agreed immediately. The service I got from Robinsons was second to none.
Would I go back to Raymond James the answer is no.
Would I buy from Robinsons again definitely Yes.
Forgot to say Robinsons is in Worksop and Chesterfield.
We have bought 2 caravans from Raymond James one in 2008 and then we exchanged and bought another caravan from them in 2011. We have been very pleased with servicing and any problems with our van have had have been quickly dealt with. We only live 2 miles away from them so often call in for a browse around at the new caravans. Staff are always very friendly. I do agree that caravan accessories are more expensive than Jacksons of Arley
Thanks everyone for your comments and sharing your experiances of this dealership, its much apprieciated, and we are off down to have a look around the place and to view the avante they have in stock tomorrow.
Les, I agree regarding the excellent service from Robinsons, they have been our local dealer of choice for all servicing and repairs, fitting the motormover to our old Zenith, they did cock up big time once on a repair, and actually made the problem worse, but honoured the 12 month garauntee they gave, and re-repaired it free of charge. sadly we wont be buying from them this time around as they are not Elddis dealers, and theres nothing much in the Lunar range that fits our needs.
I will post up my findings after tomorrows visit, in all fairness they havent even seen my Zenith, yet still offered me a decent price for it in part exchange. Im confident that everything on it is ok, in full working order, and they will be pleased with it.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
We bought our new to us caravan in March from Raymond James and got what we thought was a pretty good deal. Unfortunately, when we picked up the caravan it was pretty clear it had not been checked over (bits we'd asked them to sort out prior to collection hadn't been done), they had deliberately hidden a rather major problem from us and the van was not as described, missing an external socket that was listed in the advert. Given we had spent just north of £8k I was furious and had to take the van back to be sorted out.
However, Raymond James did sort out the issues with good grace, although it took a few weeks and we are now very happy with it. I would use them again, but I would certainly be a bit more thorough with my inspection and go over the van utterly, open all drawers, move cushions around, check off the description on the advert against the van.
We brought our unicorn from them in April and they were very good and done a great deal, we did have to take it back for warranty work to be done and they sorted it out without fuss and very quickly but now one of the problems have returned!
------------- Easter - Burford
May - WoodFarm Dorset
June - IOW
Aug - can't decided
October - Yorkshire
Plus many more weekends at every possible chance!
Rolallan, funny you should say that. I had completely forgotten that when our van was advertised, it said it came with a microwave. When we went to pick it up there was no sign of one. We mentioned this and were told that it was a mistake on the advert, but they would post us a new one. True to their word, one arrived on my doorstep a week later. Unfortunately the one at home had just died so the new one never made it into the caravan.....
Well we have finally done it, as from mid July, we will be the proud owners of a new Avante 462, we travelled down to Warwickshire this morning, about an hours run from home down the A38, we were greated by very friendly staff, and as soon as our salesman had finished dealing with another customer, he handed us the keys and told us to take as much time as we liked looking around and getting a feel for our new caravan.
My husband, after many years as a joiner, started to go over it with a fine tooth comb, and took out a pen and paper and make out a list of things needing attention on the Pdi, nothing major, a wardrobe door warped and tight fitting, one of the locker handles scratched, bathroom door handle needing adjustment, but as far as we could see everything else was ok, and in all fairness this caravan had not been through its Pdi yet.
Refareing back to the post above regarding customers being asked to complete their own paperwork, today we were handed a Pdi sheet and asked to list anything about the caravan that we were not happy about, but nothing else, we were not using their finance facilities, so that part was not applicable to us. No pressure to buy was placed upon us, the yard was fairly busy, and they had plenty of stock. We now have an appointment to spend the day with them whist the mover is swopped over and they give us a hand over tour of the caravan.
I do feel rather sad though at having to say goodbye to our Zenith, we have had four seasons of fun and at times a few tears in her, when my husband took ill with kidney stones and a blockage at Warwick CC site, but im hoping now that a new family will buy her as a good starter van, and continue to enjoy her for many years to come.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Good for you! The van you wanted at last! I'm sure everything will go well, you've obviously had a thorough look at the van and know what to check for when you pick it up.
I think whatever dealer you buy from there will be good and bad stories, but making sure the van is right before you leave the forecourt can only be a good start.
Enjoy the van when you get it, changeover day will be here before you know it!
I don’t know about their Caravan Departments but their Awning Department leaves much to be desired.
I purchased a porch awning on-line from Raymond James early in May 2013. Unfortunately it was not possible to try it out before going on holiday when we found that it would not erect properly. I sent photos to Raymond James who assured me “It will be sorted” and I arranged to take it back to their showroom the Saturday following our return from holiday.
It was “erected” after a fashion in the showroom and I was bluntly told that it was normal and the manufacturer’s rep. would laugh if a complaint were to be made. I was given instructions on how to erect the awning and which totally contradicted those of the manufacturer. I did point this out but to no avail. My wife and I found the whole experience patronizing beyond words! The term “Given the brush off” comes to mind!
At home, we tried the awning again without any real success and sent a further detailed email and photos to Raymond James using the previously successful email address and asking them to take up the matter with the manufacturer. This was ignored.
In desperation, I emailed the manufacturer’s MD (copy to Raymond James) who responded asking me to try several things but which proved unsuccessful. I sent him a further email summary of my efforts and a dozen or so photos, after which he arranged a prompt collection of the awning.
A complete replacement awning was received just a week later and this one is absolutely fine and can be erected as it should. The manufacturer has since admitted the problem awning was indeed a “rogue”.
I was obviously pleased and relieved that the manufacturer picked up the problem when Raymond James had not, even though it was their responsibility to resolve the issue - my contract was with them, not with the manufacturer.
I don’t know whether their response (or lack of it!) was from ignorance or disinterest but given that both of my emails were ignored I assume it was the latter. Their dismissive response in the showroom was presumably from ignorance.
I am glad the problem was “only” with an awning and not a caravan
like most dealers there are both good and bad stories,
we had a first class service from Glossop caravans when we bought are new van in 2008, we had some problems these were sorted all out, yet some people have said they are a nightmare to deal with.
most of the people we have spoke to on sites have all been positive. so for as long you have a happy transaction I would not be to concerned with the comments made. enjoy your new van.
Yes, we had Ian, good at getting the van sold but run off his feet on handover day selling to new customers, so we ended up with the regular customer who was working part time for them trying to do his best at what should have been Ian or an Engineers Job.
However after promising me a new microwave turntable that was missing on delivery, and a week later the promise of a courier to deliver me one as none had arrived, finally this morning they sent me one up via a staff member who was on his way to Scunthorpe on business, and diverted off the M1 to finally deliver one to my door.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Mmmm. Where do I start with this one? Had a truly shocker of a day today trying to get a refund from these crooks. My advice would be to check out their reviews on Truspilot before handing over money. Their Finance Director is a particularly interesting chap 😤
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Topic: Raymond James Caravans, opinions please
via mobile 14/4/2022 at 7:23pm
