Hi, it's very rare for me to passionate enough about anything to want to write about it unless I've been wronged or ripped off but today I wanted to share my positive experience of caravan dealers. We are seasoned campers, we have been sleeping under canvas for many years and last year we took the big decision to buy our first caravan, big investment for us, took alot of saving and a considerable amount of worrying but in Feb 2012 we saw a van we liked in Newport Caravans, anyway we bought it, an Elddis Avante 2003, the dealer gave us a free starter pack inc all the essentials like battery, water/waste containers, steps, Hitchcock, wheelclamp etc...
The van came with a 12 month warranty, we needed a complete novice introduction to the van on collection and the dealership had a lovely fella spend an hour with us showing us how to connect the water pump etc... In our household (me, my useless man and two Bichon mutts) I am the only driver so that was a concern too but a little coaching and even though I get some strange looks as a female behind the wheel its been fine. During the time we had the van we have had a kitchen tap leak, took it into the dealer they replaced the tap, the old status aerial wasn't picking up any signal, they changed it for a snazzy Status 530 and each time we have felt like their one and only special customer.
Now it's out of warranty after the winter storage 'Colin' the caravan had a few issues like freezer door wouldnt stay closed, the bathroom tap was leaking from below, a small crack has appeared on the rear bumper of the van above the number plate and the awning light was flickering. We booked it it, prepared ourselves for the £250 bill thinking that the posh bathroom tap is at least £60 on its own at least.
We collected it yesterday, all job fixed, including a full external wash of the van and our bill £40 and some pence. Again Mark the Director was there moving and hooking up vans, came over for a chat and even noticed we had changed our car (blinking caravan has made me a Chelsea tractor Land Rover Discovery driver).
I feel so relaxed about my caravan maintenance, I don't worry about it, they have superb customer services and I am pretty lucky to have them only 10 miles down the road.
I can't wait to change my van and upgrade it in Newport caravans when my piggy bank gets enough pennies in it. Absolutely marvellous dealership, promise I don't work there just thought after all the sad and unfortunate stories about bad ones I would share a positive story.
It's nice to hear that a caravan dealer at least appreciates you as a valued customer and can fully understand why you would return again. Well done Newport caravans.
hi,i called in there last week whilest staying at tredeger park caravan site,needed a few parts to do running repairs,they could not have been more helpfull,as they were quite busy at the time,we left with our bit,s and pieces and we both had the same throughts how good the service had been,when i am ready to change van they will be my first port of call.
------------- its easy enough to be pleasant when the world rolls along like a song.but a man is worth while if he can smile when every thing goes f------ wrong.
Blinking eck, seriously confusing all this name and location swapping.
Worrying that dealerships are going under, would hate that to happen as a bit of a trek to the alternatives.
I'm surprised you think that there have been lots of problems. I hear taps go all the time with frost cracking the ceramic inside and micro switches breaking yearly for some unlucky owners. It's a nearly ten year old van so a freezer magnet and some taps is pretty awesome I think. I was more concerned about the dreaded damp, I checked the damp report before purchasing and had it done again at year one and even bought myself a damp meter. NOWT. Marvellous.
A blocked kitchen sink because a clip inside the cupboard had moved causing a kink ( which by the way was caused by me probably shoehorning my kettle, toaster and bin into the space ) isn't really a disaster, if I or more if my man was capable of even lifting a screw driver then we could have done that ourselves but working out which way the toilet cassette fits in is like the krypton factor every time we go away! Useless doesn't even begin.....
Maybe next time in several years I'll be able to purchase a new one, they are a Swift dealership I understand and I love nosing at them when I'm there, will be sad to see Colin go but I sure would love a fixed bed so there's no more bed making at night!
I'm really surprised, if a ten year old car had cost me £40 in 15 months I'd be chuffed to bits.
Newport Caravans was set up by the former General manager of Mendip caravans in Newport. He had previously worked at the WSM headquarters of Mendip caravans. His partner in setting up Newport caravans was the former service manager at Mendip WSM.
They both left Mendip at the time it was sold to Discover leisure and set up Newport caravans.
When Discover shutdown its Newport operation they took over the premises and have traded there since that time.
I agree wholeheartedly with all the comments about Newport Caravans. They do make each and every customer feel special and nothing is too much trouble. I am in there quite often and almost always come away with something I need. We had an issue with our water pump which had seized and only discovered it hours before setting out for our holidays last year. I popped the van over there and they fitted it and only charged me for the part. In fact Mark Massey, one of the owner/directors fitted it for me.
Full marks Newport Caravans and long may this continue
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Topic: Newport caravans
