We collected our much awaited Olympus 464 on Saturday. On the whole we are very pleased with it but there are a couple of things I'm not entirely happy with. What I'm not sure about, having never owned a new caravan before, is am I being too picky?
The shower door is cracked, it looks as if someone has tried to open it without unlocking it first. The dealer had already spotted this during the PDI and had already ordered a replacement so I'm happy with that. The upholstery appears to have been stitched by a child, the seams in the back cushions aren't straight and do not line up with the seams on the seat cushions, they are also of very uneven spacing. The fabric appears to have been sewn at an angle so that the pattern is lopsided. This also applies to the headboard where the pattern is at an angle. When I pointed this out to the salesman he suggested that it was because the caravan wasn't level!! (Made me giggle :lol: ) We went for the upgraded Andorra fabric, wished I stuck with the standard fabric now.
There are lumps under the floor covering, I suppose it's bits of wood or plastic that hadn't been swept out prior to laying the floor. The floor covering is of a greater concern because there is no way of lifting it to remove the lumps and I am afraid that they may make holes through the flooring.
So what do you all think? Am I being picky or expecting too much?
Congrats on your new van. After spending a fortune on the van I would go through with a fine tooth comb, and no your not being picky, as to the floor, if its not right don't accept it.
No, I feel you not being too picky, especially as you have paid extra for the upgrade uphostery. How bad are the floor lumps? Are the noticable when the carpet is in place?
No you're not being picky. You've spent a lot of money on a brand new product and it ought to be in A1 condition.
If you bought a sofa with lopsided stitching it would be returned. If you had a new floor laid at home and they left debris under it you wouldn't pay until it was rectified.
When we recently tried to buy a new caravan the number of faults on display models was appalling. OK bits get damaged whilst on display (but that doesn't say much for the durability of the product in the first place) - but many of the faults were just shoddy construction.
The industry seems to think that caravanners will pay top money for a second rate product. That has to change.
Thank you for your replies. When I mentioned the upholstery to the salesman I got the impression that I was being too fussy, now I am confident that I am not.
The lumps in the floor are not noticable when the carpets are down. I only noticed them when I removed the carpets to sweep the floor when I got home. We have three dogs so I will remove the carpets when the weather is wet. I am concerned that whatever is under the flooring will work its way through if we walk on it.
How patronising of the salesman! I wonder what his wife would have made of lopsided upholstery and lumpy floor!
Id phone them immediately to tell them you're returning it, and then go through every nook and cranny and make a list. No matter how small you think the fault is (and what you've described so far isnt small in my opinion) they should put it right. You havent paid for an imperfect van (or a "second" if you want to think of it like that!) youve paid for a perfect one. Dont accept anything less.
I agree with other ,we took delivery of a new Bailey Ranger GT60 520-4 in April this year direct from Bailey through Discovery leisure Birtley and it is perfect.
If I was you I would hitch it all up now and take it back to the caravan dealer you bought it from and tell them to sort it and quick !
I would also have no hesitation of naming the dealer on this site if they do not give you some prompt attention!
please take it back and ask them for what you have paid for.QUALITY FINISH.with nothing broken or out of place,how can you do a PDI and not see the floor is not correct? picky,im so fussy they would have locked the door on my approach.
I am afraid that they may make holes through the flooring.
yes they will.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Quote: Originally posted by Anniemacxx on 19/7/2010
How patronising of the salesman! I wonder what his wife would have made of lopsided upholstery and lumpy floor!
Id phone them immediately to tell them you're returning it, and then go through every nook and cranny and make a list. No matter how small you think the fault is (and what you've described so far isnt small in my opinion) they should put it right. You havent paid for an imperfect van (or a "second" if you want to think of it like that!) youve paid for a perfect one. Dont accept anything less.
Hi there totaly agree get it rite back get it sorted, salesman fobbing you off cos he dosent want any hastle,was'nt that way when he made the sale and was collecting a hefty commission.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
I'm going to take photos and make a list of problems tonight and then call the dealer in the morning. I am concerned that the dealer may want me to leave the 'van with them for weeks which would be a problem because we have holidays booked in August. Are warranty issues usually dealt with quickly?
Not picky at all, when you hand over your hard earned for a new van,you expect a new and in good condition,get it back to them asap,lumpy floors are not what you paid for.
I am a carpet fitter and ex upholsterer and would not accept the floor or a patterned material that was not straight,you will see that its out every time you look at it.
They may have a problem fixing the floor if everything is fitted on top of it as its usually the first thing to go on to the base.They may just cut round the fittings to lift the vinyl to get the bits out.
I would check to see how they are going to rectify the problems.
The bits are more than likely bits of wood that have been dragged onto the floor as it was laid onto the base and even if they had found them on the PDI i doubt they would do anything about it as it may mean taking everything back out.
Good your first positive move is take the caravan back and make a list of the problems, but also date it! (and keep a copy).
Don't leave until they tell you 'what they are going to do' and 'when they are going to do it'!
Don't be afraid to mention your local trades and standards office if you appear to be getting nowhere, tell them the date your going on holiday and you want it done seven days before you leave latest!
Also important is if they have to remove things you expect the caravan to be put back to 'as it left theBailey factory' ! this is important as many items are specialy sealed now or installed during the build.
Finally when you pick it up don't be rushed ask for time on your own and go over it with a toothbrush!
Sorry I am not nearer as I would just love to come along with you when you return the caravan as your long lost uncle !
I called my dealer this morning with this list of complaints:
Upholstery has wonky seams and lopsided pattern both on cushions and headboard, shoddy workmanship.
Several lumps under the flooring including one that feels like the head of a large bolt or possibly the bottom of a nut.(This is in the centre of the van between the wheels.)
LED light cover hanging off.
Front blind will not pull down straight and if pulled down has a crease down the middle.
Window to left of entrance door has a deep 2 inch scratch.
Trim to left of bathroom sink chipped.
Shower door split from top down approximately 4 inches.
Small dent in the front of the van between gas locker door and A frame.
Was put through to service department. Was told that the van would need to come in to be assessed and have photos taken of the problems. The photos and a report would then be sent to Bailey and Bailey will decide what they will sanction for repair under warranty. When Bailey send their findings back to the dealer it will then take a further 4 - 6 weeks to get the parts. I tried to press the engineer to tell me how they would go about repairing the floor but he was non-committal.
Was then called by a lady from the warranty department who basically said the same. She did say however that if we could get our van to them soon and let them keep it for a week they would rectify the minor issues and take the photos, then they would get back to us when Bailey have decided what to do.
I'm not happy. This is our first new van. We have been saving for ages and have been waiting 10 weeks for delivery and now this!!! I know that there are forum members that have had far worse problems than ours but I'm absolutely gutted.
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Topic: Olympus 464 - Am I being picky?
When I mentioned the upholstery to the salesman I got the impression that I was being too fussy, now I am confident that I am not.
