We're in the process of looking for our 1st van and I'm amazed at how few sellers have replied to emails I've sent asking for more info or to view. I've contacted sellers on here, the CC, preloved and ebay. Must have sent 10 emails and had three responses. Some vans I guess have sold but why dont the sellers remove them once sold to save everyones time. I'm finding it quite frustrating.
Those who have bought 2nd hand privately where did you look/ buy and have you experienced similar when contacting sellers?
------------- Thistledown Easter
Nantcol June
Domaine du Verdon Castellane and Etoile d'Argens Frejus Aug
When I was looking I found a lot didnt reply so I took to checking gumtree and preloved daily and catch the ones that are newly advertised. That worked but unfortunately our budget is too small so we have given up on the idea for now.
IMHO if they dont respond they are usually not worth bothering with, we bought ours off ebay after a fair bit of research and a good dollop of luck, if on fleabay you keep tabs on a particular model you will start to get a feel for the genuine sellers.
Stew
------------- Does it ever get better than spare ribs and chops straight off the BBQ
I have had the same experience but i do think that there are a lot of timewasters out there who ask for information with no intention of buying :(
But as a seller i answered every question and was as helpful and friendly as possible even to those who were wasting my time by making silly offers because my mantra is you never know what is going to happen in the future lol.
I looked on ebay, preloved, gumtree, there is a for sale link up above too, ad-trader, free-ads, friday-ads, auto trader sells caravans too and sometimes just typing in the name of the item i want into the google search would throw up one for sale but sometimes it is just a link to something for sale on this site, preloved, ebay or even stuff for sale 3 years ago lol.
I found bookmarking sites easier to go back to as you can go on so many then think there was something on one site i was on that may be worth going back to look at but you have forgotten which one lol
I bought my little Holivan after seeing an ad on Preloved. We arranged to go and see her and ended up towing her home!
I'd emailed several sellers on eBay about weights of their vans and the few that did bother to respond didn't seem to know so I avoided those!! It's a little worrying when you get replies like "I have no idea but its quite light and I can push it quite easily"!!!!!!
The right van will come along and you'll just know it's the one for you.
Amnesia, check out preloved. I'm advertising alot on there at the min, thats just the excess Alot of the stuff hasnt even been out of its bag. I would advertise on here too but want most of it local pick up only as too much hassle to post/ or too heavy.
Still got plenty left incase we dont get a van in time for our trips already booked this year.
------------- Thistledown Easter
Nantcol June
Domaine du Verdon Castellane and Etoile d'Argens Frejus Aug
We found we had a better response when actually phoning and speaking to people. Contacting people by email is a waste of time as some don't check their email on a regular basis. Many big companies don't repond to emails so unlikely an individual is going to bother with many time wasters as they would reckon if the person was interested enough they would phone.
I enquired about a few and got some very disinterested replies almost as though I was spending £20 on a pair of shoes rather than £?000s on a caravan! Like others have said if they can't be bothered then something may not be right or its sold and they just be bothered telling you. Our seller was brilliant couldn't have done more to helps us - I'm easily pleased but even OH trusted him.
I was all for selling all our camping gear this or next month but OH of all people, says he wants to keep it all for when he wants to take the kids weekend camping for educational purposes!!! Who on earth takes their children for educational weekend camping in a 6 berth frame tent! Although the trusty Cabanons aren't going for much at the mo on Ebay I notice.
Gosh I can't believe how rude some people can be!
I am selling my caravan and have replied to every single enquiry with photobucket pics, phone no and any details I have been asked for.
It's not difficult lol!
oh Fiona that really has made me laugh. Weekend camping in an Athena . Tell him I said hes mad
Petrolhead, is that your Burstner on here? I love it but its too heavy for us. My inlaws have a Burstner motorhome so we know what a good quality van you have.
I'm sure phoning is better and thats what we'll have to start doing instead of emailing intitally.
------------- Thistledown Easter
Nantcol June
Domaine du Verdon Castellane and Etoile d'Argens Frejus Aug
Amnesia, check out preloved. I'm advertising alot on there at the min, thats just the excess Alot of the stuff hasnt even been out of its bag. I would advertise on here too but want most of it local pick up only as too much hassle to post/ or too heavy.
Still got plenty left incase we dont get a van in time for our trips already booked this year.
I'm on it :-)
Forgot to ask, what is your username?
Okay, I have found a few items I believe are yours, could you email me at "me at dan -taylor.co.uk" (without the spaces and the " ") and I can email you back with what I am interested in?
Preloved won't let me contact you as your items are reserved for premium members?
Thanks, Amnesia
Post last edited on 09/03/2011 12:14:38
------------- April Bank Holiday - Woodlands Grove Leisure Park, Dartmouth.
Amnesia, will do. The downside of preloved is unless you pay the £5 a year to be a premium member you have to wait 10 days to reply to ads. Silly if you ask me, thats why I never expect much response for at least the 1st week.
------------- Thistledown Easter
Nantcol June
Domaine du Verdon Castellane and Etoile d'Argens Frejus Aug
I have experienced so much frustration trying to buy caravan's over the years! E-bay is the worst place. Time and again, I find sellers describing caravans as "immaculate" or "excellent" condition. They look good in the photographs but when you actually get there, they are far from it. I once discovered a seller bidding on his own caravan to push up the price. I too have found many sellers to be unresponsive. I have, however, found that sellers advertising in autotrader seem to be slightly better behaved. This time, I restricted my search criterior to vans within 75 miles. All ads carry phone numbers and I found without exception, all calls were either answered or messages returned.
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Topic: Lack of seller responses
Alot of the stuff hasnt even been out of its bag. I would advertise on here too but want most of it local pick up only as too much hassle to post/ or too heavy. 
. Tell him I said hes mad 
