I get my caravan services by a mobile caravan servicer, the book is stamped and he is registered with the National Caravan Council so it doesn't affect warranty. I needed to have some warranty work done and rang the manufacturer for advice - I could have used any of the dealer outlets and they just update the central computer with my service records. My van is a sterling so this will stand for all swift group vans.
There are several recent postings on this-"see show deals" just before this one. In a nutshell you can play dealers off against each other at the show and get a good price. If they are not local to you they will say that it can be serviced and have warranty work done at any approved dealer or other approved service outlets. I have tried this and only the suppling dealer really has any interest. This is because the manufacturers only pay about half the labour rate for this work(or so I am reliably informed by a local dealer and a mobile approved service man. The mobile man actually did some warranty work. When I asked if he needed a signature he laughed and said he would have reams of forms to fill,spend a lot of time chasing his money and if paid it would be at a low rate.For smaller jobs it was cheaper for him to stand the cost .As it advises in previous posts you will need to weigh this against the savings on the deal and the cost of travelling for warranty work.
Jaqugra's post was done while I was doing mine so I had not read it but it reminds me to say that my recent experience was with Bailey and Lunar.I am still waiting for a cupboard front for my Indiana which I part exchanged nealy 3 years ago. Last year a local Lunar dealer dealer asked if I had bought the van from them when it went in for service and warranty work.I hadnt but believed they would still do warranty work.They said the shower door which falls off its runners was as designed and a long green line of mould under the seal along one side of the van was cosmetic and therefore was not warranty.
We bought our van from a dealer about 200 miles away - long story!! Our local caravan centre have no problem in undertaking warranty work, but another slightly further away give me the impression they are not keen. They are both Bailey Transient Warranty people so it rather looks like it's the luck of the draw.
chops58 - in the pastI have gone to shows with no part ex and done really well on price .This was when dealers yards were full of used vans. Last time,18 months ago, I had a 2 year old van and one dealer offerred £2k more than others .I gather nealy new vans were in demand then and it would sell quick.I am not sure what the sitiuation is now.
Thanks for your replies - we've now had a better quote from a local dealer - not the best, but taking the advice on board we will probably go for that! - Now we are just off to Gloucestershire for a few days in our beloved caravan!
------------- Gramps-R-us
Happiness is not having what you want
BUT
wanting what you have.
Wonder how long it will be before you pop into a local Gloucester dealership just to have another look around a Barcelona?
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
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: Warranty Servicing
