Unfortunately "Boring old white boxes" sell, that's why British manufactures make them!
Most buyers of new caravans are in the older age range when they can spend their hard earned lump sum on something they can enjoy. The British type of caravan is just what they are after, which is why so many foreign companies trying to sell new caravans in this country eventually give up and withdraw back to their own countries.
Lets face it, the country runs on profit making and nothing else. If it sells make more and don't buck the trend!
We went today (sorry,yesterday - Sat!) bought exactly what we were looking for in Towsure and spent less than fifty quid. Didn't look at motorhomes, park homes or caravans, no point looking at what you neither want nor can afford, though we did look at the trailer tents and folding campers, and had a quick look in the tent hall. The one thing that really did take our fancy wasn't even in the show, it was in the car park near us. It was a Hymer motorhome in a really smart grey and red - if we were looking for a motorhome that's the one we would get, but unless we win the lottery we'll have to stick to our tt.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
Quote: Originally posted by Tigermouse on 24/2/2008
We went today (sorry,yesterday - Sat!) bought exactly what we were looking for in Towsure and spent less than fifty quid. Didn't look at motorhomes, park homes or caravans, no point looking at what you neither want nor can afford, though we did look at the trailer tents and folding campers, and had a quick look in the tent hall. The one thing that really did take our fancy wasn't even in the show, it was in the car park near us. It was a Hymer motorhome in a really smart grey and red - if we were looking for a motorhome that's the one we would get, but unless we win the lottery we'll have to stick to our tt.
Same here. Went yesterday and only looked in a Fleetwood as a matter of interest and a Willerby home. The rest of the time was spent looking at the accessory stalls and then we were only in Hall 5 mainly with a quick trip to the towsure stand.
The most annoying part about the whole visit was that there was no seating whatsoeve4r and being slightly disabled found that walking too far got to me after awhile. unfortunatley i could not sit on the floor like so many people as I would not have been able to ge up afterwards.
However on the brighter side the wife got a jaffle iron for toasties, a salad slicer, a couple bottles of Miltons,(4 litres ofr £3), a brush for washing the caravan and a trolley from Towsure.
We bought a cup of coffee - and shared it, sitting at the Caravan Club tables - the only place where there were plenty of places to sit down.
We looked at all the makes of caravan, but didn't buy - and we looked at accessories but didn't buy. We liked the Sterling Europa 495, or the Sprite Quattro FB - but not many others - and the Quattro is rather too heavy for our present car. I did rather like the Lunar Freelander special on the Chichester Caravans stand, but it was out of our price range. We did get a couple of free bags from the Swift stand which will be great for keeping the electric hook-up leads in!
However on the brighter side the wife got a trolley from Towsure.....
I think everybody got a trolley from Towsure!! We got the trolley, an awning companion, and three packs of cylinders for the portable stove - as soon as we got through the checkout I opened up the trolley and dumped everything else in it, including our jackets. Beats carrying stuff, though I did push it rather than pull it, then I could keep it out of other peoples' way.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
a little table for the awning and 2 big melamine mugs, spent less than a tenner. very very nearly bought a Bailey Pagaent Burgundy but after being given bullsh*t and a dodgy part ex price from the salesperson decided against it.
nice van though and tops the next van shopping list.
also a bit of a whinge about the lack of seating areas, had to make do with the floor at one point and less than helpful salesfolk who would happily sell you a caravan with a weight of 1560 kgs to tow with a 2litre diesel mondeo.110% doesnt matter its outdated these days,just go steady.
I did rather like the Lunar Freelander special on the Chichester Caravans stand, but it was out of our price range. We did get a couple of free bags from the Swift stand which will be great for keeping the electric hook-up leads in!
LOL, we liked that van as well and also grabbed the swift bags for life.
We have not long got back home, bought a few bits & bats had a look at a few porch awnings. Looked at most of the Caravans & checked that Bailey did not have a show special cheaper than we have just paid for our new van & i was surprised as with most dealers the show specials were not show specials at all, most were full RRP. I'm just glad we did our deal when we did, last weekend. aWe paid £1500 under RRP with a dealer, on a 2008 factory fresh van & collect this Friday. I think anyone looking for a new van at the NEC would have been very disappointed unless they got the salesman on a good day.
I also ordered a power touch model 3 mover earlier this week and managed to get a price match of £559 + £100 for fitting not bad when at the show they were selling at full RRP £975 did not ask at sales stand if they would move on price but seemed to be many people ordering them.
All in all a good day out but dont think there were too many bargains to be had.
got to agree with that. we were offered the bailey Paegant burgundy at £13185 and a poor part ex of 4000 for our van but then adjusted it to 4800 but there was no guarantee this `special` price would be the price after the show . cant see anything special about it at all. dont know where some of these figures are plucked from but the forecourt price of a 2001 elddis avante 534 is far more than the £5500 the salesman reckoned. delivery times were also a very grey area , looking at end of march / early april but if we ordered before the end of show they could deliver earlier. "bullsh*t" meter went wild at this point !!
saw a couple of decent dealer specials with some good extras over standard trim but the one we really liked had naff upholstery and that couldnt be changed .
Myself, the missus and 3 year old daughter got back earlier this evening. We bought a boat for a cool 325 thousand!.......
I bloody wish!!!
Great day out really enjoyed it and so did the missus and daughter. We bought some fudge and spent 12 quid on 3 soft drinks, bag of crisps and a large cookie! Next time we'll take our drinks. We came back with loads of brochures and stuff which have give us plenty ideas for where to go this year on our hols.
Im not a greedy person but if could have bought just 1 thing back it would have been an Avondale caravan we looked at. Bout 15ft, 4 berth and going for £11,500. The huge caravans and motorhomes were loveley and all that but i just fell in love with this caravan. Im not one for these caravans with ready made double beds and stuff. Just give me the one i fell in love with and i'll be well happy. So if anyones got a spare 11 grand they would like to donate to me and my family.... (i'd be willing to chip 500 quid of my own money!)
a little table for the awning and 2 big melamine mugs, spent less than a tenner. very very nearly bought a Bailey Pagaent Burgundy but after being given bullsh*t and a dodgy part ex price from the salesperson decided against it.
nice van though and tops the next van shopping list.
What dealer was it? just curious
Bought our new van in October from dealer we have dealt with for a while. Excellent service and nice people. Seen the same van ths time and it was more.
Also had the powrtouch mover put on as well and got show deal on that as well.
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: What did you buy from the NEC?
(i'd be willing to chip 500 quid of my own money!)
