We're pretty much settled on the caravan that we want (a Bailey Ranger 550/6) but we are holding fire on any purchase until we've been to the NEC - just in case!
My question is this...what can we expect in the way of discount on a new van, or having extras thrown in?
I would like to know what is reasonable and what's not. Would they consider for example throwing in a full Dorema awning? Would they go further than that?
If we do decide on a new model, we would like to know that we got the very best deal possible as it would be stretching our budget.
Any experiences?
------------- Claire x
Jan 2013 - Skiing, Kühtai, Austria
May - Swiss Farm
Fforest Ffields
Aug - Saumur, France
Oct - Somewhere...
Jan '14 - Skiing, Les Houches
People often speak of good bargains at shows although no personal experience as I don't think I would buy at a show. It will depend whether there is a trade in involved as far as any extras are concerned. You could always chance your luck with the awning! It could just be the right time to get something like that. Just one thing to consider about buying at a show, sometimes the dealers are a long way from where you live so if you have any issues that need attending it could be a long journey back to the dealer. I appreciate that sounds a bit on the pessimistic side but worth considering.
I agree with David - most of the time the "deals" are no better than you can get from your local dealer. You could save £200 on the "deal" but have to travel 3 or 400 miles to get warranty work done.
I would certainly try to get a good price but would look for a dealer (there is always a good selection unless like us you are from N Scotland) near to where you live.
Best of luck - got to be the best time for a first time buyer - you only have to look at the latest magazines to see what deals are about. One point - there are a lot of last years vans still on the forecourts - that is where you could get your best deal.
Jan
We have been looking at new and 2nd hand at several local dealers, we like the 2009 Adria Altea 542DK and its £9704, light to tow, nice finish etc and has the layout we want (large double at the front, 2 large bunks at the back left side and a table/ 2 chairs opposite, I think its the same as the bailey you like but only 2 bunks) We managed to talk the dealer into an awning, ehu, aquaroll, wastemaster, wheelclamp, hitchlock etc etc for the £9704.
Friends with vans tell me when you have nothing to trade in you are more likely to get a good deal and I agree with the previous poster about perhaps a 2008 model being a better deal but cant find one I like LOL.
I have my eye on a couple of vans also on ebay, all the same layout (twin dinette). We too are holding back for the NEC though.
------------- Thistledown Easter
Nantcol June
Domaine du Verdon Castellane and Etoile d'Argens Frejus Aug
Interesting Pager - w've actually swapped to the double bunk at the back because our eldest lad only just fits the bunks in the 540/6 - in another year or so he will be too big. So, we're looking at the 550/6 but they don't do that in 2009 model and I can't find a dealer that still has a 2008 on the forecourt.
Incidentally which dealer are you dealing with to get such a good deal on the Altea? We looked at that one too as it's light to tow - we can't go over 1300kg so that limits us a lot.
------------- Claire x
Jan 2013 - Skiing, Kühtai, Austria
May - Swiss Farm
Fforest Ffields
Aug - Saumur, France
Oct - Somewhere...
Jan '14 - Skiing, Les Houches
Ive just got a brilliant deal from white arches in rushden. £500 off list price and a bundle of extras (awning, battery, gas bottle etc etc worth about £1000 on top)
------------- hawk
"Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone"
I have the body of a greek god - its in my freezer
Quote: Originally posted by generalhawk on 30/9/2008
Ive just got a brilliant deal from white arches in rushden. £500 off list price and a bundle of extras (awning, battery, gas bottle etc etc worth about £1000 on top)
Well done Hawk, just goes to show deals are 'out there' and everyone is feeling the bite, dealers too.
Stands to reason then that NEC dealers will be feeling it to.....
i cant believe they stopped 550/6 its gone luckily we got last one at our dealers and got a great deal got it for under 10k . oh wants louisiana now any way i bet she wins before the 3 year dead line i set for it/......
We bought new at the NEC show a couple of years ago. We knew exactly what we wanted and had a good idea about the market prices gained before and during the show. (We bought on the last day of the show)
We are lucky because there are a number of Swift dealers in our area.
If you do not buy "local" then (never mind what they say) there will be some difficulties when it comes to warranty work and servicing as there is no goodwill floating about if you try and get another dealer interested in somebody else's problem.
We got a good deal at the show, an excellent trade in, and a free glass of bubbly.
Set your budget beforehand and try hard not to exceed it!
yes Claire its Pearman Briggs, he said he only had 1 or 2 left with a December delivery or otherwise delivery is May 09 which is no good for us, by the time my OH decides it'll be too late.
------------- Thistledown Easter
Nantcol June
Domaine du Verdon Castellane and Etoile d'Argens Frejus Aug
There's a 2007 Adria Altea 542UK 5 berth, for £7,995 (I think) in a caravan dealer near to us, at Idle, if anyone is looking for that particular model. It looks in great shape and seems very light and airy inside. It's also quite wide compared to some British caravans.
We bought an 07 Adria Altea last year from Knowepark Caravans with no trade in and managed to get an oven, heki II, status 530 aeriel and a 5 year extended warranty thrown in for free and all fitted too. Had a couple of silly problems which needed fixed under warranty and our storage place is sorting them as they are Fleetwood approved so with the Adria you don't need to go back to the supplying dealer!
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: NEC new caravans, what to expect?
