Just thought I would let you know that Berkshire caravans has been taken over, and is now called Reading Caravans. It's been bought by the person who has Swindon caravans. Everything appears to be carrying on as before.
I dropped in for a look aaround last week and found all caravans locked up and no staff appoached me, this was entirely different when is was Berkshire Caravans, so I don,t think I will be going back there. The time of my visit was 2.15pm mid week. I have used this company before and now its not the same.
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Fat Bum are you still at Mrs Lake? we are though we used to be right in front of the barn, but they have moved us right to the back now, the newish section that was added, as we complained that the caravan was getting too dirty, it would get covered in straw in the winter from the wind blowing it from the barn. Have you noticed they are having new electric gates fitted.
Pity really I have not used them but my friends have and they were extremely pleased, I have however used Oxford Caravans and both the PDI and the service were abysmal so many things missed and repaired incorrectly.
I could not in all honesty recommend the Oxford Caravan branch to anybody for servicing maybe the Swindon site is better?
Mrs Mop
Yes we are still there and OH commented on new gates the last time he took the caravan back. We are on the far side but we only have quite a small space, which is fine for our relatively small caravan, but if we get a bigger van we will need to move to another space and I am not sure if they will let us do that as there doesn't seem to be much space!
Quote: Originally posted by sdrew56 on 24/9/2009
Pity really I have not used them but my friends have and they were extremely pleased, I have however used Oxford Caravans and both the PDI and the service were abysmal so many things missed and repaired incorrectly. I could not in all honesty recommend the Oxford Caravan branch to anybody for servicing maybe the Swindon site is better?
Recently bought my third van from Oxford Caravan Centre, never had a problem with them, used them when it was Centre Caravans and never a problem then.
Never thought much of the sales guys but Matthew the manager at what was Berkshire Caravans service centre is a star. He was great, cleaning and fixing our van after it was nicked and has dealt with all other small niggles efficiently and without hassle. Aftersales and servicing is IMHO should be the main criteria for selection of a dealer - unfortunately the standard of servicing is not readily apparent.
I agree Mathew is very nice, there is some miserable tall grey haired chap there who isn't very friendly on the sales side, however we have always been happy with the servicing side.
Fatbum, I hope the gates don't mean the price will go up again, because there was a big hike in prices just over a year ago! however the gates will have to be paid for I suppose, and it will make it more secure.
We bought a new Coachman Amara from Berkshire Caravans, now Reading Caravans in July this year. Pleased with caravan overall, but abysmal sales experience...
We bought the GT which is their own dealer upgrade "special", which on sale included a number of extras - hence the upgrade. One of which we were told by the sales guy included a DVD player upgrade to the usual CD system.
On collection, they had forgotten to put the system in - it had been left at their Swindon branch and I was told it would be posted on within a couple of days. Whilst a bit disorganised, we didn't mind until it arrived and it wasn't the DVD as said but a CD only system. I called them saying that it wasn't a DVD and the sales man said, "oh, I don't think it's a DVD only a CD on the upgrade". Interesting I thought considering - pre sale - that's not what he said!
I have since been trying to get a reply from the Sales Manager to my complaint, but to date he has not responded to any calls or emails - despite numerous chasing. I am at a loss as to what to do and would not recommend them to anyone. I will certainly not be purchasing any future vans from them, which considering we upgrade every 3 years or so I think I'm a fairly good customer.
We feel misold to, and whilst in the scheme of things is not a huge amount in £ terms for the DVD upgrade, they have completly lost our goodwill and future custom. I think my next step will be to Coachman themselves, but I'm not sure whether they have any control over their dealer's sales practices.
Still use Berkshire, and will continue with them. Service and shop depts I think are very good. And they tell it like it is if you ask direct questions, and all there promises to me have been done. Use them for years, never had any probs.
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Topic: Berkshire caravans bought out
