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Hi Sorry for the late reply - I have also had very indifferent experiences with Wandahome at South Cave, in the past the PX quoted against our caravan has always been derisory to say the least, the last time we visitited we were looking to buy a fairly recent used caravan from them with no PX, they did not seem to be very interested in striking a deal, unless it was all in their favour, very miserly discount for cash and no Px, and not willing to include any extras in lieu of discount, also vans seemed to be slightly overpriced.

We also ended up going to Fry's at Hutton Cranswick, and the service could not have been more different, very professional, excellent deal which included at least £350 worth of "extras", also very competively priced caravan, needless to say we bought the caravan, and have never regretted it, their after sales service is also excellent

I have no affilliation with Fry's but always recognise good service - Wandahome are not a bad dealer, but need to understand that customers have choices, and will go elsewhere if the service is not up to scratch

Hi,  Not to purchase a caravan but I recently contacted Wandahome at Knottingley with regards to a part I required for my van.  The young lady I spoke to could hardly be bothered to help me.  I asked her for a price which she went away to check and then came back and told me.  I then made my apologies but needed to know what colour I would require and what they had in stock.  She put the phone down without saying anything and came back saying they only have it in white.  To say the least her customer care was severely lacking and even over the phone I could tell that everything was too much trouble for her.  As a result I went on the internet, found a supplier (Leisure Shop Direct), rang them and they could not have been more helpful.  Part ordered and on its way.

Needless to say I will not use Wandahome again.  Their loss.

Shirley

Hi, Sound like one to be avoided at all costs, maybe they are not in the caravan business, just a front for the real business (Laundry).

Twurly, you had no rite to disturb that young lady, she may have been texting her pals, and heaven forbid, she should earn her wage, by actually having to speak to any would be customer in a courteous manner . sadly its all to common.

Quote: Originally posted by tizaul on 06/8/2011

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Anyone thinking of buying a caravan from this company with a trade in beware. I took a two year old Stirling Diamond in to trade against another van. In good faith I paid a £500 deposit, however having been told by the salesman that should they find anything wrong with mine and the deal does not go through I would get my deposit back. Although they would not look at it until the day of exchange they said it had water ingress so could not go ahead until Swift agreed to do it under warranty. I was going on holiday 4 days later and impressed this on them. they said as Swift were on holiday it could take three weeks. As they had rejected my van in its present state I took it back to the supplier, Frys nr Driffield in East yorkshire who said it was very minor and did not need to be a warranty claim. However although Wanda homes had rejected my van they refuse to return my £500. BEWARE OF WANDAHOMES

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Hi tizaul, Welcome to the forum, I think this is one for Phil’s advice regarding the non return of your deposit, you will get some good legal advice from him, and other lawyers on this site they should see this shortly.

Hi tizaul, In the absence of any legal advice from our lawyer member on here, they maybe on holiday still and not seen the post. I think it is time to go and see Citizens Advice, their Legal Advice, and their Trading Standard Department will help you get things sorted with this company.

From the way you have described the situation tizaul there was no contract to purchase. It was at best a conditional agreement subject to satisfactory compliance with certain conditions. Those conditions were not met (according to Wandah ome)so there was no contract. Thus both parties are entitled to be put back into the position they were in before they discussed the deal i.e you get your money back. If they are keeping that desposit then they could only do so if you are in breach of contract and that sum of £500 represents reasonable damages for that breach of contract.

Now, you need to look at your paperwork. If they gave you some paperwork there may be terms and conditions set out in there about the deposit. It is not unlawful for a receipt for a deposit to express that the deposit is non-refundable if the buyer is unable to pay the balance amount within a stipulated time period. So, the paperwork may be at odds with what the sales person told you. In the order of things a sales person says one thing, then you are then induced to part with your money and finally you get the paperwork. It falls on the buyer to make sure that in that time line promises made at the first stage are not altered at the end by the paperwork. Generally, it is what is agreed in the paperwork that matters and not what was said as part of the negotiations.

Now, if you do have paperwork which sets out a different scenario to that given to you verbally by the sales person you may be able to argue that it is an unfair contract term and so under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and the The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 they cannot enforce that provision.

If the paperwork does include a standard pre printed clause saying that the deposit is not refundable then that would assist your cause. Pre printed conditions tend to be interpreted under this legislation in favour of the consumer.The legislation requires evidence of "good faith" before the clause would be found in favour of the dealer. if you were "tricked" for example, into parting with your money, then that would hint at bad faith.

You could try a discussion with Trading Standards at County Hall Beverley or contact the Director General of Fair Trading;

Phil

It is often the case that consumer problems arise because of how we buy. In your case, sad though it is to say, because of the nature of your particular deal, they are entitled to keep your £500. Good business sense may dictate that it would be beneficial to the business to give it back and get good reports on message boards such as this but we are where we are.

I read of many people who do deals on the basis that their van will be looked at at a later date. Let it be a lesson. Get the figures first and then take your van in for everything to be firmed up before you agree the deal. If you lose the avn by this time delay so be it. There are other vans. If you feel that you can't do that then change the paperwork so that it is clear that the deposit is refundable if the deal does not go ahead. After all if we are changing cars we take the car to the garage when we first go to view a car.

Useful post tizaul, for others about to change vans. This is where boards like this are very very helpful

I agree with salmong on Frys of Cranswick. That's the positive message businesses want

Phil