I bought a new Hobby Motorhome from E S Hartley, motorhome dealers of Ings near Kendal, a year ago. Days later I received an eMail from the makers Hobby telling me that I did not own the van as they still did. because they had not received payment from Hartleys, and that Hartleys had registered it with the DVLA using what Hobby described as a forged CoC certificate. It took some time to sort things out and confirm that I had not lost all of £45,000. I had to re-register the van with DVLA. As I did not own the van for a period my insurance cover was invalid as it did not cover me for a vehicle I did not own. I was also fobbed off that only ONE set of keys came with the van and that the second usually came direct from Ford> Then I was told by them that the keys would come from Hobby. Later E S Hartley "found" the keys ans posted them to me. Hobby Germany suggested in an eMail that I press Hartleys for compensation , but nothing is forthcoming ... not even a "sorry"
My first van was bought from a dealer. Main reason was peace of mind as at the time new very little if nothing about caravans. Got a 12 month warranty but never needed it. Second van bought from same dealer and good price as returning customer. Third van bought private had loads of extras and was way cheaper than any dealer could max. This van ended up with damp, not bad damp but enough to knock a few hundered pounds of the selling price. Van we have now bought from a dealer and was a lot cheaper than the list price. Over all i'm happy with the way things have gone. Swings and round abouts as they say and as your knowledge base builts up you confidence of going private also builts up. That of course is entirley my opinion.
Quote: Originally posted by bt1609 on 09/11/2013
thanks for the replies, gives me more confidence I will find something suitable. the van I had seen has now sold and don't feel like I've missed out.
welshwyn what you've bought sounds more sensible for me, is that a hurricane? May keep a look out for something like that.
Yes Its a Hurricane, EX2000 and I'm very impressed with it. Just the right size and layout for my needs.
Quote: Originally posted by Al+Mel on 30/10/2013
If you buy from ebay you might get a bargain, but you might buy a complete pile of junk, with no no comeback whatsoever.
An awful lot of people post on here after buying damp caravans without prior knowledge of the potential problems.
Agree wholeheartedly, that's what I did. I eventually got it sorted out, but it was a trauma I would rather have not gone through.
I learned a lot from the experience though, and would know if I ever bought another what to look out for.
If I hadn't had this experience, then I would go through a dealer, with hindsight.
We bought a caravan from a local firm where we live.
We had it two and a half years and part exed it for a newer model and they took off the price for the newer model, what we paid for the old one.
We once bought one private and it was full of damp.
My bed advice is go to a dealer and you should have 12 months warranty on it, free.
Thanks for your help, I should hopefully be the owner of an elddis vogue hurricane 2 berth 1998 from Thursday. In my price range and will come with a starter kit plus some sort of second hand porch awning, the dealer is even going to take me out for a practice tow.
They've been very helpful so far so keeping everything crossed.
Going up to see it tomorrow again and get some towing mirrors, details for payment etc, also need some security stuff, planning on a milenco hitch lock and compact wheel clamp, do you think that is acceptable?
It will stay in storage at the dealers for the time being as still don't have anywhere more local to keep it. They are also providing 2 months free storage. Might come home for a few days at some point for me to have a really good nosey, however it will get blocked in once we've negotiated our rather narrow gateposts! Sadly can't stay there for long as there just isn't room.
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Topic: buying from a dealer
