It might just be me. I have just purchased a nearly new van but privately.
I am in the process of having the warranty transferred over to me. Anyway, today I was passing the main dealer who suuplied the van so called in to ask how much notice was required for when the service was due. The lady was very pleasant at first and advised me accordingly. I explained that I had just purchased the van but not from them, but they are the supplying dealer originally. No problem she said, just book it in when I am ready. I asked, if anything was found during the service would they take care of any warranty work. No no she said quite abruptly, we are far too busy for that. So I asked but you are not too busy to do the service. thats right she said, I can do your service but not any work because you didn't buy the van from us.
Ok i thought and left.
In business, I suppose I am known as a brand loyalist. I am new to caravanning and if this lady had been polite and could of looked after my van during the manufactures warrany period if needed, she would of had a customer for life. But, as such, I will look elsewhere.
I can only expect that they don't get paid the same hourly rate from the manufacturer as they would from me, or is it just me expecting too much?
But the first owner DID buy the van from them, so they did sell the van, they keep up the warranty work if and when required.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
We purchased a Bailey nearly new privately. I paid Bailey to transfer the warranty over to me which was all done very efficiently.
I then called my local Bailey dealer to book the van in for a service and some minor warranty work to be told I would have to pay a new customer registration fee first of £250 as the van wasn't supplied by them. When i challenged them on their justification for charging me to pay them to work on my van they openly admitted the rates they are paid by Bailey to carry out warranty repairs is less than it costs to complete them, so they effectively lose money on each claim. They weren't prepared to look at the overall picture which was me shopping in their very good accessory shop and giving them the service work.
Giving up on that idea I called the supplying dealer who are about 45 mins away. They were more than happy to carry out any warranty work if I would give them the service work too. I thought very fair and the van has always gone to them since even though it's further away.
It's clear to see the caravan industry still has some of its quirks!
Have also found that dealers will not entertain you if you have not bought your van from them or they will do your work if you are willing to wait a few months.
I can understand their position. People go to caravan shows and get the best deal they can even if it means the supplier is far away. The local dealership hasn't had the sale so why are they expected to provide the warranty service on the off chance a couple of bits and pieces may be bought from the accessory shop.
If the rates for warranty work paid by the manufacturers isn't great then why should they divert workshop services from their own loyal customers?
i would think warranty work is a liability a dealer has to take on as part of the deal when they sell new caravans..
i would also guess that if they are unlucky enough to sell a van that later develops problems they lose money on it.. the profit they make on the new van when they sell it helps cover the cost of the overall package..
quite why anyone would expect a dealer to take on the warranty liability when they havnt made the initial profit from selling the van is beyond me..
this is all what buying from a dealer is all about.. and what you lose when you pay less and buy privately..
I just thought, it was like the way car dealers work. Whoever does the service, if anything is wrong, they fix it under the warranty no matter where the car was purchased.
The dealership in question was 45 miles away from me, so not on the doorstep. I just think it looks good for future selling on, that the sales and service all handled by one company looks better.
Also its not that they get the odd sale from the accessory shop along with a service, its word of mouth, recommendations, forum discussions etc etc, a lot of stuff that they can't even buy from advertising. If ten people buying a caravan from them told me, and although I have not bought a caravan from but explained my experience, how many people would then have doubt, wheras if I had said how brilliant they had been I am sure that the response would be more positive.
Quote: Originally posted by trog100 on 20/5/2015
i would think warranty work is a liability a dealer has to take on as part of the deal when they sell new caravans..
i would also guess that if they are unlucky enough to sell a van that later develops problems they lose money on it.. the profit they make on the new van when they sell it helps cover the cost of the overall package..
quite why anyone would expect a dealer to take on the warranty liability when they havnt made the initial profit from selling the van is beyond me..
this is all what buying from a dealer is all about.. and what you lose when you pay less and buy privately..
trog
The clue is in the word 'dealership'.
It gives them exclusive rights to sell in that area in exchange for doing the warranty work at a discount to the manufacturer, same as the car market.
Quote: Originally posted by johnnyfuggles on 20/5/2015I just thought, it was like the way car dealers work. Whoever does the service, if anything is wrong, they fix it under the warranty no matter where the car was purchased.
The dealership in question was 45 miles away from me, so not on the doorstep. I just think it looks good for future selling on, that the sales and service all handled by one company looks better.
Also its not that they get the odd sale from the accessory shop along with a service, its word of mouth, recommendations, forum discussions etc etc, a lot of stuff that they can't even buy from advertising. If ten people buying a caravan from them told me, and although I have not bought a caravan from but explained my experience, how many people would then have doubt, wheras if I had said how brilliant they had been I am sure that the response would be more positive.
My local caravan dealer blew any chance they had of ever selling me a caravan, new or old with his manner and attitude about discounting an incomplete kit worth about £20.00.
For the sake of good order and to protect the innocent it was Roundstone in Horsham.
a bit off the subject but i know a chap who used to sell maglite torches.. they should be expensive items with a life time warranty..
his pet hate was people that bought a (cheap deal) maglite torch from a super market and then when it went wrong brought it to him and expected him to take care of the life time warranty..
he lost out two ways.. the cheap super market price cost him sales and then people who had not contributed to his profits (livelihood) in the slightest expected him to handle the life time warranty claims for free..
exclusive rights to sell aint always quite what they seem.. :)
Quote: Originally posted by trog100 on 20/5/2015
i would think warranty work is a liability a dealer has to take on as part of the deal when they sell new caravans..
i would also guess that if they are unlucky enough to sell a van that later develops problems they lose money on it.. the profit they make on the new van when they sell it helps cover the cost of the overall package..
quite why anyone would expect a dealer to take on the warranty liability when they havnt made the initial profit from selling the van is beyond me..
this is all what buying from a dealer is all about.. and what you lose when you pay less and buy privately..
trog
So where would someone who bought the van privately be expected to go then.....?
Utterly outdated and unfair practices by the caravan manufacturers who cause this with poor quality control and poor rates paid for warranty work.
i would hazard a guess that the dealer seller would be obligated by the warranty.. if he isnt the seller it would be up to the buyer to sort things out with the manufacturer..
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Topic: Strange attitude from main dealer?
