Quote: Originally posted by davepolly on 29/6/2017
I am getting my Baily Swift 650 twin axle serviced at the dealer, I got this one brand new last year and part exed my 3 year old van for it, they found a small damp spot, then asked were I had it serviced, I said it was a mobile fitter that came to the site, he then said, if he is not certified your warranty will be void,I know a site fitter is cheaper than the dealer, plus you have to take the van to them, so a site fitter sounds the best option, but how can I tell the site fitter is genuine.
Could save money with independents, but the trouble is the warranty: it might still be valid but if it requires dealer repair you'll be singing for your supper.
Quite unlike car dealerships.
------------- Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.
I have my Bailey Unicorn serviced by an approved engineer at home cost £135 plus parts takes about 4 hours, he found damp in the front lockers and the problem was fixed by the dealer I purchased the van from under the terms of the 10 year warranty. Having it done at home the engineer will point out any problems before carrying out any repairs, not to sure I could trust some main dealers to be honest !
Quote: Originally posted by Hairywol on 30/6/2017
I paid a little over £200 at a Swift Dealership.
Could save money with independents, but the trouble is the warranty: it might still be valid but if it requires dealer repair you'll be singing for your supper.
Quite unlike car dealerships.
I complained about this to swift and was told by them that I can have my van serviced anywhere as long as it is with an approved engineer to keep up with warranty. If warranty work is required you go to the dealer you bought it off and they are Obliged to carry out warranty work for you.
main dealers overcharge for a service and it is not necessary to pay it as long as you follow service schedules. My van has a 10 year warranty for the bodywork so when I get it serviced I send paperwork to swift via email and the always reply stating records have been updated and I keep these emails as proof,
It's a fact that Bailey pay below the going rate in terms of labour costs for warranty work - I've had this confirmed by the dealer. If you take your caravan in for a service and they find a damp problem which will take quite a few hours to rectify, I could really see them "failing" to detect this problem if they've got loads of services and non-warranty booked. Why not wait until the warranty expires and let the punter fork out top rate to get the problem fixed.
Car dealerships work a different type of fiddle when your car is in for service - they will replace your brake pads and other consumables when they don't need replacing. It's the only way mechanics can get their bonuses. That's why I don't use main dealers for car servicing.
I may well do the same with my caravan.
My van is serviced not by a main dealer or mobile engineer, but an independent approved workshop. Even for a TA £270 is expensive, but unlike my local dealer, I get to speak with owner and workshop manager, who know and recognise me, not just Reception staff. Consequently I have that all important relationship, confidence and trust in their work which is worth a few extra £s.
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Topic: Caravan Service Cost.
