buying a new caravan
Discussion
Buy one of the outgoing 2014 models if you can find one that suits and upto 3.5k can be seen.
That's the dealing blowing the whole margin to shift it.
New 2015 models there's no pont I giving away so about £1000 maybe less.
If you know the model then get down to nec show in 2 weeks n haggle hard.
That's the dealing blowing the whole margin to shift it.
New 2015 models there's no pont I giving away so about £1000 maybe less.
If you know the model then get down to nec show in 2 weeks n haggle hard.
We bought second hand for about 7k for our first van, however we went to a couple of shows to get a feel for different layouts. We found there were lots of dealers at the shows trying to shift last years models at heavy discounts - that's where my cash would go if I was ever going to buy new.
Not that I'm going you understand...... - http://www.motorhomeandcaravanshow.co.uk/?gclid=Cj...
yes we are off to the show next month. - looking forward to it.
We are after a 5 berth like the layout with fixed bunks and a small lounge area + make up bed for the children all down one end and adult lounge/bed the other end.
I think Swift do a good layout. Happy with a 2014 model.
Would like to get a air awning - dont fancy the huffing with poles. Motor mover etc.
Thanks for the pointers on price. Like haggling.
We are after a 5 berth like the layout with fixed bunks and a small lounge area + make up bed for the children all down one end and adult lounge/bed the other end.
I think Swift do a good layout. Happy with a 2014 model.
Would like to get a air awning - dont fancy the huffing with poles. Motor mover etc.
Thanks for the pointers on price. Like haggling.
Edited by superlightr on Tuesday 30th September 11:47
The folks are looking at a new caravan, a local retailer had a 2015 model unveiling type weekend a couple of weeks ago. They asked about trade in price for theirs, he gave a good price (more than was expected) and dropped the RRP of the new one by 7%. He used a parkers book for valuation on the trade in, took the top price and added a couple of hundred quid and showed us the book. They do not get commission on sales.
They had already booked to go to the NEC anyway as they want to check all their options. The guy said that manufacturers threaten to increase their prices at the start of October to coincide with the show, sometimes they do go up, sometimes not. The feeling I got was that you might get a better deal going to a dealer than buying at the show. His quotation is valid until October as thats when the new price guide book comes out and this is what they operate on, so if the value of their van drops, so will his trade in price. He was pretty open and easy going.
They had already booked to go to the NEC anyway as they want to check all their options. The guy said that manufacturers threaten to increase their prices at the start of October to coincide with the show, sometimes they do go up, sometimes not. The feeling I got was that you might get a better deal going to a dealer than buying at the show. His quotation is valid until October as thats when the new price guide book comes out and this is what they operate on, so if the value of their van drops, so will his trade in price. He was pretty open and easy going.
superlightr said:
We are after a 5 berth like the layout with fixed bunks and a small lounge area + make up bed for the children all down one end and adult lounge/bed the other end
This is exactly the layout Im after too, either a 5 or 6 berth so we get fixed bunks for children at the rear of the caravan. Edited by superlightr on Tuesday 30th September 11:47
went for a Swift Challenger Sport 586 http://www.swiftgroup.co.uk/caravans/swift/challen... got a good deal at the NEC and due to collect in Feb. Cant wait.
any recommendations as to an awning?!! vango air?
any recommendations as to an awning?!! vango air?
Edited by superlightr on Monday 5th January 19:44
Mum & Dad have a Bailey Seville being delivered in March.
Only hitch so far is that Bailey have sent a memo to all dealers saying that the LED lights on the caravan are causing some slightly older car problems (I presume the lack of load means the car doesn't "see" the light and therefore doesn't switch the buzzer on etc), a box of tricks that will resolve the problem is available and can be fitted to the caravan to resolve the problem.
Only hitch so far is that Bailey have sent a memo to all dealers saying that the LED lights on the caravan are causing some slightly older car problems (I presume the lack of load means the car doesn't "see" the light and therefore doesn't switch the buzzer on etc), a box of tricks that will resolve the problem is available and can be fitted to the caravan to resolve the problem.
Rosscow said:
Lovely 'van! Would you mind telling us what you got it for in the end?
I do like those rear bunk/lounge layouts although would always prefer a twin axle.
Hi We paid £18675. In the deal we also got a motor mover, alko ATC, Mirrors for car, gas, water and waste tanks, security clamp and I think chemicals for the wc/water.I do like those rear bunk/lounge layouts although would always prefer a twin axle.
It was the motor mover and Alko ATC trailer control that we wanted added so happy we got a good deal.
Yes it looked great - should be perfect for what we want, very surprised at how nice it was and comfortable. Booking in hols already for it. March is the first one I think to the new forest - hopefully a little snow !
Edited by superlightr on Wednesday 7th January 09:58
some advice please. being new to caravans.
We put the order in Oct at the NEC last year with the dealer with a delivery date of January We called them at Christmas and told there was a delay and was going to be February. Ok no problem
Call them this week and its now going to be Mid April !
The dealer is saying Swift have had a lot of orders and are building the others first.
Issues for us is we have booked a holiday for March and also the Summer plus planned for a number of weekends away as well anticipating the van in Jan or Feb. so have we been bumped down the line by the dealer, has the dealer screwed up? are Swift very far behind on their builds or whats happening.
We have paid a £500 deposit so far.
Thx
We put the order in Oct at the NEC last year with the dealer with a delivery date of January We called them at Christmas and told there was a delay and was going to be February. Ok no problem
Call them this week and its now going to be Mid April !
The dealer is saying Swift have had a lot of orders and are building the others first.
Issues for us is we have booked a holiday for March and also the Summer plus planned for a number of weekends away as well anticipating the van in Jan or Feb. so have we been bumped down the line by the dealer, has the dealer screwed up? are Swift very far behind on their builds or whats happening.
We have paid a £500 deposit so far.
Thx
superlightr said:
some advice please. being new to caravans.
We put the order in Oct at the NEC last year with the dealer with a delivery date of January We called them at Christmas and told there was a delay and was going to be February. Ok no problem
Call them this week and its now going to be Mid April !
The dealer is saying Swift have had a lot of orders and are building the others first.
Issues for us is we have booked a holiday for March and also the Summer plus planned for a number of weekends away as well anticipating the van in Jan or Feb. so have we been bumped down the line by the dealer, has the dealer screwed up? are Swift very far behind on their builds or whats happening.
We have paid a £500 deposit so far.
Thx
Best place to ask is probably here:We put the order in Oct at the NEC last year with the dealer with a delivery date of January We called them at Christmas and told there was a delay and was going to be February. Ok no problem
Call them this week and its now going to be Mid April !
The dealer is saying Swift have had a lot of orders and are building the others first.
Issues for us is we have booked a holiday for March and also the Summer plus planned for a number of weekends away as well anticipating the van in Jan or Feb. so have we been bumped down the line by the dealer, has the dealer screwed up? are Swift very far behind on their builds or whats happening.
We have paid a £500 deposit so far.
Thx
http://www.caravantalk.co.uk/community/forum/22-sw...
Production delays are almost standard in the leisure industry.
Nothing to do with your dealer they are at the mercy of the manufacturer, they will want to get that van out to you as they don't make a penny until then.
If there was a date of delivery on the order form of January then you could cancel on the grounds of the 3 month delay and go buy one elsewhere.
Speak to them first and explain your predicament, see if they can blag one from anywhere or offer a good alternative, in the mean time ring around a few other Swift dealers, there are dozens, and see if anybody has one in or one that's coming sooner.
If you find someone with one tell them you've got the order in elsewhere and will lose your £500 (you wont) and see if they'll beat your deal by £500, that way you're in the right van and quids in too.
As a disclaimer most show deals are barely worth doing so it's not too likely someone will match it.
Nothing to do with your dealer they are at the mercy of the manufacturer, they will want to get that van out to you as they don't make a penny until then.
If there was a date of delivery on the order form of January then you could cancel on the grounds of the 3 month delay and go buy one elsewhere.
Speak to them first and explain your predicament, see if they can blag one from anywhere or offer a good alternative, in the mean time ring around a few other Swift dealers, there are dozens, and see if anybody has one in or one that's coming sooner.
If you find someone with one tell them you've got the order in elsewhere and will lose your £500 (you wont) and see if they'll beat your deal by £500, that way you're in the right van and quids in too.
As a disclaimer most show deals are barely worth doing so it's not too likely someone will match it.
superlightr said:
Jon321 said:
I've bought a Coachman Vision 580/5 which is being delivered at the end of March
The Swift looked a lovely caravan too, we looked at those also at the NEC.
when did you put the order in?The Swift looked a lovely caravan too, we looked at those also at the NEC.
Edited by Jon321 on Wednesday 7th January 08:17
Rang the dealer last week and they said I can have it any date from March 1st onwards. Just to add some context to your issues.
superlightr said:
thank you. Spoken with swift and we have a mid march delivery. dont know why the dealer didnt tell us this when he knew.
...maybe because the dealer knows Swift cannot be trusted with their delivery dates and put a 'safety' margin in to avoid further disappointment?? (Just the cynic in me... 
)Mike
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