Lunar Caravans Administration
Comments
-
Moderator Edit:
We must both have been typing at the same time. Just for information, my link is the same as oneputt's.
0 -
I made an enquiry to Lady Bailey Caravans yesterday about a used Bailey they had advertised on their website. I entered the details of my 2016 Lunar as a possible part exchange. I got a reply from the sails manager today saying that because of the situation with Lunar at the moment they are not considering Lunars for part ex because they cant value them. Fair enough I suppose, but I notice that they are advertising three used Lunars on their website. It seems that they have no qualms in unloading what they consider to be valueless caravans onto unsuspecting punters.
0 -
The value has to be guess until the situation is resolved so trade ins would be difficult to value. Having bought in others before the administration they need to sell them and hopefully any buyers will be made aware of the situation.
They are not saying they are valueless but that they need to wait a bit to see what figure to allow. There have been various failures in the market but they all are still sold. Once caravans get over 5 years, there is very little difference in price as even current firms have given up producing spares for the older models.
0 -
Good news at last for Lunar Caravans and employees. A buyer has been confirmed see link below.
Moderator Edit:
I've made your link 'live'.
0 -
"Lunar Automotive"? Is this a phoenix company?
0 -
I have done something similar myself once upon a time. As long as the collapsed company have not screwed their smaller suppliers and kept their debts to mainly HMRC then i don't have a problem with it. However i hope the new company have a better approach to what seems to have been dire customer support over the years. Just goes to show you reap what you sow....
0 -
The usual position is that it will be a condition of the refinancing that a new management team are installed. After all you don't buy a new car and hand the keys to the guys that crashed it last time.
0 -
-
I would assume that the new owners had made a bid that was successful and needed a company to facilitate that which is why it was only a few days old. This is common with this type of purchase but it almost certainly means they did not buy the old company but just the assets. It probably means our warranty has gone but we should be able to get parts.
2 -
Then it’s doomed. Surely the previous management were at fault first time around. I was puzzled that the newspaper article mentioned a planned Summer shutdown......I can imagine how popular that was with irate Lunar owners waiting on parts or repairs, and the dealers caught in the middle.
As for handing keys to crashed car owners, take a look at the rail franchises, it’s routine there. All part of the Great British way of doing things now.
1 -
Since my posting on this topic on 4th August, I am pleased and relieved to be able to report that Highbridge Caravans have at last given me written confirmation that they will honour the Lunar warranty in as much as their extensive workshops and body shop are capable of handling any problems that might crop up. However, they did confirm that original panels might be a problem. It took a bit of agitating on my behalf to get this information.
As I previously mentioned, all the new vans I have purchased over the years have been handed over with niggling faults that should have never left the factory, let alone the dealership. If the dealers can't be bothered to reject vans supplied with faults, is it any wonder that the UK caravan market still resembles our motor industry in the 70's?
Now that I have reached this stage with Highbridge, I just hope that their after sales team is as good as their friendly and exceedingly efficient sales team, and that I shall be able to enjoy a good working relationship with them in the future.
0 -
Only been to Highbridge Caravans once, BRENTRY1896. They were really helpful and the shop staff seemed knowledgeable. Hope they are still getting bottles of Calorlite - they were when we went and were staying at Hurn Lane CAMC site.
I wonder if the new company who are taking over Lunar, will or are obliged to take over warranties?
David
0 -
I wonder if the new company who are taking over Lunar, will or are obliged to take over warranties?
I doubt that they are obliged to David as I have ready that they bought the assets and are taking back the full time staff - no mention of them having bought the company and its liabilities
0 -
There appears to be an awful lot of misinformation floating about concerning Lunar. In addition to what is being written here, there’s a chap on YouTube who calls himself “The Caravan Expert” and in his latest (very recent) posting he claims to be standing in the new ARIVA which the new owners are producing for 2020. In fact he implies that he’s on their premises and they have wonderful new plans for the future.
If that is true, it's great news. However I've just been talking to the After Sales team at HIGHBRIDGE and they tell me that since Lunar went into administration back in July, they have heard absolutely nothing from the company, but understand that the factory has been “emptied” and they have no idea what's happening.
It would very helpful if postings on the forum only came from people who are actually in the know, or have at least been having valid conversations with the Lunar dealers. Better still, it would be nice if The Club, with all it's perceived clout could get some accurate information to pass onto the hundreds of worried Lunar owners who make up their membership
4 -
Google Lunar AUTOMOTIVE and you will find bitts and pieces. There is a picture of a new Ariva on the web the decals adre yellow a colour never used over the last few years bu Lunar as far as I know. Out & About Live say production will restart in September.
1 -
I have discussed warranty with Swindon Caravans, who are offering to support water ingress warranty up to 3 years old on a 50% labour contribution basis.
They have just completed some warranty work on my van which was approved pre administration and this was done free of charge.
I am told the other warranties on appliances etc. are still valid for 3 years as they are provided directly by Alde, Thetford, Truma etc.Given my experience with Lunar with regards to supplying parts for the support of warranty work I don't think realistically very much has changed.
If the new company want to build a brand they need to make customer service their number 1 priority as Lunar as was were beyond dismal.I agree I would have hoped the Caravan Club would advocate more on behalf of its members and provide a reliable information conduit but then when have you read even a mildly critical or investigative article from the CAMC regarding a supplier ?
1 -
NaCI is absolutely right about The CAMC when it comes to product reviews. You can almost guarantee that any caravan, motor home or tow vehicle will score more or less 8/10 or around 80%. I have always considered this to be a little suspicious. After more than 25 years of continuous caravanning, and ownership of vans made by 5 different manufacturers, I have found that all of them suffer from similar shortcomings which could very easily be eliminated at practically no additional cost. Fortunately, many can be overcome and solved by a reasonably competent and practical owner. Alternatively the van should be returned to the dealer, but in reality, this can be an enormous hassle because their workshops are ridiculously overloaded already, to say nothing of having to usually completely empty your van of all personal effects etc. And possibly travel huge distances.
I have just been requested to book my van in for it’s first service sometime next July when it will be a year old. I'm advised I have to do this now as HIGHBRIDGE Caravans are virtually booked to capacity up until next June! As I live just about 20 miles away, I'm considered “local” and they will therefore require it to be left there for up to 5 days so that customers living further away can enjoy the one day slots. I can see the reasoning for this, but imagine if the motor trade worked in this way!
From my experience I honestly don't think Lunar vans were any worse than most other popular makes. In fact, I think in many ways they are very good. However, it would appear that the management weren't up to the mark and for a variety of reasons they have failed. I think a lot of the blame should be aimed at the dealer networks who continue to stock and sell vans which are not up to scratch. If they were to reject them in the first place, there would probably be a lot fewer dissatisfied customers. On top of that, The CAMC should cease shying away from being objectively critical about the products they review. At present they only talk about the position of lights, worktop space etc. Any prospective buyer can work those things out for themselves. They should concentrate far more on build quality.
5 -
As I live just about 20 miles away, I'm considered “local” and they will therefore require it to be left there for up to 5 days so that customers living further away can enjoy the one day slots. I can see the reasoning for this, but imagine if the motor trade worked in this way!
It can be useful to other fellow caravaners that there are some booked to be serviced during a 5 day window rather than on the day. Indeed it has helped me out twice.
On one occasion I was about to set out for a 15 night stay during December and over Christmas. I had a fault with oven/grill which is not what you want when producing festive meals! The fix was simple enough and under warranty but meant removing the unit, fixing and reinstalling. He was able to fit me in because of this flexibility.
Similarly whilst on a tour moving every 5 nights my 10 year old mover failed catastrophically - A rusted bracket failed just after leaving a site when I hit a pothole, motor dropped off and caravan ran over it
When we arrived at our next site I went to a local workshop and asked to have a new mover fitted. I was told that there would be a 10 day wait! I explained that I was part way through a tour but could not get back into my storage at home without a mover. The workshop owner phoned a customer whose van was in for service and asked him if he was prepared to wait a few days for its return in order that the workshop could juggle jobs and fit me in 3 days time. Sorted0
