Another Dealership Folds
Sadly, I had a phone call this morning - from a trusted source - to say that Adventure Leisure Vehicles in Tebay, Cumbria had closed their doors as of 10 am today. Although their servicing dept had been busier than ever of late - sales had apparently hit rock bottom, as it has with quite a few other dealers.
Sorry to see them go since they have looked after our Knaus from the time we bought it from them almost 7 years ago.
Having said that, I've had a narrow escape since I - and a few other 'loyal' customers were approached by the MD earlier this year to invest in the company. Fortunately - for me, I could see the writing on the wall and what was happening to the RV industry in this country and declined.
Just feel so sorry for the many friends amongst their staff we have made 'up there'- over the last 7 years.
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Sheesh, that invitation to invest/give them money was a dead giveaway.
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@Tinwheeler - yes - and it was more the 'give' than 'invest' which is what really made me suspicious from the outset. Plus, it turns out, none of the staff had the faintest idea about it. Don't worry though - I am a Yorkshireman😀
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It’s stood you in good stead😆
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Another dealer in decline is Atlantic Caravans here in Cornwall . The company will continue to buy and sell secondhand stock, but is no longer trying to sell new caravans . Servicing has been handed over to a separate company in the hands of the technicians . Spare yard space will be used for storage instead of sales.
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@richardandros you were very shrewd in not investing, I wonder how many of those that were invited to do so actually came forward with any money. Perhaps the rather out of the way location at Tebay had a lot to do with the lack of sales, with buyers now wanting to purchase from dealers close to their homes.
You certainly have had great service from them in the past, do you have another Knaus dealer within a reasonable distance from home that you can use?
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Our local dealer was Tyneside Leisure and it has sadly gone too. It's all relocated to the Catterick branch of Leisure world, it was quite a surprise when I drove past it recently to find it gone.
It's shame since as the crow flies is perhaps under a mile but it's on the other side of the A1(M) so entails a five minute drive around but it was very handy to visit.
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@nelliethehooker - I know exactly how many were prepared to invest - and it wasn't many! Not even enough to cover the legal fees, apparently. My main concern was that the ROI was nowhere near enough to persuade me to take the risk, plus - the people in a position to make such an 'investment' would almost certainly be those who were nearing the end of their caravanning life and therefore almost all the risk was being carried by the 'investors'. It didn't take me long to realise it was a non-starter.
I will be sorry to see them go - despite them being so far away. They have looked after us well - despite a couple of 'blips' along the way - which they have willingly admitted and more than put right. I think Barnsdale Leisure, near Pontefract, are still doing servicing, despite closing their sales side, but whether or not I want to go there - or whether they can take us on, is another matter.
Only MCEA registered mobile engineers are allowed to service Knaus vans - to maintain the warranty - and I am exploring that. Can't say much at this stage, but that there is a possibility that something may 'arise from the ashes' - and I'm watching that with interest😀.
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You definitely did right not taking the risk, @richardandros and I hope you are able to sort out somewhere for the van's service.
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@Dame - my understanding - and this was confirmed by an MCEA engineer - is that to maintain the warranty on Knaus vehicles - it must either be an AWS workshop, approved by Knaus - or a member of the MCEA. It is because, unlike any other manufacturer I am aware of - it is part of the warranty requirement that underseal is re-applied to the underneath (of course!) of the floor during service. The can of underseal has a detachable bar code strip which has to be applied to the warranty book - and - that bar code has to be registered with Knaus head office so that they can maintain their own record of the van's service history. Only Knaus approved AWS workshops or MCEA engineers can be supplied with that underseal.
Obviously, none of this applies to other makes of van.
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On undersealing or ALV?
If you mean ALV -
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@Dame - I'm still not sure what you're asking. However, if you are asking if an MCEA mobile engineer can carry out a Knaus service - and - maintain the warranty - the answer is 'yes'. My service has just been completed by such an MCEA registered engineer and the bar code from the underseal is attached to my service book. He obtains all the relevant paperwork and the underseal from the MCEA head office - who have a direct connection with Knaus. Conversely, copies of all the completed paperwork and the bar code are sent to Knaus via the MCEA head office - thus maintaining their computerised service record.
I know of at least one other Knaus owner who has only ever used an MCEA engineer from day one.
I have to say that the chap who carried out my service was far more meticulous and detailed than ever ALV had been and it makes me realise that perhaps the service I had been getting from them wasn't as good as I thought it was. He was also cheaper and, of course, I didn't have to make that 300 mile round trip at this time of year. Knowing what I know now - I should have done it years ago!
Just look on the MCEA website for the contact details of someone near you. I would advise you to book well in advance of the due date because they all appear to be extremely busy.
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@richardandros Thanks,
What does the service book look like, and is the service due date based on purchase invoice? Is there a little give for timing?0
