Caravan Show, NEC 2016
Hello, I am thinking of going to the 2016 NEC Caravan Show in February, has anyone heard of or know of anyone who has purchased a caravan from a show? I am wondering if there are deals to be had and how big of a saving it may be compared to a local dealer.
I have been looking at buying a caravan for around the 10k to 11k mark, no older than a 2010 model, but have seen a Elddis Explore 504 SE brand new for a little bit more, this is the layout I am wanting with a fixed double bed and large end washroom. I was
considering going to the show and see what deals are on offer, I have the cash waiting to buy the caravan, also I have read mixed reviews on the Xplore range.
Any help and advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
John
Comments
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Ensure you pay a part by credit card for your own protection.
I purchased my new van for cash £14k and have a relatively small defect which the mfg claimed was pot hole damage and the dealer refused to even look at it even although it is cleary a build fault, only recourse is the small claims court but even this is a cost I should not have to bear. Beware set up your payment to obtain any protection you can.Dealer's are more slipperly than an eel, based on what happened to me and what I have read on this and other forums.
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One thing to be aware of at shows is there are a lot of "salespersons" after your custom,so be carefull of "special" deals that might be from someone a long distance from where you live,as if/when you have a problem its not like cars, you will not be able to take it to a Local dealer,it very rarely works like that with c/vans or m/vans, and if you do buy at the show and they give you a PX price you are happy with make sure they write on the paperwork that is the price you will get when doing the change over
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Great advice as above.
I ordered a new Xplore at the Lawns Show in September.
I have no problems bargaining HARD in a dealership, but was staggered at what was possible at the show. You have multiple dealers there all wanting to do a deal, so you blatantly play one off against the other, and then go back to the one you favour and do
a deal. I secured a simply staggering deal.If you have the cash waiting and no PX, it avoids any dealer shenanigans not honouring inflated PX values they may offer just to clinch the deal, then use defects in your PX to lever further income.
Don’t succumb to up-selling. Know what you want and make sure you get it.
Ordering at the show make sure you pay the deposit on Credit Card
Ordering at the show means you have the additional protection of the new offsite selling legislation.
You have the right to cancel up to the date of collection without charge. So any dealer shenanigans or unacceptable defects and you just walk away and get you deposit back in full. And up to 14 days after with nominal charge.Check the paperwork, make sure “everything” you think you are getting is on the written order, itemised, priced or marked FOC if you have it in the deal. Point to note, all the Xplores at the show will have a microwave, but it is not included and is not
part of the SE Pack, if you need it, you want it FOC.The Xplore is a cheap and light* van, so under no illusions, I will get a cheap, lightly built van.
But is has everything I need and I expect it to be robust enough to be and remain fit for purpose.It is a sad reflection on the industry that both manufacturers and dealers provide such a poor product and service, that I have no qualms about ensuring their mark-up stays firmly in my pocket.
* It isn’t actually particularly light.
Such is caravan marketing they only claim it is light, by claiming a MIRO by taking off loads of stuff you actually need like a stabiliser, spare wheel and microwave, then when you add it back in, the weight of those “options” brings a true MIRO back up to
the same as everything else, it just comes off your payload to keep within MTPLM.
Innovative design apparently!0 -
Don’t believe all you’re told at shows. The dealers are so keen to make a sale, they’ll say anything necessary (I think they watch “The Apprentice” too much). I found that I could get the same ‘unrepeatable deal’ offered at the show a month later in the
forecourt. A bit like some ‘Black Friday’ deals.0 -
Don’t believe all you’re told at shows. The dealers are so keen to make a sale, they’ll say anything necessary (I think they watch “The Apprentice” too much). I found that I could get the same ‘unrepeatable deal’ offered at the show a month later in the
forecourt. A bit like some ‘Black Friday’ deals.Absolutely, make sure you negotiate hard with at least two dealers before the show to estabish your benchmark on which to improve. Be as cheaky as you like, they can only say no. But you might be suprised.
Best of luck
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My bit of advice....If you don't ask you don't get.......
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Know your acceptable dealers phone numbers and take a mobile to the show so you can ring around and check if that price you were offered was as good as it gets.
I have found that it has been.
I also believe dealers must get something out of a deal, so this talk of retaining their margin could be decidely not in your interest when things go wrong. I doubt many would put you top of their priority list in sorting out any arising issues, if the sale to you was at rock bottom price. Whilst you have the ultimate tool of legislation IME goodwill is far far less hassle.
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I do not think there are any deals at the show that cannot be achieved at the dealership. I think if you want a bargain you are better to wait until the end of the season rather than at the beginning. Another consideration is whether you buy from a distant
or local dealership. Should you need a small repair or adjustment under the guarantee you may not want to travel too far.0 -
We looked at different makes of caravans at the shows, and then paid a visit to our local dealer (5 miles from storage) 8 weeks ago. Good prices on Xplore caravans, but we did see a brand new 2014 Compass caravan with a very good spec. same as the present
models with the odd colour change and with a good discount, we asked about part exchange for our 9.5 year old Sprite and with what he offered a very good deal altogether, so the wife bought it!So have a good look around, it pays.
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You are likely to get some added extras if you order at a show that you would normally have to pay for. When we went to the October show some were offering a free mover and others a free upgrade to Alde heating. I would go to the show with a couple of
deals from local dealers and see what else is on offer there.Personally I wouldn't choose a dealer too far from home in case you need warranty work carrying out or are prepared to keep taking it back to them if necessary.
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The only doubt I have at the moment is the distance from where I live to where ever the dealer may be, I have read a few reviews about the Xplore, quite a feww people have had issue's with ABS plastics cracking, water leaking through the front window, bearing
this in mind I am considering sticking with my local dealer and seeing what deal I can get in the new year.0 -
We will definitley be going but have no intension of changing our van, in fact when I say that we end up changing
Admiral
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