Crazed dometic window, told chemical reaction
Hi all, We have a 2017 Swift Challenger with the flat dometic windows, we bought it second hand 18 months ago and on our last weekend away my Wife noticed crazing around one of the stay fixings on the inside of the window, fortunately the dealer we bought it from gave us a full print out of Swifts warranty which quite clearly claims that cracking on windows is covered for the 3 years. Naturally we put in a claim through our Swift workshop and amazingly it was rejected within 24 hours with no explanation. Quite surprised and upset by this I rang Swift to find out why to be told it wasn't covered as if it had been a manufacturing issue it would have happened in the first year!! I then asked why they covered for 3 years then but apparently your window has to be dropping of for them to consider that! This obviously got my back up as that meant to me that they was blaming us when it was quite clear it was an issue with the window as it was only concentrated around the stay fixing! I challenged them with this only to be told in their opinion it was caused by a chemical reaction probably with a cleaner we've used!! Explained to them that if we had cleaned the window on the inside it would have only been with an anti-bacterial wipe but we hadn't touched it, we'd had no need too! Regardless of what I said the decision was made so I put in a complaint on Twitter! They soon got back and said they'd look in to it, I had to chase them up to find out the outcome, spoke to a really nice chap who totally understood what I was saying but the outcome was the same, in his words "once a decision is made they never change their mind" I wouldn't mind but they made their decision after looking at 3 photos and never actually looking at the window itself! They also couldn't tell me what type of cleaner would do such damage! So I'm now left with a defective window and no faith in Swifts warranty department!! Also whilst looking on the net for any advice I found a thread on this forum from 2016 of someone who had exactly the same problem with exactly the same outcome from Swift!! It would appear it's a stock answer and get out clause for just this issue! Hope others don't have the same problem as a replacement window in around £500!! Rant over!!
Comments
-
What’s the dealer going to do about it? You bought from him, not from Swift and you should seek redress from the dealer. He is hiding behind Swift and it’s of no concern to you what transpires between the dealer and Swift.
2 -
The van was a year old when we bought it, We've owned it for 18 months so it's out of the dealer guarantee, the dealer and ourselves thought we'd have peace of mind due to having the majority of Swifts warranty left, plus the dealers have been really good and have said there course of action would be the same as our Swift Workshop, The Workshop was not surprised as they said Swift have been really hit and miss when making decisions on the Dometic windows, my guess it they replace in the first year because they have no choice with their warranty but after they they can use any BS to not replace them. My issue is with Swift and not my dealer who I can't fault!!
0 -
Forget warranties, forget Swift. Rely on the Consumer Rights Act 2015 instead.
You certainly can fault your dealer as he has not sorted the problem but has given you the run around.
1 -
We have a lunar Alaria RI bought new from Highbridge Caravans at a large cost to us.
We have now noticed in less than 18 months all the Dometic side windows are cracking, all at the same point the top Right hand corner.
Lunar didnt want to know and neither did Highbridge caravans where we bought it and we were told by lunar to make a claim to Dometic directly well through Highbridge caravans and a month later still no reply, we are now having to cancel our September holiday in case the windows crack even more.
I know Domectic have very very poor reviews and will never honour any clain always stating it is a cleaning issue, but like i said all the windows are cracking at the same point as though overtightened when fitted.
These windows are not fit for purpose.
I would strongly advise anyone buying a caravan to know you have no warranty and even spending £34500.00p is not wise.
So like you we are left high and dry.
0 -
Take Highbridge to the County Court. It’s their responsibility to sort it.
0 -
The relevant act is the Consumer Rights Act. Just write to the dealer telling him you do not accept Swifts answer they have not examined the window and the reply is a disgrace. Get an estimate for the repair and serve a small claims action for the cost alleging that the window was defective. It cost them far more than it costs you.
You need to include your costs and a claim for 8% interest from the date of service. I would be very surprised if they do not change their mind. Do not be fobbed off as that is what they are trying to do.
0
