Warranty Issue with Lunar Decals

TurnerB
TurnerB Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited July 2018 in Caravans #1

I have a 2017 Lunar Clubman CK that has or did have very attractive black roof ‘decals’. Unfortunately this year 2018 in April I discovered a 5cm bubble in one of the decals. A claim was submitted to Lunar only to be rejected because the Caravan is outside of the 1st year warranty!

Has any other member out there experienced a similar issue and been rejected by Lunar warranty? 

I believe this is either poor workmanship during manufacture or a design issue I.e. not fit for purpose, 3 emails to Lunar and 1 month later no reply!

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #2

    It’s not Lunar you need to talk to but the dealer who sold the van to you.

    It’s of no consequence what happens between the dealer and Lunar, as far as you’re concerned, because your contract is with the dealer whose responsibility it is to sort out any problems, large or small. I’m not surprised Lunar have ignored your emails as they know your redress lies with the dealer.

    As an aside, it looks as if popping that bubble with a pin might fix it.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #3

    Some of the decals on my Lunar had bubbled and the dealer changed them FOC.  This year others had gone the same way but the dealer told me they weren’t a warranty item. With all the other problems I’ve had with the van it’s really the least of my problems.

  • TurnerB
    TurnerB Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited July 2018 #4

    Hi Tinwheeler,

    I started this claim with dealer who, like you stated ‘try a pin in the centre and rub from the outside in and this may temporarily solve the problem whilst we get you a new decal’ the last response was unfortunately the decal is not covered in the 2nd year!

    I have seen 2 other Lunar caravans 2017/18 displaying the same issue and I suspect there are many more. I believe Lunar have given little thought to the use of black decals and heat absorbion. 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #5

    You may well be right that Lunar have produced something not fit for purpose but it is still the dealer's responsibility. I wouldn’t waste my time and energy chasing Lunar - Head / brick wall.

    Were you within the first year of warranty when you first approached the dealer with this issue? If so, the fact that you’re now into year 2 is irrelevant as are the warranty terms themselves if you feel the dealer has sold you something which isn’t of merchantable quality. You can rely on the sale of goods act, or whatever it’s called now, and not be bound by the manufacturer's terms. The dealer said he'd get you a decal - hold him to that.

    Having said all that, is it really worth the hassle and stress for something as minor as a decal? When you've had the problems Oneputt experienced, it could be said you've got a good van there.

  • TurnerB
    TurnerB Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited July 2018 #6

    Hi Tinwheeler, 

    Many thanks for your comments on this discussion and I truly sympathise with Oneputt who has experienced more serious issues. 

    I do intend to take up this issue further again with the dealer and if I get no joy then with either the NCC or Sale of goods act or equivalent. The decals on a Lunar Caravan have played a major part in the marketing and sales in 2017/18 and if they are not fit for purpose they should be removed. 

    There is going to be many unhappy 2017/18 Clubman owners in the near future. 

    Cheers

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #7

    I’m sure there will be for many reasons.frown

    Good luck with your quest - I think you’ll need it.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited July 2018 #8

    i had reading light problems and sorted myself as Campbells caravans said out of warranty. 18 month old caravan.

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
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    edited July 2018 #9

    A pin hole releasing the air (re-seal the pin hole) maybe the best bet it would not be easy to remove the whole decal, clean, and get a perfect seal again or to put it another way you might end up with a problem that is even worse. By the way I have the same issue!

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited July 2018 #10
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • TurnerB
    TurnerB Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited July 2018 #11

    Hello David,

    Unfortunately it’s not the only issue with the Caravan, the decal issues was reported as another claim when I picked up the van from having its 1st year warranty problems fixed and not all claims were accepted by Lunar!

    They rejected a crazed back panel (underneath near side) stating it was due to impact damage, clearly it wasn’t. 

    I suspect I will end up paying for a new decal.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #12

    So the decal issue was only part of the story!

    In that case, threaten your dealer with legal action and contact the club’s legal team for advice. 

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #13

    I doubt the OP would get very far saying a caravan isn't of merchantable quality because of a bubble in a decal however unsightly it may be. But i agree, keep pestering the dealer.

     

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #14

    My decals have creased rather than just bubbled.  As some of them have been replaced before I have considered removing them in their entirety and getting a local company to replicate the Lunar decals and refix correctly.  However, even though the decals look a mess, replacement is fairly low on my list of priorities so it can wait.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #15

    Quite so, W, which is why I was suggesting it wasn’t worth the hassle of pursuing. However, see the later posts - we didn’t know the full story. The dealer needs to sort all the issues and not use Lunar’s warranty as a get out of jail free card. 

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #16

    There are probably many of us who think the decals (not just on Lunar caravans) look really naff. If I was considering buying a new caravan (based on its true merits) I would be asking the dealer to take them off!

     

    Also, why are caravans white/off white/beige? Stick out like a sore thumb in the countryside, and nature tries very hard to make them look green, so why not start out green.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited July 2018 #17

    name and shame the dealer. if it was the first service was it just before the 12 months or after.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited July 2018 #18

    Years ago, Swifts were a tasteful shade of green. The Avondale Dart I had was the colour of smoker's teeth. surprised

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #19

    https://www.caravangraphics.com

    Have a look at this website, might be something you could use if your approach doesn’t pan out

     

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited July 2018 #20

    Presumably there is a detailed explanation of the warranty terms somewhere in the paperwork with the van? After all, the dealer can’t just make it up!

  • TurnerB
    TurnerB Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited July 2018 #21

    The dealer didn’t actually know, they told me to use a pin and the smooth out the bubble and I stated would you do that on a supposedly luxury Caravan costing £23k ! They replied doesn’t matter as we will fit a new decal, that’s when they put in the claim to Lunar and Lunar rejected it. Dealer not interested anymore. 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #22

    I’m afraid the dealer doesn’t have the option not to be interested.

    I repeat, try giving the club's legal team a call.

  • TurnerB
    TurnerB Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited July 2018 #23

    Hi Tinwheeler,

    I have contacted the legal help line and now waiting for a member of the legal team to call me back. The dealer is quite prepared to remove the decals and fit new ones at a cost of £95.68 per decal and £51.70 / hour labour, estimate 1 hour.

    However they can offer no guarantee the decals will not bubble again and given I have seen 2 other Lunar Caravans will the same issue, Its looking like I may have to have the decals removed permanently as they are not ‘fit for purpose’

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #24

    Have you seen the other thread in this section about Lunar refusing warranty work, TB? I’m detecting a pattern here.

  • TurnerB
    TurnerB Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited July 2018 #25

    Personally I think Lunar are struggling! The lunar warranty states during 2nd& 3rd year they will not cover those items which are a result of normal wear and tear or those related to: 

    there is a list of 21 items which include 

    10. Deterioration in paintwork 

    18. Front Panels

    19. Back Panels

    Taps only covered for one year !! I have read another thread regarding warranty and Taps

    The decals are adhered to the Front panel so it’s looking like Lunar are using item 18 as a get out clause even though they are not fit for purpose.

    looking like my only option to to have the Decals removed. Can’t keep on paying nearly £100 per decal plus labour when they may bubble again. 

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #26

    The only issue with removing the decals in their entirety is if the van has had paint protection product applied then the decal areas will not of been treated

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited July 2018 #27

    just a thought. why not ring a company that put decals on new commercial company vans as advertising. they might have a tip or two to stop them bubbling once applied.  

  • KenandMag
    KenandMag Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited June 2020 #28

    Hi all

    i have just read the posts regarding decals on Lunar caravans. I have a 2014 Lunar clubman SI and over the past few years the decals on the whole of the offside have bubbled and wrinkled. The near side is unaffected. I think this may be caused by direct sun on the offside whilst in storage. We are upset by this as it clearly spoils the look of the caravan as, although the van is nearly 6 years old, it has been lovingly cared for over the years and is in mint condition for its age.

    Can anyone advise how we might solve this issue or advise where we might be able to obtain replacement decals given that Lunar are no longer trading or willing to help.

    We are located in the north west.

     Any help appreciated

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2020 #29

    My 2014 Lunar has the decals bubbling etc. I can see the adhesive where they have shrunk, and believe it is the suns heat with different expansion/contraction rates with the metal body and the decals.

    My choice and I'm not that bothered with it, but have you done a Google search for 'Lunar Clubman decals', there are quite a few sites offering up decals.

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