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Post by tugboat on Mar 1, 2014 17:12:39 GMT
3 weeks ago I took my van back to Highbridge for some warranty work.
I told them on the phone beforehand what needed doing. When I booked it in, I verbally listed the jobs plus I gave a sheet of paper with the list of jobs written on it. 9 items in total.
I rang them yesterday to see if it was ready and was told Yes. I asked if the damp test had been done (I wasn't provided with one when I bought it in Oct) as I figured that was the job most likely to be forgotten. No, they say, but it will be done and ready for tomorrow.
So today I trog 80 miles up there, find the van in the yard and straightaway I can see a paint repair that hasn't been done. When I check with reception it is clear that out of 9 items 2 have been done properly, 2 have been done that I'm not satisfied with, and the other 5 haven't been done at all. It seems the girl who checked the van in only wrote 4 of the jobs on the work sheet and clipped my list on the back!
What a waste of time and money going up there and what a fuckin' useless shower they are. I thought I was being belt and braces by writing a list for them, thinking to avoid exactly this scenario. Why does everything have to be so bleedin' difficult these days? No-one seems to do their jobs properly anymore and you have to fight for everything. It makes everyday life hard work and it shouldn't be necessary. I'm well chokka I can tell you. Ellie and I did have a brill walk on the beach at Weston though!
Anyway they've said they won't charge me for a couple of cosmetic repairs, and they will deliver the van back to me in 10 days time. Should I be satisfied with that?
Another question.
The damp report has some diagrams of a MH with index letters and a list alongside of the damp readings at those positions. They are generally between 8 & 10 %, is that OK. The diagrams don't include the floor, which I would have thought to be one of the most vulnerable areas, so I have no readings for the floor. Have I been fobbed off with an incomplete report? I haven't seen one before so don't know what I should be getting.
I tell thee, guys & gals, this huge G&T tastes good.
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Barry B'stard
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Post by Barry B'stard on Mar 1, 2014 18:00:57 GMT
Sadly your rant is not an uncommon one. I Cant remember if the damp report should include the floor but I think it should. I am lucky in that I have found a local chap who does all the work on my van and its in his interest to find stuff like that as he will be the one fixing it (Albeit for a much lower fee than any dealer).
I think 8-10% is well within normal readings. Is it over 15% you need to start looking?
I find you often have to take a very thorough and stern approach with companies like this. Assume they are just fecking useless badger them over and over again on the phone or face to face.
It does sound like they have realised they have cocked up but just keep at em and dont take no shit. Tell em the Fruitcakes are on it and I will set our resident Trolls (Alan and Liam) on them if they dont look after you. Nobody deserves that fate. Several members of OAL are still in their beds with severe trauma after yesterdays beastings.
Have another G&T. Ill be joining you shortly
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2014 18:05:40 GMT
3 weeks ago I took my van back to Highbridge for some warranty work. I told them on the phone beforehand what needed doing. When I booked it in, I verbally listed the jobs plus I gave a sheet of paper with the list of jobs written on it. 9 items in total. I rang them yesterday to see if it was ready and was told Yes. I asked if the damp test had been done (I wasn't provided with one when I bought it in Oct) as I figured that was the job most likely to be forgotten. No, they say, but it will be done and ready for tomorrow. So today I trog 80 miles up there, find the van in the yard and straightaway I can see a paint repair that hasn't been done. When I check with reception it is clear that out of 9 items 2 have been done properly, 2 have been done that I'm not satisfied with, and the other 5 haven't been done at all. It seems the girl who checked the van in only wrote 4 of the jobs on the work sheet and clipped my list on the back! What a waste of time and money going up there and what a fuckin' useless shower they are. I thought I was being belt and braces by writing a list for them, thinking to avoid exactly this scenario. Why does everything have to be so bleedin' difficult these days? No-one seems to do their jobs properly anymore and you have to fight for everything. It makes everyday life hard work and it shouldn't be necessary. I'm well chokka I can tell you. Ellie and I did have a brill walk on the beach at Weston though! Anyway they've said they won't charge me for a couple of cosmetic repairs, and they will deliver the van back to me in 10 days time. Should I be satisfied with that? Another question. The damp report has some diagrams of a MH with index letters and a list alongside of the damp readings at those positions. They are generally between 8 & 10 %, is that OK. The diagrams don't include the floor, which I would have thought to be one of the most vulnerable areas, so I have no readings for the floor. Have I been fobbed off with an incomplete report? I haven't seen one before so don't know what I should be getting. I tell thee, guys & gals, this huge G&T tastes good. Sorry to hear that you're having problems too Sorry to hear that you're having problems too. Highbridge Motorcaravans sound as competent and highly professional as my local Peugeot dealer - who incidentally, Peter, is blaming Johns Cross Motorhomes for the trouble I'm having with my 2013 'van I purchased from you (see HERE). I once bought a caravan from Highbridge and they were really first rate, but that was over 20 years ago (hangs head in shame: yes, I was a tugger, but in all fairness I tugged it with my self-build MH!). Very few companies seem to give a damn nowadays, once they've had your money. I'll leave it to Peter to comment on the damp readings, but I would have thought: (a) Readings of 8-10% were acceptable, but then I don't have a professional damp meter, just one of those DIY ones which are not very reliable. (b) The floor should have been done. Clearly Highbridge employ the same sort of Technicians as my local Peugeot dealer: a 'renowned problem is not a fault' so eff-off and stop bothering us. Pity is, he seems to be backed up by his management. Keep at them, don't give in, make a nuisance of yourself, document every stage, and if they don't fix things to your satisfaction, make sure everyone knows about it. Then get a 'fault report' from elsewhere and get it it fixed by them then recover the costs from Highbridge using the 'Small Claims Track' - you can fill in the paperwork online. All the best, mate. Liam.
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Post by 747 on Mar 1, 2014 18:24:03 GMT
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Motorhomes.
A good Dealer seems to be the exception rather than the rule (if you believe forums). Sadly it is getting more common in all areas of 'service'.
I have just had my van in to an Approved Repairer. One job was to tidy up the paintwork. They were still working on it when we arrived so we waited. Got the keys back and drove it home. The following day I looked out of an upstairs window and noticed that they had not touched the roof.
The rest of it was OK except that they get not get the shine back on the gelcoat of the overcab.
Learn to do meditation, it brings the Blood pressure back down quickly ....... or take a shotgun with you (works for me ).
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2014 18:32:26 GMT
If only our gripes were confined to motorhome/base vehicle dealers.
Why is it that no trade or profession seems to be interested in doing a 'proper job' nowadays?
Incidentally, the phrase 'proper job' is much used in Cornwall (where I lived for 10 years), and it is a euphemism which means: 'Haha, Ive striped you up, you stupid emmett, now eff-off back where you came from but leave all your money here!'
Their other hobby is shagging their children and ship-wrecking. Amusingly, they deny they ever did the latter, just bonked survivors of the wrecks on the head (and plundered them) out of a kindness. Still, they DO bonk their children.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2014 18:37:36 GMT
Learn to do meditation, it brings the Blood pressure back down quickly ....... or take a shotgun with you (works for me ). Which one works, the meditation or the shotgun?
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Post by Miculo on Mar 1, 2014 18:38:30 GMT
Standard operating procedure in many businesses, I was going to add theses days, but you know I really think it always was.
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Post by joe on Mar 1, 2014 18:56:16 GMT
The damp readings are Ok but the floor does need checking as well, make sure the habitation step when you step on it does not feel 'springy' or give a lot, that means a rotten floor generaly
I dont think the 725 suffered from the water leaks of the 6 series 2006-2008 but you could always give my workshop a call 01-580-881288 and ask them to make sure
Peter
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Post by tugboat on Mar 1, 2014 22:14:59 GMT
Thank you all for your moral support. Barry's post cheered me up! The threat of bad publicity on various fora is one I may wield.
Thanks, Peter, for a definitive answer on the damp readings.
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Barry B'stard
Administrator
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Post by Barry B'stard on Mar 1, 2014 22:36:58 GMT
Do not worry my old mate. It will all be fine but as others have said. ITs not like a car. its always a pain in the arse. You look like you have a great van so I am sure it will be fine. You just have to get used to a shed load of shite keeping it going but it will all be ok!
Hamsters cannot look up!
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Post by alhod on Mar 2, 2014 0:27:30 GMT
I bought our first van three years ago from Chelston and then traded it one year ago for the present one, also Chelston. I almost feel guilty saying that their service has always been excellent and have no complaints ( but for sure there are others who will dispute that!). Not cheap but nothing is where motorhomes are involved, except aires in France, of course.
Alan
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2014 8:55:43 GMT
I bought our first van three years ago from Chelston and then traded it one year ago for the present one, also Chelston. I almost feel guilty saying that their service has always been excellent and have no complaints ( but for sure there are others who will dispute that!). Not cheap but nothing is where motorhomes are involved, except aires in France, of course. Alan Hmmm, how typical of your type to spend a small fortune on a MH and then go looking for cheap places to stay. Don't you know that you're putting camp-site owners and Caravan Club Wardens out of a job? Shame on you.
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Barry B'stard
Administrator
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Posts: 63,980
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Post by Barry B'stard on Mar 2, 2014 9:00:18 GMT
I bought our first van three years ago from Chelston and then traded it one year ago for the present one, also Chelston. I almost feel guilty saying that their service has always been excellent and have no complaints ( but for sure there are others who will dispute that!). Not cheap but nothing is where motorhomes are involved, except aires in France, of course. Alan Hmmm, how typical of your type to spend a small fortune on a MH and then go looking for cheap places to stay. Don't you know that you're putting camp-site owners and Caravan Club Wardens out of a job? Shame on you. Well said Knackers! He sounds like one of those freeloading wildcamping lot! Do you know they even have their own forum at www.wildcamping.co.uk?I think we should pay them a visit and put them straight about all this cheapskate wilding milarky!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2014 9:09:20 GMT
Hmmm, how typical of your type to spend a small fortune on a MH and then go looking for cheap places to stay. Don't you know that you're putting camp-site owners and Caravan Club Wardens out of a job? Shame on you. Well said Knackers! He sounds like one of those freeloading wildcamping lot! Do you know they even have their own forum at www.wildcamping.co.uk?I think we should pay them a visit and put them straight about all this cheapskate wilding milarky! Well said, Boss, but I'm a firm believer in the old adage: Bosses should LEAD. So, after you...
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Barry B'stard
Administrator
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Posts: 63,980
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Likes: 20,571
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Post by Barry B'stard on Mar 2, 2014 9:32:20 GMT
Well said Knackers! He sounds like one of those freeloading wildcamping lot! Do you know they even have their own forum at www.wildcamping.co.uk?I think we should pay them a visit and put them straight about all this cheapskate wilding milarky! Well said, Boss, but I'm a firm believer in the old adage: Bosses should LEAD. So, after you... No I'm scared. OAL is one thing but most of the wildies are Vampires and / or a bit tasty and I fear they might REALLY come round and kick our heads in. They stay up all night an all so midnight trolling wont work either.
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