We bought our Swift Challenger 570 in 2013 from Kenilworth although the Alcester site is only 3 miles from us! The customer service and advice we received was first class, I’ve used them for repairs and service, we still have the 2009 caravan it’s still as good as new and we’ve done about 66,000 miles in 32 countries! This news really saddens me, I send all the staff my best wishes, it will be a tough time!😢😢😢
I am sitting in a Top very nice IOW campsite now, £430 for 10 nights for service pitch. Cost £385 with discount for ferry for 4x4 and small 6m caravan return. Hopefully busy next week when the kids are off. The site is empty only about 10%. There are 3 caravans, 4 VW camper vans and 3 larger old motorhomes and about 4 tents. The UK build quality and water ingress and damp should be a matter of urgency for UK manufacturers and to rebuild the trust.
The industry does need some reform all round… given the cost of these vehicles now… quality needs to match. To be honest most weekends when we out sites are not overly empty… but yes we are in run up to school hols!
A caravan holiday is not a cheaper solution these days then, independence of various places to park up has been taken away to an extent. It could be that new generations have started to shun this type of holiday due to the huge cost involved. For international vanners if you are in Aragon Spain l have rural land you can stay on freely, just leave it as you found it, the peace is also free.
In my opinion, the issues have been that since we were all done with the pandemic, and we could travel again, prices of new and used caravans and motorhomes should have come down back down to before the pandemic prices alot quicker, but dealers and manufacturers have been making the most out of the supply and demand, which has now come back to haunt them, because the demand is not there anymore. The second issue is that the quality and finish of these new caravans and motorhomes that are being rushed through production and bought out is shocking, yet you're still being expected to pay 40 to 50k for them and even more for motorhomes, so it's hardly surprising that dealers are now struggling to shift stock on.
You make two very valid points here. I do maintain that this has been coming over the hill as you describe for some time… dealers have been put in tough spot in ‘having to take’ their new MY leisure vehicles and you only have to have a browse to see how many MY23 and MY24 are still ‘new’ and discounted on forecourts. The cumulative effect of the ‘covid mask’, shall we say, is now biting - manufacturers not adapted production/inflating price and dealers ordering at levels that can’t be sustained. Casualties are here. Tough times, but limited sympathy in the network - just for those employees losing jobs and people losing vehicles/money. Thanks for you input! A
They made an operating profit of 1 million last year. Seems a bit suspect. Now it's probably their tax bill that put the business into administration. Too many expensive caravans/motorhomes are about and people are no longer spending the silly money they want. The issue with caravan sales is that the campsites are too expensive so people won't pay decent money on a van then 40/50 pound a night.
Something not quite right…also look at size of dividends. Hate to say that but its public domain. The whole sales market and industry needs some serious rethinking and consideration. We only changed ours this year again as there was a significant discount and good part ex. It’s still a shame when a good and reputable dealer goes though. Do the manufacturers have a part to play to by in effect running the dealers with an annual debt (the interest free credit lines for the stock they have to carry) before applying hiked interest when unsold stock remains…are they wanting the direct sell model and fewer dealers like we have seen with the car dealer networks?
@@thetrackertravels Apparently dealers have no choice on prices either. Then apparently motorhome prices going up another 10K soon as the cab manufacturers hiking up prices. I have no idea where people have money to buy these things. We are both well paid but refuse to have huge debt to have these things.
I spoke to a dealer today and they said motorhome cab prices are going up 5k next year and that will be passed onto the customer. It's not looking good for the industry.
Bought a motorhome brand new waited 17 months for it when i got it so many faults it was crazy dealer i bought it from did not care his attitude was well i did"t build it no sympathy for dealers scum bags took the piss because of covid and the demand it had never buy a motorhome or caravan again so they do not win in the end they lose customers😊😊😊😊
When customer services is like that they definitely do… we walked away from one deal due to salesmen and vowed never to visit one due to disinterest in us and unwillingness to help or advise when we bought first one.
Not surprising without the supply / demand issues, caravans and motorhomes are a low quality product, when the first line of defence is sealant. In my experience, It is normally not if water ingress will occur, it is when. Then they have the cheek to say it is the customer's fault for not getting it sealed every year at service. I don't get my car or van sealed every year because their design is of much higher quality and it doesn't need it.
This happened Tuesday 9th - I have known the Browns for a good many years and morn the passing of a well established dealership - will it get a buyer? We shall see.
@@thetrackertravels Possibly money taken out of business when times were good and never went back - caravan industry is cruel at times - always has been
Caravanning is no longer a cheap fun holiday. People can’t afford to pay the hefty prices to buy compounded by the high sight costs. It’s actually cheaper to rent a holiday let now. Caravans look cosmetically beautiful but they are no longer comfortable and we can’t trust the build quality. There are to many issues with water ingress and poor quality fixtures and fittings. Brand new caravans with screaming brakes and door locks that fail easily. The manufacturers have shot themselves in the foot by not listening to customers and not addressing all the issues. Many have taken customers for granted. I predict a huge crash in Caravan sales with many factories and others in the chains going into administration.
The industry needs a check of itself indeed. A hot house market through Brexit and pandemic has not cooled down enough… some, and I say some dealers have not planned well out of this, manufacturers certainly not, interested to see what the rest of the year brings.
Decided to keep our old caravan and not renew as its all become to expensive.prices for a week on a service pitch averageing £34 per night plus expensive cheaply made new caravans. Caravan club not cheap anymore.thinking of giving 25yrs up.its cheaper to go to tenerife in a hotel
I have no sympathy for either of the directors, they took a large deposit on a brand new caravan a month ago, I should be collecting on Wednesday and going away with my family next Saturday 😡😡😡😡
This is awful news to read in regards to your situation. Just dreadful and its stories like this as to why I have highlighted in the video that this has been coming… makes it harder pill for you to swallow knowing this. My vlog hopefully highlights what once was a good family business and more importantly the good people they had working there - it’s why we chose them when we were caravanning. Sorry you have been a victim of this. A
@@TimPople I am feeling very sorry for you. A sign they were desperate getting the ‘cash in the bank’ - must have been quite dry. I hope you find a way forward with credit card company or through the administrators - wish you luck A&J
Likewise, took a deposit on 31May, due to pick up caravan on 12th July, thank god I didn't pay the final payment which was due on..... 9th July. Still need my deposit back...
Sadly it is the market in its entirety - there is an over supply of new. As a result some dealers (those generally with a caravan or caravan/motorhome mix) are having to sit on a lot of pre-ordered stock that was price determined by the manufacturers and had to be bought at projected levels. Overall those dealers that have more ‘cash in the bank’ can weather this, those on tighter margins not so. This is resulting in casualties and when you look at those closing its mainly caravan or the mix. Bigger dealers like a Brownhills, for example, may have had greater buying power but even they are sitting on a packed showroom and forecourts.
@@thetrackertravels fair point well made. Never thought of it in those terms. I'm after a preowned motorhome, is it a buyers market to negotiate a price.
@@willielarsson9651 There are deals to be had - across the dealers there have been very recent reductions on both new and used. For example our part-ex from a month ago has been reduced by £3k on the forecourt. We got a good discount off the new one too. So its worth shopping around and many are getting better deals by not having a part-ex themselves. I would say monitor a couple of dealers sites and see what’s ‘sitting and not moving’ as that could help you - may need a sale if not shifting a lot. Good luck and hope you find the one you want!
I bought a Basecamp from Broadlane in 2018 and a Fairway 470 in 2020 and had excellent service from both sales and service departments. Very sorry to see them go.
Yes, prices have risen exponentially but this is determined by the manufacturers… bears down on the dealers. I am sad - for the loyal staff and workers who have lost thier jobs. Some good people at this dealer.
Really sad news but I have to say, the demand must be dropping off due to the massive price increases of vehicles, they spiralled out of any realistic valuation after covid and never really settled back down. I'd love to buy a caravan but the numbers just don't work anymore.
Bought several vans of this dealership dealt mostly with Steve service manager and Sue sales manager now in there sixty’s and made redundant where do they go now my motorhome was actually there to be sold when they folded luckily I was able to get it out and sell it myself I wanted 60k return they wanted 70k inflated prices not sustainable
Yes it is the staff I feel for in these situations. You did well to dodge that then and get your vehicle back to do what you needed to do. Yes there have been inflated prices all round… they do need to come back down to reflect the current supply v demand. Sorry to see them go though.
Pitch prices will be a cull on the industry, rip off prices pure greed, a pitch with metered electric should cost around £4 a night, then you see a revival.
There is some work to do in this space, although have seen some reductions in some CAMC sites and less deposit cost being taken, so hopefully the moves could be coming…
Lot of this down to manufactures keep push out new vans onto to dealers they need to slow down on building vans as same as my business of the marine market
All dealerships are the same,they sell inferior products at ridiculous high prices and warranties are hopeless!add the high prices charged by UK campsites,extra for electric hookup and up to £4 p night for one dog! It comes as no surprise Dealerships are going bust!!
To be fair its not just about the dealers, the manufacturers set the new prices that has implications down the chain. Lot of sorting out in the sector clearly going on. In our experience not had the £4 per dog per night… where’s that? Seems steep and not dog friendly.
All dealerships are the same,they sell inferior products at ridiculous high prices and warranties are hopeless!add the high prices charged by UK campsites,extra for electric hookup and up to £4 p night for one dog! It comes as no surprise Dealerships are going bust!!
To be fair its not just about the dealers, the manufacturers set the new prices that has implications down the chain. Lot of sorting out in the sector clearly going on. In our experience not had the £4 per dog per night… where’s that? Seems steep and not dog friendly.
We bought our Swift Challenger 570 in 2013 from Kenilworth although the Alcester site is only 3 miles from us!
The customer service and advice we received was first class, I’ve used them for repairs and service, we still have the 2009 caravan it’s still as good as new and we’ve done about 66,000 miles in 32 countries!
This news really saddens me, I send all the staff my best wishes, it will be a tough time!😢😢😢
Saddens us too, especially for the staff affected by this. We only had good service from the team here.
I am sitting in a Top very nice IOW campsite now, £430 for 10 nights for service pitch. Cost £385 with discount for ferry for 4x4 and small 6m caravan return. Hopefully busy next week when the kids are off. The site is empty only about 10%. There are 3 caravans, 4 VW camper vans and 3 larger old motorhomes and about 4 tents. The UK build quality and water ingress and damp should be a matter of urgency for UK manufacturers and to rebuild the trust.
The industry does need some reform all round… given the cost of these vehicles now… quality needs to match. To be honest most weekends when we out sites are not overly empty… but yes we are in run up to school hols!
A caravan holiday is not a cheaper solution these days then, independence of various places to park up has been taken away to an extent. It could be that new generations have started to shun this type of holiday due to the huge cost involved. For international vanners if you are in Aragon Spain l have rural land you can stay on freely, just leave it as you found it, the peace is also free.
In my opinion, the issues have been that since we were all done with the pandemic, and we could travel again, prices of new and used caravans and motorhomes should have come down back down to before the pandemic prices alot quicker, but dealers and manufacturers have been making the most out of the supply and demand, which has now come back to haunt them, because the demand is not there anymore. The second issue is that the quality and finish of these new caravans and motorhomes that are being rushed through production and bought out is shocking, yet you're still being expected to pay 40 to 50k for them and even more for motorhomes, so it's hardly surprising that dealers are now struggling to shift stock on.
You make two very valid points here. I do maintain that this has been coming over the hill as you describe for some time… dealers have been put in tough spot in ‘having to take’ their new MY leisure vehicles and you only have to have a browse to see how many MY23 and MY24 are still ‘new’ and discounted on forecourts. The cumulative effect of the ‘covid mask’, shall we say, is now biting - manufacturers not adapted production/inflating price and dealers ordering at levels that can’t be sustained. Casualties are here. Tough times, but limited sympathy in the network - just for those employees losing jobs and people losing vehicles/money. Thanks for you input! A
They made an operating profit of 1 million last year. Seems a bit suspect. Now it's probably their tax bill that put the business into administration. Too many expensive caravans/motorhomes are about and people are no longer spending the silly money they want. The issue with caravan sales is that the campsites are too expensive so people won't pay decent money on a van then 40/50 pound a night.
Something not quite right…also look at size of dividends. Hate to say that but its public domain. The whole sales market and industry needs some serious rethinking and consideration. We only changed ours this year again as there was a significant discount and good part ex. It’s still a shame when a good and reputable dealer goes though. Do the manufacturers have a part to play to by in effect running the dealers with an annual debt (the interest free credit lines for the stock they have to carry) before applying hiked interest when unsold stock remains…are they wanting the direct sell model and fewer dealers like we have seen with the car dealer networks?
p.s More or coming I know of at least one reasonable sized dealer nearly there and a small dealer up here.
@@RollingwithTheRobsons That’s not good to hear either.
@@thetrackertravels Apparently dealers have no choice on prices either. Then apparently motorhome prices going up another 10K soon as the cab manufacturers hiking up prices. I have no idea where people have money to buy these things. We are both well paid but refuse to have huge debt to have these things.
I spoke to a dealer today and they said motorhome cab prices are going up 5k next year and that will be passed onto the customer. It's not looking good for the industry.
Bought a motorhome brand new waited 17 months for it when i got it so many faults it was crazy dealer i bought it from did not care his attitude was well i did"t build it no sympathy for dealers scum bags took the piss because of covid and the demand it had never buy a motorhome or caravan again so they do not win in the end they lose customers😊😊😊😊
When customer services is like that they definitely do… we walked away from one deal due to salesmen and vowed never to visit one due to disinterest in us and unwillingness to help or advise when we bought first one.
Pitch fees are a concern.
They have gone up… can’t deny that.
Not surprising without the supply / demand issues, caravans and motorhomes are a low quality product, when the first line of defence is sealant. In my experience, It is normally not if water ingress will occur, it is when. Then they have the cheek to say it is the customer's fault for not getting it sealed every year at service. I don't get my car or van sealed every year because their design is of much higher quality and it doesn't need it.
Yes it’s seems a common problem for some.
This happened Tuesday 9th - I have known the Browns for a good many years and morn the passing of a well established dealership - will it get a buyer? We shall see.
Not sure on if it shall - I mean Spinney just took their other site to give a cash injection and that soon dried up. Fingers crossed though.
@@thetrackertravels Possibly money taken out of business when times were good and never went back - caravan industry is cruel at times - always has been
Caravanning is no longer a cheap fun holiday. People can’t afford to pay the hefty prices to buy compounded by the high sight costs. It’s actually cheaper to rent a holiday let now. Caravans look cosmetically beautiful but they are no longer comfortable and we can’t trust the build quality. There are to many issues with water ingress and poor quality fixtures and fittings. Brand new caravans with screaming brakes and door locks that fail easily. The manufacturers have shot themselves in the foot by not listening to customers and not addressing all the issues. Many have taken customers for granted. I predict a huge crash in Caravan sales with many factories and others in the chains going into administration.
The industry needs a check of itself indeed. A hot house market through Brexit and pandemic has not cooled down enough… some, and I say some dealers have not planned well out of this, manufacturers certainly not, interested to see what the rest of the year brings.
When you’re asking 30/40k for a caravan it got to be a sound well built product and they are just not.
It has!
Same issue with batttery cars, dealers are full because only fleet buyers want them for the tax benefits..
Pricing of these is way too out of kilter still….. echoes here.
Decided to keep our old caravan and not renew as its all become to expensive.prices for a week on a service pitch averageing £34 per night plus expensive cheaply made new caravans. Caravan club not cheap anymore.thinking of giving 25yrs up.its cheaper to go to tenerife in a hotel
Know a few people doing the same with current leisure vehicles.
I have no sympathy for either of the directors, they took a large deposit on a brand new caravan a month ago, I should be collecting on Wednesday and going away with my family next Saturday 😡😡😡😡
This is awful news to read in regards to your situation. Just dreadful and its stories like this as to why I have highlighted in the video that this has been coming… makes it harder pill for you to swallow knowing this. My vlog hopefully highlights what once was a good family business and more importantly the good people they had working there - it’s why we chose them when we were caravanning. Sorry you have been a victim of this. A
I also paid a large deposit for a caravan a fortnight ago. Makes sense now why they wanted the balance less my part ex so soon. 😢
@@TimPople I am feeling very sorry for you. A sign they were desperate getting the ‘cash in the bank’ - must have been quite dry. I hope you find a way forward with credit card company or through the administrators - wish you luck A&J
Contact the FRP administrators you may be able to get your van for cheaper if it’s been delivered to BL
Likewise, took a deposit on 31May, due to pick up caravan on 12th July, thank god I didn't pay the final payment which was due on..... 9th July. Still need my deposit back...
What i dont get is that other companies make a success of selling motorhomes, so it not the market thats caused this
Sadly it is the market in its entirety - there is an over supply of new. As a result some dealers (those generally with a caravan or caravan/motorhome mix) are having to sit on a lot of pre-ordered stock that was price determined by the manufacturers and had to be bought at projected levels. Overall those dealers that have more ‘cash in the bank’ can weather this, those on tighter margins not so. This is resulting in casualties and when you look at those closing its mainly caravan or the mix. Bigger dealers like a Brownhills, for example, may have had greater buying power but even they are sitting on a packed showroom and forecourts.
@@thetrackertravels fair point well made. Never thought of it in those terms. I'm after a preowned motorhome, is it a buyers market to negotiate a price.
@@willielarsson9651 There are deals to be had - across the dealers there have been very recent reductions on both new and used. For example our part-ex from a month ago has been reduced by £3k on the forecourt. We got a good discount off the new one too. So its worth shopping around and many are getting better deals by not having a part-ex themselves. I would say monitor a couple of dealers sites and see what’s ‘sitting and not moving’ as that could help you - may need a sale if not shifting a lot. Good luck and hope you find the one you want!
@@thetrackertravels thanks for the advice. There are loads on gumtree etc, but my feelings are its safer going through a dealership.
@@willielarsson9651 Personally we have only done the dealer route (thats my risk averse nature).
I bought a Basecamp from Broadlane in 2018 and a Fairway 470 in 2020 and had excellent service from both sales and service departments. Very sorry to see them go.
We had excellent service too.
But still living in their lovely houses.!!
That as may be for the directors but it is the impact on the staff and customers thats being felt. That’s what is sad.
@@thetrackertravelsmost staff other than van sales are all family I’m sure they are sleeping sound in that big house in Cornwall
@@JonathanLawton likely the case.
Overpriced rubbish it was only a matter of time .i am not at all sad 😊
Yes, prices have risen exponentially but this is determined by the manufacturers… bears down on the dealers. I am sad - for the loyal staff and workers who have lost thier jobs. Some good people at this dealer.
Really sad news but I have to say, the demand must be dropping off due to the massive price increases of vehicles, they spiralled out of any realistic valuation after covid and never really settled back down. I'd love to buy a caravan but the numbers just don't work anymore.
It’s is dropping and the huge discounts now coming into play are evident. This could be a tricky time all round.
Bought several vans of this dealership dealt mostly with Steve service manager and Sue sales manager now in there sixty’s and made redundant where do they go now my motorhome was actually there to be sold when they folded luckily I was able to get it out and sell it myself I wanted 60k return they wanted 70k inflated prices not sustainable
Yes it is the staff I feel for in these situations. You did well to dodge that then and get your vehicle back to do what you needed to do. Yes there have been inflated prices all round… they do need to come back down to reflect the current supply v demand. Sorry to see them go though.
Pitch prices will be a cull on the industry, rip off prices pure greed, a pitch with metered electric should cost around £4 a night, then you see a revival.
There is some work to do in this space, although have seen some reductions in some CAMC sites and less deposit cost being taken, so hopefully the moves could be coming…
Went away last week to Brecon for 1 night , got charged 46.50 for a grass pitch. Absolutely shocking.
Lot of this down to manufactures keep push out new vans onto to dealers they need to slow down on building vans as same as my business of the marine market
Another greedy dealship going g under
Maybe gone, and time will tell on actual reasons for closing when final accounts land, but leaves a big hole for the customers in the area.
Because they are far too bloody expensive and the market is going to crash
It definitely seems to be struggling right now… manufacturers need to properly think about 2025 or it could certainly hit crisis.
All dealerships are the same,they sell inferior products at ridiculous high prices and warranties are hopeless!add the high prices charged by UK campsites,extra for electric hookup and up to £4 p night for one dog! It comes as no surprise Dealerships are going bust!!
To be fair its not just about the dealers, the manufacturers set the new prices that has implications down the chain. Lot of sorting out in the sector clearly going on. In our experience not had the £4 per dog per night… where’s that? Seems steep and not dog friendly.
Covid grant money run out zero interest
it was absolutely a boom time during the pandemic as demand outstripped supply of new and used.
For God's sake-Cheer up.
I’ll make the goal for the next one then! 😀🚐
@@thetrackertravels Ignore him, some people are just arses.
@@AlrighterBabber Thank you
All dealerships are the same,they sell inferior products at ridiculous high prices and warranties are hopeless!add the high prices charged by UK campsites,extra for electric hookup and up to £4 p night for one dog! It comes as no surprise Dealerships are going bust!!
To be fair its not just about the dealers, the manufacturers set the new prices that has implications down the chain. Lot of sorting out in the sector clearly going on. In our experience not had the £4 per dog per night… where’s that? Seems steep and not dog friendly.