Hi
I fail to see your obsession with Brownhills . You have said many
times you have never and would never use them so why do you care if
they survive or not. I have bought 2 hymers of them never any trouble
but they are only a dealer there are plenty more. I spoke to the
Rapido man at Peterborough and he said there is no why he give the
deal that Brownhills were offering and at the end of the day it is
always the money. It would seem that Mike has had some problems
getting a repair but Brownhills did not make the shoddy motorhome
Rapido did so it seems easy to blame Brownhills for there poor work.
There is a letter in this months Which detailing problems getting
repairs in France and an 8/10 week wait just to get an appointment at
Bad Waldsee and they do not stock parts so a further wait for parts
from a supplier (message from Hymer). I think they are all the same
they get your money and hope it is all ok but you go for the best deal
you can Brownhills or not but i believe that prices would rise if
competition is lost


William

On 11 Jan 2009, at 14:20, Carol Weaver wrote:

I forwarded a post to Mike I received from Brownhills, they will NOT
be at
the NEC< due to credit crunch....really doesn't sound good to me,
everyone
else seems to be out and about touting the new and used vans, and
Brownhills
were ALWAYS the biggest......space, that is....see they are down to
5 places
now, but still manage to say they are the largest in Europe, have
they been
to France and looked at the YPO type of outlets, or even Marquis in
UK...

Carol

2009/1/11 Nick <nickoff2@hotmail.com>

--- In motorhome-list@yahoogroups.co.uk, Mike Shepherd
<mikeshepherd@...> wrote:

Anyone heard anything?

Mike

+

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On 28/12/08 16:12, "gbrown3010@btinternet.com" <gbrown3010@btinternet.com>
wrote:

having spent the last 2 years on a narrowboat I must confess to finding
things a little strange on 'real'roads

And I replied, but forgot to send. Better late than never???

Welcome to the list, Graham. I also made the leap from narrowboat to
motorhome. The first problem for me was payload. No matter how much you get,
it's all used up before you are half ways loaded. A situation compounded by
having to pack everything into one corner. :-))

My second problem was electrical power. Relieved somewhat by a solar panel.

One thing is the same, more or less. When you turn left there's a whole lot
of van swinging out to the right.

And one thing totally different. The standard of "driving" is better. Not so
many witless, self-styled admirals. Bristol has some right doodies.
--
ErnB
Bristol

I forwarded a post to Mike I received from Brownhills, they will NOT be at
the NEC< due to credit crunch....really doesn't sound good to me, everyone
else seems to be out and about touting the new and used vans, and Brownhills
were ALWAYS the biggest......space, that is....see they are down to 5 places
now, but still manage to say they are the largest in Europe, have they been
to France and looked at the YPO type of outlets, or even Marquis in UK...

Carol

2009/1/11 Nick <nickoff2@hotmail.com>

--- In motorhome-list@yahoogroups.co.uk, Mike Shepherd
<mikeshepherd@...> wrote:

Anyone heard anything?

Mike

+

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--- In motorhome-list@yahoogroups.co.uk, Mike Shepherd
<mikeshepherd@...> wrote:

Anyone heard anything?

Mike

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I was over at the Newark branch yesterday, Saturday, picking up a new
grey water tank tap. Although the place wasn't exactly busy the guy in
the accessories shop said that they have been selling lots of parts
but he didn't know, or not prepared to say, how van sales were going.
They must be spending money as it looks as though they have a
contractor in cutting back all the trees to the ground. Although the
place is chockablock with motorhomes the site looks somehow bare.


Nick.

The Sun Times reckons that there will be a fall in euro interest rates -
this should have a bit of a favourable effect (for us) on the euro rate.
Also reckons that there are problems in some of the European economies that
are as bad if not worse than us - banks have not got their toxic debt out in
the open yet - will also help the rate.

At the moment it is a bit of a lottery - sent off a load of euro payments
for imports on Friday - thought that I would grab a rate that had improved
only to find that later it had improved again - still the rate was a lot
better than when we bought the stuff. I estimate that last year we lost
about £80k on the fall against the rate we had used for costings at the
beginning of the year - unfortunately some of the fall could not be passed
on - but luckily most of our import buying was in sterling.

The D T yesterday was suggesting that you fill up with petrol in the UK
before going to France as it was considerably cheaper here - diesel being
about the same. It might be worth checking again just before departure.

Normally I would be trying to see if there were any early booking savings
for June but the wife has said we should stay in the UK this year but that
was a couple of weeks ago. For the time we would want to go and for the
ferries we would want to use the best I have seen is £120 return - we can't
be too flexible as we both work. Last year we booked early and found that a
late booking was the way to go but in previous years had got some very
reasonable rates. As well of the cost we have our second grandchild due in
July so that may be influencing her thinking.

We will see.


Peter S

On 11/1/09 05:45, "W3526602@aol.com" <W3526602@aol.com> wrote:

Just got my update through, rate today 1.13 - going up slowly day by
day....long may it keep doing so....

Cross fingers, everyone. Mind you, even this gentle recovery must be in
serious doubt. The UK economy is looking close to terminal. Nobody makes
anything any more. We really are, now, more than ever before, a nation of
shopkeepers. All running closing down sales.

I think that I will buy Euros at the first sign of another slide.

--
ErnB
Bristol

502 - that would be the banks commercial rate, which is always better, like
using your Nationwide card when away - these are the normal rates, but are
still usually higher than those you would actually get if you tried to
actually buy some euro's...

Carol

What was the other way of sending money?



2009/1/11 <W3526602@aol.com>

In a message dated 10/01/2009 22:49:21 GMT Standard Time,
corconx@googlemail.com writes:

Just got my update through, rate today 1.13 - going up slowly day by
day....long may it keep doing so....



Hi,

Recieved French electricity bill yesterday. Estimated at circa €145. Ooops!
There is only €135 in our French bank account. Frantic phone call to our
French bank (Saturday), found somebody who speaks English, got them to
agree to
honour our Direct Debit.

Then phoned our UK bank, rold them to send funds to France by Electronic
transfer....will cost £25. They suggested a cheaper means of electronic
transfer, only £11 (?), but it takes 4 days. Not ideal in the
circumstances.

But back on topic.......exchange rate was 1.15 euros to the pound.

602

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In a message dated 10/01/2009 22:49:21 GMT Standard Time,
corconx@googlemail.com writes:

Just got my update through, rate today 1.13 - going up slowly day by
day....long may it keep doing so....



Hi,

Recieved French electricity bill yesterday. Estimated at circa €145. Ooops!
There is only €135 in our French bank account. Frantic phone call to our
French bank (Saturday), found somebody who speaks English, got them to agree to
honour our Direct Debit.

Then phoned our UK bank, rold them to send funds to France by Electronic
transfer....will cost £25. They suggested a cheaper means of electronic
transfer, only £11 (?), but it takes 4 days. Not ideal in the circumstances.

But back on topic.......exchange rate was 1.15 euros to the pound.

602


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Just got my update through, rate today 1.13 - going up slowly day by
day....long may it keep doing so....

Carol

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ernie, saving 30% these days isn't really on - what with exchange rate etc.,
and we ran foul of that ourselves, as we had bought at 1.48 - and we ordered
it in September for a April/May delivery, and picked it up on 18th April
(due only because we wanted the automatic and it wasn't going to be out
until then), and we paid for it at 1.31 the deposit in December, and then
1.25 when we collected it. - and really lost any savings we would have
made..... we even contemplated cancelling it and losing our deposit, but
when we worked it out, Caravans Rapido had quoted nearly £6k more, WITHOUT
the accessories..... and if we had cancelled and reordered, we would have
paid more again as the euro had gone down, so we carried on, but I would say
to anyone who does go to the EU to buy, (especially if buying used), go to
the likes of Currencies Direct and buy your money straight away, at least
then you will have the rate you worked it out on....and I do think perhaps
there are going to be either used or ready to go vehicles still at good
prices over there. It was just we wanted what WE wanted, not what a dealer
had ordered....

As to your account of your repairs, we had the same, we were insured with
the Hymer with Comfort at the time, we had an Act of God accident whilst
down in Spain, due to the weather, we got ourselves (completely stuck up
with duck tape) to the nearest dealer in France, got a quote 5 days - and
then phoned and faxed Comfort for thier OK to go ahead, we were told by the
dealers by Bayonne (i think it was) that it could be done in 5 days time at
their bigger premises in Pau - Comfort said NO - (even though these were
Hymer dealers). We had to put more duck tape on (it was the rear bumped
that had come completely off and was hanging by wires, and the front wheel
arch that also came off), and in the end we were sent to an excellent coach
builders by Comfort in Westbury, Wilts (we were living in Cornwall remember
at the time), and it cost them over 2.5 times more and ended up taking
almost 4 months to get sorted....

Why - when I asked - because they couldn't guarantee the work from a Hymer
dealer in France .....mad or what.

Carol

2009/1/10 Ernest <ernb@supanet.com>

On 10/1/09 18:27, "Mike Shepherd" <mikeshepherd@gofast.co.uk> wrote:

Just buy from Caravannes Rapido in Wokingham or one of the
new dealers that are/have sprung up.

Or buy in Europe. I saved 30%, got a full 24 months no arguments warranty
and pretty good service.

I was forced to get accident damage repaired by the British agent and stood
back while my insurers were ripped-off. If I remember correctly, they paid
over three times what I was quoted for the same work in Bad Waldsee.

I have had two notable MH experiences in the UK.

MTH put in my bulk gas tank and did an excellent repair under warranty, and
S Hereford Motorcaravan Service Centre fixed my Truma. In spite of the
Truma
UK agent's poor performance.
--
ErnB
Bristol





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On 10/1/09 18:27, "Mike Shepherd" <mikeshepherd@gofast.co.uk> wrote:

Just buy from Caravannes Rapido in Wokingham or one of the
new dealers that are/have sprung up.

Or buy in Europe. I saved 30%, got a full 24 months no arguments warranty
and pretty good service.

I was forced to get accident damage repaired by the British agent and stood
back while my insurers were ripped-off. If I remember correctly, they paid
over three times what I was quoted for the same work in Bad Waldsee.

I have had two notable MH experiences in the UK.

MTH put in my bulk gas tank and did an excellent repair under warranty, and
S Hereford Motorcaravan Service Centre fixed my Truma. In spite of the Truma
UK agent's poor performance.
--
ErnB
Bristol

No chance, but I haven't posted much as I will be seeking compensation and don't want to prejudice this.

What I have posted is but the tip of the iceberg. You really wouldn't believe some of the things that happened.

In due course I will post the whole story for those who are interested.

Mike

Peter S wrote:

I thought that you had finished with this sorry saga ages ago.

I agree with your solution and if they don't pay up I see a small claims
court claim coming up - to include all out of pocket expenses getting to
Wokingham etc.

Peter S

Don't be put off by my postings. We love our Rapido and won't be changing it. Just buy from Caravannes Rapido in Wokingham or one of the new dealers that are/have sprung up.

Mike

Glyndavies47@aol.com wrote:

Hi Glyn, I only went for the day yesterday....with reference to your
comments re Rapido - I do think you have to remember how many are sold, and
how often you hear problems about the actual motorhome itself, as opposed to
the bits added on - Mikes to be honest is the ONLY Rapido model I have heard
of with actual body repairs, other than accidents...which can happen on any
model.

We bought a Rapido, having owned 2 Hymers and an American RV, we liked the
finish and the fact that there were really no problems with them. Leave
Brownhills out of the equation, which I is I think the problem with sorting
it all out, they have gone through to many problems themselves and
unfortunately for Mike, he has been caught in the middle, and the latter
problems I do not think are anything to do with Rapido...are they Mike?

If you are thinking of a Rapido, speak to Caravans Rapido, or if you want to
go abroad, you have a wide choice....

Carol

2009/1/10 <Glyndavies47@aol.com>

I had previously just about decided on a Rapido, but having read some of
the
posts on this group reference problems and getting them put right I have
been put right off them.

I had also considered Detleffs, but nobody seems to sell them anymore.

We may go to Cardiff next weekend and see what there is on offer there, I
saw an Auto Trail somewhere that had a similar layout to the Toskana 670,
perhaps they will have one in Cardiff. Does anyone have any experience of
Auto
Trail?


Glyn Davies

Pontypool, South Wales

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Don,

that may be the NEC website. They were not down for October at the NEC but were there in force.

Hope you are feeling better.

Regards

Mike

Don Madge wrote:

Hi,

No, I've had it back since early September but without the bodyside graphics, and minus pedal rubbers that somehow disappeared when it was with them.

I had a long discussion with Norbert Waldhausle, the rapido Export Director, at the NEC which came to nothing, even with registered letters to him during the Summer.

Nice bloke but really not interested. I had hoped that he would say "if they don't fix it we will", but his only offering was essentially "its between me and Brownhills" and Rapido were not interested.

David Williams immediately said he would send someone to my home to fix it when I got it back in early September, but they then just ignore you. I've had no contact back since early October until recent emails to the CEO told me the two names were no longer contacts and others would contact me.

If they don't fix it soon, I will take it to Wokingham and pay to get it fixed, and then send them the invoice. I've told them that.

The good news is that the GRP repair seems to have taken OK. Norbert said it would either be good forever or would return within a short time.

I really wonder how any of these firms will survive what looks like a deep recession, when they are selling "optional items".

In Today's Which Motorhome the Brownhills advert sounds threatening. Buy now or it will cost much more later.

Mike





Carol Weaver wrote:

I went yesterday, seemed quiet, lots of motorhomes stopping over, went to
speak to MHF members staying there - which was tbh the reason for going.

I had a few things I wanted to do, speak to Rapido (Caravans Rapido) as they
are always there, had a few things to check - like lights - which type for
LED's, about fitting spare wheel on rear - and also whether it would be
possible to make the bed lift up on a hinge....and to look at any new
model.....and they have improved some re the points that annoy me...

But in general I didn't look at motorhomes - as I wasn't in the market for
one - picked up the new Portugal and Spain Aires guide whilst at Vicarious's
stand, together with the Seaview Camping - they look good....

Noticed what to me was a new dealer - Somerset Motor Homes at Thornfalcon -
which is about 1.5m from J25 of M5 towards Ilminster - it was a car showroom
when we passed that way in November which was closing down... so not sure
if they were located elsewhere before, but if not a new one....looked like
used only

Quite a few of the other local dealers, like obviously Chelston and West
Country, but there were Three Counties and several others displaying...

Looked like some good deals around, one I saw, was one of the big Knaus A
Class models, brand new, reduced by £20kk....yes £20,000 - I asked if Knaus
were now gone completely, but apparently NOT, they have now been bought out
by a financial company, who are intending to carry on trading. Lowdhams are
the dealers....so they told me.... but do check for yourself if you buy
these. I still love Knaus myself, but the A class was too expensive for our
short pockets...but at £20k, I might well have been tempted....although the
model there wasn't a layout I wanted.

Anyone else going?

Carol

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Oh Mike.....that sounds really bad to me....as they always had such a huge
stand....and they seem to be losing franchises left right and centre.... I
would go get your vehicle and contact Rapido for help and advice.

Carol

2009/1/10 Don Madge <don.madge@tiscali.co.uk>

On Sat 10 January 2009 16:02 Carol wrote

Mike - they weren't at Shepton - not sure if they are there for the January
show - but thought they would have been - Lowdhams were there.... but it
doesn't mean anything. I think you should get it back and make an
appointment with Rapido in France to get it sorted - it might be the
easiest
action to get it sorted...

I really am sorry...

If there were to go under again, where would you stand with your motorhome
there?
----------------------------------------------------
Carol,

There not down to show at the NEC either.

Don


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On Sat 10 January 2009 16:02 Carol wrote

Mike - they weren't at Shepton - not sure if they are there for the January
show - but thought they would have been - Lowdhams were there.... but it
doesn't mean anything. I think you should get it back and make an
appointment with Rapido in France to get it sorted - it might be the easiest
action to get it sorted...

I really am sorry...

If there were to go under again, where would you stand with your motorhome
there?
----------------------------------------------------
Carol,

There not down to show at the NEC either.

Don