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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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.
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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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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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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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For long term travelling/living in a motorhome:
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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

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

2009/1/10 Mike Shepherd <mikeshepherd@gofast.co.uk>

Anyone heard anything?

They still haven't finished my repair started in July 2008 and now the
prime contacts I had seem to have been replaced, namely David Williams,
group Aftercare Director, and Nick Mackenzie, Newark Aftercare Manager.

New people will contact me shortly.

I feel a threatening letter coming on, as advised by Trading Standards,
and as I did in August resulting in the van being handed back, sadly
incomplete.

Mike

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At 09:25 10/01/2009, Stevfe wrote:
<snipped

at least two days in Seville, buy a 24hour ticket for the red bus which is hop on
hop off and at the time we did it included a two hour walking tour of
the inner city. Our walking guide got so carried away that the tour
lasted three hours. The best way is to park outside the city in a camp
site I cannot remember it's name but was easy for a cheap bus in and the
van was secure. The second day we parked in the city and ended up
paying a guardian as much as the bus fare to sit by the van for the day

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hi Bernard
An excellent campsite is Camping Villsom at the small town of Dos Hermanas just outside Seville (about 10kms). About 15/20 minutes in to Seville centre on the bus. Stops not far from campsite and also a supermarket about 5/10 mins walk away. Have a look at this link http://www.campings.net/ficha.php?idioma2=Ingles&;ficha=1296
There is so much to see if leave the coast for a while. Also in the MHlist files there is a POI file of "Aires" in Portugal and Spain if you have a Sat-Nav.
BrianM

Anyone heard anything?

They still haven't finished my repair started in July 2008 and now the prime contacts I had seem to have been replaced, namely David Williams, group Aftercare Director, and Nick Mackenzie, Newark Aftercare Manager.

New people will contact me shortly.

I feel a threatening letter coming on, as advised by Trading Standards, and as I did in August resulting in the van being handed back, sadly incomplete.

Mike

Rapido are based in Mayenne in the Western Loire...i managed to have a chat
with their Managing Director who seemed a very efficient man who spoke
perfect English...as a last resort id go and sort things out with them.. but
remember the retailer is responsible to you under the Sales of Goods Act...so have
a word with Trading Standards first, then sue Brownhills in the small claims
court.
Brownhills had a Management buy-out not long ago from the German Bank that
owned it..( makes me wonder why if it was so profitable ??

Just got back from Shepton this afternoon, just went down for the day. I
found it a bit disappointing as there didn't seem to be a lot of motorhomes
there. Although there was a new Hobby dealer there (Jones of Weston Super Mare),
who had quite a few new unused 2008 models, but there didn't seem to be any
good discounts on offer. They had a Hobby Toskana 670 with twin bunks across
the back, an overcab bed, good sized fridge/freezer and a great bathroom
(£45K) which is just what we have been looking for. I was just reaching for my
wallet to order one with automatic transmission to be told that it has been
dropped for 2009, talk about gutted. They had an automatic Sphinx 725 with rear
double bed, but that is £65K and I didn't want to pay that much. So it is back
to square one.

Marquis were offering some good deals on their county range, but although
the layouts were good the fridge/freezers were small.

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

Steve,

Thank you for hat info all taken on board and noted.

Why did you move to France? What made you consider it? any downsides that
you have found here against the U.K.?

*Carol,* do not worry about us wanting another house as keeping the grass
cut on two is enough for anyone. The grass cutting is the only downside to a
property that has not yet sold due to the current financial mess we see
every where.

Kind regards

Bernard, Finistere 29550

2009/1/10 Steve Robinson <OldAgeTravellers@googlemail.com>

--
Bernard, Pamela and Bella Ti Kornog, Rte de Kergorz, Lestrevet Plage,
Plomdiern 29550, Finistere, France.

On 10/1/09 I wrote:

Not 'alf! Check out this info on Hyoscyamus niger. (Henbane.)

I quote a little for those who did not visit the page or read it to the end.

" In 2008 celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson recommended Henbane as a
'tasty addition to salads' in the August 2008 issue of Healthy and Organic
Living magazine. He subsequently said that he had made an error, confusing
the herb with Fat Hen, a member of the spinach family. He apologised, and
the magazine sent subscribers an urgent message stating that Henbane 'is a
very toxic plant and should never be eaten'."


--
ErnB
Bristol