Caution Elddis / Glossop Caravans Bad Experience!

Posted on 20/01/2014 17:39 by irmscher001

We bought a brand new Elddis Bucaneer Schooner Caravan in July 2013 from Glossop Caravans.  Ever since we have had nothing but trouble with the van, and all involved.  The customer service and problems caused by Glossop Caravans and Elddis has been absolutely terrible.

We’ve had so much work done to the van it is hard to believe, faults included (sorry for the long list): loads of cupboards incorrectly fitted, brackets and fixings falling off numerous locker doors, lockers being replaced (bad workmanship), faulty double bed support which had snapped, creaking seats, torn mattress, bathroom door handle falling off, heating system grinding noise from filler tank which was low on fluid, household tacks falling off underneath van (used by Glossop to hold motor-mover cabling), cracked underside of caravan, leaking toilet seal, tracker system not working, table stowage tracks fell off, hole in a seat, gas hose leaking (supplied by Glossop), sealant around all windows terrible and messy (all removed and replaced), cables sticking out from behind the entrance light, faulty door handle, faulty alarm waking up the street several nights (now replaced); I think you get the idea, right? All on a brand new top of the range twin axle Buccaneer Schooner, with fitted extras approaching £33.000!

So, we try to reject the van early on and get a replacement.  But no, Glossop Caravan’s not willing to replace the van, and insist on trying to fix it.  The van went back to Elddis factory for about 6 weeks, only to return with a faulty alarm, water pump still not working correctly.  After weeks of begging and problems trying to get people to take us seriously, they replaced the alarm, and arranged retreating the exterior Paintseal G3 Glasscoat (now damaged by rectification works to windows).  So we thought we were getting somewhere right?  Worth the stress and sleepless nights fighting Glossop Caravans and Elddis?

Fast forward to 5^th December 13, still the caravan not fixed. Faults remaining: tracker not working, water pump will not turn itself off.  So then I find out more bad news I wasn’t prepared for: the Caravan roof had dents peppered across the roof, and furthermore Glossop Caravans had concealed this fact from me (evidence shows they were aware ahead of sale).

Prior to delivery, Glossop Caravans had signed an inspection report conducted by Paintseal, where staining on the roof and dents had been identified, and brought to the attention and signed for by Glossop Caravans staff.  At no point did they tell me about the damage, which shouldn’t have been on a new caravan roof; they simply ignored it, took my money, and did nothing. So surely they will now (Jan 14) have agreed to correct the problem right?

Glossop have had almost 7 weeks to work out what they will do, but they haven’t made any offer to resolve the problem.  Continued promises to do something, that never materializes. Glossop Caravans (Ralph Thorman) trying to blame Elddis for not supporting them, and Elddis (Karen Johnson, and MD) repeatedly state that issues are the responsibility of the dealer to resolve, it’s nothing to do with them!  Am I not correct to expect undamaged working goods when buying a new expensive top of the range caravan?  Well according to Glossop Caravan’s it seems not, perhaps I’m picky in not accepting damaged faulty goods?

So where do I stand?  £33,000 spent, Glossop Caravans ignoring me having had 7 weeks to do so since I yet again have rejected the goods.  I try to ring Ralph Thorman (Manager), and Brian and Stan (owners), and I cannot speak to them.  So basically, my only option is legal, and exposing them for what they are and sharing my experiences.

So it’s official, if you have a problem with Elddis, they think it doesn’t affect them, it’s not their responsibility, and you should bang your head against a brick wall with the dealer?  Great customer service Elddis, nice to feel valued!  Your MD at the NEC was dismissive, and totally uninterested!  Perhaps this is why quality control and the Elddis product are so poor of late?

Well, you have been warned people, go near Glossop Caravan’s and you will be playing with fire!  PDI’s are next to useless, delivery demonstrations to customers are next to useless, if there is a problem with the product they’ll likely hide it from you, and if you complain, they’ll ignore you!  Sales of Goods act simply doesn’t exist in their minds, they are too big to care and how dare customers complain?  The answer, they’ll likely just ignore you!

As for Elddis, their product in my opinion is substandard, poor workmanship, and reeks of none existent quality control.  For those buying a new 2014 caravan from the NEC, Glossop Caravan’s or Elddis, take note of this very real and honest review of our experience buying our Buccaneer Schooner.

Fellow members, readers, Caravaners, please stand up to Elddis and Glossop Caravans.  Vote with your feet until they start to treat us all with respect!

Expect more feedback on this case, including detailed correspondence should Elddis and Glossop Caravan’s not resolve my problems.  I will be taking them to court and exposing the issues widely, I recommend you all do the same!

Please share your experiences in this thread regarding: Elddis, Glossop Caravan’s and the Buccaneer product.  Surely I’m not alone in my experience?  Sorry for the long post, but if I spare just one person from my experience it will have been worth it.

Thanks!