Lowdhams

Just bought a Swift dealer special from Birmingham show, the dealership is a 250 mile 4hr round trip away. Hope we don't live to regret it.

Multiple issues with workmanship on collection, dealers sorted majority of them out, others need to return for warranty repairs. Dealership has been helpful and professional, manufacturer quality control not controlling quality. Backward step in my mind if we have to buy local, purely based on the possibility of poor workmanship, servicing and warranty issues, this would result  in a reduction in choice and competition on pricing.

Last year bought a used Kia from a Seat dealership, again about the same distance away. Local independent garage carries out servicing for us, warranty issue on last service, Kia main dealer sorts it, F.O.C. Happy Days.

Just bought a Swift dealer special from Birmingham show, the dealership is a 250 mile 4hr round trip away. Hope we don't live to regret it.

Multiple issues with workmanship on collection, dealers sorted majority of them out, others need to return for warranty repairs. Dealership has been helpful and professional, manufacturer quality control not controlling quality. 

Am I missing something here, tp? Have you taken delivery of your dealer special and have already had to take it back to the dealer to get things fixed, or was that what you see as having to be done on new fans where ever they are purchased? There is a lot of complaints of things wrong with new Bailey and Elddis caravans, so is it the same with Swifts?

Morning

From my experience NTH there isn't a stand out brand. All manufacturers vans have problems from little niggles as you'd expect to major "shouldn't have been sold like that" vans. I've seen some shocking examples of brand new outfits that are almost unlivable. That applies to both motorhomes and caravans unfortunately.

As to your op. It's pretty much widespread the staffing issues and it's getting worse. Our local caravan repair shop is down to two engineers and the backlog is so huge they've stopped taking work. 

Where is all the workforce in this country??

JK

Where is all the workforce in this country??

They all went back to their respective home countries following Brexit and Covid furlough, would be my guess. Either that or they can get more from the government for not working than they can earn in the caravan trade, be that at the factory or a dealer's workshop.

This is the email I received from Lowdhams this week ,site has  been sold for housing.

 Lowdhams Huddersfield Update

 Dear valued customer,

We hope you are keeping well.

Towards the end of last year, we advised you concerning further changes we were having to make to our Huddersfield branch. Most of these changes were not our ideal option, and we know not all of them were popular, but we are having to adapt to an ever-changing world which has been bad news for our industry.

Unfortunately, today, we must inform you that our staff are on a 30-day consultation period with a view to close our Huddersfield site.

We are devastated and have been doing everything we could, but it has proven too difficult to prevent this. It is dreadful news for all concerned including you, our valued customers.

As you know we have been trying to relocate the Huddersfield business for some time but with no vehicle stock to sell from last September the business has no meaningful income and in these difficult times we are unable to sustain these losses any longer.

Please rest assured, as valued customers, all existing caravan and motorhome customers will be given alternate options for their servicing requirements – for those who are close to our Nottingham branch you are welcome to contact us or alternatively there are NCC approved mobile technicians or indeed, there is the option to use another suitable motorhome or caravan dealer.

Due to past redundancies, we are currently running Huddersfield with a skeleton staff so please be patient during this time. Please email any queries regarding servicing requirements or parts on order to info@lowdhams.com with the subject heading of “Huddersfield Help” and we will endeavour to get back to you as quickly as possible.

Our hearts go out to all our dedicated staff and their families who will be impacted by these required changes.

Thank you for your past business and support.

Yours sincerely

 Steve Sharpe
Group Managing Director

Hi Nellie

Story so far 

Collected van from dealer and stayed overnight on their campsite, multiple quality issues found, lockers not opening, window stays not operating correctly, varios dents and scratches on fitments, heating not working correctly, incorrect alko wheelclamp issued by swift. Dealer did solve some of the problems but will have to return for others to be repaired/replaced under warranty. On returning home started to place personal belongings into van, locker door catch came loose, and the overhead bedroom downlighter fell off, screws threads strippeed on both, I managed to fix both problems. Spent this weekend away on a nice CL near Welshpool and  the hand towel rail fell off the wall, thats a repair job for me today. Have contacted Swift and no one of authority has contcted me over these issues.I really dont think they care,  because we just keep buying the junk.

I know some would class these as 'niggles' but in my mind it is a lack of pride in workmanship and no control of quality.

My concern is what happens if theres a problem I cannot fix, will this result in a 250 mile round trip to the dealer. Are we going to be confined in our choice of vans by having to buy local because of quality and warranty issues.

I fear I have made a rod for my own back.

Would I buy another swift? based on my experieces over the last 4 weeks, ita a big no from me. 

The general opinion seems to be buy German. Maybe we need foreign intervention to bring the industry upto speed, Look what happened to the complacent British car industry.

Thats my moan completed, looking forward to our next foray, with slightly crossed fingers.

I’d reject that van, get my money back and look elsewhere closer to home.

thats something ive considered

Thanks, tp, for the update. I think that anyone considering buying a Swift would be put off after reading of your experiences. The whole of the British caravan industry seems to be in a pitiful state, as there have been similar complaints about Baileys, Elddis and Coachman. Perhaps naming the dealers who should carry out proper PDIs and don't, as well as those LV makers that are not producing habitable units, might result in the major improvements required by the industry to give confidence to we, the end users, in the units they sell.

The general opinion seems to be buy German. Maybe we need foreign intervention to bring the industry upto speed, Look what happened to the complacent British car industry.

correct me if I’m wrong but doesn’t the Hymer group own Elddis.  Perhaps someone who has brought a recent model