This is really for those planning their great adventure and those looking at buying a new van at shows. A few yeas ago we started planning our great grey nomads adventure but events got in the way. All is good now so we have rekindled the dream. Went to the C & C show in Melbourne last week having narrowed down our van options to 6. Our budget was up to $100k. We methodically worked through the list. 2 'salesmen' did not know their products, 1 was just obnoxious and rude so they were eliminated before we even stepped in the vans so we were now down to 3. My husband could not fit in the shower of the next van so it was down to 2. We went to the one we eventually chose and we never felt pressured, he knew his product inside out but told us to go away and read the contract and warranty documents and come back either later in the day or the next or even as late as Monday (if we wanted the deal we were offered) if we wanted to proceed further. We then went to the remaining manufacturer's display. It was like watching lions' feeding time at the zoo with people busily signing up for vans. The van we looked at was excellent, the salesman knew his product and he put together a great package to entice us to sign up. We asked him for a copy of the contract and the warranty documents so we could go away and read them thoroughly before making any final decision and we were told that they don't do that until all the details have been completed on the form, the warranty document is available when we pick up the van, and that there are no hard copies anyway - it's all done on the computer. I insisted on seeing them so the salesman checked with the boss and they were adamant we were not going to be able to read the contract nor look at a warranty document before completing a contract. We walked away. A lot of people appeared to be signing contracts without being fully informed.
We were entitled to read a contract and a warranty document before any documents were signed and our plan was to do that when we found a van that was a genuine contender. Please make sure you are fully informed about the contract conditions and the warranty terms and conditions by insisting on a copy of those documents before you lift a pen. We chose a van that met all our needs, we were treated with respect, we were able to make an informed decision, and we are very happy at this point.
Told them not to get too excited because I was a looker, as in not buying yet. 1 tried pushing, 1 lost interest but I was able to learn a lot from them. I did feel like I had to get bits of info from each dealer to build up my ideas.
One thing that I found frustrating was in the design for 2 people only (in my case 1) that I liked there was a cupboard to the left of the refrigerator that had a pull out wire shelf thingy, with about 2 inches of wasted space behind it!!!??
Also all of them had this basic layout that I liked. Do the copy each others designs?
Very wise and very good advice.
You are legally entitled to read any contract prior to signing up. Just remember too that you may alter terms in a contract if they don't suit you. The contract until you sign it is their offer to you. You can make a counter offer to them by altering that document. They then have the option of acceptance or not. An actual contract is not formed until both parties have agreed by signing the final document.
Many companies have contracts that have terms which border on unconscionable conduct and can fail at law, but do not rely on that if signing up.
Once upon a time we .... well it seems like ages back in fact 2000 - 2005 that we searched in a similar fashion for our van. We spent lots of time at each Show and each Mid Year Sale with the following stated attitude to the sales people.
This was "We have a 5 year plan and in no hurry to spend yet. Do you mind if we do a close inspection and then ask you questions?"
After this we went into the van, sat on seats, laid on beds, stood in Ensuites, opened every door and drawer.
Then my wife continued her inspections and I got out with my ground sheet and torch and rolled under the van to see what was there.
Of course we saw and asked about lots of stuff.
We never got waffled too either! BUT some did not really like our approach.
There was some really good stuff around as well!
But you can see what we ended up with.
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Cheers - Ian
I slowly realise as I get older that I am definitely NOT the fastest rat in the race.
Also the older I get the more I realise I do not know.
