Caravan Park Offering Fair Terms and Conditions

[Sunshine]

I have read so many stories on this forum and others of parks who seem to be in the business of ripping people off or misleading them by telling them one thing before selling the van to them and then doing the dirty on them afterwards that I wonder if there are any parks out there that are recommended by people who own vans on them.

Can we have any recommendations if there are any for Parks who have gone the extra mile to help their owners, especially when owners circumstances have changed and they have been forced to sell? Has anyone been treated fairly when they had to sell?

I haven't yet read of one that acted fairly and am fast coming to the conclusion that it just a rip-off industry out to fleece the public, or am I being unfair :rolleyes:

[Sunshine]

Obviously then I am right!

Will all the people that post on here that have caravans and sell caravans and own park sites, not one person can recommend a site that plays by the book and doesn't set out to chizzle people!

Actually I had sort of reached that conclusion myself after researching the subject widely on the internet and from speaking to people that have owned vans and have lost loads of money, but the non response seems to confirm my worst thoughts.

I WAS considering buying a static but now seeing as no-one can come up with any good parks that will not seek to rip me off or good reasons for owning a van, I have definitely decided to give it the elbow and go for something that offers a better return, like a small apartment where at least I will see a decent sale price when I come to sell, plus lower running costs hopefully and protection (if I buy wisely) from the landlord under more robust rules that protect the tenant.

It seems to me that the caravan industry is more or less unregulated and only seems to protect the rights of the park owners and the van owners seem to have none !

[indianwells]

I'm a park owner and I don't rip people off. We have 171 caravans and lodges on the park. I would offer to sell you one but all my pitches are full. I wonder if that's because I don't rip them off and everyone is very happy with the service I give and the price they pay?:)

[EL TEL]

Hi I Have Just Bought A New Caravan On A Lovely Site At Ingoldmells The Site Owners Have Been Very Good And Really Helped Us Their Has Been No Mention Of The Age Of Caravans And When Ever We Have Any Problems Thet Have Sorted Them Out Immediateley
I Am Still New To Caravan Ownership So We May Have Not Encoutered Any Problems Yet! El Tel

[Sunshine]

El Tel I am pleased if you are happy with your purchase. Can I come back and ask you in a few years down the line when your circumstances may have changed? It seems people who buy vans are generally happy with their purchase until they come to want to sell and then appear to have a nasty shock when they realise what they are going to lose. I have read many warning postings on the internet during my research into this subject and may I suggest that perhaps many people who end up with a nasty shock have not read the rules and regulations of the park before signing on the bottom line. Some people have lost £15,000 to the park owner in the first couple of years when they have been forced to sell due to change in family circumstances (bereavement etc.) who then readvertises the van with another £10,000 added to the price and this is by no means unusual practice.

If you read my other thread on this forum, I was offered a caravan Willerby Winchester 35 ft length with decking for £20,000 and no age mentioned either in the advert or in the email sent to me. When I questioned the age of the van which sits on a 15 year site, I was told it was 1997 !!!! It had just 3 years to go before the owner could boot it off the site and let's face it these people are not in business for their health. It is time parks were regulated more tightly and these "loose" 15 year sites which when they are trying to sell you a van purport to say "as long as you keep them in good condition", but there is no rule that protects the owner in this respect. He can chuck you off any time he chooses after the 15 years. In the above van case, it could have cost at least £8,500 p.a. for 3 years without the costs of elec. gas and water added.

If that is not profiteering then I don't know what is !

[EL TEL]

Thanks Sunshine For The Info/reply I Am Sure You Are Right About Some Ofthe Park Owners/operators Its Just That We Havent Come Across Any Of The Problems Yet But As You Say I Am Sure We Will In Future. I Must Say That We Havent Bought Our Caravan As An Investment But We Intend To Make The Best Out Of It While We Can
It Seems To Me Buying A Caravan Is Like Buying A New Car You Loose A Lot Of The Value When You Drive It Out Of The Showroom Only The Rules And Regulations About Selling A Car Is Nowhere As Complicated As Selling A Caravan. When You Read Some Of The Horror Stories On This Site It Does Make You Think El Tel

[mirkwood]

go for something that offers a better return, like a small apartment where at least I will see a decent sale price when I come to sell


don`t buy a caravan thinking that you will make money . when you come to sell

[caroll72]

We too have spent months researching on the internet for a ideal site to buy a static, just returned from 3 weeks in uk viewing possible sites and all i can say is 'thank god, we didn't buy'. I have never come accross so much 'take it or leave it', negative attitude of some park owners, who show you what they say is a 'lovely van'. That turns out to be a old, dirty , smelly pit that i wouldnt house a dog in, and you're suppose to grateful, and hand over loadsa cash just to line their pockets!! It's as thought they're doing you a big favour!! ????:confused:
It's about time, in fact way overdue , that this industry was regulated.

BUYER BEWARE!!!

[Teakbank12]

We too have spent months researching on the internet for a ideal site to buy a static, just returned from 3 weeks in uk viewing possible sites and all i can say is 'thank god, we didn't buy'. I have never come accross so much 'take it or leave it', negative attitude of some park owners, who show you what they say is a 'lovely van'. That turns out to be a old, dirty , smelly pit that i wouldnt house a dog in, and you're suppose to grateful, and hand over loadsa cash just to line their pockets!! It's as thought they're doing you a big favour!! ????:confused:
It's about time, in fact way overdue , that this industry was regulated.

BUYER BEWARE!!!


The industry IS regulated, more so than any building control in Spain or many non UK areas.
Buyer beware applies to anything purchased wether a car, caravan or even a phone.
I do think some people expect something that is never going to be achievable.
People buy bricks/mortar expecting a dead cert profit, similarly a car/caravan then panic when it does not make money.

Life is about making an informed decision & enjoying what you've purchased.

As they say buying a caravan is a "Lifestyle choice", no site will ever tell you it'll make a profit for you.

[TURNER]

We are very happy with our park so far, however until circumstances change for the worst (and of course we hope they never do) it´s difficult to answer your question, we do know about age limits and commissions to the park if we sell so at least we are aware and these things won´t come as a shock to us. In the meantime we´ll enjoy every minute in the van that we took a great deal of time to choose and were lucky to find on a park that suits us, which is not easy if you aren´t buying new, so we all in all we are happy caravanners so far.
An apartment is a very dififferent venture and I hope you are as happy with your final choice as we are with ours.

[Flamborough Sales Manager]

I do pride myself in the fact that i offer an excellent no nonsense package. I price everything fairly and honestly so people can understand everything. There is never an issue of hidden costs! lol I am definately confident because even though I rival many of the big parks on the east coast we are half the ground rent charge and on some of the vans you can save up to 12k!
I get to know my owners and experience highs and lows from marriages, children to illness and bereavement. I have a standing joke that if i stood out side the reception long enough my arm would fall off through all the waving!
I never prospect, or hassle or send mailshot after mailshot yet i sell about 10 vans a week and its no hassle - apart from the 40 odd terms and conditions bumpf that i print! haha Life is as hard as you make it - and in my area the dealers tell me im doing alright.
Which is inevitable if you treat people with respect, have patience and have superior caravans and low low prices. I pride myself being able to help any one with a budget from 5k to 100k. When circumstances change I always offer a fair price so i dont burn an owner into never wanting a static again - and 9/10 they walk back into my office with a cheque book in hand when the time is right and im happy to see them! Some of our owners have been with us 40 years.
If i didnt have so many great owners and new prospective owners i would have a few acres of empty aluminium boxes and a great view - Its the owners that make a park and the atmosphere on it!

[Flamborough Sales Manager]

Ps I have two parks with over 1000 owners! :)

[gag1951]

I have to say that in our experience to date, both of the parks that we have had our van on have ripped us off. I cannot comment on our new park as we dont take up residence there until next march but they seem to be very fair , only time will tell. Its such a pity that those decent park owners are bearing the brunt of the rip off merchants but this will continue until we DO get some decent legislation to protect us buyers/owners.
cheers.
gag1951

[Bobsnobs]

I Must admit that our site owners seem very fair too. He did have a rule book many years which he then decided to throw away. The only rule he has is NO SUBLETTING which suits us fine as we do not want to sublet anyway. When we went to visit the site we got a gut feeling this was the one for us. After purchasing the van and moving in we have spoken to a few owners who have been on the site over 14 years. Their vans are oldish but kept immaculate. The site fee are reasonable at £1900.00 pa. Drain Down charges are just over £40. A pitch has only just become vacant next to us due to the fact the the previous people have moved to far to be able to go to their van each week. They took their van off site too. We even get free fishing on the site to fish for trout. It is very laid back but a well kept stunning site. The only way to describe the site owners is they treat everybody as though they are family. We could not ask for more.

[keira]

ive been on this van before bob its stunning you are so lucky

[springhay]

Hi Sunshine, Cant resist the obvious contradiction in your name and your not so sunny disposition! Anyone would think you'd bought a caravan, lost loads of dosh and been truly ripped off!! Hey, you've decided against it. Be happy !! For what its worth, I bought an investment property about five years ago for £100,000. It's now valued at around £75,000. Didnt see that coming either - just that there are no guarantees in life other than you never get away with your taxes and that one day you will die!! Good luck with your alternative choice -

[TreeTops]

My family own a park and we we have done alsorts to help our customers over the year, the last 2 years we have had to really help out as the recession has really hit some of them hard.

We have to see our customers all the time, we dont have managers to hide behind, so we don't do anything dodgy. I like to walk about the park with my head up rather than dodging unhappy customers.

Like all industries there are bad businesses and good businesses. I am sorry if you've had the latter.

Regards

Andy

[keira]

Hi I Have Just Bought A New Caravan On A Lovely Site At Ingoldmells The Site Owners Have Been Very Good And Really Helped Us Their Has Been No Mention Of The Age Of Caravans And When Ever We Have Any Problems Thet Have Sorted Them Out Immediateley
I Am Still New To Caravan Ownership So We May Have Not Encoutered Any Problems Yet! El Tel

may i ask which site it is please?

[emmell]

I love our site, yes we have rules like no sub-letting, 10mph speed limit, pick up your own dog poo. We can sell our vans privately, we can buy our new vans off any of the approved dealers (the site don't buy or sell vans). Yes we lose a fortune on them, especially if you're like me and change the van 'cos you don't like the seats anymore.
But I don't go anywhere else on holiday so all our money goes on our home and our van.
The ground rent is just over £1860 and includes rates and electric, which we think is quite reasonable and a 5 min walk to the beach.
ML.

[timbers]

Emmel can I just ask what kind of site it is? Im in the process myself and it seems to be the big holiday parks where people lose most money when changing vans. The private park owners dont seem so 'shark' like (sorry but its a phrase everyone seems to use!) I even looked at a coastal cottage yesterday which would appreciate rather than lose value - but didnt intend going so off-track! They offered part ex to people with statics so I shouldnt have told them I was looking for one - couldnt wait to fill me in with the pitfalls! Think I'm on course again though.....

[CliveT]

Emmel can I just ask what kind of site it is? Im in the process myself and it seems to be the big holiday parks where people lose most money when changing vans. The private park owners dont seem so 'shark' like (sorry but its a phrase everyone seems to use!) I even looked at a coastal cottage yesterday which would appreciate rather than lose value - but didnt intend going so off-track! They offered part ex to people with statics so I shouldnt have told them I was looking for one - couldnt wait to fill me in with the pitfalls! Think I'm on course again though.....

Hi Timbers, some of the large parks do offer a fair deal if your upgrading but the big drop comes when you try to do a straight sale, what a lot of people forget when first buying a van is that the price usually includes all your first year charges ie ground rent,rates and insurance. We have just had a quote to upgrade after 2 yrs and taking all into account we would loose app £5k, last year we traded our yr old Ford KA in and lost 3K so i don`t think the van loss was that bad. Even on the property front you can loose a lot more just look at the last 3 years property value fell some 20%

[emmell]

[QUOTE=timbers;12574]Emmel can I just ask what kind of site it is? Im in the process myself and it seems to be the big holiday parks where people lose most money when changing vans. The private park owners dont seem so 'shark' like (sorry but its a phrase everyone seems to use!) I even looked at a coastal cottage yesterday which would appreciate rather than lose value - but didnt intend going so off-track! They offered part ex to people with statics so I shouldnt have told them I was looking for one - couldnt wait to fill me in with the pitfalls! Think I'm on course again though.....

It's owned by the council, very nice well kept site and they've just introduced a scheme whereby when the van reaches 15yrs old it has a type of yearly MOT.
I know it may not be foolproof, but, at least it doesn't mean that the van has to automatically come off when it reaches 15yrs.
ML.

[timbers]

That sounds great and I think thats the way to go. Get it right first time and keep it as long as possible. Thanks for the info. I think there's another member on here on a council site who sounds really happy with it.

[little green dragon]

Ours is a council-owned site too. No age limit on vans as long as they're kept in good nick. If you're sub-letting to anyone other than immediate family members, you have to get a 'Quality in Tourism' accreditation, which basically means that once a year someone comes round to check the van is servicable and has enough plates/ bedding etc for the number of berths. This is our first van and our first season, so I can't comment on what problems we might face, but so far everything's been great - the site team are really helpful and friendly.

[Woozle]

This is really scary reading through this forum thread. Me and my husband are just starting to look for a static caravan on a nice small site around Hunstanton area but where do you find them, only the big sites come up time and time again on internet searches. Is it just a matter of driving round our chosen area. And the term 'big business' springs to mind with one phone number turning up 10+ times on different sites I researched. Not suggesting the owners would rip us off but on visiting sites we've been told we can only purchase from them or others in the group.

I appreciate the devaluing of caravans and realise it's not a financial investment but an investment in family times together which I'm really looking forward to. Just need to find a lovely safe quiet family run site near the beach in norfolk with no clubs or bars.............does this exist, if you're out there I'll find you!!!!

[MuppetChops]

This is really scary reading through this forum thread. Me and my husband are just starting to look for a static caravan on a nice small site around Hunstanton area but where do you find them, only the big sites come up time and time again on internet searches. Is it just a matter of driving round our chosen area. And the term 'big business' springs to mind with one phone number turning up 10+ times on different sites I researched. Not suggesting the owners would rip us off but on visiting sites we've been told we can only purchase from them or others in the group.

I appreciate the devaluing of caravans and realise it's not a financial investment but an investment in family times together which I'm really looking forward to. Just need to find a lovely safe quiet family run site near the beach in norfolk with no clubs or bars.............does this exist, if you're out there I'll find you!!!!

Some friends of ours are on Tall Trees at Heacham - Hasn't got a lot on it but is very nicely kept - family run - near to beach. May be worth a try?

[MuppetChops]

Here is the link:

http://www.parklandsleisure.co.uk/norfolk/talltrees/