Best time to buy?

[Betrix]

Hi all,
I'm a newbie here and i have been reading all your posts with interest.
I am looking to buy a caravan in the near future and i'm looking for advice and tips. However, rather than ask all my questions at once thought i would ask just the one this time and more later.
My first ? > When is the best time to buy a caravan?
Thank you in anticipation
:)

[parkandleisure]

There is never a good time to buy truthfully.
The best time to buy is after you have looked around a bit at parks and caravans.
Once you have found a park you feel that is right for you then thats the time to buy .
Dont buy a caravan on price as you may regret the park you brought on as it will not be for you.

[keira]

i agree parks wish ide discovered this forum before we bought

[Betrix]

Thanks park,
Hadn't really looked at it from that point of view, although i have been looking at parks for awhile now. I know the parks i dont like but undecided about the parks i do like. I have set my sights on Ullswater but i'm looking at the south lakes also as my son and hubby like the course fishing there!!!
And Keira i am so glad i found this forum, it is full of great info and i am learning alot. It's a big outlay with no real financial return, apart from the enjoyment of my family and friends and i don't suppose you can put a price on that!!
Anyway for my next ? > As a first time buyer would you buy new or preowned?

Thanks :)

[parkandleisure]

Hi Betrix ask as many questions as you wish i will answer them for you hopefully.

Ive been in this industry for 26 years both in the factory manufacturing and as an external engineer now working for myself and see many caravans both pre-owned and new .

Once you have found the park you want to be on , then decide when you will be using the van, is the park open in winter months if it is go for one with double glazing and central heating.

Most parks nowadays have a good selection of pre-owned some only a few months old and will give good value for money as people are always upgrading vans for the latest model even if its only got a different colour suite.

Private sales are a good source but remember these dont carry any warranty, so you could pick up a bargain, unlike ones you buy off the site from the sales office these will have a warranty period.

[Goldixpcx]

Buying brand new would always be nice but its like buying a new car as soon as you drive it from the show room its worth less. Our van was 18 months old and had been well looked after so looked as new when we moved in! so we never really thought of it as 2nd hand and we saved about £15k plus the added bonus of a large decking area which was already there. There has been odd jobs we have have had to do but to be honest most of them would have been there when it was new anyway the previous owners just hadn't bothered to sort them.

As soon as all your own things are in it, it becomes yours and you soon forget anyone else was there before! :D

[indianwells]

There is never a good time to buy truthfully.
The best time to buy is after you have looked around a bit at parks and caravans.
Once you have found a park you feel that is right for you then thats the time to buy .
Dont buy a caravan on price as you may regret the park you brought on as it will not be for you.

Agreed. The park is the most important without a doubt. You could buy the best caravan in the world but if it's on the wrong park you won't be spending much time in it. It could also turn into a very expensive millstone around your neck.
Buy on the right park though and you will spend many happy years there and wonder why you didn't take the plunge earlier!
Make a shortlist of parks you think you may like and visit them. Try to take a walk around them without the sales staff to get a true feel for the place. If you can, strike up a conversation with some of the owners, you'll get more relevant information from them than any salesman trying to earn his commission!

[Betrix]

Thanks everyone,
Im getting some good feedback through the forum. I agree about the new van decreasing in value as soon as you walk in it and have always thought that i would buy a preowned one.I have looked at many and some are lovely, i would have no hesitation in buying one.
One of my questions is about the lease and contract. I am looking for a park that has at least 15 years on the vans any feedback on that would be great. Also i am looking for info on contracts and what constitutes a good contract from a bad one? Would it be bad manners to ask for a copy of a contract when just looking at parks etc?
Thanks Again Everyone
:)

[Teakbank12]

Thanks everyone,
Im getting some good feedback through the forum. I agree about the new van decreasing in value as soon as you walk in it and have always thought that i would buy a preowned one.I have looked at many and some are lovely, i would have no hesitation in buying one.
One of my questions is about the lease and contract. I am looking for a park that has at least 15 years on the vans any feedback on that would be great. Also i am looking for info on contracts and what constitutes a good contract from a bad one? Would it be bad manners to ask for a copy of a contract when just looking at parks etc?
Thanks Again Everyone
:)

All BL/Haven parks have no age limit.

Get anything in writing before purchasing on any site & yes indeed ask to see the T&C & park rules.

[indianwells]

Advice here.
http://www.myholidaycaravan.com/static_caravan_information/bh_and_hpa_and_ncc_advice.html

[Flamborough Sales Manager]

Currently I am looking at a 20 year life if the caravans make it.
Initially the BHHPA and trading standards contract that we make together has a first licence of 10 years. This is the best 10 years of any vans life, after that I will extend for 8 years on a yearly basis. Since last season, I have inspected vans on a case by case basis to see if I can do another year etc up to 20. This way if owners have bothered with regular greasing of the chassis then the van is sound and will be ok. If not then its time to say good bye to that particular van. :( On the upside :) at least they are safe. If they achieve another 2 years then its good news for the owner and good for me as I dont have to charge for scrapping vans and mutually part. Right now 2010 has seen a 60/40 split of the 40 or so vans i checked achieving it. Going forward I hope it to be 100% as people get wind of the scheme.
I am always dubious of unlimited life parks. As my experience has shown me that these parks have lots of sales people and they are constantly piling the pressure on for changing. So i doubt people will be comfortably left alone to enjoy their caravan. Of course i may be biased but its what owners from Bourne and Haven who I have pxd and rescued from double groundrent have told me.

[indianwells]

Currently I am looking at a 20 year life if the caravans make it.
Initially the BHHPA and trading standards contract that we make together has a first licence of 10 years. This is the best 10 years of any vans life, after that I will extend for 8 years on a yearly basis. Since last season, I have inspected vans on a case by case basis to see if I can do another year etc up to 20. This way if owners have bothered with regular greasing of the chassis then the van is sound and will be ok. If not then its time to say good bye to that particular van. :( On the upside :) at least they are safe. If they achieve another 2 years then its good news for the owner and good for me as I dont have to charge for scrapping vans and mutually part. Right now 2010 has seen a 60/40 split of the 40 or so vans i checked achieving it. Going forward I hope it to be 100% as people get wind of the scheme.
I am always dubious of unlimited life parks. As my experience has shown me that these parks have lots of sales people and they are constantly piling the pressure on for changing. So i doubt people will be comfortably left alone to enjoy their caravan. Of course i may be biased but its what owners from Bourne and Haven who I have pxd and rescued from double groundrent have told me.

The bit in bold is particularly good advice.

[Flamborough Sales Manager]

Thanks for the response!

[Betrix]

Thanks everyone ,
Lots of info to take in there and some good links. We have just got back from Ullswater stayed at our friends van, lovely weather, bar b q , and one or two glasses of wine :-)
We visited a park with our son this weekend and it fits the bill for us all. However, when we looked at some of the preowned they were lovely but the prices seemed over the top e.g £9000 :eek:. for a van which had this season and two more and that was just one example. I am right in thinking the park would prefer us to buy new?
Thanks for all your time and info :-)
The park has a 14 yr on its vans ?

[Teakbank12]

Thanks everyone ,
Lots of info to take in there and some good links. We have just got back from Ullswater stayed at our friends van, lovely weather, bar b q , and one or two glasses of wine :-)
We visited a park with our son this weekend and it fits the bill for us all. However, when we looked at some of the preowned they were lovely but the prices seemed over the top e.g £9000 :eek:. for a van which had this season and two more and that was just one example. I am right in thinking the park would prefer us to buy new?
Thanks for all your time and info :-)
The park has a 14 yr on its vans ?

Simple ...don't buy on a time limited park!!
You can get a van around that price (basic) on a BL/Haven park or others that have no time limit.
Firstly you must look at what park you like, secondly what pitch/area you like & then choose a van that suits your needs ie do you require proper Central heating &/or Double glazing so you can use the van comfortably any time of year.
Too many people upgrade straight away as the van they chose didn't meet their requirements, this is false economy having to upgrade.

All the best in your decisions.

[parkandleisure]

I would agree with the Haven/Bourne Leisure be wary of them
As for time limited sites , a van is designed to have a life expectancy of 10 years . But if well maintained and looked after will give longer life.
Some sites around the lincolnshire coast do not have a time span as such , they work on the principal if well looked after and not a dog it can stay on the park , the only exception to this is you cannot sell on after its 15 years old if you wish to leave the park. Seems fair to me .

[parkandleisure]

Thanks everyone ,
Lots of info to take in there and some good links. We have just got back from Ullswater stayed at our friends van, lovely weather, bar b q , and one or two glasses of wine :-)
We visited a park with our son this weekend and it fits the bill for us all. However, when we looked at some of the preowned they were lovely but the prices seemed over the top e.g £9000 :eek:. for a van which had this season and two more and that was just one example. I am right in thinking the park would prefer us to buy new?
Thanks for all your time and info :-)
The park has a 14 yr on its vans ?


For a budget of £10000 you can get a nice double glazed c/h van on the lincolnshire coast if you dont want to be near skeg vegas but 17 miles up the road towards mablethorpe. On the park theres a swimming pool, kids club, club house ( with entertainment) , open countryside , quite, friendly, and open 45 weeks