We just bought a new Supreme 'van and have had the usual Aussie made problems with it. Sadly, the quality is not matched to the price we paid for it, but talking to independent caravan repairers, all of the 'van makers are pretty much the same - charge heaps and average to poor quality.
Be aware that the warranty they offer (usually one year) means nothing. If youre having problems with warranty, go to the ACCC or your local state customer protection dept. You will find they apply the same warranty as a motor vehicle - about 5 years - not the one year most manufacturers will try out on you. Don't accept "no" - complain - they know they cant give a short warranty and will roll over when your state customer protection or ACCC receive your complaint
Blue said
08:33 PM Oct 17, 2014
couldn't agree more Bruce & Bev..
a 12 month warranty these days is pathetic..
you'll also find a lot of there caravans are coming out of the same factory but with a different name on them...
at least with Jayco, you know you are getting a Jayco... and they have a big company to back then up on warranty issues...
still.. Jayco only give out a 12 month warranty..
Grow some Balls ffs...
Woody n Sue said
08:47 PM Oct 17, 2014
Good job you arnt farmers we pay over $500,000 to $700,000 for a harvester and only get a 12 months warranty I did a air conditioner belt after 50 hours and they tried to tell me belts weren't even covered I told em that if I bought a $14,990 Hyundai I bet they would replace the belt . They payed for it after that .
Plendo said
08:50 PM Oct 17, 2014
When we were looking for our van I was given some very good advice by a gentleman who knew the industry well, he indicated that the insurance based warranties supplied by many manufacturers are next to useless.
OzJohn was clear, any company that built decent vans would stand behind their product, and offer a factory backed warranty, of at least two years.
We bought our van from a dealer who is close to the factory, and they are also happy to stand behind the product.
They are not all the same, there are a few good ones out there.
Blue said
08:55 PM Oct 17, 2014
I might be going to the Jayco caravan Sale at Prestige Jayco Geelong on sunday..
if I remember, i'll ask him about their P***weak warranty of 12 months..
its not as though you drive the thing every day like you do a car which has 5 years warranty.. right?
D and D said
09:01 PM Oct 17, 2014
It's not just the warranty period that's a big con from most manufacturers it's also the "you gave to return it to the supplier" on the basis that the caravan dealer/manufacturer only installed it. The Commonwealth consumer protection legislation allows claims against manufacturers or suppliers or installers. Of course they're all going to try and con you that what they are offering is all that you're entitled to but as Bruce and Bev say, check out out your legal rights.
Under Australian law, all goods (except goods at auction) are covered by a statutory, or implied, warranty. This means the product you buy should be of merchantable quality; that is, it should meet the basic level of quality and performance expected, considering its description, price and other relevant circumstances.
In the case of a major TV purchase you are entitled to a refund if, for example, it develops a serious fault after 15 months when it can be expected that a TV should last at least 10 years. However, a consumer would probably be more than satisfied with a two-year run from a $10 watch, but not if it cost $2000.
If a product fails to live up to these expectations and cant be rectified within reasonable time limits, youre entitled to seek to have the contract cancelled, return the goods and get a refund.
Under a statutory warranty, any problem you have with a product is the sellers responsibility, not the manufacturers. If you have a problem refunding or exchanging an item and you have tried but failed to negotiate with the retailer, contact the fair trading office in your state for help and advice.
Kendo said
09:52 PM Oct 17, 2014
That's why forums like this are sooo important.
If you get a good deal out there and/or get good service then raise the flag! Let us all know so we can show our appreciation with our $'s.
I find it so F$@!&%g Frustrating that it has to get to the point that "we" have to be Boston Lawyers to get what should be just be a "fair go". Naive I know, but one day Alice!
It's not like new RV's are cheap!(only the Dealers and after sales service)
I could easily build a head of steam on this topic, but I think you can see where I am heading
Jeff
deverall11 said
06:36 PM Oct 18, 2014
It is a shame that in the year 2014, Australian caravan manufactures, in the main, still have a very 'agricultural' approach to building caravans that one pays quite a bit of money for. And unfortunately the quality does not seem to be directly proportional to that cash you part with.
Larry
Blue said
07:46 AM Oct 20, 2014
I asked Prestige Jayco yesterday why they only have a 12 month warranty if that they are telling us how good their product is
they didn't really have an answer.. because that's what everyone else offers (although the chassis is a couple of years warranty)
he said until someone breaks out and starts offering a longer warranty then it'll stay 12 months
I said to him that if Jayco really believes it has a superior product then why not put their balls on the line and increase their warranty..
he agreed but he is a mere salesman I guess...
so...
I have written directly to Jayco on this matter..
it'll be interesting to see if I even get a reply
PeterS said
11:39 AM Oct 20, 2014
Winjana RV 5th Wheelers give a 3 year warranty, but only 12 months on equipment from suppliers ie fridge, stove tops etc.
We just bought a new Supreme 'van and have had the usual Aussie made problems with it. Sadly, the quality is not matched to the price we paid for it, but talking to independent caravan repairers, all of the 'van makers are pretty much the same - charge heaps and average to poor quality.
Be aware that the warranty they offer (usually one year) means nothing. If youre having problems with warranty, go to the ACCC or your local state customer protection dept. You will find they apply the same warranty as a motor vehicle - about 5 years - not the one year most manufacturers will try out on you. Don't accept "no" - complain - they know they cant give a short warranty and will roll over when your state customer protection or ACCC receive your complaint
couldn't agree more Bruce & Bev..
a 12 month warranty these days is pathetic..
you'll also find a lot of there caravans are coming out of the same factory but with a different name on them...
at least with Jayco, you know you are getting a Jayco... and they have a big company to back then up on warranty issues...
still.. Jayco only give out a 12 month warranty..
Grow some Balls ffs...
When we were looking for our van I was given some very good advice by a gentleman who knew the industry well, he indicated that the insurance based warranties supplied by many manufacturers are next to useless.
OzJohn was clear, any company that built decent vans would stand behind their product, and offer a factory backed warranty, of at least two years.
We bought our van from a dealer who is close to the factory, and they are also happy to stand behind the product.
They are not all the same, there are a few good ones out there.
if I remember, i'll ask him about their P***weak warranty of 12 months..
its not as though you drive the thing every day like you do a car which has 5 years warranty.. right?
Hasn't the media quoted Choice a number of times where it advised its members that warranty is not necessarily as limited as stated? That where a good can be reasonably expected to last a long time the buyer could make a claim after the limited warranty period of 12 months as stated?
http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/money/shopping-and-legal/shopping/extended-warranties/page/statutory%20rights%20and%20wrongs.aspx
Your statutory rights
That's why forums like this are sooo important.
If you get a good deal out there and/or get good service then raise the flag! Let us all know so we can show our appreciation with our $'s.
I find it so F$@!&%g Frustrating
that it has to get to the point that "we" have to be Boston Lawyers to get what should be just be a "fair go". Naive I know, but one day Alice!
It's not like new RV's are cheap!(only the Dealers and after sales service)
I could easily build a head of steam on this topic, but I think you can see where I am heading
Jeff
Larry
they didn't really have an answer.. because that's what everyone else offers (although the chassis is a couple of years warranty)
he said until someone breaks out and starts offering a longer warranty then it'll stay 12 months
I said to him that if Jayco really believes it has a superior product then why not put their balls on the line and increase their warranty..
he agreed but he is a mere salesman I guess...
so...
I have written directly to Jayco on this matter..
it'll be interesting to see if I even get a reply
Winjana RV 5th Wheelers give a 3 year warranty, but only 12 months on equipment from suppliers ie fridge, stove tops etc.