I got under out new baby today.

DMaxer · Guru

I got under out new baby today.

usedtobe · Veteran Member

Dmaxer, re your last line, is the pot. Calling the kettle black ?

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Thankyou Cindy. Have a safe and healthy 2016.

Plendo · Guru

I feel sorry for Hey Jim, his post about the build quality of his specific van has turned into a manufacturer bashing sessions.

It is clear that Jim has invested a significant amount of hard earned cash to acquire a van that suits their purpose, he has made this purchase based on claims made by the manufacturer that the van is suitable to be use din a specific way. Jim has not only an expectation but also a right that to expect that the manufacturer would deliver a van fit for the purpose for which it was intended.

Given the photos and descriptions that Jim has posted it is clear that the van as delivered is not built to a suitable standard, thus Jim has a right to expect that the DEALER (that is who Jim bought the van from) will rectify all faults identified with the van, and then Jim still has a right to expect the DEALER to stand by the warranty not only on the original product but also on the rectifications from that point forward.

Jim,

If I was in your shoes, I would be documenting all the faults you have found to date. Then I would send the list of faults to the DEALER (probably not a bad idea to copy the manufacturer), advise the dealer where the van is located, and ask them how they intend to rectify the problems. If they want the van at their dealership, then they should come and get it, and bring it back once fixed.

I would suggest keeping everything in writing, if the ring you just ask them to drop that to you in a note, if they will not do that then send it to them to confirm the conversation. Hopfuly you will not need it, but maybe you will.

Good luck getting everything fixed, and have many happy journeys in the van.

DMaxer · Guru

Yes, I feel sorry for him too. However, it is not the end of the world as we know it. Things go wrong, things we buy sometimes have faults, but do we really have to drag every person in on this forum with our complaining? Just say, there are a few things needed to be fixed, not give it to us all chapter and verse.

As I said on another post, I hope some people never have a real life crisis come to them, how will they cope. They will probably come on here and seek the refuge of the hand wringers and bleeding hearts and the so called experts.

-- Edited by DMaxer on Tuesday 29th of December 2015 10:48:27 PM

D and D · Guru

I think that what Jim is doing is something that needs to be done. We, as consumers, should not be expected to shell out substantial amounts of cash to get a sub standard product that does not perform as described. It's not reasonable to accept that new caravan's will "have a few teething problems"; its not reasonable to be told that a problem with a third party supplier's product has to be referred to that supplier. If I buy a car I'm pretty damn sure that the car manufacturer doesn't manufacture every part of the car - they out source it and when some thing goes wrong with the third party part the manufacturer fixes it, they don't expect you to travel the countryside to deliver it to the third party manufacturer for repair.

As most new caravans cost at least as much as our cars if not more why do we make excuses for the faults that seem to occur in all caravans but not so much for those that occur in our cars. I don't hear of people trying to personally fix faults in a new car but it appears to be expected that faults in caravans are fixed by the owner rather than the manufacturer. And let's be honest, it's not just one caravan manufacturer but all of them. Caravan manufacturers don't appear to have any quality control over their manufacturing processes and this is exacerbated by the use of unqualified staff and piece work contractors. It's not an issue of good or bad after sales service ... the problems shouldn't be there in the first place.

We should congratulate Jim on what he's doing not criticize him since we may all learn something about what is and is not acceptable in the design and construction of caravans in Australia.

Regards

Dave

Swoffer · Senior Member

Dmaxer , seriously , if you are that upset by the thread and its content just exercise yiur right not to read it .

brickies · Guru

We can all learn from Hey Jim problem and It is good that Jim has hi-lighted the problem , When taking delivery of any new RV what we should do on the day , Have a plan in place for the pre delivery,if there is a problem don't take your RV till it is OK and don't hand over any money till it's what you want , If needs be take someone with you to to give it the pre delivery check , When I picked up my new caravan I rejected it , they didn't like it but was fix in two days has they need the room in there yard and most important they wanted the money , Jim has to now wait till the 7th of April and thats not good enough , so hopefully other people on the forum maybe learn from Jim problem .

dogbox · Guru

Dougwe wrote:

Thankyou Cindy. Have a safe and healthy 2016.

did I miss something doug or did you misspost

the rocket · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
Shut the front gate!
It is obvious Jim is extremely excited about his new van but at the same time dissapointed in a few things with the finished product, like so many of us when we get a new van, so why make him feel worse with negative nasty comments
There is a lack of quality control in the caravan building industry and we have all heard about it and more than likely experienced it, I know I have. Much better Jim finds all the problems now than out in the middle of no where I reckon.
Jim, I hope things get sorted for you and you can then enjoy your new van out here in the playground.
There are some nasty people on this forum lately and it would be good if Cindy deleted their comments.

I'm with you jim. Rocket

Cupie · Guru

dogbox wrote:
Dougwe wrote:

Thankyou Cindy. Have a safe and healthy 2016.

did I miss something doug or did you misspost

Dogbox .... Cindy has deleted the 'offensive' posts & Dougwe was thanking her.

brickies · Guru

What we all must remember the Jayco caravan are made for price and market and lots are happy with the value for money , If we want more we have to pay more .

Dougwe · Chief one feather

To the top of the class for you Cupie.

It's just as important to compliment/praise someone as it is to complain.

Keep Safe on the roads.

Brisand · Veteran Member

kiwijims,

I am not against Jim checking his van out, but it would appear that from his posts that he was setting out to see how many things he could find, no matter how trivial.

Jayco has about 45% of the caravan market, but I bet they don't get 45% of the new caravan complaints, so those who give Jayco a hard time should have a look in the mirror, and check out their brand.

I spoke to the repair service centre who fixed my hot water service, and he confirmed to me at the time that Jayco were the best maker to deal with, and mentioned a few who he would not deal with.

Your comment about Jayco turning out 100's maybe you meant 1000's, and I agree that the tradesmen of today are not as skilled as those of years gone by. I doubt the electrical contractor's story, maybe he was having a bad day and did not want to help you, logic says that this could not happen.

I don't mean to get into Jim but I have heard of people who go around measuring gaps to get something to complain about, I think the best thing for all vans is to have a short shakedown cruise to test out the whole van before you have a big trip.

Happy new year.

Phil C · Guru

Hi folks, happy new year and all that stuff..

I have read some of the posts here and some of the Jayco bashers and lovers as well.

When we picked up our Jayco starcraft it had a few manufacturing glitches, I told them they had the work experience kid finish the van late on a Friday before a long weekend.. HOWEVER

They were quick to fix the problems and looked after us with respect and care. The glitches I could fix, I did. There is no way Im going to get them to plug up a hole with silastic if I can do it myself. Mind you we had a few of those to deal with.

You all know about the shower floor saga, Jayco said we were too "weighty" for the ABS, so I fibreglassed the lot. Now no issues at all with the two elephants taking a shower.

The biggest glitch and the one that pee-ed me off the most was the way AL-KO had set up the ESC. Their booklet showed the main power connection reversed and the main positive feed was on the reversing pin (pin 2) on the car connector. AL-KO told me to take it to Jayco and Jayco told me it was AL-KOs issue, so I fixed the bloody thing myself! It works now. Needless to say I gave both parties a huge serve as the ESC is a safety function and only worked when I reversed the van, as I said, it now works a treat after changing the positive feed to a hot from the ignition pin.

In saying all the above, Im highlighting that modern manufacturing, especially for budget items, use us as their quality control, any glitches after delivery get fixed by agents/manufacturer. Significant glitches like the side of the van de-laminating will get you a new van. Im not sure I like the Jayco bashers comments as our van has done some rough KMs and is warm and functional as our family home, no more glitches...

TTFN and have a safe and adventurous 2016.

TheHeaths · Guru

Phil,

I am with you. Had 3 Jayco's and they are what they are.

I feel for Jim, as he was looking forward to his new van. It is a shock when you see what you don't see at the shows. If you were to get on the floor at the shows, the pipework/electrical work/mastic wouldn't be such a shock when you get your own van home. That is how Jayco, and many other vans are built, but we seem reticent to get under them at shows to look. I always do now. Once bitten, twice shy!

We looked forward to our new one in 2009. That one leaked when it rained after 3 days and I got a new van. That had a wall delaminate after 6 days, and I had them fit a new wall (and van was better finished inside than new that time).

There will be annoying little issues of finish quality as it is a mass produced unit, not custom made. We buy a $50k van with Jayco, not a $100 k van. Are they fit for purpose, in general terms yes. Are they the best finished units on the block, no. Should customers be the quality control, no. But at the moment that is the way it is for most, if not all, brands. And from what I see on another forum I am in, it is not just Australian built vans that don't meet peoples expectations, and some have much worse issues.

Jim will get his van fixed, some fixes will be done by Jayco (before April I would hope), and some he will need to do himself, as most of us do, whatever the brand. I know I have spent a great deal of time under our last 2 Outback vans doing little things to protect pipe work and electrical work. At least I know it is done well!

I will also second your comments Phil, that Jayco, whatever else is a problem, will stand by their units and fix them. Again, not all brands are so obliging or reasonable to deal with.

Jim, once you get over the initial shock, as we did, I think you will find that the van will do exactly what you want, how you want, and you will enjoy the travels you have.

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Wednesday 30th of December 2015 02:21:25 PM

Phil C · Guru

Cupie wrote:
Dougwe wrote:
Shut the front gate!
It is obvious Jim is extremely excited about his new van but at the same time dissapointed in a few things with the finished product, like so many of us when we get a new van, so why make him feel worse with negative nasty comments
There is a lack of quality control in the caravan building industry and we have all heard about it and more than likely experienced it, I know I have. Much better Jim finds all the problems now than out in the middle of no where I reckon.
Jim, I hope things get sorted for you and you can then enjoy your new van out here in the playground.
There are some nasty people on this forum lately and it would be good if Cindy deleted their comments.

Well said. I couldn't agree more.
Those sorts of nasty comments are not what is expected on this forum. Those posters might be happier elsewhere.

Im with you Dougwe, no sense in making a bad situation worse. Happy new year guys.

Phil C · Guru

Plendo wrote:
I feel sorry for Hey Jim, his post about the build quality of his specific van has turned into a manufacturer bashing sessions.
It is clear that Jim has invested a significant amount of hard earned cash to acquire a van that suits their purpose, he has made this purchase based on claims made by the manufacturer that the van is suitable to be use din a specific way. Jim has not only an expectation but also a right that to expect that the manufacturer would deliver a van fit for the purpose for which it was intended.
Given the photos and descriptions that Jim has posted it is clear that the van as delivered is not built to a suitable standard, thus Jim has a right to expect that the DEALER (that is who Jim bought the van from) will rectify all faults identified with the van, and then Jim still has a right to expect the DEALER to stand by the warranty not only on the original product but also on the rectifications from that point forward.
Jim,
If I was in your shoes, I would be documenting all the faults you have found to date. Then I would send the list of faults to the DEALER (probably not a bad idea to copy the manufacturer), advise the dealer where the van is located, and ask them how they intend to rectify the problems. If they want the van at their dealership, then they should come and get it, and bring it back once fixed.
I would suggest keeping everything in writing, if the ring you just ask them to drop that to you in a note, if they will not do that then send it to them to confirm the conversation. Hopfuly you will not need it, but maybe you will.
Good luck getting everything fixed, and have many happy journeys in the van.

Gday Dave, hope you had a good xmas and will have a great 2016.

I just wonder who the Jayco dealer is? We had no issues at all with Jayco Adelaide.

Cheers mate, keep those bagpipes pumping...lol

Brisand · Veteran Member

Rockylizard,

I see from your post you have failed to acknowledge that with Jayco having 45% of the market they have no where near that percantage of the complaints, how many of your so called low quality vans are double dipped gal chassis? How many vans have solid fibreglass hail resistant walls, how many have ESC, how many have independent suspension, how many have the new high quality Dometic security door, how many have the hydraulic table, how many have full LED lighting system, how many have enclosed gas bottles on a slide out, how many have three doors front boot, how many have all leather, how many offer a slideout, how many have a full length LED annex light, do I need to say more, these are some of the reasons 45% of people buy Jayco and go back for more than one.

-- Edited by Webmaster on Wednesday 30th of December 2015 04:45:00 PM

Santa · Guru

Have been following this thread outlining Jim's problems, to have taken delivery so close to Christmas after almost a year of anticipation, it must have been extremely disappointing to find so many problem area's.

Re the "nasty comments" I don't think people set out to be nasty, I suspect it's more to do with them being insensitive and lacking empathy to the plight of others, there may even be a degree of sour grapes and one upmanship involved.

Regardless, I feel for Jim and his wife, hope everything works out for the best. smile

Blues Man · Guru

Santa wrote:
Have been following this thread outlining Jim's problems, to have taken delivery so close to Christmas after almost a year of anticipation, it must have been extremely disappointing to find so many problem area's.
Re the "nasty comments" I don't think people set out to be nasty, I suspect it's more to do with them being insensitive and lacking empathy to the plight of others, there may even be a degree of sour grapes and one upmanship involved.
Regardless, I feel for Jim and his wife, hope everything works out for the best.

I agree with you Santa

Blues man

Bruce and Bev · Guru

I agree with Jim and his posts about his new, non-quality, van and I also agree with the comments of John (aka Rockylizard) and KiwiJims.

But unfortunately it not just Jayco who have little or no quality control procedures in their build line. We bought a new Supreme which after discount cost us $67K.

We had major problems with the Dealer doing warranty work and after a major bun fight with one of the two brothers who now "run" the business, we went direct to Supreme. Their warranty service has been great. We are now out of warranty by 4 months, but they have agreed to warrant more repair work (we're up to repair no 61 !!!) as "good will".

We had some work done at their service centre where they employ a bunch of scruffy looking people to do the finishing work on each van (like screwing on towel rails etc) and they are supposed to do the quality control then. Each vans windows are covered with tick sheets which are supposed to be ticked off and signed by each person doing a particular quality check. I quietly stood in the background while they did my warranty repairs and a service (my cost) and not one of them ticked the sheets and all were just ripped off and thrown in a skip bin with styrene foam and plastic wrap. So much for quality control !

I was lucky and had an old Italian guy who had been in the industry since coming here as a young man, and he did a great job fixing our faults and also did the service, showing and explaining to me what he was doing and what to look for in the future. He lamented that they too often employ causal labour and what he called "druggies" in the RV industry nowdays and provided little training to staff anymore.

Salty · Veteran Member

I came in here feeling I could ask any dumb question cos i'm a newbie with a lot to learn, and felt folk in here would have all the answers, friendly and helpful, plus I could learn from others questions...I sincerely hope the few who aren't nice desist from commentating as opening one's mouth and proving to others that you are not a very nice person only goes against you, the nice folk make this site wonderful..so please don't spoil it so we don't come in anymore..just my opinion..Salty

dogbox · Guru

Phil C wrote:
Plendo wrote:
I feel sorry for Hey Jim, his post about the build quality of his specific van has turned into a manufacturer bashing sessions.
It is clear that Jim has invested a significant amount of hard earned cash to acquire a van that suits their purpose, he has made this purchase based on claims made by the manufacturer that the van is suitable to be use din a specific way. Jim has not only an expectation but also a right that to expect that the manufacturer would deliver a van fit for the purpose for which it was intended.
Given the photos and descriptions that Jim has posted it is clear that the van as delivered is not built to a suitable standard, thus Jim has a right to expect that the DEALER (that is who Jim bought the van from) will rectify all faults identified with the van, and then Jim still has a right to expect the DEALER to stand by the warranty not only on the original product but also on the rectifications from that point forward.
Jim,
If I was in your shoes, I would be documenting all the faults you have found to date. Then I would send the list of faults to the DEALER (probably not a bad idea to copy the manufacturer), advise the dealer where the van is located, and ask them how they intend to rectify the problems. If they want the van at their dealership, then they should come and get it, and bring it back once fixed.
I would suggest keeping everything in writing, if the ring you just ask them to drop that to you in a note, if they will not do that then send it to them to confirm the conversation. Hopfuly you will not need it, but maybe you will.
Good luck getting everything fixed, and have many happy journeys in the van.

Gday Dave, hope you had a good xmas and will have a great 2016.
I just wonder who the Jayco dealer is? We had no issues at all with Jayco Adelaide.
Cheers mate, keep those bagpipes pumping...lol

at this stage I don'think the dealer is the subject of the thread jim is just making a list (checking it twice maybe) if he has trouble getting things repaired /fixed/replaced in a reasonable time frame then comment on the dealer/jayco as we are going to follow his progress as it progresses he may well be happy with the results or he may not before we jump in an make expert comments lets see how he goes
looking forward to his upates

Phil C · Guru

Santa wrote:
Have been following this thread outlining Jim's problems, to have taken delivery so close to Christmas after almost a year of anticipation, it must have been extremely disappointing to find so many problem area's.
Re the "nasty comments" I don't think people set out to be nasty, I suspect it's more to do with them being insensitive and lacking empathy to the plight of others, there may even be a degree of sour grapes and one upmanship involved.
Regardless, I feel for Jim and his wife, hope everything works out for the best.

Well put Santa, despite all the rhetoric and assorted BS poor old Jim has spent his cash and has a substandard purchase. Hope its all sorted out for you Jim.. If you are in Adelaide I can help you with some of the work.

Cheers

Phil C · Guru

dogbox wrote:
Phil C wrote:
Plendo wrote:
I feel sorry for Hey Jim, his post about the build quality of his specific van has turned into a manufacturer bashing sessions.
It is clear that Jim has invested a significant amount of hard earned cash to acquire a van that suits their purpose, he has made this purchase based on claims made by the manufacturer that the van is suitable to be use din a specific way. Jim has not only an expectation but also a right that to expect that the manufacturer would deliver a van fit for the purpose for which it was intended.
Given the photos and descriptions that Jim has posted it is clear that the van as delivered is not built to a suitable standard, thus Jim has a right to expect that the DEALER (that is who Jim bought the van from) will rectify all faults identified with the van, and then Jim still has a right to expect the DEALER to stand by the warranty not only on the original product but also on the rectifications from that point forward.
Jim,
If I was in your shoes, I would be documenting all the faults you have found to date. Then I would send the list of faults to the DEALER (probably not a bad idea to copy the manufacturer), advise the dealer where the van is located, and ask them how they intend to rectify the problems. If they want the van at their dealership, then they should come and get it, and bring it back once fixed.
I would suggest keeping everything in writing, if the ring you just ask them to drop that to you in a note, if they will not do that then send it to them to confirm the conversation. Hopfuly you will not need it, but maybe you will.
Good luck getting everything fixed, and have many happy journeys in the van.

Gday Dave, hope you had a good xmas and will have a great 2016.
I just wonder who the Jayco dealer is? We had no issues at all with Jayco Adelaide.
Cheers mate, keep those bagpipes pumping...lol

at this stage I don'think the dealer is the subject of the thread jim is just making a list (checking it twice maybe) if he has trouble getting things repaired /fixed/replaced in a reasonable time frame then comment on the dealer/jayco as we are going to follow his progress as it progresses he may well be happy with the results or he may not before we jump in an make expert comments lets see how he goes
looking forward to his upates

Thanks dogbox, I mentioned wanting to know the dealer as I have some good mates at Jayco Adelaide who may be able to expedite Jims repairs.

Chers

Santa · Guru

Phil C wrote:

despite all the rhetoric and assorted BS poor old Jim has spent his cash and has a substandard purchase. Hope its all sorted out for you Jim.. If you are in Adelaide I can help you with some of the work.
Cheers

Exactly Phil.

All the best for 2016. smile

-- Edited by Santa on Thursday 31st of December 2015 02:05:12 PM

dogbox · Guru

as jim has not posted any further problems ect maybe his problems are minor or maybe he is disappointed by the response of forum members an has disappeared into the Ethernet hope he posts again so we can follow his "journey"