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Post Info TOPIC: New Caravan


Member

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New Caravan


Hi

We are new to caravaning but due to my wife's health problems we have decided to pack up and travel Australia. We intend to buy our first caravan and have been looking around before going to Melbourne Caravan show in Feb.

At the moment we have been impressed with JB Dreamline and Opal caravans as these are in our price range, both are 19.6ft and seem value for money. Does anyone have any feedback on these manufactures.

 



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Guru

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JB have been severely criticised by members of Lemon Caravans and Shonky Caravans I have also seen some reports of Opal there; suggest you check their sites
www.facebook.com/groups/lemoncaravansinaus/
www.facebook.com/groups/1059708534082431/

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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan

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Chief one feather

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Welcome to the gang Jasperred, enjoy here and out in the playground.

I don't know anything about JB or Opal so will leave the comments to those that do.



Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

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Possum3 wrote:

JB have been severely criticised by members of Lemon Caravans and Shonky Caravans I have also seen some reports of Opal there; suggest you check their sites
www.facebook.com/groups/lemoncaravansinaus/
www.facebook.com/groups/1059708534082431/


 Just had a look possum dumb guestion but can't see how to open the thing up to see the comments...



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Also a warm welcome from me, jasparred

I am sure that the people who have the types of caravans you are asking about, will come forward with their views



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Tony

It cost nothing to be polite



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Ron-D, Go to home page of group type name of van in search and owners comments come up www.facebook.com/groups/lemoncaravansinaus/search/

Maybe you need to request their site admin to join group if it doesn't work for you - It certainly gives honest opinions of owners with problems that are not allowed to criticise on usual member group pages.


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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan

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Guru

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Ron-D wrote:
Possum3 wrote:

JB have been severely criticised by members of Lemon Caravans and Shonky Caravans I have also seen some reports of Opal there; suggest you check their sites
www.facebook.com/groups/lemoncaravansinaus/
www.facebook.com/groups/1059708534082431/


 Just had a look possum dumb guestion but can't see how to open the thing up to see the comments...


Don't you have to join Facebook to access the info. We're not a member so are in the same boat as you Ron-D.



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You do have to have a Facebook Account - it's free, you may even come across some old friends

You will also need to join the group concerned



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Jeff & Rae travelling in a motorhome



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My sister has the Opal and loves it. It has performed so well when we were getting our van I used hers as a checklist for everything we wanted in our van. We have travelled together for four years and the only problem I know of is a broken Door lock. The after sales service and servicing is very good. They previously had an Opal pop top and updated to the full size Opal and haven't looked back. 



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Quo vadis



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Welcome

The Facebook site is a closed group, you have to request to join.

By the way, steer clear of the New Age mob in Melbourne, not good people to deal with, rouges!!!



-- Edited by herks on Thursday 15th of December 2016 06:16:42 PM

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Can't help with your question but I sure can say welcome to the forum Jasperred. I'm sure you will be receiving some helpful advice from other nomads on this helpful forum. Happy trails.



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don't take much notice of us on the forum some have made some bad choices , You need to take your time and walk though has many caravan has you can before you make your choice , What I like may not be what you would like , Think about what it would be like living in the space , Sit on the dinette walk around the space it took us 6 month of looking in the end still happy after 8 years .

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Guru

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Jasperred wrote:

Hi

We are new to caravaning but due to my wife's health problems we have decided to pack up and travel Australia. We intend to buy our first caravan and have been looking around before going to Melbourne Caravan show in Feb.

At the moment we have been impressed with JB Dreamline and Opal caravans as these are in our price range, both are 19.6ft and seem value for money. Does anyone have any feedback on these manufactures.

 Opal caravans are built by the previous owner of Regal caravans.

Builds a quality product gained from many years experience. There would be many happy owners out there.

Pay no attention to that crackpot lady on facebook.

 

Montie


 



-- Edited by montie on Friday 16th of December 2016 12:31:40 AM

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Monty. RV Dealer.



Senior Member

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Montie,would that be the same, quote"crackpot lady on facebook"unquote, who has an $80,000 lemon,seems this same lady is starting to rattle a few cages aye, and has a lot of disgruntled followers,time will tell. regards ray



-- Edited by warhorse on Friday 16th of December 2016 09:29:06 AM

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people expressing there concerns about lemons they have bought is two edged sword ,good brands can have there reputations tarnished, but others that are producing a crappy product deserve a bit of bad press in my opinion,Webb sites I suppose have to be carefull with this sort of topic.

personally I like the idea of a dedicated site where people can discuss there problems with there Rvs ,there will be arguments for and against, it's sort of like the wikki camp site if you read enough of the comments you can sort the sheep from the goats so as to speak ,And it could help people stay clear of wasting serious cash on something that should be a dream not a nightmare..



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Photo's from a member of other sites - on "Crackpot Lady's" site see attached.

 



Attachments
JB Caravan.docx (339.2 kb)
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan

Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.



Guru

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Ron-D wrote:

people expressing there concerns about lemons they have bought is two edged sword ,good brands can have there reputations tarnished, but others that are producing a crappy product deserve a bit of bad press in my opinion,Webb sites I suppose have to be carefull with this sort of topic.

personally I like the idea of a dedicated site where people can discuss there problems with there Rvs ,there will be arguments for and against, it's sort of like the wikki camp site if you read enough of the comments you can sort the sheep from the goats so as to speak ,And it could help people stay clear of wasting serious cash on something that should be a dream not a nightmare..


 Ron,

I am reluctant to comment further as there is I understand a defamation case pending here.

Cant help wondering though why anybody would subscribe to a "lemon list" when they can have their issues resolved legally under the Consumer Act. Costs less than $200 to lodge a claim with the tribunal and both sides of the story are heard and an order made.

Maybe they dont want the other side heard.

It's got that vigilante ring about it.!

 

Montie



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Monty. RV Dealer.



Guru

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warhorse wrote:

Montie,would that be the same, quote"crackpot lady on facebook"unquote, who has an $80,000 lemon,seems this same lady is starting to rattle a few cages aye, and has a lot of disgruntled followers,time will tell. regards ray



-- Edited by warhorse on Friday 16th of December 2016 09:29:06 AM


 Not about to comment on that particular case.

All will be revealed shortly I suspect.

There is a legal way to "rattle a cage", which doesn't include taking the law into your own hands.

 

Montie



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Monty. RV Dealer.



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There are over 5,000 - people rattling cages who have LEMON caravans - NCAT (Tribunal) will not rule on Consumer Law - Many people have un-roadworthy caravans costing around $100K. Legal ways because of the cost (over $50K) of these vans must be taken to High Court Barristers required so be prepared to fork massive sums up front - most elderly victims of shonky dealers cannot afford legal way.
Only a Dealer would suggest victims are vigilantes by requesting their legal rights through ACCC. - I believe there are no defamation cases although there has been threats by the named dealers and manufacturers - Fortunately defamation does not apply when victims provide evidence of truth.

If you are being open Kimono - detail who you work for and what brands you sell (as I have asked you previously) - I have normally found that it is the dishonest and cowards that hide behind the anonymity screen.

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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan

Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.



Guru

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montie wrote:
Ron-D wrote:

people expressing there concerns about lemons they have bought is two edged sword ,good brands can have there reputations tarnished, but others that are producing a crappy product deserve a bit of bad press in my opinion,Webb sites I suppose have to be carefull with this sort of topic.

personally I like the idea of a dedicated site where people can discuss there problems with there Rvs ,there will be arguments for and against, it's sort of like the wikki camp site if you read enough of the comments you can sort the sheep from the goats so as to speak ,And it could help people stay clear of wasting serious cash on something that should be a dream not a nightmare..


 Ron,

I am reluctant to comment further as there is I understand a defamation case pending here.

Cant help wondering though why anybody would subscribe to a "lemon list" when they can have their issues resolved legally under the Consumer Act. Costs less than $200 to lodge a claim with the tribunal and both sides of the story are heard and an order made.

Maybe they dont want the other side heard.

It's got that vigilante ring about it.!

 

Montie


Yeah Montie is it really that easy if it is good,but really the thing should be fixed by the dealer without hassles that could take forever to resolve legally, would you not be better off being warned off buying rubbishy in the first place... 



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Oh dear, there seems to be some very unhappy bitter people on here.

Why would you tow your van around with "lemon" written all over it.....what is it going to achieve other than most people viewing you as some sort of crackpot or idiot out to prove some personal point. Will it resolve whatever issue you have? Very unlikely. Do you really believe that most normal people will believe that you are trying to protect their interests by doing so..again unlikely. Intelligent people tend to see things for what they are.

We have laws in Australia to protect the consumer....they are there for everybody.

Montie

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Monty. RV Dealer.



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I don't know which is worse, Possum's legal advice or Montie's moralising.

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Sorry DMaxer; I just get so upset and angry at Shonky dealers. We have all met the poor retirees out there that have been "swindled" into buying crap shoddy caravans - If the "Crazy Lady" can change how the ACCC deals with these dishonest rogues out there, we will all be better off - even honest dealers. If the travelling public are warned about the SH*T vans and boycott them and effect their bottom line, great! More power to the "Cräzy" Ladies of this World.

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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan

Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.



Member

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Thanks for the feedback guys, we are still looking for a reliable van as we dont want to waste money and buy problems.

Still some high pressure from salespeople out there but we arent in a hurry and have 2 shows coming in Jan and Feb

 



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Check out Condor caravans, good prices and well built vans
see Condor caravan owners of aust site on facebook
Ken

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 Billabong make a pretty nice van. Built solid as...

Cheers John.



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