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Post Info TOPIC: Malibu Caravan problems
Matt


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Malibu Caravan problems
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smpuki wrote:

Montie

I have gone to both CIA and Consumer Affairs.

With CIA, they asked for a written summary of my problems to be emailed to them. Which I did, but unfortunately I have not received a return email but they were helpful.

I also contacted Consumer Affairs and they have given me a case number and a Template to fill out and send to the manufacturer ~ but just before I was to send it the manufacturer called me to bring the van in for repairs, they had it for four weeks and only fixing 3 things out of 8 giving excuses why didn't do the rest. I wasn't prepared to leave the van there any longer.

I have since slowly repaired things on my own.

Basically, I want nothing to do with them 

 

Interesting reading your exploits regarding the Malibu van and difficulties getting things repaired under warranty.

Im curious........did you buy from a dealer or directly from the factory?

There are many happy Malibu owners on the Malibu Facebook pages. Like any brand of caravan, there are a few unhappy campers as well. The majority of unhappy ones seem to have purchased directly from the factory And have difficulty reaching people there. Apparently the enticement for doing that was saving money initially  as opposed to buying through one of the dealers and paying a tad more. But there are advantages to buying through a dealer. Factories build caravans and are probably not that good at customer service, dealers sell caravans and deal with customers daily. 

There are a number of recommendations of which dealers are great to deal with and testimonials from owners who have had any repairs done through these dealers, who are more than happy with the experience.

When the question is invariably asked by a potential Malibu purchaser, as to whether owners are happy with their Malibu,  overwhelmingly the response positive but they all comment to make sure they go through a dealer to purchase your Malibu caravan.  They rave about a couple in particular as providing great service. 

The vans themselves offer great value for money and use well known caravan industry appliances, BMPro, Thetford, Dometic, Sirroco G & S chassis, DO35 hitches etc

 Ive inspected the range of vans a number of times and they are well built and seem great value for money. Im considering buying one myself.

What I have gleaned from the thousands of Facebook posts Is that its best to buy through a recommended dealer and you wont have any issues with a Malibu van as any necessary warranty work is carried out as needed by the dealer and any phone calls for advice etc are answered pronto.

 

 



-- Edited by Matt on Tuesday 9th of March 2021 02:15:07 PM



-- Edited by Matt on Tuesday 9th of March 2021 05:07:26 PM

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smpuki


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Hi Matt

I initially saw the Malibu caravan at a caravan show and was impressed. As you say they do use quality accessories and parts.

Hence, when I followed up the purchase it was with the manufacturer. And dealing with them to get things fixed had been a nightmare.

If you do purchase a caravan through them or a dealer GO OVER IT WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB. It was ultra disappointing finding things wrong or missing after we got the van home.

And it's easy to say COVID is to blame for everything 



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Matt


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montie wrote:

I really don't think the OP will achieve anything posting his problems with the manufacturer on here or on other forums.

If he can't get any satisfaction by direct contact take my prior advice and use the legal channels available to him to make a claim under the Consumer Act.

Trial by social media rarely gets the desired result and can expose you to litigation for defamation.

Tribunals in all states can hear claims under the Consumer Act and the whole process is relatively inexpensive. Obviously you must support your claim with hard evidence and the manufacturer/dealer will do the same. No different to a Court except a lot less expensive.

 I dont think the OP will achieve anything regarding fixing his van issues, by posting them on here. But what he does achieve, is to warn others who may be contemplating purchasing a particular brand of caravan. Reading the issues/problems others experience can sway a person away from that purchase and avoid them having the same issues.

More of these stories/experiences , both good and bad should be published. 



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montie


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Matt wrote:
montie wrote:

I really don't think the OP will achieve anything posting his problems with the manufacturer on here or on other forums.

If he can't get any satisfaction by direct contact take my prior advice and use the legal channels available to him to make a claim under the Consumer Act.

Trial by social media rarely gets the desired result and can expose you to litigation for defamation.

Tribunals in all states can hear claims under the Consumer Act and the whole process is relatively inexpensive. Obviously you must support your claim with hard evidence and the manufacturer/dealer will do the same. No different to a Court except a lot less expensive.

 I dont think the OP will achieve anything regarding fixing his van issues, by posting them on here. But what he does achieve, is to warn others who may be contemplating purchasing a particular brand of caravan. Reading the issues/problems others experience can sway a person away from that purchase and avoid them having the same issues.

More of these stories/experiences , both good and bad should be published. 

 Matt,

You make a good point but you are assuming that the OP's allegations are fully substantiated without hearing anything from the other party at all.

I think we call that trial by media.

I am not taking sides here but both sides of the argument need to be heard before any conclusions can be drawn.



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Monty. RV Dealer.
Magnarc


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How many times have problems like Stefan's surfaced on the GN forum? Most of us are aware of the pitfalls that can arise when buying a new van from dealers that don't do the right thing. I was given some sage advice many years ago by a bloke who had spent all his working life in the industry.

"Mate never buy a new van, look for one thats one to two years old and, if its at a dealership, have a chat to the previous owner". I have followed this advice over the purchase of four vans and have never had a major problem. Lucky? maybe. I realise that purchasing second hand limits your ability to have the layout you want and concessions have to made, but we have always found something that we can live with. This does not help you Stefan I know but, if you give up mate then they have won.

I think that Montie's advice is the best way to go when all else fails.

 



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Those who wish to reap the blessings of freedom must, as men, endure the fatigue of defending it.

Thomas Paine.

 
Matt


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Magnarc wrote:

How many times have problems like Stefan's surfaced on the GN forum? Most of us are aware of the pitfalls that can arise when buying a new van from dealers that don't do the right thing. I was given some sage advice many years ago by a bloke who had spent all his working life in the industry.

"Mate never buy a new van, look for one thats one to two years old and, if its at a dealership, have a chat to the previous owner". I have followed this advice over the purchase of four vans and have never had a major problem. Lucky? maybe. I realise that purchasing second hand limits your ability to have the layout you want and concessions have to made, but we have always found something that we can live with. This does not help you Stefan I know but, if you give up mate then they have won.

I think that Montie's advice is the best way to go when all else fails.

 

 I think you could also be potentially buying someone elses problems with a second hand van. Just thinking of old mate who bought that new van, has a heap of issues with it and decides to bail and buy another. You answer his ad and come along and all of a sudden,  youve bought his lemon!

Its like most things.buyer beware. Also, would a dealer release the previous owners details so you can check past history on the van? I tried that one with a vehicle and got a definitive no (the old privacy card was pulled). 



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smpuki


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Thanks to all

Have fixed most things myself.

Been on a few local trips in Victoria ~ would enjoy more if it weren't for the lockdowns



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