Legal Action Complete

kc13661 · 13th July 2014, 05:59

Well we have had the caravan for a year now, and yesterday we had a service carried out on her, glad to say the safety issues all proved to be satisfactory; Gas, Electrics etc... the water inlet pipe needed a new push on fitting and the kitchen tap a micro switch.

The big issue is two areas of water ingress, now I was aware of these prior the inspection so came as no shock.

The rear window seal is in need of replacement as it is not allowing a tight seal hence water can find its way in. Also above our 'floor to ceiling window' (L shaped seating) there is signs of water ingress, this is a little more complicated, it requires an overseal, a method where the exterior joints are cleaned out and new more modern sealant is used to ensure the water can no longer penetrate the van.

Don't get me wrong, the van is not ruined, it has solid walls and no spongy areas, all in all the work will come in at around the £320 mark, that includes Service, replacement items, seals and sealants plus labour charges.

Very reasonable I think, especially for peace of mind

RPWC · 13th July 2014, 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc13661

Well we have had the caravan for a year now, and yesterday we had a service carried out on her, glad to say the safety issues all proved to be satisfactory; Gas, Electrics etc... the water inlet pipe needed a new push on fitting and the kitchen tap a micro switch.

The big issue is two areas of water ingress, now I was aware of these prior the inspection so came as no shock.

The rear window seal is in need of replacement as it is not allowing a tight seal hence water can find its way in. Also above our 'floor to ceiling window' (L shaped seating) there is signs of water ingress, this is a little more complicated, it requires an overseal, a method where the exterior joints are cleaned out and new more modern sealant is used to ensure the water can no longer penetrate the van.

Don't get me wrong, the van is not ruined, it has solid walls and no spongy areas, all in all the work will come in at around the £320 mark, that includes Service, replacement items, seals and sealants plus labour charges.

Very reasonable I think, especially for peace of mind

I agree Keith, have found Mark's prices very reasonable,good service too.

HarryM1BYT · 18th July 2014, 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc13661

Don't get me wrong, the van is not ruined, it has solid walls and no spongy areas, all in all the work will come in at around the £320 mark, that includes Service, replacement items, seals and sealants plus labour charges.

Very reasonable I think, especially for peace of mind

Hopefully that will fix it, but my own experience of damp in caravans is that (rather like rust in cars) sadly the damage is much worse than is apparent on the surface.

kc13661 · 19th July 2014, 04:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

Hopefully that will fix it, but my own experience of damp in caravans is that (rather like rust in cars) sadly the damage is much worse than is apparent on the surface.

I would tend to agree, but also like rust if you deal with it quickly you can prevent to much damage.
Also best to let someone that does it professionally deal with it

kc13661 · 15th August 2014, 20:48

Well an update from a less than happy person. I honestly thought that I was getting a good deal with the aforementioned agreement on a caravan service and repairs

Well the work was carried out by a North East Mobile engineer, and the cash was handed over, so it is now two days prior to going away and we brought the van from storage down to the house, whilst here I thought I will hook up the electric and water and test everything prior hitting the site.
Anyway certain alarm bells have started ringing, the Kitchen tap had a fault as in to get it to work you had to turn on the bathroom tap, this is down to a faulty micro switch, well lo and behold the tap still does not work. The rear window has had a 'new seal' fitted as it had previously leaked, only to find it is still leaking, on top of this when we connected the gas my wife noticed a strong smell of gas, upon checking the front locker was wreaking and this turned out to be a faulty regulator.. also part of the service was a full Gas/Electric and Damp test.
So as expected the 1st port of call is to ring the engineer, no answer ! so left a message only to receive a 'TEXT' from him saying the switch must be temperamental and the seal will need adjusting, but he will sort them 'Free of Charge'
Now is it just me, but if he has my number would a Phone call instead of a text message of been more professional and to say free of charge, am I supposed to feel grateful for this??

So it looks like a visit to the Caravan Shop tomorrow for me to purchase and fit a switch.... The rear window, well suppose a towel needs to be handy this week

HarryM1BYT · 15th August 2014, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc13661

Well an update from a less than happy person. I honestly thought that I was getting a good deal with the aforementioned agreement on a caravan service and repairs

Well the work was carried out by a North East Mobile engineer, and the cash was handed over, so it is now two days prior to going away and we brought the van from storage down to the house, whilst here I thought I will hook up the electric and water and test everything prior hitting the site.
Anyway certain alarm bells have started ringing, the Kitchen tap had a fault as in to get it to work you had to turn on the bathroom tap, this is down to a faulty micro switch, well lo and behold the tap still does not work. The rear window has had a 'new seal' fitted as it had previously leaked, only to find it is still leaking, on top of this when we connected the gas my wife noticed a strong smell of gas, upon checking the front locker was wreaking and this turned out to be a faulty regulator.. also part of the service was a full Gas/Electric and Damp test.
So as expected the 1st port of call is to ring the engineer, no answer ! so left a message only to receive a 'TEXT' from him saying the switch must be temperamental and the seal will need adjusting, but he will sort them 'Free of Charge'
Now is it just me, but if he has my number would a Phone call instead of a text message of been more professional and to say free of charge, am I supposed to feel grateful for this??

So it looks like a visit to the Caravan Shop tomorrow for me to purchase and fit a switch.... The rear window, well suppose a towel needs to be handy this week

That isn't good news at all

It sounds as if nothing has been done for the money at all.

One issue I had which wrecked a caravan I bought, was the lack of any sealant between the rubber seal and the body. If you can open a window, then just ease the seal away from the body, with no sign of a soft sealant, yours is the same.

Those horribly delicate plastic microswitched taps can be very tempermental and expensive too. A pressurised system is more reliable, where there is just one pressure switch and you can use any taps, even domestic taps are much better.

If he is doing gas tests and services, he is legally required to be qualified. It sounds as if he is not, leaving a system in such dangerous condition - maybe report him to the authorities?

Is the faulty regulator one of those bulk head mounting Truma ones, with a high pressure pipe leading to it - rather than a regulator mounted straight on the bottle?

kc13661 · 15th August 2014, 21:25

Thanks Harry

I believe he is fully registered, the regulator is one that goes on top of the bottle direct, it is a new one that I purchased and fitted a short while ago... turns out it is faulty and has now been replaced, but only because my wife smelt the gas and was not reported in the Gas Test.

One thing for sure, he will not be carrying out the repairs, I am a firm believer of giving people a chance, but I will not be ripped off, If you pay good money then you should receive a good job, it's not rocket science.

I doubt I will get a partial refund, so will cut my loss and move on, only concern now is what else did not get checked?

kc13661 · 30th November 2014, 17:45

Well an update on when I had my caravan serviced and water ingress repaired.

As my previous threads show, I was less than happy at the poor service offered by a North East Mobile Caravan Service Company, I tried to resolve the issue between myself and the engineer alas to no avail, I then sent a letter to the said person outlining my grievances regarding his lack of quality and failure to complete the work charged for.
Today I went to the van to check it, only to discover water ingress at the rear window is worse than ever (thankfully I had put paper towels and tea towels along the sill)
This has been the last straw and I have now submitted my claim to the small claims court for a full refund for the alleged work. Dissapointed it has had to go to this stage but the said engineer failed to respond to any form of communication.

Lets see where we go from here.

macafee2 · 30th November 2014, 18:44

my sympathy for you I hope it gets sorted. My caravan went back to e manufacturer Wednesday, well I hope they collected it. Also suffering from damp. The approved caravan service people did not want to take it on. No idea when I'll get it back but don't expect to see it this year.

Been some expensive stuff done under warranty. Caravan agent was saying the caravan industry is in a bit of a state, damp being a big problem.

macafee2

Tin Tent · 30th November 2014, 20:45

Hope you get it sorted out. Speaking to the engineer that serviced my van about damp he was saying that swift had a big problem with damp with the vans with the grey sides, from what i recall behind the plastic skirts the edge of the floors had'nt been sealed so there were lots of vans in dealerships with heaters drying them out for days before they were dry enough to be sealed not good.

13th July 2014, 05:59	#1
kc13661 I really should get out more....... Freelander Td4 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gateshead Posts: 2,332 Thanks: 704 Thanked 909 Times in 419 Posts	Legal Action Complete Well we have had the caravan for a year now, and yesterday we had a service carried out on her, glad to say the safety issues all proved to be satisfactory; Gas, Electrics etc... the water inlet pipe needed a new push on fitting and the kitchen tap a micro switch. The big issue is two areas of water ingress, now I was aware of these prior the inspection so came as no shock. The rear window seal is in need of replacement as it is not allowing a tight seal hence water can find its way in. Also above our 'floor to ceiling window' (L shaped seating) there is signs of water ingress, this is a little more complicated, it requires an overseal, a method where the exterior joints are cleaned out and new more modern sealant is used to ensure the water can no longer penetrate the van. Don't get me wrong, the van is not ruined, it has solid walls and no spongy areas, all in all the work will come in at around the £320 mark, that includes Service, replacement items, seals and sealants plus labour charges. Very reasonable I think, especially for peace of mind __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------- Growing old is compulsory.... Growing up is Optional

15th August 2014, 20:48	#5
kc13661 I really should get out more....... Freelander Td4 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gateshead Posts: 2,332 Thanks: 704 Thanked 909 Times in 419 Posts	Well an update from a less than happy person. I honestly thought that I was getting a good deal with the aforementioned agreement on a caravan service and repairs Well the work was carried out by a North East Mobile engineer, and the cash was handed over, so it is now two days prior to going away and we brought the van from storage down to the house, whilst here I thought I will hook up the electric and water and test everything prior hitting the site. Anyway certain alarm bells have started ringing, the Kitchen tap had a fault as in to get it to work you had to turn on the bathroom tap, this is down to a faulty micro switch, well lo and behold the tap still does not work. The rear window has had a 'new seal' fitted as it had previously leaked, only to find it is still leaking, on top of this when we connected the gas my wife noticed a strong smell of gas, upon checking the front locker was wreaking and this turned out to be a faulty regulator.. also part of the service was a full Gas/Electric and Damp test. So as expected the 1st port of call is to ring the engineer, no answer ! so left a message only to receive a 'TEXT' from him saying the switch must be temperamental and the seal will need adjusting, but he will sort them 'Free of Charge' Now is it just me, but if he has my number would a Phone call instead of a text message of been more professional and to say free of charge, am I supposed to feel grateful for this?? So it looks like a visit to the Caravan Shop tomorrow for me to purchase and fit a switch.... The rear window, well suppose a towel needs to be handy this week __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------- Growing old is compulsory.... Growing up is Optional

15th August 2014, 21:25	#7
kc13661 I really should get out more....... Freelander Td4 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gateshead Posts: 2,332 Thanks: 704 Thanked 909 Times in 419 Posts	Thanks Harry I believe he is fully registered, the regulator is one that goes on top of the bottle direct, it is a new one that I purchased and fitted a short while ago... turns out it is faulty and has now been replaced, but only because my wife smelt the gas and was not reported in the Gas Test. One thing for sure, he will not be carrying out the repairs, I am a firm believer of giving people a chance, but I will not be ripped off, If you pay good money then you should receive a good job, it's not rocket science. I doubt I will get a partial refund, so will cut my loss and move on, only concern now is what else did not get checked? __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------- Growing old is compulsory.... Growing up is Optional

30th November 2014, 17:45	#8
kc13661 I really should get out more....... Freelander Td4 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gateshead Posts: 2,332 Thanks: 704 Thanked 909 Times in 419 Posts	Legal Action Well an update on when I had my caravan serviced and water ingress repaired. As my previous threads show, I was less than happy at the poor service offered by a North East Mobile Caravan Service Company, I tried to resolve the issue between myself and the engineer alas to no avail, I then sent a letter to the said person outlining my grievances regarding his lack of quality and failure to complete the work charged for. Today I went to the van to check it, only to discover water ingress at the rear window is worse than ever (thankfully I had put paper towels and tea towels along the sill) This has been the last straw and I have now submitted my claim to the small claims court for a full refund for the alleged work. Dissapointed it has had to go to this stage but the said engineer failed to respond to any form of communication. Lets see where we go from here. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------- Growing old is compulsory.... Growing up is Optional

30th November 2014, 18:44	#9
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,943 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	my sympathy for you I hope it gets sorted. My caravan went back to e manufacturer Wednesday, well I hope they collected it. Also suffering from damp. The approved caravan service people did not want to take it on. No idea when I'll get it back but don't expect to see it this year. Been some expensive stuff done under warranty. Caravan agent was saying the caravan industry is in a bit of a state, damp being a big problem. macafee2

30th November 2014, 20:45	#10
Tin Tent Avid contributor rover 75 tourer Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Stourport On Severn Worcestershire Posts: 151 Thanks: 42 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	Hope you get it sorted out. Speaking to the engineer that serviced my van about damp he was saying that swift had a big problem with damp with the vans with the grey sides, from what i recall behind the plastic skirts the edge of the floors had'nt been sealed so there were lots of vans in dealerships with heaters drying them out for days before they were dry enough to be sealed not good.