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Caravan rip off in north wales

Hi

Not sure if this is posted in the right place, but got to let people know of the rip off occuring in caravan ownership.

Four years ago my Dad bought a brand new caravan on a "holiday camp" in North Wales, since day one he and my Step Mum where bombarded with letters, phone calls etc from this place, asking to upgrade, rent out etc etc, I can honestly say every week they where on the phone mithering, despite being asked not to. The site fees where raised by ridiculous amounts each year. Last Year the camp flooded the caravan and left it over the winter hence my folks having to claim on their own insurance for new carpets etc.

To cut a long story short, it came to a head a few weeks back with the persistant mithering and !!!! off them that my folks decided to call it a day with the site. They asked if they could move it to another site in the area and where told no! no other site in NW would take a 4 year old van from them etc etc etc, cobblers I reckon, they offered my folks 4k to buy back the van, bearing in mind it is 4 years old, they had also paid the ground rent for the year of almost 4k and would be receiving 1500 back, my parents took the cash from them (foolishly after being told by this place that they would get nothing come the end of the season).

Turns out it is now for sale over the road for 13k!, I feel that they have been well ripped off and whilst I appreciate that firms need to make money, I think that they lied and have ripped my folks off. I think that this place is corrupt! Is there anything I can do?

Comments

  • isplumm
    isplumm Posts: 2,211 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Hi,

    To be honest, I suspect not ... they accepted the offer .. although I can not understand why they accepted £1500 for service charge, when we are only a 1/3 through the year?

    These 2nd hand caravans don't have much value ... as to moving it ... well I bet that would have cost them a lot ... normally these caravan sites charge you to move the caravan ... & trying to find a site that might have taken it ... well that may have proved difficult ... often you would have had to move the caravan after a certain no of years (10-15) ..

    That £13k ... did it include the ground rent, etc - & did they actually get it??

    When we looked at it ... well decided it wasn't worth it ... they have you over barrel on all counts, buying it / renting it / service charge / moving it / selling it, etc etc ... I am not even sure that you can sell privately, without having to pass some of the money to the site ... the rules are all in favour of the site.

    Mark
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  • jpmummy
    jpmummy Posts: 176 Forumite
    The van is literally 100m from other camp and is up for 12995 PLUS fees for another site in the area, there are a list of them that it can go on!!! I think Park saw my folks coming and have made a fast buck, I think I may call their head office tomorrow to let them know that they are corrupt in their practices! To be honest I was furious when I saw the price and don't think they should get away with a 200% mark up!
  • jpmummy
    jpmummy Posts: 176 Forumite
    just to add, I would be interested to hear from other people who have had trouble with a large holiday park based in abergele as I am thinking of taking it to watchdog or the likes. Thanks
  • isplumm
    isplumm Posts: 2,211 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Hi,

    I have to be honest I am not sure what you can do about this ...

    As I have said before, the contracts are always in favour of the caravan place ... which is why we didn't buy one ....

    Your Dad sold the caravan for £4k ... which for a 2nd hand caravan 4 year old could be ok .... how much did it cost new? Remember that he would have to pay to move the van, so you need to factor that in ....

    Mark
    We’ve had to remove your signature. Please check the Forum Rules if you’re unsure why it’s been removed and, if still unsure, email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • angelfire
    angelfire Posts: 869 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    Is this Haven by any chance? My Mum has been treated badly by these rip off merchants in the past few years as well. I hope your Dad manages to get something back - if not at least he's well shot of these cowboys!
  • jpmummy
    jpmummy Posts: 176 Forumite
    Thanks for your replies......Park Resorts in Towyn (not sure if its part of Haven thou) I met a friend at the weekend from our town who has also had the same experience with them in the past few months. I feel so strongly that whilst I probably won't get anything done for my folks, that I want to stop others being ripped off!
  • Hi,

    Just come across your post. We pitched a tent at Park Resorts in Towyn (previously Haven) last year and called into their office for some leaflets on days out etc. We were then accosted by a salesman who tried desparately to sell us a caravan on their site. When we explained that we were not at all interested in buying a caravan from them we were met with abuse from the Salesman and also from the manager who claimed we had wasted their time! Not nice people at all.
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