Quiz dealer to avoid buying a lemon
Consumer body advises buyers to walk away if RV retailers aren't prepared to answer tough questionsThe Caravan Council of Australia is urging all potential RV buyers to ask a number of hard-hitting questions to the dealer or manufacturer before signing the sales contract, to reduce the risk of acquiring a ‘lemon’.
“Buying a caravan is a very big investment, and it is essential that a potential buyer thoroughly does their homework beforehand, to best ensure that they make a sound and wise investment,” CCA founder Colin Young said.
In light of a crackdown on dodgy practices, Young said the CCA's 27-question RV supplier checklist is designed to “improve the professionalism of the industry and to better protect potential buyers of caravans and camper trailers from bitter and costly disappointments and traumas”.
The questions relate to the background and business practices of the manufacturer or supplier, as well as issues around build quality, testing and compliance of the RV for sale.
They include questions around whether the manufacturer has a quality assurance program in place or experienced engineer on site, and whether the sales contract complies with Australian Consumer Law.
In relation to the serious issue of overweight caravans, suppliers should also be asked whether a certified public weighbridge certificate is supplied with each van sold, and whether a fully-loaded model has been professionally tested under real-world conditions.
Young said suppliers should also be willing to complete and sign a Compliance Checklist and Pre-Delivery Checklist, also produced by the CCA.
“It is a real concern that so many caravan manufacturers have gone out of business in recent times, hence a potential buyer needs to be ultra-diligent when selecting a new caravan, so as to have a high level of confidence in the future prospects of any particular company,” he said.
"If a supplier is unable, or unwilling to answer any question, a potential buyer may well wish to ask why, and seriously consider if they feel comfortable doing business with them, and handing over a lot of money to make a sale."
Young said that while more-stringent government regulations are being put in place to address “a number of major shortcomings in the caravan industry”, RV buyers still need to do their homework before handing over their hard-earned.
For the full list of questions, go the CCA website, or email the CCA at caravancouncil@optusnet.com.au
Related reading:
Buyer beware warning for rookie caravanners
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