Big Momma Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 Reading the July issue of Practical Motorhome whilst I was laid up in hospital I saw an article on Page 86 quoting 'Brownhills half-price service. Reading the article it refers only to the Habitation Check which they quote is usually £250 but PM have negotiated a half price deal making it £125 (I was always good at Maths :-D ). I have some confusion though, it quotes in the headline - half-price servicing but then does not quote for the mechanical service (?) The article then goes on to quote that if you own a Hymer the habitation check usually costs £250 and the damp test £275 but the deal makes it all in at £250. I thought the damp test was part of the habitation check (?) As a former Brownhills customer I rang another garage,although not Motorhome Dealer, who do servicing on BIG trucks and who subsequently do all the Motorhome tests for Brownhills, they do not however do the Habitation check as they are not Motorhome specialists. They quoted me £94 for a full service (2 Hours work inclusive of labour but not parts) and £42 MOT (a grand total of £136). I have just rung Brownhills to ask for a quote for a Motorhome Annual Service, Habitation Check and MOT and they told me that they will call me back tomorrow with a price (?) He mentioned the special deal on habitation check but did not mention anything about the mechanical service. When I told him that a rival quoted £47 per hour for the service he said that he could beat that ! Now this will be interesting as last year they were charging £100 an hour labour (?) Not sure whether the writer of the article have got confused between mechanical service and habitation check or perhaps it's just me 8-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted June 2, 2009 Author Share Posted June 2, 2009 Brownhills just got back to me with following prices: Silver Service £150 + VAT (£172.50) Gold Service £200 £200 + VAT (£230) Habitation Check £150 +VAT (£172.50) Damp Test £125 + VAT (£143.75) MOT Test £49.95 So, to rate this fairly against the other service provider, if I go for a basic service and MOT it will cost me, at Brownhills the grand total of £222.45 whereas I can get the same for £86 less at the other provider. Guess where I am going :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duetto owner Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 anyone explain what silver and gold service is for the novice, got to wait 11 months for 1st service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 The Silver servce is for those that look shrewd and the Gold is for the mugs that look like they've got plenty of cash. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mamie Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Hello Interesting post, we have just been quoted £350!! for a Habitation check and damp test by Brownhills - a 25% increase on last year's price of £250. Considering we now have to travel much further due to the Canterbury branch closing (which was nearly 2hrs drive anyway) and Brownhill's phoning us to make this "special offer" it seems a very odd way to treat customers, neither could they give us any justification for such a price increase. Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 Something not quite right with Brownhills these days. In my opinion I do not think that they will be around very much longer (with the possible exception of the Newark Site). When I last visited the Swindon site the shelves in the accessories area were nearly bare, and I am not exaggerating. It looked then as if they were having a stock clearance (!) It is not just the price they charge that is extortionate but the service from the staff has really gone down the tubes, perhaps they should rename to 'DOWNHILLS' :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 We always use a firm at MYGATE for hab servicing! None of it is rocket science, C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drollie Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 :-( Slightly off topic, but I class Brownhills as 'rough deal'. I bought a second hand Swift Suntor from Newark last December, I spent over 3 hrs getting them to go through everything which I thought could prove to be faulty, i.e. water heater, gas/electric, fridge, fire, etc.etc. the one thing I didn't ask was to see the shower in operation. Until last week I have never had occasion to use the said shower, but when I did it leaked into the cupboard underneath the sink. I was not unduly concerned as I thought I had a 12 month extended warranty, however when I telephoned to see if they could sort out the problem I was told that it was unlikely that it would be covered by the warranty, but that they would see what they could do. I made the 100 mile round trip and was told that the tap to the shower was cracked thus causing the leak this would cost £69. plus an hours work at £70 per hour plus VAT when I tried to point out that this fault was obviously there when I bought the vehicle I was told everything was thoroughly checked in their workshop and had obviously occurred during my ownership. I then went on to explain that after a couple of weeks of taking delivery the roof was leaking into the wardrobe due to someone removing the t.v. ariel and not resealing it properly, in fairness they did rectify this under the warranty, but I still fail to see how this is covered under warranty and a split tap causing a leak is not. (?) Over the years I have had 4 motorhomes from Brownhills and have been reasonably satisfied with their aftercare, the attitude today was very different. I didn't have the work carried out and the diagnosis cost £50.93 so I returned home with a leaking tap, a lighter pocket and totally disgruntled, this will definitely be the last purchase I shall make from Brownhills. >:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred grant Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 if everything was thuroughly checked in their workshop drollie me ansum then whats the point in issuin a warranty. an u was charged 50 pounds for what my luvver? f Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drollie Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 You've got it Fred - sweet F.A. plus V.A.T! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 I too have purchased all my Motorhomes from Brownhills, but they were all from Newark before I moved down South. I remeber having a discussion one day with one of their sales staff whilst I was waiting for a service and said that I thought that they were getting too big and tended to forget about the 'after sales' service to existing customers. He obviously disagreed but then he would wouldn't he (!) I have never had a good experience at Swindon, I don't just mean a smile and freindly banter but more importantly work done properly, sometimes it wasn't done at all (!) When I read letters that give praise to dealers it always seems to be the smaller dealerships, these obviously rely on repeat trade from existing customers and benefit from 'reasonable' prices and quality workmanship. Perhaps some larger dealerships should listen and learn and perhaps may survive this economic downturn (^) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyH Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Slightly off topic, but can anyone explain why West Country Motorhomes Swindon Branch now have the same address as Brownhills. They used to be in a sort of old abbey place a bit further out past the Greyhound/speedway? track. Are they both in the same place now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lloyd Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 10.....9.....8.....7....... countdown to this thread being pulled..... Seriously, although the forum have to be wary of public critiscism being levelled in a particular direction and have often pulled threads which could be construed as attacking dealers or servicing agents etc, it is interesting to see that the same threads keep re-appearing - albeit with a new originator. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 6-5-4-3-2- :D It's only my threads eliciting negative and positive experiences that get pulled it seems. >:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duetto owner Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 I though they had gone bust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 peter - 2009-06-03 8:47 PM 6-5-4-3-2- :D It's only my threads eliciting negative and positive experiences that get pulled it seems. >:-) Yeah ... but we like picking on you Peter! (lol) :D I'll bet it's gone by the morning ...... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arh Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 I just heard on the mhf site that brownhills have/are about to, go/gone bust again, pay after the work, not before Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGD Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 This may help a lot of people: Common Law of Contract Performance under English law: If you have a genuine reason not to be happy with the work from any supplier of goods or services, simply don't pay, or pay what you honestly feel is a reasoble proportion only. (One way of doing this is to pay by cheque, and then if unhappy once you've checked the MH over back at home, cancel the cheque/send them another for the reduced amount with a covering letter). If the supplier whines, invite them to take out a case in the County Court for the balance of their invoice; then a Judge will decide what was a reasonable fee for the degree of Performance (or non-Performance) under the contract between you. And send/get everything in writing of course...... Great fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4petedaniel Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 RoyH - 2009-06-03 8:16 PM . Slightly off topic, but can anyone explain why West Country Motorhomes Swindon Branch now have the same address as Brownhills. They used to be in a sort of old abbey place a bit further out past the Greyhound/speedway? track. Are they both in the same place now? Not in the same place but next door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
messerschmitt owner Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 are they having a giraffe with the price of a damp check! What happens with one? Do they have NASA involved? Someone puts a meter against a whole pile of locations inside the van and takes a reading! That's it! My local caravan place is £50 or so for a damp check! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gboden65 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 Yes but whatever the price will "Brownhills" still be there when you go for a service, no bets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted June 4, 2009 Author Share Posted June 4, 2009 I generally do not have a habitation check done. Obviously whilst it is under warranty there is a need to have this conducted but once out of warranty I see no need as long as you know your vehicle and can spot any potential problems before they arise, or indeed deal with them promptly when they do. I do not know how much it costs to purchase a damp meter, I would guess a few £'s only and how long would it take to test in appropriate areas, 20 mins perhaps (?) Now I know that a hab check also look at your Gas connections, presure etc. However, common sense should prevail and again all about knowing van and having that intuition when you know something isn't right. The bottom line is that we all have a right to make a choice. There are those that will religiously put their vans through an annual Hab Check and Damp test when they have annual service, and why not (?) There are those who have only an annual service, and why not (?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 BGD - 2009-06-04 12:52 AM This may help a lot of people: Common Law of Contract Performance under English law: If you have a genuine reason not to be happy with the work from any supplier of goods or services, simply don't pay, or pay what you honestly feel is a reasoble proportion only. (One way of doing this is to pay by cheque, and then if unhappy once you've checked the MH over back at home, cancel the cheque/send them another for the reduced amount with a covering letter). If the supplier whines, invite them to take out a case in the County Court for the balance of their invoice; then a Judge will decide what was a reasonable fee for the degree of Performance (or non-Performance) under the contract between you. And send/get everything in writing of course...... Great fun!Very good advice Bruce. Worth bearing in mind. Much less hassle than trying to negotiate money back off the dealer. It puts them on the back foot instead of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 gboden65 - 2009-06-04 11:30 AM Yes but whatever the price will "Brownhills" still be there when you go for a service, no bets.And if your van happens to be in their yard when the receiver locks the gates, you will have a real job getting it back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 While I understand your points I have to question if "common sense" is ever applied. I carry out habitation inspections and regularly have to point out to owners of vehicles over five years old that their tyres are over six years old. Only this week I pointed out to a couple that their rear tyres were showing very nasty sidewall cracking and were over six years old. Their response was one of total surprise despite claiming that they regularly check their tyre pressures, perhaps they just don't look as closely as they think they do! Another recent check revealed a gas system with a regualtor designed for bulkhead mounting left hanging on the hoses which were eight years old, severely perished and leaking badly. On pointing this out to the owner he said "that's how it was set up when I bought it five years ago"!! The trouble with common sense is its not actually that common!! D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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