Anyone looking to import a new Globecar/Possl van (RHD)

[Derek Uzzell]

Robinhood - 2014-11-24 9:57 AM

 

...from the eBay listing, I think most of the 'vans are in fact Globecar (not Pössl) branded...

 

 

Having looked again at the ebay listing (and re-read JudgeMental’s earlier postings) I now appreciate that all of these motorhomes being offered for sale are Globecar-branded. Consequently, the fact that there is no agency in the UK for Possl-branded motorhomes is irrelevant and Clive can ignore the questions I asked in my posting of 24 November 2014 9:25 AM.

[Robinhood]

Derek Uzzell - 2014-11-24 1:36 PM

 

Robinhood - 2014-11-24 9:57 AM

 

...from the eBay listing, I think most of the 'vans are in fact Globecar (not Pössl) branded...

 

 

Having looked again at the ebay listing (and re-read JudgeMental’s earlier postings) I now appreciate that all of these motorhomes being offered for sale are Globecar-branded. Consequently, the fact that there is no agency in the UK for Possl-branded motorhomes is irrelevant and Clive can ignore the questions I asked in my posting of 24 November 2014 9:25 AM.

 

...given that there is a statement that UK Globecar dealers won't touch warranty work for these 'vans, then I think (mutatis mutandis) the questions you raise thinking that they are Pössl branded are still quite relevant for any potential buyer.

 

As Clive says he would be responsible for the warranty, then his relationship with the factory (since he seems to be acting as an agent for an agent, not for the factory) for any warranty authorisation, parts and spares, would be a good one to ask.

 

 

[mikebeaches]

Slightly off topic, but perhaps still possibly relevant to the discussion.

 

A few weeks ago I visited The Family Travel Centre in Bristol ( http://www.familytravelcentre.co.uk/ ), which until recently was a Globecar agent. I was a little surprised to learn they had decided to drop the brand for the new season - 2015.

 

Apparently, the company was very happy with the quality and specification of the products, but said they weren't able to obtain the back-up support they required from Globecar. Family Travel Centre prides itself on the quality of customer service it offers, and apparently felt its relationship with the manufacturer compromised its position in that regard.

 

Make of that what you will. I was simply a prospective customer, and rather disappointed because the business is fairly local to us and does appear to provide good service.

[Cliveyfossil]

Derek

 

To answer your question regarding warranty you raise a valid point.

 

Before I entered a commercial relationship with the German company this was all thrashed out at a meeting.

 

The situation is as stated there is no official Possl dealer in the UK. Yes all the vans on offer now are Globecar branded however it's Possl that would be picking up the cost of any warranty work required.

 

My company would have to deal with any warranty claim which would be submitted through the German company who would deal direct with the factory. I was made fully aware at the start how warranty with the conversion would work as I insisted on it as I do with any motorhome that I import. In fairness there is no issue with the chassis or ancillary equipment as these warranties are European wide and personally I use a local NCC approved engineer and have done with no issues as they are glad of the extra income stream.

 

I have recently been looking at some LHD Possl vans in Germany and I have enquiries about importing a couple of them. Personally I think the quality is excellent and I've no doubt the Globecar is aswell. If my experience of Adria in terms of a quality build is anything to go by I doubt there will be any major issues with these vans. But I needed to be assured that if the situation arose it could be dealt with.

 

My latest import was an Adria Matrix Supreme from Sweden and is a stunning bit of kit. You may have started to gather that I am a really keen motorhomer and I never intended to be involved with any marque that I would not be happy with myself.

 

I'm sure that some people will benefit from these new vans and save a good deal in the process. Good luck to them is all I can say.

[Guest JudgeMental]

Derek Uzzell - 2014-11-24 1:36 PM

 

Robinhood - 2014-11-24 9:57 AM

 

...from the eBay listing, I think most of the 'vans are in fact Globecar (not Pössl) branded...

 

 

Having looked again at the ebay listing (and re-read JudgeMental’s earlier postings) I now appreciate that all of these motorhomes being offered for sale are Globecar-branded. Consequently, the fact that there is no agency in the UK for Possl-branded motorhomes is irrelevant and Clive can ignore the questions I asked in my posting of 24 November 2014 9:25 AM.

 

But they are nigh on identical...essentially the same vehicles model for model. Peter Possl started the business 40 years ago and has built a good reputation in Europe, where you will mainly see the Possl brand. Possl tend to be lighter wood, and nicer graphics. and on predominantly the slightly cheaper Citroen chassis (or Fiat) with Globecar mainly on Fiat base. Academic anyway as these all Globecar on Fiat chassis

 

Two have signed up from vans this week and well pleased with the deals...Registration straight forward as no need for VCA checks etc.,..as vans full UK spec.

 

If I can sell mine i'm certainly going to get one.....

[Derek Uzzell]

The significant difference (and I’m certain you are well aware of this) is that, whereas “Globecar”-branded motorhomes are marketed in the UK via a network of Globecar dealerships

 

http://www.globecaruk.co.uk/dealer-list/

 

this is not the case with “Possl”-branded motorhomes. There are currently no UK dealerships appointed by Possl to sell new “Possl”-branded motorhomes or handle under-warranty work relating to such vehicles.

 

That “Globecar”-branded motorhomes and “Possl”-branded ones are built in the same factory and are often clones design-wise is evidently irrelevant as far as UK Globecar dealerships are concerned. This is purely a ‘branding’ issue and, as I said in this thread’s 2nd posting, UK Globecar dealerships are apparently not authorised to perform under-warranty work on “Possl”-branded motorhomes. This is something that a UK-based potential buyer of a “Possl”-branded motorhome might want to bear in mind.

 

When I collected my Ford Transit-based Hobby motorhome from Germany in 2005 I discussed its warranties with the German dealer. He said (correctly) that any under-warranty issues with the base vehicle would be covered in the UK by the Ford warranty and any under-warranty issues with major appliances (eg. the Truma heater and Dometic fridge) would be dealt with via the warranties provided by the manufacturers of those appliances. Regarding issues with the conversion, these would come under Hobby’s ‘pan-European’ warranty. At that time there was only one UK agent for Hobby motorhomes - Brownhills - and it was well-known that Brownhills were very reluctant to carry out under-warranty work on self-imported Hobby motorhomes. Nevertheless, there WAS a UK Hobby agent and, if I remember correctly, some Hobby motorhome self-importers managed to get Brownhills to perform (reluctantly) under-warranty work having been instructed to do so by the Hobby factory.

 

Clive Singleton said earlier that (where under-warranty work is concerned) “UK Globecar dealers will not touch...” “Globecar”-branded motorhomes that have not been sold in the UK via UK Globecar agents. I don’t know what the warranty terms and conditions are for “Globecar”-branded motorhomes, but I suspect that the warranty is ‘pan-European” with the stipulation that under-warranty work be performed by an official Globecar agent and approved by the German converter. I’ve no idea if the German converter would be prepared to put pressure on UK Globecar dealerships to perform under-warranty work on ‘grey imports’, but there’s theoretically more chance of getting under-warranty work on one of Clive’s “Globecar”-branded vehicles (or a “Globecar”-branded self-import) in the UK than on an equivalent “Possl”-branded motorhome, simply because there are no UK dealerships for the latter brand.

 

It should be anticipated that UK agents for any brand of motorhome may well be very reluctant to perform under-warranty work on ‘grey imports’. But some forum members have found a UK dealership marketing the brand of motorhome they’ve bought abroad prepared to carry out under-warranty work and obligatory under-warranty checks.

 

In principle, then, there might be a UK Globecar agent prepared to carry out under-warranty work on a “Globecar”-branded motorhome obtained via Clive’s company (I’d try “Go European” as they used to specialise in motorhome grey-importing) but there’s much less chance of this happening with a “Possl”-branded motorhome as there aren’t any UK Possl agents.

[Guest JudgeMental]

imagination running riot again...I see no issues that cant be handled by supplying German dealer directly. Probably a hell of a lot quicker and more efficiently than service you get here.

 

UK dealers are so up their own backsides they generally dont want to work on anything they have not supplied in the first place... stories are legion where someone buys a van at dealer A, moves to new area and dealer B won't have nothing to do with it!lol. UK market a basket case and why I opted out of it years back....

 

What exactly do you foresee being insurmountable with a Possl branded van, that they are becoming more popular is obvious, I know of at least 2 bought very recently by Globecar forum members and me of course this year. from a resale point of view Globecar probably easier as becoming an established brand.......But again this a nonsense as they are nigh on identical

[Brian Kirby]

Our Hobby developed a leak shortly after we got it. It was supplied by a German Hobby dealer, Autohaus Frey, Minfeld, and we took it to them, by arrangement, for the leak to be investigated and repairs to be authorised and implelented. They took copies of our photos, took a lot of time taking details, and then did nothing more. I eventually got the problem sorted via Bundesvan, who had imported it for us, with the assistance of Ernst Caravan und Freizeit Center, Ettenheim.

 

So, when its second damp ingress check was due I arranged to go to Ernst. When we arrived, Christian Ernst (the proprietor) made clear that he was happy to do the damp check, but was less than happy to carry out any warranty work on the van, as he had not supplied it. He explained that a number of Hobby dealers had ended up picking up the pieces after Frey, whose approach to warranty work was to stall until the customer went elsewhere, so they were now collectively refusing to do such work and were pressuring Hobby to compel Fery to honour his obligations, or withdraw his concession.

 

Part of the problem, I suspect, both in terms of Frey's reluctance to fix warranty problems and the other dealer's unwillingness to pick them up, was that Frey beat the rest on price, so sold more vans. So, it will not always be the case that German dealers will jump into the breach where they were not the original supplier. I'm not implying that my experience is in any way typical; just that remedy may not be quite so straightforward if the van is not returned whence it came should warranty work be required.

 

Re Possl, I believe Calais Caravanes, Avenue Roger Salengro, Calais, are still Possl (among other) dealers, and from my dealings with them in 2005/6 are very helpful and might be worth approaching (they speak English) if problems arose with a Possl branded van.

 

However, if buying one of the RHD vans the thread is primarily about, but with no intention of taking it across the channel, then I think Derek's caution is well founded. It may be that a UK Globecar dealer would undertake qualifying repairs within the warranty period, but may only do this if paid for the work, and that Clive would then have to claim back the cost from Globecar. This would be OK if Globecar has agreed to reimburse the full commercial rate for time in lieu of the lower rate franchised dealers usually get. Otherwise, who reimburses the difference?

 

In fact, I think the risk of problems over the warranty is fairly low. As Eddie has pointed out, most of the "capital" equipment is separately guaranteed by its makers and the mechanical elements and bodywork will have the Fiat warranty, leaving only the internal fit out (basically the water system, wiring, windows, cabinet work, and soft furnishings) to be directly warranted by Globecar. The warranty issue I think a potential buyer would want covered in writing, is the actual mechanism by which Clive deals with warranty costs, in terms of who has to pay who to do what.

 

Beyond the warranty, I'd just want to be certain that I was dealing with a UK registered company, so that the usual provisions of consumer legislation would be applicable to the sale. From what he says, it seems Clive should be able to provide sufficient comfort to his customers on both scores.

[Derek Uzzell]

JudgeMental - 2014-11-27 12:20 PM

 

imagination running riot again...I see no issues that cant be handled by supplying German dealer directly. Probably a hell of a lot quicker and more efficiently than service you get here.

 

UK dealers are so up their own backsides they generally dont want to work on anything they have not supplied in the first place... stories are legion where someone buys a van at dealer A, moves to new area and dealer B won't have nothing to do with it!lol. UK market a basket case and why I opted out of it years back....

 

What exactly do you foresee being insurmountable with a Possl branded van, that they are becoming more popular is obvious, I know of at least 2 bought very recently by Globecar forum members and me of course this year. from a resale point of view Globecar probably easier as becoming an established brand.......But again this a nonsense as they are nigh on identical

 

Currently there are no UK Possl dealerships. Consequently, there is no Possl-sanctioned backup in the UK for imported Possl-branded motorhomes. UK Globecar dealerships apparently will not perform under-warranty work on Possl-branded motorhomes. This situation presents people buying a new Possl motorhome abroad and importing it (or arranging for it to be imported) into the UK with a greater challenge warranty-wise than if an equivalent Globecar-branded vehicle were purchased.

 

(Surely this isn’t a difficult thing to acknowledge? If one bought a new Auto-Sleepers motorhome in the UK then moved to France to live, if any under-warranty work needed doing, there’d be no A-S dealers in France to do it. But, if you bought a new Pilote in the UK then moved to France, getting under-warranty work done SHOULD be easier because there are Pilote dealers in France.)

 

Brian Kirby mentions Ernst Caravan und Freizeit Center, at Ettenheim (near Strasbourg). I bought my Hobby motorhome from the Ernst dealership in 2005 with no intention of returning there unless it proved absolutely necessary (and with no intention of motorcaravanning in Germany either). The vehicle proved to have some major conversion faults but I addressed those myself. During my 9 years of ownership I never had the habitation side of the motorhome professionally serviced and I chose not to have the annual obligatory check needed to maintain the validity of the Hobby ‘watertightness’ warranty. I always understood that there might be difficulties having under-warranty conversion-related work carried out on the Hobby in the UK and that I might need to go back to Ernst, but I factored that into the decision to buy the vehicle outside the UK. My view was that, if I chose to buy a motorhome outside the UK and I got bitten, that would be my own stupid fault. I don’t regret buying the Hobby abroad - it was an interesting adventure - but I’ve decided not to repeat the exercise.

 

You ask "What exactly do you foresee being insurmountable with a Possl branded van...”. I don’t see anything being ‘insurmountable’, just that faults in a Possl-branded van will potentially be more difficult to deal with in the UK than faults in a Globecar-branded van.

 

This earlier forum-thread refers to problems with a Globecar motorhome purchased via a UK dealership and should indicate that new Globecars are not always perfect. As you continually highlight Globecars and Possls are nigh on identical, so similar faults could equally be present on a Possl-branded van.

 

http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/German-address-for-Globecar-Possl/33123/

 

If you are going to say that, if you buy a motorhome abroad, you should be prepared to take it back to the original vendor for any under-warranty work to be carried out, I’ve always understood that to be so. Mel Eastburn used to emphasise this in his Buying Abroad working-aid together with the possibility that UK dealerships might shun motorhomes bought abroad. I just wonder how many people considering buying a motorhome abroad appreciate this.

[Guest JudgeMental]

More alarmist tosh.....As a guide on how NOT to import a CB yours spot on..... I would never buy a Coachbuilt from germany not that daft I'm afraid, or ignore the water ingress warranty. Why would I buy in Germany when comparably good deals in Belgium only a few hours away, its bonkers to be honest.

 

Panel vans different as less issues, like I said earlier nothing that cant be sorted directly with dealer. in the highly unlikely event that a problem could not be sorted here and a factory visit necessary..what is the big deal, I would just visit on way to italy in the summer. or at easter..whatever. considering the savings on offer and my "real life" experience of importing 9 vehicles over 20 years, risk negligible to nonexistent from my perspective......

 

As for recommending buying from the commercial thread hijacker, you need your collective heads examined...I suggest you apply the usual caveats and checks. Its all his fault that the chances of finding a UK dealer to honour warranty has now disappeared, Possl initially promised this. I would rather deal with german dealer directly, for previous reasons given. as they are Possl's (Yes the company the produces ALL these vans is POSSL) main agent so have the in house expertise and stock + the influence to sort problems quickly

 

New RHD vans at trade prices whats not to like. they will even deliver to your door if you wish. Or you can get someone to handle it for you, but at least your contract and back up will be with a main agent *-)

[Muswell]

If the vehicle is covered by the manufacturer and the equipment too then why not just not worry about the warranty? If you have made a big saving on the purchase you could afford to have any correction work done out of the saving, especially If you cost in the trouble of getting to a warranty dealer. Even a water leak on a PVC is only a couple of hours work.

[pepe63xnotuse]

Muswell - 2014-11-28 1:45 PM

 

If the vehicle is covered by the manufacturer and the equipment too then why not just not worry about the warranty? If you have made a big saving on the purchase you could afford to have any correction work done out of the saving, especially If you cost in the trouble of getting to a warranty dealer. Even a water leak on a PVC is only a couple of hours work.

 

Exactly..What is the issue, as long as the base vehicle and the "generic" habitation kit(Truma etc) are covered?

..and it's not as if getting warranty work carried out on models that have been bought from UK dealers, is a piece of cake anyway.

As has been said, many "dealers" refuse to touch UK vans that they haven't sold anyway... :-S

 

Not warranty, admittedly, but when we had some queries concerning our previous van, as well respected as they may be, the UK dealership/agent(s), were a bit clueless and a waste of time to be honest...and it was far easier just contacting and dealing with, the manufacturer's HQ on the Continent.

[Brian Kirby]

Muswell - 2014-11-28 1:45 PM

 

If the vehicle is covered by the manufacturer and the equipment too then why not just not worry about the warranty? If you have made a big saving on the purchase you could afford to have any correction work done out of the saving, especially If you cost in the trouble of getting to a warranty dealer. Even a water leak on a PVC is only a couple of hours work.

That, simply stated, IS the problem. To benefit from the manufacturer's warranty, you have to have the manufacturer's warranty booklet, which is usually supplied, properly completed, by an authorised dealer. For the warranty to be valid, it has to be validated, so who would validate the warranty for these vehicles? Who is the authorised supplying dealer? That is the question that needs an answer.

 

The appeal of a big cash saving tends, at time, to overwhelm common-sense. It is for the buyer to be satisfied that they are getting a genuine bargain, and not a pig in a poke. The buyer may well have made that big saving, but stretched his budget to do so, because of the appeal of getting a new van. So, although he may have made the big saving, he may not have any of the saved cash to spend on repairs that would otherwise be repairable under warranty.

 

We do not all do things in the same way, we do not all have the same experience of motorhomes, we do not all have the same attitude to risks, we do not all have the cash to buy ourselves out of trouble after buying vans. So, what is good for one person, may be anathema to another. This should be realised, and taken into account.

[Muswell]

I don't know that the appeal of a big cash saving tends to overwhelms common sense. It could be the other way round...the offer of a warranty overwhelms common sense.

 

:-D

Taking a big cash saving but losing the warranty iseffectively the same as not paying for product insurance. I insure my house because I can't afford for it to burn down, even though that is very low risk but I never take out product insurance. You just need to do the risk/consequence/cost assessment.

 

[Guest JudgeMental]

but your not loosening the warranty far from it.....on registration all 2014 vans have 2 year Fiat warranty and 2 year Possl (who are globecar, globecar not a manufacturer but a Possl brand)

 

As already explained the warranty is with the supplying dealer in Germany and better for it IMO. May not be for everyone obviously, who ever said it was! But why the merchants of doom constantly carp on about something that has no interest to them I do have to wonder! The suspicious fuddy duddys, seeing non existent obstacles that can all be managed....is just wearisome to be honest

 

Those who feel happier paying a lot more from a local dealer with probably lamentable service afterwards (that may well not be in business next year) feel free. I'm an experienced importer and while I understand this argument it means nothing to me.....I import with good reason when I look at the state of the UK market I want nothing to do with it.

 

those who have bought are delighted with the deal and savings made... One of the vans I'm interested in is in the north of England the other with German dealer...Its quicker to get to Germany then the north, warranty with them would not be feasible...and I know who I will get good service from if I need it... I am very risk adverse!

 

The agent Brian used in the past and others on here will get it, register it and deliver it at a price...I really don't see the problem. Someone new to this flew over last week to check (£35 easy jet flight) and has bought a van..... :-D

[goldi]

mikebeaches - 2014-11-24 2:37 PM

 

Slightly off topic, but perhaps still possibly relevant to the discussion.

 

A few weeks ago I visited The Family Travel Centre in Bristol ( http://www.familytravelcentre.co.uk/ ), which until recently was a Globecar agent. I was a little surprised to learn they had decided to drop the brand for the new season - 2015.

 

Apparently, the company was very happy with the quality and specification of the products, but said they weren't able to obtain the back-up support they required from Globecar. Family Travel Centre prides itself on the quality of customer service it offers, and apparently felt its relationship with the manufacturer compromised its position in that regard.

 

Make of that what you will. I was simply a prospective customer, and rather disappointed because the business is fairly local to us and does appear to provide good service.

 

Afternoon folks,

 

I have to inform you that it takes two months to get parts from globecar for warranty work so it is not surprising that family travel centre has decided not to represent them. possibly one of the worst.

 

norm

[lennyhb]

goldi - 2014-11-28 4:47 PM

 

I have to inform you that it takes two months to get parts from globecar for warranty work

 

 

That's good news then, much quicker than most converters, Hymer are pretty good but most other converters 3 to 6 months is the norm.

[Guest JudgeMental]

The only issues I have had have been small, but serious at the time as carrying 2 months worth of insulin.:-S

 

2 trauma valve failures (never again!). one replaced while in France, sent bill, money in my account that week. the other they sent me and weren't bothered about a return. I wanted some extra spotlights received that week. this since I bough my Adria from them in 2011..

 

What would happen in similar circumstance's with a UK supplied van I wonder if travelling? I know who I trust!!... *-)

[Brian Kirby]

JudgeMental - 2014-11-28 4:42 PM

 

but your not loosening the warranty far from it.....on registration all 2014 vans have 2 year Fiat warranty and 2 year Possl (who are globecar, globecar not a manufacturer but a Possl brand)

 

As already explained the warranty is with the supplying dealer in Germany and better for it IMO. May not be for everyone obviously, who ever said it was! But why the merchants of doom constantly carp on about something that has no interest to them I do have to wonder! The suspicious fuddy duddys, seeing non existent obstacles that can all be managed....is just wearisome to be honest..............

But it was not buying from the German dealer I was referring to, it was buying through (so presumably paying in Sterling, so forming a contract under UK law with) the intermediary who was offering to supply these vans in the UK.

 

If his buyer is recorded with the supplying German dealer as their customer, and where required in all the Possl/Globecar (ultimately Dethleffs, who are part of the Hymer group) warranty documents, fine. But, if the intermediary is recorded as the buyer by the German dealer, and is deemed the warranty holder, the UK buyer would not be in a good position. That is what I think needs clarifying.

 

I agree that it is financially preferable to collect the van in person from the dealer, but until registered and insured in UK the vehicle will only be covered third party on German export insurance. If the buyer is happy with that risk, fine, but I suspect not all will be. But, if the UK buyer is to be recorded as the German dealer's customer, and he prefers to pay an importer to go and get the van and register it in UK, he has all the protections he can reasonably expect and he avoids the third part only risk. Either way, if the Possl/Globecar elements later require warranty attention, the worst he would have to endure would be to take the van back to the German dealer, say 200-250 miles from Dover as the crow flies.

 

As already said, the costly installed equipment will have separate warranties, the van itself will have a Fiat warranty, and the Possl elements are relatively minor, so the actual need to take the van back to Germany should be a rare event. So, it is a risk, but I think a small one. For anyone who is happy driving in Europe, the distance is hardly daunting and the visit could easily be incorporated into a holiday trip.

[Guest JudgeMental]

Here we go again that old chestnut!lol......Fine...last time I asked for someone, delivery was 600€ and no need for £150 export plates/3rd party cover... you see every situation manageable at a cost. I would not touch these without a main German dealer backed warranty! The same chap that you use Brian will do it all for you at a cost..

 

we have been in the EU market place for 40 years! you wouldn't think so reading this forum!lol. These Dickensian attitudes plain laughable.

[Brian Kirby]

But €600 to deliver from where to where?

If no export plates, the van would presumably be delivered unregistered?

Can't be insured in UK until registered?

Can't be parked/driven on UK roads if unregistered/taxed?

So, if the van could be delivered to an off road location in UK, and kept there until registration/taxing/insuring completed, it would be OK.

But for anyone without access to such a facility not advisable, it seems to me.

Next best would be to pay someone else to import, register, tax etc, when the buyer can then insure, which as you say, would add cost.

These are all parts of the picture that hadn't been touched on until I raised that "old chestnut" - or was more a case of inconvenient facts? :-) That is why I raised them.

Of course all methods are possible, but each has its advantages and disadvantages, in terms of costs versus risks. If folk know what can be done, and what those costs/risks are, they can choose the import route with which they are comfortable. Only fair, it seems to me.

[Guest JudgeMental]

This thread, (its in the title!) for people comfortable importing and registering vehicles. if not they can use an agent or the combination of the two...or buy overpriced UK vans.....

 

Not spelling out every bloomin scenario and over complicating matters as constantly happens on here..1000's personally import vehicles from Europe and live to tell the tale. you can manage out risk at a cost if so inclined, Repeatedly dragged down this road on here by the naysayers, surprised some venture out the front door.....

 

the 600€ was Birmingham I think from memory but not sure if it included crossing....once it arrives and obviously you need at least a drive to keep it on or access to a storage/garage *-) You will have taken out fully comprehensive insurance on the VIN number. registration as a personal import costs £56 + road tax. No VCA checks etc..as COC full UK spec

 

 

[Brian Kirby]

But be fair Eddie. For those who have already imported, and who already know the upsides and downsides, there is no mystery. However, your original post doesn't imply that only the experienced should do this, it says "anyone".

 

So, my intention is to try to make self-importing more accessible to those who haven't done it before, and who are perhaps nervous of the concept. Merely poo-pooing such concerns doesn't help the uninitiated import; it is more likely, IMO, to put them off. Especially since I would expect people buying RHD vans to be less keen on driving abroad. Those many who never take their vans outside the UK, and who might want to take advantage of a good quality van at a decent discount - but might get themselves into a pickle doing so unless they know what the potential pitfalls are, and how to remove them.

 

So I, and I think Derek, have been pointing out some of those potential pitfalls, so that they can see how to get around them. I know you and others prefer to collect directly from the dealer, and then drive back to UK on third party only insurance. The risks involved are quite obvious to me, and I wouldn't be prepared to take them with £40,000 + worth of motorhome. You think I am a wuss, but I think I am entirely logical, and you are nuts! :-D

 

But, as you say, there are ways around the potential problems, and you have revealed one I was unaware of. I knew some of the Belgian dealers would drive to a Belgian port, leaving the buyer to drive home from the UK port, but not that a dealer in Germany would arrange to deliver to your door in UK, or that he would do so for as little as €600.

 

Otherwise, arranging for someone from UK to collect it, deliver it to UK and register and tax it so that it can be insured, although it carries a cost, still leaves a good chunk of the discount intact, and removes all the import risks. Yes it costs more, but it is normal to pay people who do work on your behalf: I have no complaints about that.

 

It is not a case of nay-saying: I'm on our third import and am all in favour. Pointing out potential difficulties doesn't mean don't do it, it just means do it knowing what the risks are, but also knowing how to solve them. For example, insurance on VIN. Only a few insurers will do this, so anyone wishing to import in that way needs to do their research well in advance to avoid last minute panics.

 

Nothing about this game is quite so straightforward as you sometimes paint it, as you discovered when you tried to get your present van registered! That difficulty shouldn't arise with these vans, but the procedure still needs to be completed before the (normally applied) deadline on the VIN based insurance expires. So, folk just need to be aware, and to be thorough. I think we're getting there.

[Guest JudgeMental]

this difficult as I consider you a good friend but needs to be said

 

You and Derek do this everytime, and have been since I have been on the forum.*-) Its plain wearisome and your perceptions regards personal importing border on bonkers. Far from helping people you probably put them right off to be honest by over complicating the process...

 

1000's of cars and campers are imported this way. Read any other car or motorhome forum and there's loads of evidence of successful personal importation. Have yet to see evidence of mishap..or of vans impounded and other hysterical nonsense invented on here, not once in 20 years of doing this.

 

I know as people get older they get more nervous and anxious, but honestly you two take the biscuit........That you don't trust your own faculties to drive home a few hours on third party plates. then expand the risk out of all proportions is daft to be honest. but we are all different but keeping on about it ad nauseum?. Paying a third party is and has always been an option? It is with these vans as well, OR a combination of the two, I have always said this an option..But to me personally a waste of money. I can be on a £35 flight from Gatwick in morning and back tommorow night with a new van...In "reality" it really is that simple! whatever you say......

 

One chap that has bought is deciding whether he pays for a transporter. or collects himself as he does not fancy van being driven over as he want to be the first driver...but he has a friend who is trade and they may fly over and drive back on his trade plates. You see different options, and we are all different and this his choice.

 

another has been to see the van and bought it, now deciding whether to collect himself or have it delivered..

 

What is the big deal exactly lol We don't have to discuss everything in detail..Many options available at a cost...but it does not mean every individual case has to be dissected in detail because the simple truth is talking about it is far more difficult than the realities of doing it! ;-)

[grahamw]

JudgeMental - 2014-11-30 11:05 AM

What is the big deal exactly lol We don't have to discuss everything in detail..Many options available at a cost...but it does not mean every individual case has to be dissected in detail because the simple truth is talking about it is far more difficult than the realities of doing it! ;-)

 

With respect Eddie I think this is exactly the point. As an individual who might contemplate the process of importing I welcome the contribution that both Derek and Brian have made in "dissecting in detail" the various strategies that might be employed. Equally I welcome your contribution which brings another perspective to that of Brian and Derek. As a result of this thread and all contributions I feel better informed.