A new ‘Approved Dealership Scheme’, with a rigorous selection process, is being launched to protect buyers of motorhomes, caravans and associated products.
The scheme is the brainchild of the National Caravan Council (NCC), the industry trade body, and will be launched to the public at the Motorhome & Caravan Show
at Birmingham’s NEC (from 16-21 October, 2012). At the scheme’s core is a
consumer ‘code of practice’ for motorhome sales and another for touring caravan sales. These will set a benchmark for standards among dealers in the UK.
The
code of practice demands high standards from a dealer in a number of
areas, such as how it markets its products, handles
requests for information, guides buyers through the process, conducts
the sale and handover, fulfills warranties and responds to complaints.
Once a dealer meets the required standard, its ‘approved’ status will be policed by the scheme, which is open to NCC members only.
Our Owner Satisfaction Survey, which gives you a chance to rate your dealer, whether you bought a new or used motorhome, enjoys a high response rate every year. Like us, motorhome and caravan dealers and
manufacturers are all keen to see high standards in the industry. The NCC scheme is a new way to recognise the best dealers and encourage them to go the extra mile to look after customers.
The code also includes a formal
complaint-handling policy, which can be escalated by the NCC to an
Independent Case Examiner on the buyer’s behalf.
The NCC’s
Code Manager, Frank Finch, told us: “The Approved Dealer sign gives
customers reassurance that a dealership has been independently
assessed, has good customer protection and operates to industry best
practice.”
Click here for more information on the NCC’s Approved Dealer Scheme.
Other dealer news
Owner Satisfaction Awards: dealerships
Last year’s winners in our Practical Motorhome Owner Satisfaction Survey 2011 are listed in full here. They cover motorhome brands as well as dealerships.
New motorhomes
Gold Award winning supplying dealers
Heart of England 94% (98% in 2010, 91% in 2008, 97% in 2005)
Tyne Valley 90%
Marquis 89% (94.5% in 2010, 62% in 2005)
Richard Baldwin 89% (99% in 2010, 95% in 2005)
Travelworld 84%
Davan 83 (78% in 2010)
Direct sales from manufacturers:
Vantage 99%
Murvi 94%
Silver Award winning supplying dealers
Brownhills 78% (86% for Hymer UK in 2008, 70% in 2005)
Emmbee 73% (66% in 2005)
Pre-owned motorhomes
Gold Award winning dealers
Three Counties & Countrywide 97% (95% in 2010)
Heart of England 96% (97% in 2010)
West Country 95% (84% in 2009, 83% in 2006)
Richard Baldwin 94% (96% in 2010)
Southern Motorhome Centre 94% (97 in 2010%, 86% in 2009, 89% in 2006)
Marquis 93% (76% in 2010, 76% in 2009, 65% in 2006)
Davan 83% (92% in 2010)
Silver Award winning dealers
Webbs 76% (83% in 2010, 85% in 2009, 63% in 2006)
Travelworld 73%