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%