What do the Dealers do for delivery.

[JS4910]

Hi All,

Just a quick question regarding the time between arriving at the dealer and when you are actually able to take delivery and do the handover, I have seen some people posting that there van is at their dealers and the delivery/handover date is 1-2 weeks later.

So apart from giving a once over and removing any protective coverings etc what does the dealer do that takes so long, they certainly don't rectify factory fault's as I read where people are pointing out issues at handover. I understand if the dealer has mods or accessories to fit but if it is all ex factory it really should only be a couple of days surely.

I'm really just curious as to what takes so long, and hoping ours wont be delayed "at the dealers" for too long when it arrives at the end of this month.

 

[Dobbie]

I think it's affected by

• Any personalised or non standard adaptations not included in factory standard build
• Changes to 12v system...extra plugs, Anderson plugs etc
• Extras ordered such as annexes where measurement, manufacture and fitting is required
• Waiting to make sure payment is cleared
• Scheduling if they get a truckload of vans, all required at same time
• The usual testing of components such as hot water systems, pumps, air con etc
• Extensive cleaning of sikaflex etc
• Handover person's availability

And how busy their service dept is at that time of year.

Up to two weeks seems to be the norm depending on the above but sometimes it can be earlier....or later pre Easter and pre Christmas.

My experience was pleasant with Brisbane Camperland as, once we knew the van was there, we asked to see it, inspected any extras, checked when auto electrician was booked, and then personally inspected the whole van for things like cupboard doors, locks etc so any adjustments or fixes could be dealt with ASAP.

Then handover was a much easier and productive time for all concerned. ....and they were doing 12 handover that day!

As you're possibly not as able to visit early (Gladstone to ??) and check for yourself, you might like to be totally pedantic once the van is in and ask for photos and discuss all changes or additions so there are few surprises at handover. Keep a checklist so you know what you want checked, when you'll check it for yourself, and when anything they have to add is actually being done.

I'd also be asking when their service dept is closed for holidays, and when reopening and how busy they're likely to be!

We're getting closer to a delivery day and I'm hounding the dealer as to factory closing times, dealer and service dept closing times and suppliers ...toolbox, sunshades, moving spare wheel etc.

It's my money, I have a holiday anticipated and I've been very clear and fair in the lead up time but, in the end, I'm the customer so expect clear and fair dealings to go both ways. I don't need extra friends, just a good product.

So...good luck. Let us know how you get on.

 

[Doc]

I can only report on my own experiences - this is what they did:

-Fitted the gas heater (I know - a dealer-fit option, but thought I would include for thoroughness)
-Filled water tanks
-Filled gas bottles
-Checked the operation of all appliances and fittings (yep, they actually checked that all the TV's worked and were tuned, all the taps worked, the BBQ, stove and oven, aircon, fridge, hot water system etc). And all those things were demonstrated to us at delivery to show that they operated
-Cleaned inside and out (because they come from the factory and transport pretty grubby)
-Fitted the sheets to the bed (yeah, I know....but only mentioned for completeness)

While our van was delivered to us quickly following delivery to the dealership, I understand your point - that it can take some dealers a couple of weeks to get the delivery arranged. IMO this simply comes down to the number of hours in a day and the limited staff they have to (a) complete the pre-delivery stuff, and (b) actually undertake the handover. Most people want their handover done at a time that suits them (understandable), but unfortunately that seems to be the same time for everyone....so the dealer only ends up being able to only deliver a couple of vans per day at most.

FWIW, we did the handover and inspection on ours on a Thursday after lunch - an otherwise quiet time at the dealership. We COLLECTED it the following day after work (while they were delivering two vans to other owners).

Edit: and I reckon @Dobbie picked up on something vital when he said about payment being secured. Ours was paid for in full months beforehand, but payment by any method from direct credit, to bank cheque, can take several days to clear and many dealers will not let the unit leave their premises until the money shows in their account as 'cleared' funds (understandably IMO).

 

[JS4910]

Checked the operation of all appliances and fittings (yep, they actually checked that all the TV's worked and were tuned, all the taps worked, the BBQ, stove and oven, aircon, fridge, hot water system etc). And all those things were demonstrated to us at delivery to show that they operated
-Cleaned inside and out (because they come from the factory and transport pretty grubby)

I would have thought all those appliances would have been checked at the factory, it would be like send a car out the factory door without seeing if it changed gear or the A/C worked etc, do Jayco really push them out to dealers in that state, if so it's a pretty poor reflection on their Q&A process. I would think it would be easier to change over a faulty appliance at the factory than in a dealership who would have to wait for the item to be supplied to them, not great for customer satisfaction.

Although from what I have been reading recently, Jayco a light years ahead in their quality compared to some BIG name manufacturers, if your interested join the Lemon Caravans Australia FB page and you will never worry about Jayco quality again!

 

[Doc]

I would have thought all those appliances would have been checked at the factory, it would be like send a car out the factory door without seeing if it changed gear or the A/C worked etc, do Jayco really push them out to dealers in that state, if so it's a pretty poor reflection on their Q&A process. I would think it would be easier to change over a faulty appliance at the factory than in a dealership who would have to wait for the item to be supplied to them, not great for customer satisfaction.

Although from what I have been reading recently, Jayco a light years ahead in their quality compared to some BIG name manufacturers, if your interested join the Lemon Caravans Australia FB page and you will never worry about Jayco quality again!

You may be right with what happens at the factory mate, and I'm not saying they DON'T do those checks there - any inference there is your own. I'm just saying what I know happened at the dealership in my particular case.

 

[Dobbie]

Yep.

To a customer, we'd expect them to check everything at the factory after fitting but I think their emphasis is on keeping the production line moving as quickly as possible so they probably just check the on / off switches and the dealer does the rest!

It's all a matter of priorities to keep costs down...theirs!

And Jayco warranty is excellent so that's obviously built into the pricing and costing. I've never hesitated in asking for things to be fixed, and there haven't been many so I was very satisfied with the system. Having to take the van back and being without it while things are fixed are the killers.

 

[JS4910]

@Dobbie I must admit that I have never heard of anyone having issues with getting problems rectified by Jayco, they stand well above the rest for that reason alone.

 

[FiveInAVan]

@JS4910 my own experience found that the more contact you have with your dealer before and in the lead up to delivery the quicker you get to handover. My van came into Brisbane the week before the caravan show and my dealer was excellent about going out of his way to make sure it didn't delay handover. I believe those who don't are the ones waiting 2 weeks or more for their handover slot. Just my opinion....

 

[bigcol]

I would have thought all those appliances would have been checked at the factory, it would be like send a car out the factory door without seeing if it changed gear or the A/C worked etc, do Jayco really push them out to dealers in that state, if so it's a pretty poor reflection on their Q&A process. I would think it would be easier to change over a faulty appliance at the factory than in a dealership who would have to wait for the item to be supplied to them, not great for customer satisfaction.

the last time my Father brought a new car (Pajero 2013) after paying deposit etc - he had to wait 3 weeks for the dealer to do the pre-delivery
they checked and changed all fluids, tested all the computers (found 1 not 100% correct)

so they do have waiting times for new cars as well.............

 

[MDS69]

They have to put their dealership sticker on.

 

[Bushman]

If your lucky they'll vacuum the excess saw dust out of the cupboards

 

[dagree]

If your lucky they'll vacuum the excess saw dust out of the cupboards

I must have been one of the "unlucky" ones

 

[bigcol]

If your lucky they'll vacuum the excess saw dust out of the cupboards

I must have been one of the "unlucky" ones

I was one of the lucky ones then.............