Any deals to be had

[3crispies]

Thanks all.
I need to get something otherwise it might be a fiat
Seriously, sold the house a while ago and I'm quickly eating the money away. I had hoped to have a 6m conversion but no chance until 2023 and car written off last week so park bench is a possibility
Only me so I can live with limited space as will be full time.
I was going to go today as local to Exeter but so few dealers there. Ventura look good build quality but so little stock as you say.
I'm tempted by Autohaus as South West, Cambridge Campers and revolution good reviews but 4 hours plus. Just thinking if something goes wrong.
Have the hire car for 1 more week so need to do some travelling.
As you can see I do go on, wonder ifs that's why I have no mates

we live near Cambs campers and have even had a look they seem to have a high level of stock, not sure on quality sorry but know someone who works there, owner was moaning he couldnt make his £15k mark up due to current van prices uuummmm....

 

[Scrumpypops]

If my insurance on the car comes through in time, I'm probably now going to buy a Marco polo 2018 model. I just can't justify paying the prices on a conversion, with their mark ups and have spoken at length to a converter who I trust about build costs. As you say the profit is silly and I'm not taking the bait.
It's not ideal with the old engine but immaculate. Seen 2 so far one 5000 & 15000 miles.
MB main dealer and the main reason 1 years warranty with agreements in place to replace certain parts. One van falls under roof paint after checking VIN on MBUK page, other they've let the leisure battery go completely dead. So on live video yesterday, couldn't put the roof up. Awkward!!
To be fair to the salesman he admitted he was clueless about the MP which I respected and told me prior to buying discuss my thoughts.

 

[Phil3655]

Do you mind me asking who you went with.

Hi we wanted a two birth with rear lounge so went with Hillside leisure in Darby it’s the Hopton model

 

[Scrumpypops]

Thanks Phil. I've gone back and forth looking at the hopton on line. Always wanted the bikes under the rear bed but the more I look at it, the rear lounge could work for me and so much comfier than a 2 seat with table. As it's only me, I'm thinking if I sleep on one side I could possibly store the bikes on the other in bike bags. Not idea but doable.
Had they built there demo by the time you decided, I spoke to them and it was in the process of being completed.
Also if you don't mind was there a range of finishes or the standard wood effect. Sorry so many questions

 

[Scrumpypops]

This will be full time for me, that's why I'm thinking 2-3 year old MP or Ocean and trade in once builds are back to normal. Whenever that might be.
The more I look at conversions the more I talk myself out of one, even if it is only for 1-2 years

 

[Phil3655]

Thanks Phil. I've gone back and forth looking at the hopton on line. Always wanted the bikes under the rear bed but the more I look at it, the rear lounge could work for me and so much comfier than a 2 seat with table. As it's only me, I'm thinking if I sleep on one side I could possibly store the bikes on the other in bike bags. Not idea but doable.
Had they built there demo by the time you decided, I spoke to them and it was in the process of being completed.
Also if you don't mind was there a range of finishes or the standard wood effect. Sorry so many questions

I went to see the 90% completed demo vehicle which made my mind up to buy there were no deals to be had as I was told the price was being increased by £4k the following week! (Which it was)A 10% deposit fixed the price I would pay on collection. I have selected an electric step and awning and 115w solar panel (not sure if 115w is worth getting but that’s all they do) I will choose the finishes when they eventually take receipt of the van. I am going to NEC later in the month to visit their stall and have another look. Phil

 

[Scrumpypops]

Thank you phil

That was always my plan but s*** happens sadly.
I'll certainly look at it as an option. Full-time does seem to need a little bit more thought, more about it being winterised etc, more than extras I'd like. As long as I start my journey, now just looking for the right van.

 

[Bigsidavies]

I have the rear sofa (u-shaped seating) layout and have taken my bike with me in a bike bag. It’s a bit of a faff (taking wheels and rear derailleur off). Plus you’d be putting it outside when you want to move around the van as that bag is huge. So in bad weather you be bringing a big wet bag back into the van.

 

[Scrumpypops]

I'll need to adapt. I'm moving to Wiltshire so probably use storage as I do now in Exeter. All I've kept from the house, Is bikes, diving gear, camping gear and a few clothes and once I get the van, I couldn't be happier

 

[Scrumpypops]

Full time van life build slot probably 2023

So do I approx prices
New highline conversion £63
New startline conversion £56
2017- 19 Marco polo £56-60
Or california

New no mot, 3 year warrantly
MP 1 year

I'll keep until 6m conversions start appearing.
House sold ages ago so I need to buy now as I'm eating into a limited budget. I'm use to living off grid in a car / tent so prepared for it to be compact.

Anyone been in similar position and selling aspect my main point.
Got there in the end!!!!!!

Lee

 

[JaiCee]

Just digging up a slightly older post but has anyone had any recent experience negotiating with dealers? We're looking to pick up a converted van and are admittedly terrible at haggling. We've found one at what seems like a not terrible price and it seems to have been sat at a dealers for two months based on the date a youtube video walkthrough was posted and is also a 21 plate with only delivery miles so it has clearly not flown out the door.

Will we be laughed at if we try to get money off or ask for some extras we want that are missing (diesel heater and solar)?

 

[Jay586]

Just digging up a slightly older post but has anyone had any recent experience negotiating with dealers? We're looking to pick up a converted van and are admittedly terrible at haggling. We've found one at what seems like a not terrible price and it seems to have been sat at a dealers for two months based on the date a youtube video walkthrough was posted and is also a 21 plate with only delivery miles so it has clearly not flown out the door.

Will we be laughed at if we try to get money off or ask for some extras we want that are missing (diesel heater and solar)?

Doesn't matter if they do laugh. Never hurts to ask.

 

[t6blo]

I‘ve been looking for another van for about 6 months on and off - periods where I think I’ll wait until the prices come back to earth and other times when I think I could be dead tomorrow.

Anyhoo - in those 6 months I got close to buying a van with, or close to, the spec I wanted three times. Each time they would appear on the website and be reserved or just disappear as they had been sold within days. Decent stock is shifting fast.

Everything else that is for sale at the van centres appear to have been sitting there for weeks/months because they are knocked about, high mileage or less desirable colours/specs.

There might be room to negotiate on something they have had hanging around but it will still be only very small due to the shortage of stock.

Which brings me to this week, checking the websites multiple times a day and with email alerts setup, a van appeared fairly local to me, so I reserved it for £99 as soon as I had seen the advert, studied the pics, watched the video and done some background checks on it.

I got to the dealer later that day to test drive and purchase it - there was absolutely no movement on the screen price nor on my trade-in. The best I got was a rear bumper protector.

Currently it seems that the trade in prices are back to pre-covid but the screen price is jacked right up because they are having to pay more for used stock.

I decided to buy the van and, in subsequent conversation, the dealer stated that he had 7 other people who had enquired about the van between me putting a reservation on it and buying it - I have no proof either way but, whilst I have used that tactic before when selling used cars privately to create a sense of urgency/FOMO, I can’t see why he would mention it as it was after I had done the deal and the pressure was off.

Yes, I’ve paid more for it, but that is the reality right now - oh and the £5k profit I cleared when selling my previous van last year has helped offset that a little

Good luck

 

[Crazymind]

Great you got the van you wanted for long!
I bought mine in April, and there was no room to discuss valuation of my old van and lower the price of the second hand van I was buying. The dealer said they had more than 10 people asking for that same van…crazy time…

 

[JaiCee]

Useful to know and what I'd expected! I've observed more vans sitting around recently and I was wondering if due to the cost of living and diesel price increases whether demand was slowing.

 

[dubber36]

One way of getting money off if you are intending to buy outright, is to take finance. There are often incentives to be had that come with the finance packages, so you can sign up for them, then settle with the finance company a month or so later, keeping the incentives.

If buying off converters, they will earn more money on commission from the lenders for signing up a customer, so will have a larger margin, which you ought to be able to negotiate some of your way in terms of discount. Again, you can settle in full when ever you want subject to the t's and c's.

 

[JaiCee]

One way of getting money off if you are intending to buy outright, is to take finance. There are often incentives to be had that come with the finance packages, so you can sign up for them, then settle with the finance company a month or so later, keeping the incentives.

If buying off converters, they will earn more money on commission from the lenders for signing up a customer, so will have a larger margin, which you ought to be able to negotiate some of your way in terms of discount. Again, you can settle in full when ever you want subject to the t's and c's.

Yep we used this trick when buying our last car and saved a couple of grand.

 

[Chippie1]

Luckily It was the other way round for me so I bought mine back in September 2020 was looking for months and with my budget a panel van was the best I was going to get and a private sell at that! Any way on way home from work one day was passing local main dealer so thought I would pop in to get a feel for specs etc! Sat in the corner was this kombi ( very dirty) with all the sportline extras slightly lowered wheels front and back spoilers etc peeked in through the window seen was 6 speed highline captains chairs upfront, upgraded kenwood stereo etc! Now it was next to a couple of basic panel vans yet it was £1500 cheaper so I’m thinking must be high mileage or it’s had a bad past history or something! Went in to see salesman to ask to have a look inside and for its history salesman said there’s no kombi out there matching your description and at that price so out he comes thinking I’ve lost the plot as soon as he seen the van with the sticker price in the window his face was a picture! Turned out was a pretty low mileage one owner van with full main dealer history bought by a guy they know well as he trades them in every 3 years! Was some sort of cock up with screen price as it only arrived day before and hadn’t even been through workshop or cleaned ready for sale! I snapped it up straight away and couldn’t stop smiling for weeks at how lucky I felt for getting such a good deal!!

 

[t6blo]

One way of getting money off if you are intending to buy outright, is to take finance. There are often incentives to be had that come with the finance packages, so you can sign up for them, then settle with the finance company a month or so later, keeping the incentives.

Only thing I would have got with the finance was a £250 deposit contribution which I couldn’t be bothered with as I was buying in cash and I did it want to go through the hassle of setting up finance and paying it straight off for a measly 250 quid!

 

[Bav]

Just digging up a slightly older post but has anyone had any recent experience negotiating with dealers? We're looking to pick up a converted van and are admittedly terrible at haggling. We've found one at what seems like a not terrible price and it seems to have been sat at a dealers for two months based on the date a youtube video walkthrough was posted and is also a 21 plate with only delivery miles so it has clearly not flown out the door.

Will we be laughed at if we try to get money off or ask for some extras we want that are missing (diesel heater and solar)?

If you don't ask, they'll probably be laughing at you once you've left the building!

Remember, the dumbest question of all is the one that doesn't get asked.