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Hi all. Just been to the York Show, (Saturday) but could only go for the day, as major other items on agenda at present. This is the first show we have been to for some considerable time, and the main purpose was not necessarily to look for a new van, but to bring us up to date with the stuff you read about in the mags.
Have to say we were significantly underwhelmed by what we saw, and the organisation.
No map of show layout, so no idea where anyone was, though the occasional banner showed us some major exhibitors. (Mind you, the balloon above the Brownhills stand was so far up that it could have applied to half the site !!) The toilets were a horror show, and there was nowhere to sit down unless you were either in an exhibitor's motorhome or one of the fast food outlets - and not even then in some cases ! I'm not complaining about the weather or the state of the field, cos there's not a lot you can do about them....but I would have thought that a basic photocopied map with your ticket would be a good idea.
We had a look at the "new models" on the Fiat, and quite frankly, I didn't see anything that I would want to buy. In the designs we saw there still seems a tendency to "Eurolounge" - which means a table+ half dinette, two swivel cab seats, small kitchen and over garage bed; or two front seats and half an acre of settees, which means you can carry no passengers. Not much use for us and the grandson then. For all the supposed regulation coming in, I couldn't see any great change. The price of van conversions seems to have gone through the roof. One of the Timberland Renaults was almost the price of an A class.
On to B****hills to check out the new Hymers. The new Hymer Van seems clever but pokey, and we still haven't found the Hymer layout for our purposes which beats our 640. I thought I had cracked it with the older 680, but "her indoors" pointed out some significant shortcomings over what we have now. We noticed that the quality of some cabinet work in newer secondhand Hymers was poor by comparison with ours.
Altogether a rather unsatisfactory day...but it's maybe because I'm a grumpy old man who is still looking for the perfect van, and can't find it.
Sorry - just felt the need for a good moan. Anyone else feel the same?
We were given a free show guide on entry that provided a map and details of all the exhibitors. York is that is is an end of season show, ideal for last minute bargains (in theory at least) but not so good when the new models have already been announced for the following year and look more than just an uphostery change. At least Swift managed to get some of their new models on show even if they didn't seem to have been through their new quality department.
We are frequently underwhelmed by new vans when visiting shows. It has its positive side because it just reaffirms my decision to buy the one I have! My missus liked the new Knaus and the 'old' Carthago Chic but apart from that, everyone just copies everybody else. Grey sides, sunroof seem to be the new toys. Euro friendly blandness has taken over. I suspect that we are the same, not willing to risk it when spending thousands.
I was disappointed with the non motorhome related stands and the lack of good motorhome related stands.
I went to the Great Dorset Steam Fair this year. Now that was a show! 600 acres, 200,000 visitors, varied entertainment all day well into the early morning, 1,000 stalls (admittedly most selling tat or rusty spare parts)
we went for the day yesterday, but had prebooked. we got given a guide etc on entry. the toilets on site were great - very deluxe - even had hand cream.
all we bought though was a dog bed - bargain. we loved they type 2 camper, brand new - tad too expensive though lol
We were given a free show guide on entry that provided a map and details of all the exhibitors. York is that is is an end of season show, ideal for last minute bargains (in theory at least) but not so good when the new models have already been announced for the following year and look more than just an uphostery change. At least Swift managed to get some of their new models on show even if they didn't seem to have been through their new quality department.
We are frequently underwhelmed by new vans when visiting shows. It has its positive side because it just reaffirms my decision to buy the one I have! My missus liked the new Knaus and the 'old' Carthago Chic but apart from that, everyone just copies everybody else. Grey sides, sunroof seem to be the new toys. Euro friendly blandness has taken over. I suspect that we are the same, not willing to risk it when spending thousands.
I was disappointed with the non motorhome related stands and the lack of good motorhome related stands.
I went to the Great Dorset Steam Fair this year. Now that was a show! 600 acres, 200,000 visitors, varied entertainment all day well into the early morning, 1,000 stalls (admittedly most selling tat or rusty spare parts)
Hi
I like the line about the Swift quality department - does that mean they have one? LOL
Rapide561
______________________________________________________________ Our long trip around Europe - blog now online at www.swift-kontiki.co.uk
Just got back from York show, this is our first show, we enjoyed very much, found something interest for everyone, kit up a few items for our motorhome, can't really compare with other show but we thought it was quite OK.
Thanks to Angie guided us to our pitch just before dark.
we were talking to a chap who had his MH next to my inlaws. he was there to buy a new MH. he found one he liked and when he went back sat night he noticed a big scratch down the side. when they checked brownhills had 20 MH that had been damaged during the day on sat.
We like Smick we went on saturday and were disappointed with the show. My wife was so appalled by the poor organisation and the 'ladies' that she has e-mailed the organisers! something she has never done before. Compared to other shows I too thought this was badly organised. I was speaking to a Lowdams salesman about some of their 2007 models not being on show. he said that the NEC will be there first outing! They like them to be in pristine condition. As for the Swift range the valeting staff are going to be busy some of them were a real mess!
Adria models seem to be popular I saw a lot of them were sold!
just returned from the york show,we have been for three years but were very disappointed in this years organisation, facilities and general lack of motorhome accessories we were wishing to buy, we went with a list of a few items we needed to return with none of them, we picked some of them up from south yorkshire caravans on our way home. we felt that the entry fee was high, what do you get in return ?
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