Oh Guys

mauramac

Hello everyone, so nice to read all your experiences at the shows (especially Raine's - wow I'm out of breath just reading it) Sounds good fun. Now I hope you wont blank me as we don't have our MH yet - hoping to see plenty at York to help us make final decision.

Have you any tips for people attending one of these shows for the first time - good places to stay, what to avoid etc.

I particularly like the sound of Mr Roastie!

Hope to hear from you soon, we will be in York for a few days before the show for a short break - always wanted to visit the city, and at the show Friday & Saturday.

Cheers & thanks
Maura

twooks

Hi Maura, you sound as tho you already have somewhere to stay in York over the show weekend? so you don't want info on that?

When you are at the show, or indeed visiting a dealer's site make sure you get them to demonstrate all the bits - how to make up beds [very important after a night out] make sure it's a straightforward task!, is there plenty of storage - and sufficient weight allowance to take your stuff! see countless other posts - what is the dealer going to include in his price, warranty etc, power leads, how do the electrics work,
if you already have a rough idea of what you want, and are just looking at deciding factors then it may be possible to get a 'show special' at a good price.
try and talk to other motorhomers who are looking at a van you fancy - they may have a lot ot useful specific info. have a lookk around the rally field - and try and talk to owners - why not print off a motorhomefacts sicker and put in on rucksack, or jacket or even baseball cap. then if any one is there they can find you!
we will not be there this year, will be somewhere between cherbourg and zeebrugge at the time but have fun and enjoy the privileged position of being a buyer with all those dealers desperate for your money. Also suggest you check out the 'accessories' area.

enjoy

Cool

HelenB · Moderator

One of the tips I was given when first looking for a van was to imagine yourself doing something everyday in the van, like putting the shopping away, getting a meal or even getting ready for bed. You dont have to actually do this as you might draw a large crowd with the 3rd suggestion Embarassed

but just go through in your mind where you would put things. That way you can see any potential pitfalls before you start, for instance you may like to take a cup of tea to bed and there's no where handy to put the cup, or read in bed and the light switch is not handy. Getting the idea? When making lunch you may be blocking someone slse from sitting down, or that cupboard may be in the wrong place or to high for you etc etc. May sound odd but it does work. I went from sure I wanted a van conversion to a coachbuilt as when imagining it I couldn't see where the dog, rucksack,boots waterproofs would go if it was pouring with rain and I had just come back from a walk.
The only other thought I would offer is stay very flexible when first looking and consider all the options.
Have fun York is a wonderful city Smile

mauramac

Thanks Twooks
I will do as you say and print off the sticker and hope to meet up with some members.

We don't have anywhere to stay as yet and would appreciate any recommendations of good guest houses, B&B's or hotels, will consider anything with good food and friendly people. Have looked at a few websites and it would appear there are lots to choose from but always nice to get a rec. from someone.

Thanks for the tips, will do our best and hopefully get a good deal.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

Best wishes
Maura

Anonymous

Hey, we're going to York too! Last year we didn't have our van so just did the day thing. Are you going for research or are you looking to pick one up there?

The last show we went to was Peterborough, where we got a quote for a van for a friend of ours. It was listed as £43k and they offered it to our friend for £34k!! This was partly due to the fact that we know the dealership very well and Ben has done the hard-sell on them before, however this was a first offer with no negotiating.

So if you see something you like get to know the company really well. Go back a couple of times a day over as many days as you are there, go to see them at their base soon after the show and ask different questions (and as many questions) as you can. Ben does this (amongst other things!) and it makes people remember you.

Also realise that all the offers in the magazines stating £4 or £5k off are a load of rubbish, we got more than that knocked of ours and we weren't trying (got a quote for an S820 for 80k but didn't want it in the end). Margins on these things are enormous, just look at the hospitality tents and showrooms that Brownhills have! But this is a good time of year for a bargin as they are trying to clear the 2004 models for te arrival of 2005 stock in the new year - so get haggling.

(sorry off soapbox now Wink

)

Don't forget to bang all the cupboards, check all the hinges and watch out for cardboard tables. If you want to come and bang our cupboards we'll be there all weekend and always ready to make tea.

Lizzie (been left alone with laptop too long!! Shocked

)

twooks

Maura
have you tried http://www.york-united-kingdom.co.uk/ for info on your York trip. Strongly recommend that if you stay in the centre you make sure there's parking provided, there's an awful lot of muttering about charges just now - [always use P+R myself - Grimston Bar for motorhomes, and I think the new one at Monk's Cross also caters for us tall types]

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MandyandDave · Moderator

We are going to the York show too, look forward to meeting up with fellow forumites! Very Happy

M&D

Raine

Hi mauramac, and welcome!!! Glad you enjoyed the post. We have since had another Mr. Roastie, and it was just as yummY!!! We are going to the show again this year, but in our own van(autotrail scout) so if you see one, with a scooter on the back, come and say hello, it might be us!!! Happy looking! Laughing

theflyingscot

hi guys
still a newbie but heading for york also staying at local site thurs eve and doing the show friday before heading to the west coast .hope to meet somebody there ! im assuming youre all camping at the racecoure and parking together like a rally sort of thing ??????
see you there
cheers
kenny! Smile

Raine

look out for shifty looking peeps in dirty ole raincoats!!!heheheh nah only joking (!?) Rolling Eyes