In praise of Autosleeper factory

Our Kingham is coming up to a year old in a couple of weeks time and I needed to arrange the annual habitation check to ensure the warranty continues (personally I think they are a waste of time on a pvc, I know the components are working fine and the probability of damp is around zero, but I digress)..

I realised today that I will be in Broadway on Thursday night, en route to Goodwood on Friday. It then struck me that I am very near to the factory, and maybe - just maybe - they could do a habitation service for me on Friday morning, as it would save me the kerfuffle of a trip down to SMC in a couple of weeks.

The lady at the factory - Karen - could not have been more helpful and they are able to do the habitation service on Friday morning while I wait! I think I have fallen lucky as they are otherwise booked up until May..

Anyhow, given that the factory does come in for grief from time to time I thought I would balance things by relating my positive experience this afternoon. I still think the cost is horrendous for what is involved, but I think the van would be devalued by far more if I let the warranty expire on a 1 year old van. (not that I have any plans to sell it but you never know what curved balls might hit you in the future)

Similar to you I have found Karen to be excellent on two separate occasions concerning warranty work, and quite right she should receive some praise on here.

Probably too late to cancel where you plan to stay Thursday night but there are several hook ups at the Service Centre which can be booked free of charge.

njr001 wrote:Probably too late to cancel where you plan to stay Thursday night but there are several hook ups at the Service Centre which can be booked free of charge.

I could cancel as I’m staying at the CMC site (so haven’t paid yet) but that doesn’t sit comfortably with me.

Useful to know for next time though 

I’ll make the most of CMC though, will use their shower and probably walk into Broadway for some tea which save me cooking.

In praise of the Autosleeper factory, it's a big big NO from me.

I phoned twice on Monday, Tuesday and today to arrange a habitation check in several months time before the schools start their summer holidays. Apparently there's only one person in Service and he's not phoned me back. I'll try again tomorrow. This must be the worst "service" I have ever received from a company of their size.

Phoned A-S Service again today, Karen is back, habitation booking accepted, I can now calm down.

I have found Karen to be pleasant, efficient and helpful.  Long may it stay that way.

We have always overnighted at the factory it means no traffic getting there in a morning, apart from saving a few on site fees.

If I had been on my own I might have taken up the offer of free overnight parking on the industrial estate but, with my wife, our preference is to stay on a local site, of which there are several, and enjoy the area for a day or so.

I also have stayed at the factory and had no problems.  Ther is a good walk into Broadway along the old railway line.  If you are having engine service and MOT done it is possible to get up to Broadway tower and back in the time taken.

safariboy wrote:I also have stayed at the factory and had no problems.  Ther is a good walk into Broadway along the old railway line.  If you are having engine service and MOT done it is possible to get up to Broadway tower and back in the time taken.

I can endorse the good walk into Broadway and to the Broadway Tower.  However, the last time we did it along the old RW line we got terribly wet due to undergrowth and recent rain.  There is also a new community cafe that's opened in Willersey.  

https://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/t37561-new-cafe-in-willersey?highlight=cafe

I had some work done last week at the factory. Whilst there I was informed that Karen (and other staff) were at home isolating due to having covid. So with fewer staff they were just about managing to keep up with the workload rather than cancel planned appointments.