Newbie - so many questions

[haydn callow]

I've known Phil for many years and his mechanic Dave....he is by far the biggest dealer (No of Bongos sold) he has a excellent reputation on this forum and I have never heard of a dissapointed customer. Some say, he has a strange attitude in his methods but at the end of the day you will get a good bongo and he will sort out any problems you encounter. He has for many years fitted one of our Low Coolant Alarms to every bongo he sells and he believes doing this has cut his warranty claims dramatically. Most of the other large dealers and many smaller dealers have followed his lead on this matter.
Don't be surprised if he meets you in a lay-by to escort you to his showroom and workshops...he takes the security of his extensive stock very seriously indeed.

[Quinny]

I've known Phil for many years and his mechanic Dave....he is by far the biggest dealer (No of Bongos sold) he has a excellent reputation on this forum and I have never heard of a dissapointed customer. Some say, he has a strange attitude in his methods but at the end of the day you will get a good bongo and he will sort out any problems you encounter. He has for many years fitted one of our Low Coolant Alarms to every bongo he sells and he believes doing this has cut his warranty claims dramatically. Most of the other large dealers and many smaller dealers have followed his lead on this matter.
Don't be surprised if he meets you in a lay-by to escort you to his showroom and workshops...he takes the security of his extensive stock very seriously indeed.

Oh right thank you that's really good to know. He is emailing me tomorrow with his stock and I have to pick 6 I like the sound of and then I think we go from there, so it is a different process to what we've been used to, but if it works then that's fine with me.

[Bob]

Ours came from Phil and I second all that Haydn has said.

Edit: He will try and get any warranty work done near your home if he possibly can. He has lots of contacts and is well thought of in the trade.

[Quinny]

Ours came from Phil and I second all that Haydn has said.

Brilliant that is good news, hopefully we can get something sorted out through him. I can't wait although he has warned me that if we want a conversion we will definitely not be getting it anytime soon as he has loads waiting to be done. I mentioned April and he said no a chance. Definitely going to require patience but it will be worth it in the end if we get a good one,

[George217]

+1 what Bob said.

Persevere with Phil and you will get a good vehicle. I had mine in September last year and it's a lovely smooth drive. He will give you an Excel spreadsheet menu with options and prices so it's all pretty transparent.

You will be fine.

[Bongolia]

Well you cannot get a better recommendation than that!
Your search may be over!

[Quinny]

Well you cannot get a better recommendation than that!
Your search may be over!

No I definitely can't. I feel like we may have finally hit the jackpot. I can't wait for the details from him tomorrow of what he has to offer and trying to pick 6 of them to look at. It looks like me and the OH have a lot of bed time reading to do tomorrow night.

[Tertiary]

Another vote for Phil from me

[Quinny]

Thank you all for these recommendations, it's so much more reassuring to know that you are buying from someone reputable. Here's hoping for good news soon

[Quinny]

Ours came from Phil and I second all that Haydn has said.

Edit: He will try and get any warranty work done near your home if he possibly can. He has lots of contacts and is well thought of in the trade.

Just seen your edit, that's really good to know that we can perhaps get it done more locally to us, especially as I am the only driver in the family and it would be difficult getting home if I had to leave it overnight.

[Jillygumbo]

Just remember he's a character! Stick to your guns on what YOU want and what 'extras' YOU want.

[Quinny]

Just remember he's a character! Stick to your guns on what YOU want and what 'extras' YOU want.

Yes already finding that out. I have been put in my place about 3 times already!!!! Does seem to know what he is talking about though.

[George217]

Yes, he's not the easiest on the 'phone. Much better when you meet him though, and as you say, he does know his stuff. He must have missed the customer service bit of his training though.

As Jilly said, if you know roughly what you want, it will go a long way when you deal with him. You will find him to be a decent chap, who genuinely cares about these vehicles, and there's a lot to be said for that these days.

[Quinny]

Well we have finally seen a Bongo that we are tempted with, that is currently still in Japan, but we have seen photos of. We wanted to put a holding deposit on it but Phil wants us to wait until we have seen all the photos which he hasn't yet received. Hopefully these will be in by the end of the week so keeping our fingers crossed that these look as good as the outside and that nobody pips us to it in the meantime. Hopefully by end of this week, beginning of next, we might be one step nearer to achieving our dream. It won't be here until the end of April and then we will have to consider conversions etc but it gives us longer to save up for the extras such as tax, insurance and the alarm and sealing the underneath of the Bongo. Trying not to get too excited incase something goes wrong but watch this space ............

[mikeonb4c]

Well we have finally seen a Bongo that we are tempted with, that is currently still in Japan, but we have seen photos of. We wanted to put a holding deposit on it but Phil wants us to wait until we have seen all the photos which he hasn't yet received. Hopefully these will be in by the end of the week so keeping our fingers crossed that these look as good as the outside and that nobody pips us to it in the meantime. Hopefully by end of this week, beginning of next, we might be one step nearer to achieving our dream. It won't be here until the end of April and then we will have to consider conversions etc but it gives us longer to save up for the extras such as tax, insurance and the alarm and sealing the underneath of the Bongo. Trying not to get too excited incase something goes wrong but watch this space ............

Excellent. Which reminds me, have you checked what your insurance cost is likely to be - there's a crop of stories from those who've bought then received really silly quotes. If you're getting it converted then cost should be cheaper. I think it was Caravan and Camping Club (orxwas it Caravan Club) that offered a good price on converted Bongos. Maybe best do research now?