Our Christmas Newsletter, that goes out to all our lovely customers at this time of year.
As the darker evenings close in on another hectic year at Caravan Tech, it’s time to reflect on 2021, what a year it has been! It seems like forever ago that we were in a winter lockdown but demand was simmering in anticipation of another ’staycation’ summer.
By Spring it was clear that stock was going to be our biggest problem, caravan prices on the internet went bonkers and we weren’t being offered part exchanges so stock levels plummeted. At one time we were down to one Motorhome on site! Gradually things have improved and now we have a great variety of brand new caravans and motorhomes from Adria, Bailey and Swift for you to view with more arriving every week.
For 2022 demand remains high with many of our Motorhomes and Caravans being sold without the customer having had the opportunity to bounce on the beds! Some would say a brave decision but if you know what you want, getting your name on one is the way to go. There is no doubt demand will outstrip supply as our orders have been slashed as manufacturing remains challenging. Our sales team remains unchanged headed up by Richard with Alex and Andrew all here to help and answer all your queries.
We are currently well stocked with new and hand picked pre owned caravans and motorhomes. All shapes and sizes so why not come and have a look. Alternatively check out our brand new website, easier to use and navigate than the old one, we hope you find it a great improvement. We remain hopeful of opening our new site fully in 2022 but I fear this will depend on stock availability. So in the near future it remains an ambition rather than an expectation.
This Summer also saw the launch of our own brand of VW Campervans. Having been agents for other converters for a while we thought we could do better! So Rebellion Campers was created. This gives both us and the customer greater choice, better quality and better control of the process. So whether you want to pick one of the dozen or so we have on show or choose an unconverted van for a semi custom fit out to create your dream Campervan, Caravantech and Rebellion is the place to come.
We have now been Adria dealers for a little over a year and we are finding both the customer response and the support from Adria as a supplier really positive. While the current challenges remain, Adria tries really hard to maintain supply and even provided a wide range of vehicles for our first winter preview event at the end of November. Build quality is excellent and feedback from customers very positive so we are looking forward to a great 2022 with Adria.We have the new Swift Select Compacts on show, new for 2022, and the super cute Swift Compact caravan too. The 2022 Bailey Unicorn is a big improvement and is in stock now! Albeit in very limited numbers.
COMPTON CONTINUED-
Our Director Mark is also proud to announce that his eldest daughter Megan will be joining us early in the New Year, who will be working closely with Scarlett (Sales manager Richards eldest daughter) in order to follow on the family affair. Naturally he is thrilled that the next generation is going to continue the Caravan Tech story and who knows, he may even take a day off without calling in every few minutes!?!?
LOCAL COMMUNITY-
As part of the Hurst Green Community we have continued our support for the local Sedlescombe under 13 and 1st team Football Teams and they are delighted to be back playing every week. We also are pleased to support the Hurst Green School Xmas Fayre.
Servicing-
We would ask you to book your service in good time as we are usually booking many weeks ahead. John, our mobile engineer, continues to be busy and can have a long lead time. Please contact him at john@caravantech.co.uk and leave your name, address and phone number to get booked in!
During a successful 2021 we were both surprised and saddened to hear of the closure of Johns Cross Motorhomes after many years of trading. As a result we have been able to welcome Ian, John and Mike to the service team from Johns Cross who have added their skills and experience to our already excellent team of technicians. Ben has also joined us, a former MOT tester, who has added mechanical servicing and MOT preparation to the range of services we can now offer. We have put in a 5 tonne lift at our new site so we can handle the big motorhomes too.
We are also pleased to welcome Andrew and Andrea who have joined Davey and Scarlett in the full time valet team, Andrea being another member of the Santer clan!
We can confidently say we are now your one stop shop for all your needs! But please help us by winterising carefully, Empty Water Tank, Empty Water Heater, Open Kitchen Tap, Open Vanity Tap, Open Shower Head and Tap to protect from frost damage.
Our shop has also had a frantic summer with all the availability issues that seem to be everywhere this year. Rachael has joined Alan and Nick to give even better customer service and help with stock control and improved presentation. We would like to welcome her to the team and wish her well in her new role.
Manufacturers have taken more of a hit than many, the struggle is real! The supply chain is currently very broken. Our customers have had great patience when waiting for parts, and our wholesalers have had great patience when we are chasing the parts. We are not sure when this situation will improve but we are confident we will be mentioning it again in the 2022 Newsletter!
That said the shop is looking great with full shelves everywhere and we have been very busy in the marketplace securing deals on Awnings, Furniture and Cool boxes so we can continue to offer great deals, we have just taken delivery of 100 Vango Grand Deluxe chairs if you need an extra seat or two around the Xmas table also over 100 Igloo cool boxes to help keep your festive goodies fresh, we will still have a few of the Vango Somerby 420 Air awnings at an incredible £799! We promise to keep you updated as we get more products in.
A Happy Ending in a Minnie and Mouse Tale!
Mark’s Choccy Labs have had a ‘ruff’ year with both undergoing surgery. The younger, Minnie, has been suffering from crumbling vertebrae and has had to have her spine fused and plated. Unfortunately this took two goes to get success but after a very gentle summer of rest she is now fully recovered. Mouse has recently undergone surgery to remove a Mast Cell Tumour from her back, all cancer has been removed and she can look forward to a long life. She even had time for a bit of cosmetic surgery while she was in to remove a whiskery wart from her head, well she is a beauty!
Santer - clause!
Many of you will know Richard Santer, our long standing Sales Manager who I believe was born in a stable here many years ago! This year, in addition to his eldest daughter Scarlett, who is here full time running the valet team and helping us old timers into the 21st Century with the Website and Social Media, he has also dragged in two more Santers. Harrison and Phoenix, his sons, spent their spare time cleaning caravans instead of enjoying the Summer! Four Santers, no wonder Mark wanted to add Megan to team Compton!
It only remains for us to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year from all of the team here at Caravan Tech, Mark, Richard, Alex, Andrew W, Suzanne, Scarlett, Harrison, Phoenix, Alan, Nick, Rachael, Jane, Ian W, Simon, Matt, Ian M, Joe, John B, John P, Ben, Mike, Millie, Davey, Andrea, Andrew B and of course Minnie and Mouse!