What was our final decision on Rejecting Just William?

[@keepitreal1547]

I'll say it again 'you're a lovely ; respectful couple' & sometimes it's such people that are tested. You've been tested & survived, it's one of those blips in life & now it's forward thinking for your total enjoyment of Just William & all the amazing places he's going to be taking you. I'm sure he'll be more than fine...ENJOY 😊

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thank you 🙏 Yes we can now get on and enjoy our lives travelling in Just William 👍😀😎

[@shirleylambden1561]

I think you have done the right thing and I think it will be OK- sounds like it could have all been avoided if the damp check had been done by someone who knew what they were doing!! The bright side of it all is that it sounds as if they have sorted all the other bits Hope you are both starting to feel better now xx

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thanks Shirley, yes all this could have been avoided but I think all things considered it's a good thing that they got it wrong in the first place. They were certainly "on the back foot" when we complained and they could not do enough to help :)

[@user-kmair100]

I think youve both made the right decision.....i know it's been a complete nightmare for you both, but hopefully now you can try and put it behind you guys, and get on with planning your journey back into Europe. We are really looking forward to the videos....! Take care guys.....

[@DaveH-t9s]

Pleased you have got some resolution to the issue especially the damp issue. Hopefully you can now start to plan and enjoy the van. Maybe a quick email to the service manager you dealt with expressing the stress this has caused both emotionally and financially. You never know they might offer something even a free service. Thanks Dave

[@ruthkirby9277]

You definitely haven’t been stupid, it’s just how things go nowadays. As long as Wendy is happy all will be well. I hope you have some fabulous times in Just William from now on in ❤

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thank you Ruth. Yes Wendy is feeling happier now we have it all sorted out :)

[@susangranger3089]

So sorry for you two, hope it all gets sorted soon, every bit of it!!! I hope they are paying for your B & Bs, as this has affected you financially and emotionally and your time. Thank you for sharing, hope to hear things have been sorted next time. Try not to stress, take care and love to you both and Pippin. ❤❤❤ xx

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thank you Susan. Now it's all sorted we do feel much better and really quite blessed to have the support of you and all our subscribers ❤️

[@wanderingbychoice]

Hi guys don’t know if this is any help, but our back wall and partially tha sides get terrible condensation issues from October through to April consistently, where the transverse bed is situated, no where else and after April nothing, we have fitted a 80w tube heater in the garage this year and it seems less wet, but I feel for you both as it is a stress you don’t need, my damp reading was 16 in summer in that location on the wall, hope you get the results you need from the independent test, safe travels 👍👊🚌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥰

[@philipwilks9151]

Great blog, so pleased you dealt with this in a professional manner and that you agreed to go to the company with an open mind to see what they can do, looks like the service department were dong their best to get you issues sorted and I hope they have. Can I ask what you use to check the damp yourselves. KR Phil

[@neilmurdoch6049]

Good luck to you both and fingers crossed all the water/condensation issues dissipate...

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Cheers Neil, no problems so far 😄

[@MotorhomeBeasts]

Hi Wendy,Stephan..and pippin..I'm so glad things r being sorted with Just William.sorry u had to go through this stressful stuff..hopefully u will be back on ur travels soon, take care both x

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Hi guys, yes we are back to our travels now, just the bloomin' storage to clear out and then we're off to Portugal on 19th Dec. YAY! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[@CliffTopz]

Living in a motorhome in the colder, damper months can be tough trying to ventilate enough to keep cold walls dry and stop the condensation from transferring to the furniture. Our heater is in the garage so that stays warm and dry, if you have a vent from the heating in there do keep it open. I really hope that everything is fixed and that you can head off to warmer climes ☀️and leave the troubles behind you. Look after yourselves and keep smiling 😄

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thank you 🙏 Yes we are leaving this episode behind and we are off to Europe on 19th December 👍😀😎

[@shirleymurray2232]

We are an older couple (65) from Ireland. We've been following you for some time now. We are currently watching this from our converted T5 in the South of Spain. We can fully appreciate how distressing all this has been for you both. We just want to say that we believe it will all work out for you and Just William. It's very obvious that you two love and support each other very much.. and this will see you through. Stay strong Wendy.. you are brilliant! Onwards and Upwards! Sending love to you both! ❤ Shirley & Eugene.

[@motorhomers-r-us]

🤞 you’ve made the correct decision………… never had condensation in the sleeping area. We’ve also had water coming through our cab roof window, it was coming from else where ……..it was collecting so please check damp there. Have you delayed Portugal 🇵🇹 Take care of yourselves Xx

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thanks guys Yes I’ll be a damp checking demon for the next few months LOL 😜

[@faithgoodman7957]

Hello Steve, Wendy and of course Pippin So chuffed that you are both happy now with Just William 🙂🙂🙂 Now the adventures can start 🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thanks Faith 👍 Yes we have now booked our tunnel crossing for 19th December. 👍😀😎

[@faithgoodman7957]

@TheHappyTravellers Fabulous 🙂🚢🚌🙂

[@davidwilliams-du4ru]

Hi Both. You are two intelligent people who are going through a tough time and I am sure you will not be influenced by people like us who are not directly Involved. I am sure you will make the right decision on the basis of your dealings with this company. You like the MH, so that has to have a bearing on part of your decision, the rest will depend on how you perceive their cooperation and how they resolve it to your satisfaction. We just hope everything will work in your favour. Our best wishes and just hope this turns out to be a great Christmas present.

[@thebebbsbeat]

Hi guys Sorry to hear things aren’t going to well with your van. Where are you guys now? We’re in the Plymouth area 😊👍

[@touringtroughtons]

Just catching up with your travels and it's awful to hear this news and to see how visibly upset Wendy has been and how it must have affected you both. I'm sure you will come to the best decision and we wish you all the best in your future adventures. Hope to catch up soon. Dave and Lisa.

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thank you Dave and Lisa. We're all set now and things are looking good. we have booked our winter sun trip to Portugal and Spain and will leave on 19th dec. ❤️

[@carolynjones6116]

Big hugs ,that is an unbelievable amount of stress . You are very level headed . Well done Wendy

[@gazwolves9489]

Sounds positive response on there side hope it all works out

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Here’s Gaz, we are keeping a close eye on it 👍😀😎

[@huwthomas5980]

Best wishes, i hope your able to get all this sorted quickly and to your satisfaction, the stress must be just awfull. We have never had a van, picking our first van up in April next year. Best wishes to you both. ❤

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thanks Huw, our first van, a brand new Hymer T678CL had all sorts of problems and was so bad that we rejected it and went for a used bigger van, an Autotrail Comanche which was an absolute joy. There are vans that are just right so have faith and check everything before you take delivery :)

[@mallyroberts8330]

Wendy is clearly not happy. She probably won't ever be 100% confident living in the new van. Based on that, I would reject the van.

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thanks 🙏 Yes Wendy needs a little more time to check things out to become comfortable with Just William again but now we have him back and the garage is dry, happiness levels are up 👍😀😎

[@johncally4429]

Hi Steve & Wendy, What you’ve explained as their explanation and actions taken to address your concerns makes logical sense to me, as with all things, knowledge is power, and you have certainly had a crash course in damp detecting! Hope you can now both get back to normal asap and move on with your travel adventures! 👍🍻

[@vintagevantics]

Well sorted Steve. I think you’ve landed in the best place possible from where you were a week ago. All fixes sorted hopefully to your full satisfaction. Learnings for the supplier which will hopefully benefit others. Plus you are now an expert on damp! What more could you want?!!! Enjoy your lovely Motorhome. X

[@robertngreen6]

So glad you seem to have a resolution now, and I hope you have Happy Travelling now with Just William! ❤

[@stellaswancounselling]

Sounds as though it all worked out well. Thank goodness. ❤🙏👏🏻.

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thanks Stella, yes it’s such a relief 👍😀😎

[@carolemousdell4444]

So sorry you've had to go through all this it really must be so upsetting as we are talking about your home so it does become emotional! Wendy seeing you get your sparkle back was so lovely after the tough time you had had. I feel things will get better again now and the adventures will begin again very soon. Sending much love and good wishes to all three of you, you are a lovely little family!❤

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thank you Carole, it all seems to be working out great 👍

[@Sidetops11]

Great news, well handled. A very stressful situation for you both, but it seems the supplier has been acting professionally after all, which is most reassuring. Good luck guys, everything will be just fine soon.

[@wanderingwaspiwoman]

So much stress for you both. Hope all good and you can start to enjoy your travels trouble free. Lots of love from Scotland ❤❤❤❤

[@jamesmackay4652]

Glad your feeling better about things and hope it sets your minds at rest,keep well and happy travels.

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thanks James, much appreciated.

[@justkidding9751]

Mmm after this experience I don't think I could accept the van if I'm honest. There are many good companies out there that would be glad of your business. The fact that any company would do a hand over with outstanding issues that you will need to go back for is crazy in my opinion. The van shouldn't even be up for sale unless it's 100% ready to go. I think you will live to regret it if you accept it after all this. At this time the law is on your side. Get your old van back and all the money you spent on the tracker. You shouldn't have to use silicone on a Van that's only done 12,000 miles and I'm sure with that mileage, the van is less than 3 years old. It's been such an emotional week, you need to walk away and find a better company. Don't compromise, don't worry about upsetting them, they weren't bothered about upsetting you and them saying things like they have made changes to the handover process isn't good enough. As a company they should have that right from day one of the company ever existing. Ultimately the choice is yours but as a 65 year old myself I would reject it. Move on and start a fresh.

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thank you 🙏 Well it’s all good now which is what really matters. The advice for using a silicone spray on the window rubbers was in response to my question on how to keep them in good condition rather than a requirement to keep the rain out. The service department have been really helpful. Having said that I hope we never have to see or speak to them again 👍😀😎

[@PaulCunningham-sf5pu]

Good luck to you both and please look after yourself and each other claim every penny back from them your channel only come across to me personally in the last few days

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thanks Paul, now the van is fixed up we can enjoy it and put all this behind us. thanks for your support 👍

[@alfhighland9243]

Nice to here ,but the most important is both your health so well done the both of you, best wishes Alf and Marianne 🎉🎉

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Hi Alf and Marianne, lovely to hear from you. We’ve just booked our winter sun channel tunnel crossing for 19th December so much looking forward to simply enjoying life in the sunshine. See you in 2025 on our next adventure to Sweden ❤️❤️❤️

[@Northern-Light]

It's great to see you have come to a conclusion you are happy with around what to decide to do about JW.We all know that all motorhomes can be an absolute nightmare at one time or another and yet despite that we simply keep on buying them! Maybe we're all masochists! 😮😊

[@vanscran1672]

Hopefully that's the end of the problems, if you changed the van, you are likely to get another load of different problems, that's why I built my own in the end. The commercially built ones are slung together too quickly nowadays. 😮

[@paulsunley]

I hope your both feeling a little more up beat now you had a positive experience with the service department and the issues have been rectified I spoken to one of my colleagues who regularly encounters cooler climates in his motor home he say the issue of condensation in the rear of his van was noticeable however he had a extra diesel heater fitter in the rear garage end bedroom and he has no issues it maybe 🤔 a solution to consider good luck to you both 😊

[@windsurfingcurlystyle9138]

Hope you get all sorted sending love and support

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thank you, yes I think we are all good now :)

[@gailh3048]

What an emotional couple of weeks you’ve had. My two pen’orth is that the company have shown good faith in trying to resolve your issues which is a positive. They’ve repaired your snagging list and have investigated the damp issue. An independent hab test should give you additional peace of mind. If the company has changed its handover procedures as a result of what’s happened, that is also positive. Time will tell if there’s an issue but you and the company have done what you can for now. The independent hab test will give you an additional base line to check in future. I understand your reluctance to part with Just William, he’s exactly the van you wanted and based on the revised damp readings he’s worth persevering with. We had water ingress in our 3 year old motorhome locker door because the seal hadn’t been put on properly. The company said it wasn’t covered under warranty and they wanted a lot of money to order a replacement seal from Italy. In the end my OH bought one off eBay and fitted it himself. This solved the problem. So if you compare our two experiences, your dealer has worked to resolve your issues and you still have your warranty. Go and enjoy Just William (while keeping an eye on the damp readings) and you’ll soon put this behind you. All the best.

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thanks so much Gail ❤️ Yes we think the service department have been very helpful 👍😀😎

[@grahamlongdon8448]

I think if you feel happy with the repairs and have another damp test it will give you peace of mind,as you like the van my gut feeling is stick with it but any doubt rejection is the only way😊

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Cheers Graham, it all seems to be good now. A further damp check will happen at some point and I'll be checking every week to see if there is any change. At least we can feel better about it now :)

[@A-Nobody]

Sometimes in life, you have to take a few gambles in order to reap reward. I think you did so in keeping the new van. Good luck, move on and enjoy.

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Yes it was a gamble but I think it will pay off 👍😀😎

[@colinwells4572]

Congratulations and well done. I think you are 90% there now. Perhaps you should get EVERYTHING in writing from them. A new 1 year warranty would be good. I note you have never mentioned the name of the dealership is there a reason for that ? Are they going to compensate you for at least the cost of the hire car and accommodation? The BEST thing of all was to see that lovely smile from your wife. All the very best to you both. Kindest regards VANESSA & COLIN WELLS

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thank you Vanessa and Colin, we really appreciate your support. Not revealing the dealer name was only while we were in negotiations with them. We'll be doing a full review of the whole process, BAD and GOOD so we'll highlight the name of the dealer then.

[@topklassphotography]

Great news you can get on with your life again looking forward to your next adventures

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thanks, yes we've now booked our winter trip to Portugal and Spain :)

[@garyspringham2655]

We are living in a world now that we are told so many untruths we just don't now who to believe on anything especially when money is involved.

[@TheHappyTravellers]

You are so right Gary. Believe no one and always confirm things for yourself seems to be the only way these days 👍😀😎

[@lloydjones1834]

I wish you both all the best I know what you are going through you do not know who to trust lately I myself are a 70+ retired engineer and the latest of engineers have not got the experience salesman will tell you anything fora sale wish you both all the best will keep up with your comments

[@Sandkicker-p3m]

I have every sympathy. We had similar experience few years ago. Bought van with hab check done. Water came in around windows after first heavy rain. Hab check is a guy with a damp meter. We should have run a hose over the whole outside which tells you another story. We sorted with manufacturer and we're lucky. For advice it's Citizen Advice who now deal for TS. Yes we were also advised 30 days. I really wish you luck. You come over as a really lovely couple and you font need this stress in your life. Good luck both

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thank you, it’s been a stressful couple of weeks for us but things seem to be sorted and the Garage is dry 👍😀😎

[@barrywinter8770]

Common threads seem to that build quality on these expensive pieces of kit is at best patchy and that generally the starting point is not to trust the dealer. Hearing of some of the issues that others have had on vans like ours I feel we have been lucky - so far. Hopefully you have made the right decision and can get on with enjoying your van. (Incidentally last time I was in Plymouth I got a ticket, appealed, got nowhere. Never been back).

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thanks Barry, yes I think all vans are built to a budget rather than a quality standard. I've sent that parking ticket back. no signs and bad road markings means they can't legally issue a ticket. We'll see what they say LOL

[@PaulCunningham-sf5pu]

Please look after your mental health it is showing really bad on both of you stay safe and sound you deserve so much better

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thanks for noticing Paul, we've really struggled emotionally over this but feel so much better now it's all fixed :)

[@suejelliott]

Well done for getting through this but I wouldn’t be happy with garage getting wet. Shouldn’t be the case. Should be able to store stuff in there safely and things should stay dry. Shouldn’t need silicone

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thank you Sue ❤️ So far the garage is now dry 😀 The silicone is just a general maintenance tip rather than a requirement 👍😀😎

[@DominiqueSendsLove]

Question, Condensation? Experience, other owners with the same Make/Model x

[@TheHappyTravellers]

So the question of condensation is one that is common across the Dethleffs Trend range it seems just William is a TREND variant. It seems that the garage doors are known to have a problem. The good thing is that now it's been in for those repairs that seems to have been fixed up and we're not seeing the condensation in the garage at all now :)

[@martinfield1484]

I thought this would be the case Steve and Wendy the dealer seems to have gone out of there way the van isn’t old and low mileage and you like the van I think just monitor the garage area for the next few months

[@neildean7515]

In this situation, You know they are the experts, let them do their work, but, fore-warn them you will be getting an independant inspection and if there are any issues, its a return. Then they know you are serious…

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Exactly right Neil. That is what we have done 👍

[@elliotedge4307]

Gud luck wish u both all the best

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thank you Elliot 👍😀😎

[@jo6628]

Hi guys, didn't you have this damp in garage problem with a Hymer years ago, which you rejected?

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Yes, there was a serious issue with the solid bed base collecting all the condensation. LOADS os issues with that (DT17 MYA) Hymer T678CL Golden Limited Edition. It all turned out well though as that's the reason we ended up with the Comanche which was brilliant :)

[@neilmick6778]

It's just an object, there are thousands more vans out there. Reject it and find someone who wants to sell you something you'll be happy with. You both seem like nice people, don't be worried about upsetting them, they're not your friends.

[@TheHappyTravellers]

You are right, it's only a van but it';s hard to be rational when you're in the thick of it. Negotiation is always a nuanced set of discussions but i think we came out on top with this one :)

[@dawnvallance861]

Its such a shame you both have had to go through all this stress with Just William. I hope all will be ok now Steve you havemt been stupid Wendy i hope will start to feel a lot better once you start all over again living in Just William. I would ask the dealer for some sort of componsation for all the stress and extra money you have had to spend for the air b&b as well as the car hire !! . Best of luck to you both take care sending love to you both xx

[@susannetoon2709]

General opinion is to reject the motor home if it cannot give you what you need .Either way you would need compensation for the upset and distress and losses its a lot of money when fossil fuel motor homes were vastly reduced at the motor show .You had your pick really and they need to offer substantial compensation as the experience as made you both so unwell and should not have happened If habitation check had been carried our correctly in first place.If purchased in a dry summer weather you may not have noticed any leaks till warranty expired .The e powered hybrid ones that charge as you drive along are giving between 50 and 60 miles per 4 1 litre petrol and nothing for electric because it self charges as you drive along like the Grand land and the New all electrics are starting at 360 one charge. We are looking for a hybrid .Steven. Think this one our carefully and do what is best that will make you both feel happy and comfortable. Its a lot of money if you are not happy with it.Hugs all of you today .Big ones for Pippin.,X

[@battlebbot]

If you had the chance to reject it, and didn't jump at it, then in a few years time when its out of warranty, and you are facing a £10K + repair bill, you will very much regret not getting out of it. If It's got damp in it, then that's something that is pretty much impossible to cure, given the very shoddy build quality of modern motorhomes.

[@johnRenton-g6d]

Hi are they going to pay for indipendant hab check

[@TheHappyTravellers]

No they're not paying for that but they'll be responsible for any problems found. Smaller issues they've said we can probably have those done locally to whereever we happen to be.

[@neilmick6778]

Oh if this is Marquis, run..

[@TheHappyTravellers]

It's not Marquis. I'd already been warned off of them as a dealer. My bad dealer list is getting longer LOL

[@chrissey663]

ALWAYS have some of the cost of your van with a finance company, never fullu pay for a van, it will be owned by them untill itself fully paid for BECAUSE if you have problems eith the company refusing or not fixing your van properly then all you do is get hold of them and they eill sort it all out, i know because we've had that experience in the past, hood yip for anyone, good luck both

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Cheers Chrissey, yes that's a good idea...

[@UkVetPatriot]

Congrats. Seems like the company is good but "over enthusistic" salesman quite common. well done giving chance to put things right. Last issue sounds like condensation we all get a bit of. Many tips available there.

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Yes thank you. Not so much condensation now so things are looking good 👍😀😎

[@neildean7515]

You assume they went through the van/habitation thoroughly.. Actually, the only options are they simply did not bother, or they did and simply decided to fob you off..

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Thanks Neil, this time through the Hab check they almost walked me through a complete re-do showing me the process. The service department has been very helpful 👍😀😎

[@stephenb5560]

Just stay local to the dealership for a week

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Good idea but we have “stuff” to get done. It all seems to be going well though. Garage is dry 😀 so the future is looking pretty good 😀👍😎

[@stephenb5560]

@TheHappyTravellers oh well. Good luck with it 🤞🤞

[@TheStephensonGrechFamily]

damp isnt nice is it,

[@michaelabrelsford5861]

We have just had our 4th habitation. We have the dreaded damp in the garage doors, reading being 99.9%. Thankfully still under dethleffs 6yr damp warranty so will get sorted. Hope you will be happy with Just William.

[@Grt234]

Only nice because they want your money,

[@TheHappyTravellers]

Sadly that is. very true :(