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James at 14:27:44 on 01/03/2008 asks:
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"Soapy, can you shed any light on the Bailey / Care-avan saga as many members on many web site forums would be most interested. James"
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Soapy Says:
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Hi James,
With reference to claims and statements made by a certain supplier of caravan cleaning products, Soapy Smiths would comment as follows:
It has been implied as a statement of fact that the use of Fenwick's products on Bailey caravans will invalidate the manufacturer's warrantee.
If this where true, it would be such an important issue that surely Bailey's would have issued a written statement to all their existing customers for whom they have a full data base. They would also have made this issue clear in the official handbook provided with all new units. To our knowledge no such statement has been issued by Bailey's to their customers, therefore there can be no truth in the implied statement.
It has been implied as a statement of fact that Bailey Caravans have only approved the use of one specific brand of cleaner and that the use of any other brand will have a damaging effect on a Bailey unit leading to the invalidation of the manufacturers warrantee. A letter dated 4th September 2007 from Chris Harvey - Financial Director of Bailey Caravans has been posted on the certain suppliers web site in suport of this implied statement.
As above, if this where true then the statement would have been made by Bailey Caravans themselves. Existing customers would have been contacted directly or via the dealer network, new customers by mention in the official Bailey handbook (to our knowledge no such statement or recomendation appears in this handbook). Also one would assume that, if true, such an important issue would have been covered in leading periodicals. Soapy Smiths would also recommend reading the actual wordage of the Chris Harvey letter. See for yourself what this says, there is no condemnation of other brands and no sugestion that to use alternative brands invalidates the units warrantee.
It has been claimed as a statement of fact, via the Practical Caravan web site forum, 17 FEb 2008, 10.16 PM posted by The Polish King, that, to quote The Polish King "..both The Caravan Club and Camping & Caravaning Clubs are recommending Care-avan Cleaning Products to All Members...". Reference has also then been made specifically to page 98 of the March issue of the Caravan Club magazine.
The Caravan Club and the Camping & Caravaning Club are both impartial and independant organisations. As such it is our understanding that they do not make recomendations to their many members regarding specific individual suppliers or specific individual products. A quick look at the mentioned article clearly reveals there is no recomendation and to claim it does is, in the opinion of Soapy Smiths, an insult to such a highly respected organisation and its members.
It is clear, in the opinion of Soapy Smiths, that a certain supplier is trying to promote their own products via, among other avenues, web site forums by "having a go" at their competitors and by making unsubstantiated claims on behalf of major caravan manufacturers. This certain supplier has already had postings removed from such forums for blatant advertising. It is the considered opinion of Soapy Smiths that this method of marketing shows a distinct lack of confidence in the suppliers own product. Using scare tactics to try to force customers to use specific product, "to use any other cleaner will invalidate the warrantee", especially when not true, is not a road down which Soapy Smiths or any other reputable supplier would want to go.
Soapy Smiths would say quite clearly to all existing and potential customers:
"Use whichever product suits your individual requirements and standards. If it works for you and you are happy with the results then fine. Don't let any supplier scare you into using their particular brand. Use your own considered judgement based on true facts and all the available information. Don't rely on claims made by suppliers on behalf of major unit manufacturers, especially when the unit manufacturers makes no such claims themselves.
If you want to question a specific products effect on the warrantee of your unit, ask the unit manufacturer directly, they are the only ones qualified to make a firm statement on the invalidation of their warrantee. No third party can make such unilateral statements or claims.
Does using Fenwick's products invalidate your unit manaufacturer's warrantee ?
Don't take the word of one specific supplier as the gospel truth, ask your units manufacturer for a written statement of fact."
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Omf at 20:49:34 on 31/07/2007 asks:
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"Would it be possible to see any relevant statement from Fenwick's regarding the Bailey's "note" which appeared for a short period of time in Bailey dealers in March 2007, which keeps re-appearing, in various forms, on certain forums."
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Soapy Says:
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Yes certainly, below is a copy of a letter from Jonathon Smith B.eng Director of Fenwick's to all Bailey Reatilers, sent out last year. And anyone reading this should take a very carefull note of the final section in bold below.
Dear Retailer,
I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the situation between Bailey of Bristol Limited and Fenwick's Limited. After months of meetings between Fenwick's, Bailey and solicitors, Bailey have been unable to provide any evidence that Fenwick's Caravan Cleaner or Overwintering can cause any damage to their caravans. They actually have independant testing by Hull University and Geocel Limited that exonerates our (Fenwicks) products. Our (Fenwicks) own exhaustive investigations also prove our (Fenwicks) products are safe.
Both Bailey and their solicitors have stated that the information sent out to you on the 15th March 2007 was privileged and for your eyes only. Therefore if you have displayed this information I would ask you to take it down and also refrain from any further publication of this information, as it could be perceived as defamatory and malicious as there is no substance to the claims.
As far as Bailye's warranty is concerned our products fully comply with Bailey's warranty information, Thompson Plastics (material moulder) warranty and the material manufactures warranty information. Therefore legally, using Fenwick's does not invalidate their warranty.
End of statement.
THE NOTE, DATED 15TH MARCH 2007, SENT BY BAILEY TO THEIR RETAILERS WAS "PRIVILAGED AND FOR YOUR (RETAILERS) EYES ONLY" AND ALL PERSONS SHOULD "REFRAIN FROM ANY FURTHER PUBLICATION OF THIS INFORMATION, AS IT COULD BE PERCEIVED AS DEFAMATORY AND MALICIOUS" WHICH COULD LEAD TO LEGAL ACTION BEING TAKEN AGAINST THAT PERSON OR PERSONS FOR DOING SO
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Soapy Smiths Limited,
Nantwich Canal Centre,
Chester Road,
Nantwich,
Cheshire,
CW5 8LB
Company Registration Number 6029663
VAT registration Number 889 6291 36
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