The Marquis Malpractice: 24 Readers' Reactions

Barry and Margaret Williamson
August 2014

Here are 24 reactions from readers following our account of a wasted summer, wrestling with the machinations and malpractices of Marquis Motorhomes.

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Start with: Introduction and Overview

See all Nine Files at: Marquis Malpractice 

1. "I started to catch up with your Blog and the spring in Greece bit, but then got to the Marquis 'horror movie' - what a trauma for you - you have my sympathy. I do not know why but when I was looking for my MH 5 years ago I had a gut feeling of not wanting to go near Marquis. I bet you wish you had had it too!" (Geoff)
2. "We read these chapters with great interest as you can imagine!!! We're totally shocked and so pleased for you about the change of attitude at Brownhills!! And the new van looks superb!! Long may you roll!!" (Vivian & Alan)
3. "We were distressed to learn of your experiences with Marquis (the owner of our local camper sales site) which we're avoiding forthwith, and not just because of your sorry tale." (Mike & Christine)
4. "Wow!  Definitely avoid Marquis then! So glad you came out of it with a nice compact MH with a garage for your bikes too. You will be able to park up any old where, like so many of us!" (Helen & David)
5. "Thanks for the update on your recent fiasco. What a mess. I think I said before that my motorhome service man used to work for Marquis. He said he left because it was embarrassing how bad they really were." (Ian & Judit)
6. "Congratulations on your David v Goliath victory; a superb template for anyone who wants to go it alone against the big guys, who are so so keen to get your money. When they see you riding back out of the sunset toward them, you become devils!" (Joe)
7. "I followed the links in your email ‎and am shocked to read about your treatment this summer. I hope I'm never on the receiving end of your wrath. What a formidable team you make! Seriously though, it really is wrong that the customer has to fight every step of the way, even with the most straightforward transaction nowadays. We also visited Brownhills in Newark last week and were impressed by their professional approach. I wondered if perhaps they would be a 'too good to be true' type operation to deal with and am pleased to see that you can judge them by their appearance." (Ali & Mike)
8. "You poor buggers! How can such an exciting event in one's life be so abused!" (Gary & Liz)
9. "My word Barry, sharks indeed and what a long winded story about something that really should be quite straightforward. I hope it all works out okay - and here I was thinking that all the crooks were here in Indonesia." (David)
10. "We were so appalled (but frankly not surprised) by your description of Marquis' commercial incompetence and arrogance. How we empathised with the abysmally sorry tale of your experiences with Marquis. This I believe was the bunch of clowns who bought up Autosleeper when the Trevellyan brothers retired." (Paul & Sheila)
11. "After all the agro, delighted to note that you are now sorted!!!" (Ian)
12. "I always had confidence that you would be able to negotiate a reasonable outcome but it makes me think caravan and motorhome sales people are the pits." (Brian)
13. "Glad to see your back to Motorhoming even after all the hassle you had with the purchase." (Another Brian)
14. “Sorry to hear of your vehicle-related troubles over the summer. Hope your new motorhome is performing well.” (Another Brian)
15. “Pleased you managed to source what you wanted. Stay safe, be well and Bon Voyage.” (Barney)
16. “We'd been getting a little concerned that things hadn't gone to plan when we hadn't had an update for so long. We couldn't quite have imagined the incompetence encountered though. Very pleased you did source a suitable van in the end.” (Bec & Kev)
17. “Read about Marquis and that must have been a fraught time indeed.” (Dr Bob & Sandra)
18. “. . . . your splendid-looking Corado (many thanks for the full unexpurgated version of the Marquis saga.  Sheeshka!).” (George)
19. “Read through your motorhome purchase with disbelief. What imbeciles, or crooks, take your pick. Glad you finally got a suitable vehicle. Hope your travels continue smoothly.” (Kaye & Alan)
20. “Bit of a nightmare regarding your motorhome but this type of people doesn't seem to be bothered about their reputation online. They often throw it off by saying it was a disgruntled customer with a grudge. They obviously don't read the feedback.” (Eric)
21. “It's great to hear that you guys have got a new vehicle sorted out.” (Kevin)
22. “I spent a fair bit of time reading of your experience with Marquis, I was shocked to be honest. I had no idea you were in dispute with another dealer and still can't believe what happened during the course of your sale with them.” (Anon)
23. “Thanks very much for the Life after Marquis email and it's great that you are very satisfied with the new motorhome from Brownhills.” (Another Brian)
24. “I do hope you are enjoying your new motorhome, which incidentally, looks fantastic. I read all your latest on Marquis and can't believe the shonky way you were treated. At least Brownhills have done well out of it - you have given them a good write up, which means the news will go everywhere, as you have such a huge following on your website. I expect Marquis are kicking themselves as they certainly took on the wrong people.” (Audrey & Graham)