John Oates 3.5 horse boxes

oldie48

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Hi I am looking to replace my current box and am considering a number of options including a new build from John Oates. I want a safe well built box, not too fussed about the gizmos and don't have the money for a new Boss or Bloomfield box and they seem to be pretty rare second hand. If you have experience of John Oates boxes, please let me know by posting or by private message. TIA.
 
Was looking a couple of years ago and visited workshop. Liked the design but a bit rough around the edges (literally) went with another manufacturer in the end.
 
Equibabe in Staffordshire. I have sold it now but it is back up for sale with a well known and trusted 3.5t dealer who have a good reputation for only selling decent boxes, so can't have been too bad a purchase!!
 
Equibabe in Staffordshire. I have sold it now but it is back up for sale with a well known and trusted 3.5t dealer who have a good reputation for only selling decent boxes, so can't have been too bad a purchase!!

Ha, I know who that is, she is probably my first choice but wanted to look around to be certain!
 
I've been looking for a 3.5t. Don't know anything about John Oates but if I can't find anything second hand and have to buy new then Marlborough seems like a good balance between safe/sturdy and reasonably priced. However, this is just based on reputation, I haven't actually been to the workshop.

The second hand market is crazy with boxes several years old being sold for almost the same as a new one!
 
We went to look a few years ago. The boxes were well designed and pretty sturdy but not flashy. The Customer service on the other hand left a lot to be desired. Kept trying to fob us off with CAT C write off! Gah! It still makes me cross now as I was there with the money, desperate to buy and they just make it very difficult for us. I know that they built/build a lot for Staffordshire horseboxes. Went elsewhere in the end.
 
We went to look a few years ago. The boxes were well designed and pretty sturdy but not flashy. The Customer service on the other hand left a lot to be desired. Kept trying to fob us off with CAT C write off! Gah! It still makes me cross now as I was there with the money, desperate to buy and they just make it very difficult for us. I know that they built/build a lot for Staffordshire horseboxes. Went elsewhere in the end.

what's a CAT C write off? who did you go to please?
 
We went to look a few years ago. The boxes were well designed and pretty sturdy but not flashy. The Customer service on the other hand left a lot to be desired. Kept trying to fob us off with CAT C write off! Gah! It still makes me cross now as I was there with the money, desperate to buy and they just make it very difficult for us. I know that they built/build a lot for Staffordshire horseboxes. Went elsewhere in the end.


similar to me then!
I have a JO lorry. the actual lorry is fine, although some aspects of the paint work aren't great when you are paying over 20K...
however, the biggest issue I had was actually getting the lorry on time. it was well over 3 months later than they promised (repeatedly!) so unless you are happy to wait up to 6 months (or even 12!) longer than planned (as was the case with others I contacted!) then don't buy from them.

they don't care less if they deliver it late or if you miss shows or cant get entry fees back or have to hire horseboxes because they are late delivering either.
 
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