Please help...! Advice needed for Bateson and Ifor Trailers

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BeauCoe

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Having saved for a year I am now lucky enough to be able to afford a brand new trailer. It will be my second one, the first was over twenty years ago. I got my current horse a year ago and am now ready to go out and have some fun.

So i have decided its between a Bateson Ascot or an Ifor Williams 506.

I have looked at both. Out of the two i really like the Bateson's but have had a really bad experience today with the dealer for the region. The trailer had a great spec (locking tack cupboard, great suspension etc) but it had some scratches down the centre panel and edges where it looked like something had been inside the trailer and marked it. When pointing these out i was told that it is quite normal, to expect some scratches and once i get my horse in there he will mark it anyway!! I pointed out that i was spending a lot of money and had not expected the trailer to be in this condition. His reply was very shocking as he repeatedly said that i was a fussy customer and not to buy the trailer! I was left very shocked and upset.

I spoke to Bateson direct to inform them of the situation and they were apologetic but obviously i do not want anything to do with that dealer again so if i did go ahead and purchase another of their trailers i would not have a local dealer to go to, which is a concern.

Can anyone help who has dealt with Bateson...did they get a perfect trailer or do they supply them with scratches??

Also can you give me your views on the trailers mentioned please?

Thank you
 
Can't give you any views on a Bateson, but IMO if you're buying brand new it should be in perfect condition, and TBH I'd expect a good dealer to make an effort to tidy up scratches even on a decent second hand one!

On the other hand, if the reason for buying new is reliability, warranty, etc rather than aesthetics, then a scratch won't make any difference and could be a bargaining tool for a bit of a reduction in price ;)
 
Hi there,

Thank you for your response.

I really wanted a new trailer as i thought it would be a safer bet for me. I also thought that with a new trailer it would be in pristine condition? Not sure how the warranty would work as there is only this dealer in the region! Also the dealer quite clearly stated that he does not make much of a profit on these trailers so there would be no negotiation!!

Lots to think about.

Thanks
 
Try to put this behind you, there are several threads on here praising the ability of the Bateson trailer.
I have one and would buy another without hesitation, new or second hand.
 
How far away is the other dealer? I have a Bateson and have it serviced by a lorry man nearby. The only time I had queries I went direct to Bateson and had immediate and courteous response.

The mans attitude is wrong and takes the shine off your purchase. His lack of margin is his problem not yours and he has obviously lost himself a customer.

I would contact Bateson directly again, tell them you wish to buy the new trailer, but not from this dealer and ask them to advice as to support, warranty etc.
 
I bought a new Bateson, directly from them, and they couldn't have been more helpful.

It certainly wasn't scratched either!
 
Thank you for all your advice.

I will contact Bateson to see if they can help with the warranty and also if they can provide a new centre partition.

Its good to know that i was correct in not accepting a scratched trailer!!
 
I have a Bateson, bought directly from them and they were very helpful. I had been to look at some that were in stock but when I rang up to order one they had none in stock with the colour I wanted. They offered to make me one in my colour choice and it was ready in 10 days! They were great and so is my trailer :D:D
 
Ive had a Bateson Ascot for 4 years and its fantastic, very reliable, light to manage on your own, lovely and light inside for the horses, the tack box is great as is the mirror on the hitch. Also the big thing for me is if you have to unload on a road the front ramp is on the left side rather than the right (road side) on an Ifor
 
Ive had both ifor (it was a new 510, not the 506 ) and bateson ascot and without a doubt the bateson is by far my better choice. Fantastic, and bateson have been super helpful when ive needed to contact them. Try not to let his attitude put you off a great trailer.
If buying new , i wouldnt expect one with scratches, unless pointed out and the final price reduced because of the scratches.
 
How rude! I agree your totally in the right, if your spending a lot of money on something brand new you have every right to expect perfection or as someone else has said a good discount.
I cant advise o which trailer, we have a Ifor but this was mainly due to the fact there is a dealer very locally so any work needed doing its no hassle- this made the decision for us.

Good luck with your purchase what ever you decide.
 
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