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NO Star for Goldstar, don't buy a lemon!
In this rougue 'self regulated' RV Industry in Australia, how can manufacturer's still get away with 'No Quality Control' on their poorly constructed, over priced rubbish is beyond me!
We could never afford a New Caravan if it wasn't for a compensation payout for a mis-fotunate historic case against my old school Scotch College in Melbourne [but that's another story].
We fell in love with the thought of owning a brand new van. We searched for ages trying to find something we can afford. Never could we imagine the problems that came with it.
Their website shows a huge range of vans, but they have no sales people anywhere except for SA. We have had so many problems with pre-purchase [Lilian] which should have rang alarm bells. She virtually called us liars, argued with us, went back on her word and so many other things not worthy of good customer service. We are in our 50's, we do not need to lie about anything!
I offered to sell this rubbish for them in WA. I couldn't sleep at night if i had to sell them here, let alone the endless phone calls of warranty issues and complaints, glad i backed out!
We had sent to us a 05/2018 plated New van [cost $48000.00] on the back of a truck, verbally stating it will cost $750- for transport from SA to WA, but on the Invoice was $2000.00.
The van arrived filthy, Interior and Exterior like a 2nd hand van, one of the wheels locking up on the 1st tow, on the way home, a hole in the water tank and so much more [which did get cleaned 3 weeks after pleading on the outside for us after a few words to Polka [supposed to be a sales person but doesn't know what shackles ]- but we spent at least 5 hours each cleaning the inside] Can anyone tell me that looking at this chassis, does this look like a New van?
It's a disgrace! Is it a 'Re-birth' from a returned on warranty van palmed off to us as New, in fact it's not the same van they sent pictures of!
Sure looked like a used van when we got it! After many phone calls and promises of getting these problems fixed, dozens of emails, Petra [Admin} telling me she will get back to me, well, she hasn't and doesn't really care nor does the rest of the company. We couldn't get a quote for the brakes to be fixed, my arm is in a sling, i can't drive it anywhere. The mobile mechanic wanted payment immediately, as he had to remove wheels to find the problem.
I had to organise for a mechanic to come and fix the problem, because the racket it made and kept locking up just after picking up from their Wattleup WA yard was scary. The mechanic found the pin had fallen out, the one that hold the brake shoe in place, [video available] where is Quality control?
Where is the pride in workmanship? There is pigeon poo welding and oxy blown holes in the chassis!
Some get good customer service, others don't. Their Warranty policy states " we will find a solution to your problems with in 14 days", rubbish, they will not fix the warranty issues without an argument weeks/months later, and still ignore you, nor with they respond to emails, call you back when they say they will!
We still love this van and will get all problems fixed ourselves, because Goldstar just don't care. The TV won't tune in properly even though we paid extra for a booster antenna, the air conditioning is noisy [heat doesn't work] and shakes the van, the Battery charger didn't seem to work properly, the water tank leaks, the spare wheel carrier is tacked on, not welded.
For 3 weeks [June 2018] of ownership and we cannot use the van like this.
The Laws regarding the caravan industry needs to change, someone will die because of careless mistakes NOT picked up by Quality control. But there is No one to check up on these careless manufacturers and they know it and can get away with it!
They use un-skilled labour, anyone that can use a drill, operate a welder and a caulking gun can build a caravan legally. Any trailer or Caravan under 4.5 tonne, has the same building rules and slack worthless legislation's.
The empty tow ball weight is 280 kg, should be 231 Kg, the full weight at tow ball should be 254 kg but is 310 kg, with just water in the tanks [no personal effects, food, chairs, BBQ etc], completely different according to the 10% allowable weight on the ball as per VIN plate, what's going on here?
This is will be a Beautiful van, but for $48000.00 we shouldn't have to do a thing to it mechanically and for safety, except personalize it!
Totally disgusted in this company. 100's of photo's available and some video's for anyone to see. Nothing here is 'Defamatory' it's the truth.
Update: 24-08-2018, after the van was repaired under warranty a few months ago and was away for 2 weeks getting un finished welds done and extra welding to strengthen the chassis, we have complained yet about more problems and have had someone call us with and answer only after i sent them a copy, circled in Red about action will be taken withing 48 hours. Next day within 12 hours i was contacted.
1. The Heater on the AC Doesn't work, Not fit for purpose and they want to charge me $800.00 to upgrade it.
2. Hot water does not work in shower on mains pressure.
3. Tow ball weight when both tanks are full is 310 Kg, that's without anything else in the van at the front.
Today: 24/10/2018, still nothing has been done to fix these problems.
This van is cheap Chinese junk.
They do not respond to emails either, unless you send a copy of their Warranty Policy, circled in RED 'will have a solution within 48 hours of claim'. And now that doesn't work either!
I wish i never got sucked in to buying a Goldstar. They look great inside and out, but are not worth the earth they travel.
Personally, i'd prefer a refund than any more repairs and all that out of pocket expenses including, Alko ESC we got fitted [extra $1400- out of pocket], Pits, WA registration just sorted and Freight charge to WA.
Really disappointed in a really bad choice.
15/10/2018 - We have been pleading for this 'Accident waiting to happen' to be repaired under warranty because it's unsafe to tow. Should be 231 kg empty at the ball but is 280 kg. It's a death trap.
You have been warned, they haven't changed since 2014 since they started up in Australia. The RV Industry is rogue in Australia, is there any brand not on the 'Lemon List'?
