Vanbitz

[delicagirl]

hi has anyone used Vanbitz and if so what are your thoughts please ? They are near Taunton just off the M5 Growler, security, thatcham motorhome alarm systems, strikeback.

 

[maingate]

Eddie Vanbitz has an excellent reputation, good choice.

 

[Deleted member 9849]

hi has anyone used Vanbitz and if so what are your thoughts please ? They are near Taunton just off the M5 Growler, security, thatcham motorhome alarm systems, strikeback.

I've only used them for accessories which were delivered in a timely manner.I have only heard good reports about their alarms and fitting service,I would have no qualms about using them.Not cheap,but one of the best and I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for.You can also stop on their campsite when they do any job on your motorhome.

 

[delicagirl]

that's reassuring to know - i want professional advice on solar panels, wiring and batteries..... they are only 45 mins from me so would be very handy

 

[Deleted member 9849]

that's reassuring to know - i want professional advice on solar panels, wiring and batteries..... they are only 45 mins from me so would be very handy

They have also got a mobile fitting service which may be more convenient for you.

 

[delicagirl]

They have also got a mobile fitting service which may be more convenient for you.

i saw that Steve - but with my van being such a unique mess-up i think they will need to see it first, to discuss with me what all the Japanese and German labels mean and then see if they want to work on it !!!!


but if they do - then a mobile visit to my home might be very useful......

 

[Nesting Zombie]

hi has anyone used Vanbitz and if so what are your thoughts please ? They are near Taunton just off the M5 Growler, security, thatcham motorhome alarm systems, strikeback.

Hi ya DG,
Vanbitz are meant to be really good, I've heard ALL good things about them, & The Nest has still got some of their kit fitted & I've got the Original Paperwork for what they have supplied n Fitted over the years. So A LOT of people rate them & There Kit.

Ive only had one dealing with them, & found them to be Very disappointing though !.
Last year (May I think) I phoned & asked them to supply a 'Loop Alarm cable' add on to a Strike back Alarm system that they originally fitted some Years ago for a previous vehicle owner. (its just a Cable with like a Caravan Plug on the end of it that you thread through say a Bike on the Back of your Motorhome & Plug into an Already fitted Socket) They Wouldn't even TALK to me until I 'RE Registered' the vehicle with THEM as the new owner for a fee of I think it was £20 or so AND sent them a copy of my Log Book & Proof of address !....

Proof of my Name & Address would of obviously come about as I would have Paid by Credit card over the Phone using my Mobile, & THEY would have had to have SENT the cable to ME via Mail !...I was just gob smacked ...& I certainly wasn't going to pay £20 for a Chat !.

That being said, That's just my experience of them, They have been about for YEARS, That speaks volumes.

 

[jimbohorlicks]

They do have a place that you can overnight as well whilst they are doing work for you

 

[delicagirl]

Hi ya DG,
Vanbitz are meant to be really good, I've heard ALL good things about them, & The Nest has still got some of their kit fitted & I've got the Original Paperwork for what they have supplied n Fitted over the years. So A LOT of people rate them & There Kit.

Ive only had one dealing with them, & found them to be Very disappointing though !.
Last year (May I think) I phoned & asked them to supply a 'Loop Alarm cable' add on to a Strike back Alarm system that they originally fitted some Years ago for a previous vehicle owner. (its just a Cable with like a Caravan Plug on the end of it that you thread through say a Bike on the Back of your Motorhome & Plug into an Already fitted Socket) They Wouldn't even TALK to me until I 'RE Registered' the vehicle with them as the new owner for a fee of I think it was £20 or so AND sent them a copy of my Log Book & Proof of address !....

Proof of my Name & Address would of obviously come about as I would have Paid by Credit card over the Phone using my Mobile, & THEY would have had to have SENT the cable to ME via Mail !...I was just gob smacked ...& I certainly wasn't going to pay £20 for a Chat !.

That being said, That's just my experience of them, They have been about for YEARS, That speaks volumes.

That does seem to be taking seurity measures a bit far NZ ... sorry you had a poor experience.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

That does seem to be taking seurity measures a bit far NZ ... sorry you had a poor experience.

Well, its just their way I suppose. But I cant dispute there service as,,,Well I didn't get any lol lol lol.

 

[Deleted member 8468]

I agree with the above. We had Growler alarm fitted. The whole experience of staying overnight for free and the quality of the product was well worth the expense. Don't forget if you join Motorhome Fun you get a 10% discount.

 

[funkylyn]

They are a very professional company, I've known them since they started, around Torquay first if my memory serves me right..... Eddie and Linda have always had time for a friendly chat and I would wholeheartedly recommend them.
I was sad when I moved away from Somerset but as my daughter still lives near Taunton I can still use them if need be.
My Strike back alarm still works impeccably after nearly 12 years.
I trust them implicitly to do a job right and that's worth a lot these days, they worked hard for their reputation.
Beautiful campsite there too.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

They are a very professional company, I've known them since they started, around Torquay first if my memory serves me right..... Eddie and Linda have always had time for a friendly chat and I would wholeheartedly recommend them.
I was sad when I moved away from Somerset but as my daughter still lives near Taunton I can still use them if need be.
My Strike back alarm still works impeccably after nearly 12 years.
I trust them implicitly to do a job right and that's worth a lot these days, they worked hard for their reputation.
Beautiful campsite there too.

Yeah, Have to say, The Strikeback alarm they fitted on The Nest is about the same age, & works just fine. It IS definitely a good bit of Kit.

 

[reiverlad]

The van i purchased last year came with the Strikeback alarm.

Like you i was a bit taken aback at the lengths they went to with regard to security and transferring etc.

When i read on their website exactly why they this was required I fully support their actions.

I would not like someone to call them up, claim to be the owner and then be given access to the details of the Strikeback
alarm system fitted to my van.
That could be a swift way to lose the van !!

They need proof that they are in fact dealing with the owner - and not just someone chancing their arm !

Paying for something by credit card and having it delivered does not confirm to them that you own the vehicle.

Being registered with them as the owner of the alarm system gives you the access to alarm codes to change if needs be, get replacement fobs, plus as much access to as much technical help as you might need.

This gives me the peace of mind that they take the security of MY alarm system very seriously indeed and are unlikely to be conned into parting with sensitive info that might mean my van goes walkabout !!

Overall I was extremely impressed with the service I received from them.

Hi ya DG,
Vanbitz are meant to be really good, I've heard ALL good things about them, & The Nest has still got some of their kit fitted & I've got the Original Paperwork for what they have supplied n Fitted over the years. So A LOT of people rate them & There Kit.

Ive only had one dealing with them, & found them to be Very disappointing though !.
Last year (May I think) I phoned & asked them to supply a 'Loop Alarm cable' add on to a Strike back Alarm system that they originally fitted some Years ago for a previous vehicle owner. (its just a Cable with like a Caravan Plug on the end of it that you thread through say a Bike on the Back of your Motorhome & Plug into an Already fitted Socket) They Wouldn't even TALK to me until I 'RE Registered' the vehicle with THEM as the new owner for a fee of I think it was £20 or so AND sent them a copy of my Log Book & Proof of address !....

Proof of my Name & Address would of obviously come about as I would have Paid by Credit card over the Phone using my Mobile, & THEY would have had to have SENT the cable to ME via Mail !...I was just gob smacked ...& I certainly wasn't going to pay £20 for a Chat !.

That being said, That's just my experience of them, They have been about for YEARS, That speaks volumes.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

The van i purchased last year came with the Strikeback alarm.

Like you i was a bit taken aback at the lengths they went to with regard to security and transferring etc.

When i read on their website exactly why they this was required I fully support their actions.

I would not like someone to call them up, claim to be the owner and then be given access to the details of the Strikeback
alarm system fitted to my van.
That could be a swift way to lose the van !!

They need proof that they are in fact dealing with the owner - and not just someone chancing their arm !

Paying for something by credit card and having it delivered does not confirm to them that you own the vehicle.

Being registered with them as the owner of the alarm system gives you the access to alarm codes to change if needs be, get replacement fobs, plus as much access to as much technical help as you might need.

This gives me the peace of mind that they take the security of MY alarm system very seriously indeed and are unlikely to be conned into parting with sensitive info that might mean my van goes walkabout !!

Overall I was extremely impressed with the service I received from them.

Yep, Can see what your saying, I wasn't after any sort of 'Access' to the alarm system, Any Support, Any Replacement Key Phobs, Any Technical Advise OR any Codes of any sort,,,I was after a cable...& if its a case of them taking some sort of Pro Active roll in a self imposed Guardianship or Management Status, some 12 odd years & Umpteen Vehicle owners later then I'm TRULY surprised that they haven't taken this role seriously and informed the Police or the Last Vehicle owner (who I am still in contact with) to find out WHY on earth 'SOMEONE' has tried to Purchase an Alarm ADD ON to a vehicle that THEY have registered to somebody else on there books. What's the point in having such measures & RE registration details Which apparently is a requirement that the NEW OWNER HAVE TO PAY THEM FOR if they don't do anything with that information until its possibly TOO LATE if I was up to no good. So Just how That would give any Peace to someone is actually beyond me.

 

[reiverlad]

Yeah - I agree that they are taking a self imposed Guardianship of the van security systems they have sold.

But, to be fair they are simply protecting their hard won reputation
.
It would not look good if they deal with people claiming to be owners - and then it hits the fan !

I reckon that they must get a fair few new owners of van with a security system that they have previously installed and the procedures needed to change ownership have not been passed on.

To my mind the previous owner should have informed you when you got the vehicle that you would need to re-register the alarm system with Vanbitz.

All Vanbitz seem to have done is advised you of the procedure that they they operate - prove you are the new owner and they will happily deal with you regarding anything to do with the alarm system - whether it's an addon or anything else.

To suggest that they should inform the police or the previously registered owner is way over the top in my opinion.

Well if its a case of them taking some sort of Pro Active roll in a self imposed Guardianship or Management Status, I'm TRULY surprised that they haven't informed the Police or the Last Vehicle owner (who I am still in contact with) to find out WHY 'SOMEONE' has tried to Purchase an Alarm ADD ON to a vehicle that THEY have registered to somebody else on there books. What's the point in having such measures or registration details if they don't do anything with it until its possibly TOO LATE if I was up to no good.

 

[TJBi]

Had Growler, solar panels and Gaslow fitted by them a year ago and generally very pleased with service then and subsequently. However, it is worth going into considerable detail with them about how certain parts of the alarm system are fitted as their standard methods may not always be the best for you.
With all the above, a year's subscription to Fun for a 10% discount was a no-brainer.

 

[phillybarbour]

Used Vanbitz myself, excellent people who do both a good quality job and clean up as they proceed, I.e. Clean sawdust from behind panels you can't see. Not cheap but worth it.

Vanbitz alarm comes with a lifetime warranty, many alarms don't last 24 months.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Used Vanbitz myself, excellent people who do both a good quality job and clean up as they proceed, I.e. Clean sawdust from behind panels you can't see. Not cheap but worth it.

Vanbitz alarm comes with a lifetime warranty, many alarms don't last 24 months.

I Didn't know that the Alarm comes with a Lifetime warranty !. That IS Good..

 

[1888]

I am sure he gives a discount for members on another forum. Not sure if its worth the £15 joining fee though as the last time i looked at his site there were better prices elsewhere for parts.