A CANTERBURY TALE
AS CANTERBURY CARAVANS EMBARKS ON A NEW STAGE OF GROWTH,
OWNER COLIN TOBIN SHARES SOME MEMORIES AND ADVICE…
For 20 years, Canterbury
Caravans was a fixture of the
World of Caravans complex
in Baywater North, Vic. But
options to grow were limited.
For each business within
World of Caravans, space
was in short supply.
Colin Tobin, the owner
of Canterbury Caravans,
had mulled a move for a
considerable amount of time.
It was just a matter of finding
the right location. So when a
plot of land right around the
corner became available, he
secured it within hours.
Now, it’s a fully functional
caravan dealership,
with indoor
32
gorv.com.au
showroom, an accessories
shop, and service and repair
facilities – it is accredited
with the Caravan Trades and
Industries Association Service
Safe program. All employees
are sent to industry available
training courses.
Canterbury Caravans,
a winner of the CTIAV’s
Retailer/Dealer of the Year
Award, specialises in three
brands: Paramount – which
has been with Canterbury for
many years – Golden Eagle
and On the Move.
Within the Victorian caravan
industry, Colin and Canterbury
Caravans have outlasted
many. What’s his secret? And
what advice does he have for
caravan buyers?
GORV: WHAT IS THE CARDINAL
RULE FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS?
CT: Always buy a caravan off
someone who has been in the
industry for quite some years,
who has had their business
for many years and, most
importantly, has worked with
their manufacturers for many
years too. It’s all about stability.
When you’re spending up to
$120,000 on a caravan, you’re
entrusting someone with a lot of
money – a 10 per cent deposit
for starters. In fact, some
manufacturers even ask for
progress payments, which
I don’t agree with.
Our level of service is very
high. I think we keep 98 per
cent of our customers happy
– that’s an honest appraisal,
because these days it’s almost
impossible to have 100 per cent
happy. We please the majority
of our customers through good
service, common sense and
strong back-up. All of
our manufacturers
– Paramount,
Golden