Autosleepers inadequacies

NO way should you accept a manual if you ordered an automatic but how do you know the dealer ordered the right gearbox in the first place? You are being a bit hasty in castigating Autosleepers as hopeless unless you know what the dealers paperwork says and the detail of the order presented to A/S the manufacturer. As to the delay under the circumstances of covid I think that may be excusable. If the chassis is not being delivered that is a factory problem not an A/S one.

Your contract is with the dealer, it is their responsibility to supply what you ordered and suggest alternatives arrangements including perhaps loaning you a van for your holidays or until yours arrives or doing some form of deal whereby they supply an alternative which you pay for and guarantee the same price back when you accept your new van as long as it is in the same condition.

I would suggest if you like the van ask the dealer to find a solution, (threaten to) cancel the order with that dealer and go to another one if they don't. Do not accept a manual if you want an automatic!!!

I would be usual for orders placed in October to be delivered June-Aug in the following year however dealers do place orders for stock vehicles so it could be that it was one that he'd already ordered that he wants you to have.

The following experience was the result of just one mans actions so can't blame the company. We ordered a new van in October 2006 and it wasn't delivered till March 2008. I sussed out the facts over the next couple of years and the one man responsible was the then CEO of Autosleeper who directed that our nearly complete van should be delivered to another customer. As we had added options to our chassis they had to start the whole procurement process from scratch. it happens, that the couple who our original van was given too were gassed on the drive home as the exhaust fumes were being funnelled up the 'B' pillar - fortunately no harm came to them.