Stunt rider Paul flies high with new Ford Transit from Van Sales UK
An unbeatable price convinced quad bike stunt performer Paul Hannam to buy his last Ford Transit from independent supplier Van Sales UK – but winning customer service and a hassle-free purchase process brought him back a second time.
“When I bought my previous van I shopped around to make sure I was getting the best deal,” Paul recalled. “The price I was quoted from Van Sales UK was significantly lower than other outlets I tried, for a vehicle with the exact same specification.”
“When the time came to replace that van I wanted the best value for my money again, of course, but that wasn’t my only reason for returning to Van Sales UK. Both times, the whole purchase process was so quick and easy and the vehicle was delivered so quickly that I wouldn’t consider going anywhere else. I can honestly say it’s been the best buying experience I’ve ever had, for any product.”
Paul traded in his previous van for the new Transit, a long-bodied L3 version with high H2 roof, powered by a 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine rated at 185PS. As a Limited model, the vehicle came with a high level of standard equipment but Paul has added a raft of options including alloy wheels, front and rear sensors and cameras, adaptive cruise control, LED load area lights, an upgraded driver’s seat, Thatcham Category 1 alarm, factory-fitted towbar, and tyre pressure monitoring system.
“I spend a lot of time in the van so I wanted to make sure I would be as comfortable as possible,” he said. “Now I’ve had a chance to live with it for a while I can say I definitely made the right decision. It’s a great vehicle to drive and as well-equipped as most cars.”
Each summer Paul tours the country, appearing at large agricultural shows and similar events with his quad bike display, under the name ATV Stunts. His performances include feats such as jumping over cars, tractors, and his own van as well as staging races and full somersaults with his special ‘rollover quad’.
The new van was delivered in time to help carry all Paul’s equipment to the Royal Bath & West Show in June.
“It’s a great vehicle and a really practical size,” he continued. “With my trailer hitched to the towbar, I can transport four quads as well as all my gear, including a 5m2 inflatable shelter which is my base of operations, merchandise stall, and kit store at events.”
“I only found out after I’d already bought my previous vehicle, but Van Sales UK’s Sales Executive Ben Jerrett is also a quad enthusiast and we’ve both worked for the same specialist dealer in the past, so he has a good understanding of what I need from a van and was very helpful in arranging both the vehicle specification and a competitive finance package.”
Van Sales UK, a division of parent company Vanaways, is an internet-based business. With no shiny showroom or yard full of vans waiting to be sold, overheads are kept to a minimum. Its sales experts work over phone and email networks, taking inquiries and orders and matching customers up with their perfect vehicle selections without ever needing to have contact with either. The company has been trading since 2017 and now supplies an average of 250 vans per month to customers across Britain.
Director Chris Jakeways said: “We can source any vehicle a customer wants, but for many people these days the brand of their new van is not a primary concern – especially as, under the skin, in some cases, two or even three models from different manufacturers can be nearly identical.”
“What’s more important is to make the process of getting that new van on the road as painless as possible. That’s where we score, by cutting the number of steps a vehicle takes between rolling off the production line and arriving at the customer’s premises, and by slashing time-consuming paperwork.”
Show stopper: Paul Hannam and his new Ford Transit
Happy customer: Paul Hannam rates the Van Sales UK buying experience as the best he’s ever had
Seat of power: Paul at the wheel of his 185PS Transit
