Dealer Profile: Cara-Camp

On a recent visit to Cara-Camp Caravan & Outdoor Centre in Somerset West, we had the opportunity to sit down with dealer principle Arnold Prosch to find out more about his business.

By Stuart Reichardt

Arnold and his wife Reinet have been running Cara-Camp since the turn of the century, and in that time the business has thrived to such an extent that they have expanded the retail area and workshop no less than three times.

The latest expansion is huge – an extra 230 square metres of retail space and 170 square metres roofed area as showroom and bigger workshop, the dealership now stretches an impressive 924 square metres.

The retail area was expanded to the first floor (on top of the workshop), allowing customers to conveniently browse even more tents, camping equipment and outdoor gear than ever before.

Arnold and Reinet are supported by 14 friendly and competent staff members, all who make sure that every customer leaves their dealership satisfied.

Here’s a little of what Arnold and Caravan & Outdoor Life chatted about…

How long has Cara-Camp been in existence?

Under our ownership and management, Cara-Camp is about 17 years old. My predecessor bought the business about 10 years before that and prior to that there was another owner, Bill Woods, who owned what was called Kara-Kamp.

When Josh Larson, my predecessor, bought the business from Bill Woods, he renamed it Cara-Camp.

So the business has been in existence for many, many years, right back to the early seventies, 50 odd years plus.

What products and services does Cara-Camp offer?

As a Jurgens Ci dealership, Cara-Camp sells the full range of caravans, including Jurgens, Safaris, Gypseys and Sprites, as well as their on-road and off-road trailers.

We also have a CampWorld shop that stocks all the parts and accessories, as well as camping gear and all other Jurgens products.

As far as other caravan and trailer manufacturers are concerned, we’ve recently become a Bush Lapa dealership and I’ve also been approached by the importers of the overseas Swift Caravans to become their dealer here in the Western Cape.

Jetstream teardrop caravans is also an additional agency that we will take on and shortly one other that will be launched soon. So yes, we are opting for a multi-franchise dealership, which affords customers a better selection and choice.

We have also been approved as a Safari Centre 4×4 dealership, further expanding our outdoor offering.

Do you have a fully equipped workshop for servicing, modifications, customizations and upgrades to caravans, trailers, tents and motorhomes?

Yes, we have a fully equipped workshop with trained technicians to deal with caravan, motorhome and trailer servicing, repairs, modifications and customizations.

In fact, our workshop has been given a 5-star rating by Jurgens Ci, one of only five in the country.

Do you have a pre-owned section that offers good quality used units?

Yes, we have a large selection of pre-owned caravans and trailers because often we have to trade something in when concluding a deal on a new or replacement caravan or trailer.

We always have good affordable used stock available for those who want to become part of the wonderful outdoor family.

How important is customer service in your industry and particularly to CARA-

CAMP?

Everything! There is nothing more important than customer service. We pride ourselves in the fact that about 40-50% of our business is repeat and referral business from existing customers.

Only happy customers come back time and time again. The customer is our life blood.

If you could sum up Cara-Camp in one or two sentence, what would it be?

We cater for any customer that loves the outdoors through our quality new and used caravans, our trailers and our CampWorld shop. I always like to say come and try us, the acid test being that you give us a chance to completely satisfy your requirements.