Warranty Dilemma

[mArt]

Hi all, am hoping for some advice regarding my current dilemma.

The back story: about 5 years ago I purchased a 2 man four season tent weighing 2kg from a local Hobart shop.
The tent has performed brilliantly - its been strong, stable, roomy for one person and warm in snow conditions.

Unfortunately in January I discovered that the fly had begun de-laminating. So I went to the shop I bought it from and asked their
advice. They said they were no-longer a dealer for that brand, and they were closing down anyway, so go see the new local dealer.

Which I did. They said contact the USA head office. Which I did. They said contact the Australian distributor - which I did. After 3 months
of to-ing and fro-ing I received an email stating that the manufacturer was willing to offer "tent X" as a replacement. It has a retail value of $500

In itself that's a great outcome, and I'm very pleased that the manufacturer has seen fit to offer reparation.

My dilemma is that the manufacturer no-longer makes an equivalent tent. The tent they have offered is similar $ value, but is single skin
and has a single door with no insect mesh - great above the permanent snow line but not much use in Tassie. The only 4 season semi-equivalent they make is
$590 and weighs 4kg - great for car-camping but again no replacement for the tent I had. The other option is $450, but this tent has an inner that is mesh from
half way up - thus it would seem to be a 3 season tent.

So my questions are:

Should I request the cheaper tent with the mesh inner? - I'm concerned it may be too cold in Tassie conditions and would therefore not get used.
Has anyone used a similar tent in snow? I imagine that they are not real cosy in winter conditions.

Is it reasonable to request the more expensive but heavier tent and offer to pay the gap? At least that way I get a tent I would use occasionally
but I'd still have to buy a replacement from another manufacturer for the one I take walking?

keen to get feedback before I respond to the offer.

cheers

Marty

[wayno]

i recall Ent talking about his mesh inner tent being freezing in cold weather in Tas if theres any wind around...

[Strider]

It would be useful to know the brand in question.

[mArt]

thanks wayno, that agrees with what I'd imagined.

I'm not convinced the brand is relevant to my dilemma Strider,
and until I have resolved that with the company I wish to maintain that good-faith

[dannnnn]

i'm not sure if it's possible to get a perfect outcome.

they don't make a tent you want. so a tent is no good. there is very little chance of them giving you a refund so you can buy something else.

i would take the replacement tent and sell it on ebay and use the funds to buy a new tent that you do want. it's not the perfect outcome, but it's way better than the alternative outcome which is everyone telling you to go away.

[Moondog55]

Has the manufacturer asked you to return the faulty fly and/or the whole tent?
Why not just reproof the fly sheet with a silicon solution? Cost $30- or so for a couple of tubes of plumbers roofing silicon and a couple of liters of Shellite or mineral turpentine

[wayno]

as dann says , take new tent offer and sell it, better chance to buy something else new and start a fresh.
if something goes wrong trying to reproof the tent then you're stuck with it...

[Strider]

I'm not convinced the brand is relevant to my dilemma Strider,
and until I have resolved that with the company I wish to maintain that good-faith

I'm not interested for purposes of bad faith - more so to be more familiar with what options are on offer. You might find others are successfully using those tents in Tassie.

[mArt]

Thanks everyone, seems like accept the offer and sell it once it arrives is
the way to go.

I'm not interested for purposes of bad faith - more so to be more familiar with what options are
on offer. You might find others are successfully using those tents in Tassie.

yes sorry Strider, I didnt mean to impute that was what you meant, I just wanted to keep the brand
thing out of the equation.

[tasadam]

Yep, reading through and my thoughts on selling the new one is covered.
Don't forget Remote Repairs in Melbourne if you want to consider getting the best repair possible on the old tent, or if you just don't want to have a go at fixing it yourself.

Of interest, which Hobart bushwalking store is closing down?

[Strider]

Yep, reading through and my thoughts on selling the new one is covered.
Don't forget Remote Repairs in Melbourne if you want to consider getting the best repair possible on the old tent, or if you just don't want to have a go at fixing it yourself.

Of interest, which Hobart bushwalking store is closing down?

Passion8 closed down a couple of months ago. But unsure if they were there for 5 years?

Another option might be to have the new tent modified to replace the mesh with solid fabric on the inner?

[tasadam]

Passion8 were Paddy Pallin before they changed.

[tryangus]

How bad/to what extent is the delamination? Is it in a 'critical' area of the fly?

[Mark F]

Consider discussing with the new dealer if they would be interested in the replacement tent for a credit against a tent you really want.

As far as the manufacturer goes I think you have done well and the manufacturer has offered you the best outcome they can, given the changes in their product range.

[Tortoise]

Has the manufacturer asked you to return the faulty fly and/or the whole tent?
Why not just reproof the fly sheet with a silicon solution? Cost $30- or so for a couple of tubes of plumbers roofing silicon and a couple of liters of Shellite or mineral turpentine

as dan says , take new tent offer and sell it, better chance to buy something else new and start a fresh.
if something goes wrong trying to reproof the tent then you're stuck with it...

If Marty doesn't have to return the old tent, maybe not too much to lose to try it, along with taking the new tent to sell. If there'd be enough life in it for a $30 tent, I'd give it a try.

I don't imagine the distributor could get the credit from the manufacturer to allow for a different brand of tent???

My tuppence worth re part mesh inner: I agree wholeheartedly with comments above. In snow at the Walls in sheltered spot, I wasn't used to the icy breeze in the tent through the night. I'd been used to a cosy inner, and would need to take a bulkier, heavier sleeping bag to make up for the mesh inner. I use that tent as a 3 season one now.

[Ent]

Hi

Shame about the tent and while the knowing the brand might be helpful I am happy to respect your decision not to enter into that aspect of the issue. As Wayno points out my personal experience with mesh in tents is a cold night sleep in winter and snow. Under consumer law if the tent is not of merchantable quality you legally have the right to a direct replacement, or if that is not possible, a refund. All a written warranty can do is extend the term "reasonable time" and add rather than subtract from your rights.

But if you are happy with their offer then I think as many have mention selling it and re-buying a tent better suited for your intended use is the go. But given that it is not uncommon for an Australian distributor to import a range of brands it might be worthwhile getting them to swap another brand at the same price. It all depends how committed they are to customer service. Paddy Pallin for a friend swapped the brand as she had lost faith in the brand that had failed. It was a good outcome for her and them as she is a loyal customer to them.

Cheers

[Strider]

I don't imagine the distributor could get the credit from the manufacturer to allow for a different brand of tent???

I think he effectively means accept the tent that has been offered as replacement, and get a local store (for example) to credit him at RRP so he can buy what he wants and they can then onsell the replacement tent.