Hi
E-OMC are great to deal with. Stuff arrived after six days. Not bad but not as fast as normal. Agree limited range and zip/size configuration.
The self imposed brand restrictions is getting ridiculous and appear to have two Aussie distributors in common lobbying to stop direct imports. Made it clear to Cascade Designs that no local shop has Neo-air of any size, let alone a large, but they did not care. As for MSR local warranty claims forget it. In fact experience with local import agents on claims or spare bits and pieces uninspiring while local manufacturers are brilliant to deal with when things go wrong, even if you cause things to go wrong
Please note, this is not a criticism of local shops as they generally wind up fixing problems out of their own margins. In the USA MSR customer service is first rate re reading US forums so problem appears to be this end.
WM Australian agent imports a weird array of bags with not one style that I brought overseas been held locally. They appear to not understand that the main lure of WM over say One Planet is the 6'6" and greater length in the wider fits such as Badger and Mega-lite. Versa-lite is a common bag that they ignored as well. Yes they offer special orders if I you wait, wait, and wait plus pay a premium. WM do make a major point of supporting local shops in USA and Australia so hard to be critical of their philosophy, just we as consumers get worked over big time on price, delay and still wind up buying sight unseen if you are not a standard size or model type of guy.
Meanwhile freight rates being charged are becoming suspect from Moontrail, etc, especially when compared to UK rates. Me thinks we Australians are getting worked over.
Tower Ridge in UK good to deal with so if after eVent jackets and pants at realistic pricing check them out as per the one Nuts recommends in the UK. Found both great once you get their direct email address as both website have a few issues on contacting them.
Also found local suppliers such as Tamar Marine can surprise on price with Garmin stuff been cheaper locally (once freight and bank charges are taken into account) plus have top class customer service. Now for Garmin Australia, useless, or totally useless describes them.
Cheers
"lt only took six years. From now on, l´ll write two letters a week instead of one."
(Shawshank Redemption)
