Hello! I'm a newbie to the forum, so a quick intro - I'm a fulltime mum to two school age children, a rescued Lurcher pup and three hens.
The reason for joining the forum is that hubby and I have been planning to start camping this year so we've been on the look out for a cheap trailer tent to start us off.
We've just impulse bought a 1985 Conway Cruiser trailer tent from ebay and brought it home at the weekend.
What the seller described as one large hole and a few tiny holes is actually a canvas so full of holes it needs to be completely replaced. It's already patched in many places, some seams are coming unstitched and there are pin prick holes all over.
I've spoken to a couple of repair specialists today and it would cost £1000 plus VAT for the main tent alone, without the awning.
My question to you, experienced trailer tenters, is this. Is it worth my investment to spend this when the base unit is 25 years old? Could I spend the same money and get a servicable, newer second hand trailer tent?
Hi there and welcome at least you haven't let your bad luck put you off camping, my gut feeling is spend the money on a newer unit and have a go at the chap who sold it to you, or at least leave a bad feedback.
mike
------------- they said it couldnt be done so i left it and went camping
a bad days camping is better than a good day at work
I think it's a case of Buyer Beware with ebay, and to be fair, the seller did say they thought the canvas would need replacing. We also only paid £150 so couldn't really expect too much!
I'd recommend that you break it up for parts -you'd easily get your £150 back. Next time if you buy on ebay make sure that you can expand the pictures to full screen size-you will be able to see any faults.
Don't forget to ask on here for advice before you bid - we all love spending other peoples money
Quote: Originally posted by jomax on 15/3/2010
I think it's a case of Buyer Beware with ebay, and to be fair, the seller did say they thought the canvas would need replacing. We also only paid £150 so couldn't really expect too much!
Jo
You're right about where you stand legally. Ebay is an auction site and therefore transactions are not bound by the Sale of Goods Act 1979. Sorry to hear that you got stung like this. If you buy from Ebay in the future then insist on paying cash on collection (if you find the item is not to standard described then walk away). It's also worth (if you can manage it) going to look at the tent before bidding - any reputable seller would be happy to agree (just as with buying a car).
My instinct is to say that you'd be better of buying another TT.
I have recently come across this post, My wife and I recently purchased a 1986 Conway Cruiser which needs a few little repairs here and there (nothing major) if you still have your cruiser I would be very interested in seeing if you are willing to break it etc or sell it as a complete unit?
if you could PM i can send you my number to discuss further?
after reading this thread i think it is obvious that you are determined to start camping whatever the obsticles in your way ....the very best of luck to you and i love your attitude towards our / your new hobby
we are! Hubby has always detested camping (we went away in my backpacking tent when we were students and he was so claustrophobic he spent half the night trying to unzip the door) so I was surprised and delighted that he wanted to get a trailer tent. The benefit of a tt being that we will be able to sleep off the floor and have a few home comforts.
We just need the weather to warm up - our inaugural trip must not be in the cold or wet or it might put him off again!