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right..thought i would come and update...not that there is anything to update really.

i had an email back from mark at canvas and cast, a one-liner, basically saying "please return the tent and i will repair it"

i had already agreed to him repairing it, i had told him to arrange a courier to collect it.

i emailed him straight back to tell him to arrange for the tent to be picked up, or else i will be getting it repaired locally and will send him the bill

but if the above is correct, then maybe that wouldnt get me anywhere either!

Hang on Folks...

There's a bit of mob rule going on here.  The guy was slow to respond, but in fairness, he said "please return the tent and I will repair it".  As long as he pays the shipping cost that sounds pretty fair.

It's a shame the response was slow...but this isn't a big corporate.  This is a guy who loves bell tents and sleeps under a tarp in his garden when the weather's good.

I've dealt with Mark several times (I bought my Bell from him as well as several subsequent accessories, including a Pipsqueak stove) and he's probably a bit too laid back but he's a lovely bloke and he's offered me great advice in the past.

Give the guy a break.  Now that he finally appears to have his arse in gear to resolve the problem.  He's not Alan Sugar - he's a geezer who flogs tents.

I'll now retreat behind sandbags, with a tin hat and a flak jacket, awaiting incoming posts...

i have never said that he hasnt responded..what he doesnt do is answer my questions!! i have said in three emails now (and i have been leaving it weeks betweent emails, not just a few days) that he needs to arrange a courier...

this has been going on since august.. and that is the problem!! i have continually praised the tent in all other areas (door zip excluded obviously!) but i would like to USE the bell tent that i bought from canvas and cast, not just leave it lying in the lounge waiting to be fixed.

i have not had a go at him, i havent been able to get through to him on the phone, so cant even say that i have spoken to him. 

and no doubt he IS a lovely bloke (when i originally ordered the tent, he certainly came across as such) but he is still trying to run a business..and this is one way that he SHOULDNT be running it.

as you say he is 'probably a bit too laid back', and that is where he will start to lose customers

All valid points Tina - I can't argue with any of them.

it sounds to me as though there are two isues:

(a) the time it's taking to resolve this

(b) shipping costs

You cant solve (a) unless C&C (Mark) gets a grip and responds.

You can address (b) by checking out shipping costs and telling him precisely what they will be.  If he objects, tell him you will refer to the Small Claims Court.

I think, that if you give him a clear outline of the cost and your expectation, he'll step up.  I've spoken to the guy several times and I honestly believe he's a one of the good 'uns.  He's just too easy going.  If I were in your position it would be driving me nuts.

It would be powerful to forward him a link to this thread.

I have a C&C 4mtr inner for my 4mtr bell tent, and found the product much better/heavier quality than my 5mtr bell tent inner, but it was dearer. The service and contact I received from him was first class. It's a shame, that he's not doing himself any favours with your problem. Unless he's got several other businesses, I would not have thought he would be that busy with tents this time of year, that he can't reply and sort out your problem. It's a shame for you, that your season has been ruined though.

If it was me, I would not return the tent, I would get it done, and ask for a refund of costs. After all, he will be saving on postage both ways. Having said this, I believe, that goods are normally returned at buyers cost, as it was always their  responsibility to get goods back to the supplier. Not sure if this applies to on line or postal orders these days. As I already said though, it's a shame for you.

Raf, the Onus is on the seller to retrieve the goods that are not fit for purpose. Tina had a contract with Canvas and Cast for the purchase of a perfectly sound usable tent...by selling her a defective tent he has broken the terms of the contract thus it's up to them to rectify it and bear all the costs.  Tina is also well within her rights to demand a full refund and go elsewhere to buy her tent. 

Tina, Usually by now I'd be demading my money back but if you really want to keep the tent then gen up on the Sale Of Goods Act and start discussions with trading Standards....and make sure this Mark knows that you are in contact with them.