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List all the specs, not just the ones you think are catchy selling points. I want to know everythng before buying. This is the internet age and it is often not possible to view a tent locally.

I want to know about the inner tent zip doors, mesh or fabric or both, full mesh or half mesh,  I want to know the exact details of other ventilation and mesh or absence of it in the roof of the inner. 

I  don't give a monkeys about listing tent pockets for storing things in that any tent thief will head straight for as he slices open the fabric in the early hours of the morning..

I can't tell you how many hours I have wasted researching the web and telephoning to try and find out detailed information about tents. It is only because of kind help on this forum  that I came close to getting what I was after.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=32&TopicID=201860&PagePosition=1

Admittedly some brand offices and retailers are much better than others, but many are totally clueless with nobody there who knows anything other than what can be found on the web,

Some retailers are to be commended for providing on their sites the info that is totally lacking on the brands own main website.  One or two even have interior revolving 360 degree videos of many tents. But even so a lot of detail is missing.

A previous large tent I bought not so long ago offered erection information in a pdf file on their main website. It was laughable, basically stick the poles together and thread them through the tent and stick some pegs in the ground to hold the guy ropes, without any diagram or even a cartoon to say "you are f'd and it's about to rain" sewn into the tent bag  O dear!

Re: pop-up tents, dear manufacturers, what is the point of the videos that show how it pops up and squashes down [by someone who has practiced many times)  but don't show anything of the detailing of the inner.

As for the uk head offices and retailers who totally misled me by emailing incorrect information stating their tents had what they didn't have - take a hike or.............

Please reread the thread title

I looked through the net, then narrowed it down to 2 - 3 choices, then went and had a look at them, then made the choice. For me, looking at the tents on offer, comparing views and such was part of the fun.

What do you think the hundreds of tent reviews are for on this website?

Cheers  Ratty

Quote: Originally posted by willm on 18/10/2009

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II can't tell you how many hours I have wasted researching the web and telephoning to try and find out detailed information about tents. It is only because of kind help on this forum  that I came close to getting what I was after.

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ermmm.... i think ratty, that willm has already commented on the usefullness of this site!!!

and for some people, actually seeing the tents up is just not an option!

i COULD spend over £100 just getting to a tent display, but for what.....to find that they dont ahve any that would suit, well, that would make my budget £100 less for the next time i had to try and find one, costing, of course another £100 to get there that is!

i have NEVER been to a tent display, and like the OP , i have to rely on the internet to describe in detail, the tents that i am looking at.

and believe you me, the 360' views are way off and misleading! most of the time the angles that these images are taken, does not give an accurate idea of the size of the tents, and with a large family, it is a serious consideration.

i am glad that i was able to use this site to ask for opinions and could ask the right questions before i made my purchase of a not-too-cheap tent.

As with Tina it's hard for us to get to tent shows - & expensive as they all tend to be a long way from where we happen to live & we have a croft - not so easy to take off whenever you want someone has to look after all the anuimals etc. The reviews on here a fantastic aid - both for tents & campsites. However there's a lot to consider & it takes long enough without having to dip in & out of different websites just to find out if a tent (or anything you want to buy) has the basic things that you want.

I do think it's unrealistic to expect them to tell you everything, but am often amazed at the lack of info on quite major features. It's very aggravating ! I want that info from the manafacturers/sellers first so I can then make a short list, then I check out independent reviews to see how they perform for real.