We've just got back from a weeks survival, sorry camping trip in horrendous conditions. The Glendale 5 proved very sturdy and waterproof throughout, however on pitching the Glendale the first thing we noticed was the words Glendale 4 on the front left side, and Glendale 5 on the front left side. On further inspection there was writing made with a marker pen on the inside dividing doors, also a number of the pull tag cords and guy lines seemed frayed. We've contacted Outwell on their Facebook page, and they've told us to contact the retailer where we purchased it from and apologised for the faults. The retailer were we purchased the Glendale from no longer stocks this model, but Outwell say they have some in stock. Has anyone had a similar fault with their tent, and how long would I be looking at waiting for a new one. We are going camping again on the 23rd July, so obviously time is of the essence.
------------- Sunny days and starry skies, the polar opposite of UK camping!
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Seems to be very much a "second" that seems to have slipped through Outwells (at times very leaky) quality control (we had to send back 2 posadas beds before we got a good 'un and I have a cupboard with random writing on the back whereas other stuff has been fine) Take it back to the retailer and explain politely but firmly what the faults are and hence you are rejecting the tent under the sale of goods act and request a refund/replacement and throw in a haggle for the inconvienience.
How long ago did you buy the tent from the retailer...?
I would contact the retailer with your complaints as soon as possible. They maybe able to offer you several options, a full refund or return the tent to Outwell for inspection etc. However as they no longer stock the tent they will not be in a position to give you an exchange.
Several years ago I bought an Outwell tent from Millets. Due to some faults and after a bit of perseverance they returned the tent to Outwell for inspection/ repair. It took about four weeks to get the tent back
The retailer is one we've used for over twenty years, so a replacement shouldn't be a problem. I don't think I'll be asking for anything for the inconvenience as I feel it's down to Outwell not the retailer. I have to say it's very poor quality control to have different model numbers on a tent, without anyone spotting it at quality control.
------------- Sunny days and starry skies, the polar opposite of UK camping!
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It is down to Outwell, however, the law states it is the retailers responsibility as you say if you are a long-standing customer it shouldnt be a problem to sort it out but I am constantly amazed on here by people who ARE willing to shell out their hard-earned on less than perfect goods, the only way every firm will sharpen up is if people knoe their rights.
Just got the wife to take the tent back to the retailer as I'm recuperating from surgery. The retailer stated that they would send the faulty part off back to Outwell, but we would have to keep the bedroom pods as these weren't faulty. They said this was Outwells policy, I'm I missing something here, would you expect to take a faulty car back but because the wheels are fine you keep those?
------------- Sunny days and starry skies, the polar opposite of UK camping!
That does not seem right to me! On our Bear Lake 6 we identified four faults when unpacked at home, we thought about these as they looked minor in detail but s it was our first polycotton we wanted further advise so took it back to our supplier for them to look at the faults were two needle sized holes in the flysheet in a couple of places, a run on the thread in one place where a loop of cotton stood proud and one of the front windows the plastic had not been tucked under where sown onto the canvas.
The dealer said that they did not think there would be any leaks but took some photographs and said they would speak to their Outwell rep. They did this and when I next spoke to them they asked if we wanted any accesories for the tent. As we were already sorted out with carpet and footprint (we are using our Vermont ones) we ended up getting a Bear Lake side extension free (these sell for between £150-200 new) and the promise that if it did turn out to leak then the tent would be replaced. The tent stood up to last weeks torrential rain and bad wind with no issues so we are more than made up with our 'compensation'.
The above is an example of how it should be in my opinion. Have they spoken to their Outell rep or have they just stuck to the procedure without trying on your behalf? I would have thought that as it has been bought as one unit then the whole tent has to go back as one unit. Are you sure you have a Glendale 5 in view of the printing on the front of the tent?
Cheers
------------- Bodmin August 2017
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It's definitely the Glendale 5, due to the size. The retailer you bought from obviously knows how to give excellent customer service, I'm in two minds whether to demand a full refund and buy the tent elsewhere now. I've shopped at Outdoor Action for well over twenty years now, always preferring to buy local regardless of the price.
------------- Sunny days and starry skies, the polar opposite of UK camping!
So you are local to us then. I have not shopped at Outdoor Action (apart from a small two man tent some 25+ years ago) so can't comment on their customer service but it does appear a bit lacking in my opinion - also we can't understand why a shop specialising in outdoor kit does not open on a Sunday when most people are free to shop. We went a distance for the Bear Lake but feel it was worth it.
Personally I would go for the refund option. They may well have to send the faulty part off to Outwell but the contract is between you and them not you and Outwell. From what you have described it is very obviously faulty and should not need inspecting by the manufacturer as seems to be the common reason given by a lot of retailers in respect of returned tents. I cannot see Outwell just shipping them the tent without the bedroom pods but of course I might be wrong.
Good luck in whatever course of action you choose.
Outwell have responded to me on their Facebook page, and have asked me to tell Outdoor Action to contact their CS department to discuss and assess my complaint. I still either want a whole new tent or full refund if we can't come to an agreement.
------------- Sunny days and starry skies, the polar opposite of UK camping!
The wife went in Outdoor Action this lunchtime, they have spoke to Outwell who have said they will send a new fly sheet. We have said no, it's either a whole new tent or a full refund. Won't be fobbed off by either party!
------------- Sunny days and starry skies, the polar opposite of UK camping!
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Outwell have said that they will only replace the fly sheet, so I've contacted trading standards and have been advised to put my request for a full refund in writing highlighting the reasons why. All I wanted was the whole tent to be replaced, you wouldn't think it would be so difficult.
------------- Sunny days and starry skies, the polar opposite of UK camping!
It pays to be insistent, as Outwell have now agreed to replace the whole tent. A lot of unnecessary aggro, which could have been easily avoided. I'm happy with the outcome, as I didnt want to get a refund just to re-buy the tent thereafter. Now I can sit back and recuperate after my knee surgery.
------------- Sunny days and starry skies, the polar opposite of UK camping!
Just to clarify the situation, we always try to replace tents where possible but as we didn’t have one we had to contact Outwell. Outwell returns policy has been for a couple of years now to replace only the faulty parts of the tent or what is needed. As i say at the start of the week that all we could obtain.
I think the reason behind this is cost saving so they can keep other spare parts for the next customer rather than a whole tent of useful bits going to waste. However as you have heard we also persisted with Outwell on the customers orders and glad we got good solution.