This morning,after good advice from people on this forum I tried to put up my new London 3 dome tent. One of the long rods would not go through its' sleeve at the central point where the sleeve becomes a handle. I rang the supplier Obelink in Holland and Marco said to cut out where the material was reinforcing the handle but due to faulty manufacture was not allowing the pole to go through.
I have done this successfully but my question is do I bodge restitching the hole I have made or go to a professional who will charge around £15 plus it is a 35 mile round trip to get there. I am asking the question because Marco has suggested that I get on my holiday (which I am losing right now) and Obelink will replace the flysheet at a later date.
I am not well off at present and I would prefer not to spend money on something that Obelink say they will replace anyway and it is only the handle. However, the handle was reinforced for a reason which I have had to cut out and the material will be under a lot of tension.
Should I delay the holiday for a day and pay for professional help rather than risk further damage to the tent whilst I am on holiday which would probably happen during a storm??
( I can take the tent in tomorrow and they will do it whilst I wait)
Thanks for any advice.
------------- Stuart
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If they say they will replace it then stitch it yourself using a needle & strong thread, it won't be any weaker than getting it machine stitched & you can use the tent, push the needle through using pliers if you need to. Or will they charge you postage back to Holland? If this is the case you might as well get it properly repaired & leave it at that.