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Topic: Vango Aura - repair or return?

droogie

04/1/2016 at 2:21pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Outwell Whitecove 5

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Hi all and Happy New Camping Year to you all

I'm just wondering what my fellow campers would do about a second hand tent that leaks.

I bought a Vango Aura 300 from Nearly New Tents on eBay just before Christmas for a bargain price of £65.99 but on a test pitch I found a leak along both seams at the bottom on the fly sheet in the living space (where it is stitched to a 6" strip of ground sheet that sits under the separate internal ground sheet). The water seems to wick through all along this untaped seam.

They've been really good and offered a refund or a swap to a 350XL (which we don't want). We had a few days of rain when we tested so we know the other seams are good. So I asked them if they could do a partial discount. They have offered us 30% off, refunding us nearly £20 towards a repair and making it £45.

So I'm just wondering

-What are the chances we can do a sound repair
-Should we repair or return it. RRP is £170 and they go for £140 new or about £80-£100 used (I've been stalking eBay since the summer)
-What is the best way to repair it if we do (I was thinking seam sealer then Gorilla tape on the inside but will the sticky side of the tape hold out the water?)

I'd be really grateful for any input as I'm not sure whether to gamble or if we'll find another at this price.

Thank you! Sorry for the long post

Post last edited on 04/01/2016 15:24:01

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Ex-festival lover trying to get back into camping with an eager 5 year old.

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VangoMan02

04/1/2016 at 2:58pm
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I think they are being fair with their offer. If you want to keep it and are satisfied its only a small area, then some seam sealer should do the job.

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Campernic

04/1/2016 at 8:57pm
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Bell Tent Vango Coleman and Quechua

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It's an easy repair, I think you should keep it.

droogie

06/1/2016 at 7:42pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Outwell Whitecove 5

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Thanks for the replies, it's much appreciated - they convinced me that we should keep it but unfortunately I couldn't convince my husband

I'll have to keep watching for another good price - at least I know now that it's the tent we need after having it up in the garden for a couple of days

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Ex-festival lover trying to get back into camping with an eager 5 year old.

Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes

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Bob61

06/1/2016 at 8:52pm
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As already suggested, erect the tent during a dry period (if we ever get one)and run some seam sealer along the seams that have been leaking. Wait for the seam sealer (which is like a clear glue) to dry (24 hours at least) before packing the tent away. A tube of seam sealer costs around a fiver and goes a long way. Then grab the £20 refund with both hands and run!

droogie

07/1/2016 at 12:22pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Outwell Whitecove 5

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Well, I emailed them back yesterday and said my husband wasn't sure about the risk so could we return it (I tried to convince him) and I got an email from the manager offering us 50% off.

Grabbing that one - makes the tent £33 and I'll get it repaired in the spring.

Thanks again for the repair tips, I feel much happier knowing it should be a simple one and how to do it.

And I thoroughly recommend Nearly New Tents on eBay, good service all the way through this process

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Ex-festival lover trying to get back into camping with an eager 5 year old.

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