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Topic: How will I know year of tent

bex01

08/7/2017 at 9:21pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Montana 6

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Hi everyone, I'm new to the world of camping and, after much research we have decided on an Outwell Montana 6 for our first tent. I have agreed to buy one on ebay, with the sellers promise that there are no holes, splits or leaks. It has, apparently only been used 3 times. I have been told it is only about 2 years old but looking at pictures online the windows don't look right, plus the bags are blue not black. I know we haven't got the panoramic version. I understand that the Montana has been around for a while, is there a website that details the changes? Sorry to be asking but this is a big chunk of money, and I need it to be right. Thanks

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lidds0

08/7/2017 at 11:16pm
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: None Entered

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That's easy, if they claim it's 2 years old, ask to see the purchase receipt to confirm age and they should have it because I believe Outwell offer a 2-year warranty from new (although I don't think it's transferable to another owner you could ask to see it anyway).

Just remember it's more important to know how many weeks it's been used for, not how many times (three times, at six weeks each, is more than three weekends, for example).

Warranty

quilly101

09/7/2017 at 6:48am
Location: Herts
Outfit: Karsten 350 Pod CA EA FW RA COMBI

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I seem to recall reading somewhere that the date of manufacture on an outwell tent could be found on a label in the bedroom compartment.

shaunwilliams

09/7/2017 at 7:28am
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I'm not saying this ad is not genuine as I've not seen it but when I was looking to buy a used tent I came across the "this tent has only been used twice" or three times on about three quarters of the ads I saw and you could easily tell it was a lie of most of them. I would definitely check if the tent has any mould or mildew as well as its very common in tents. I believe that if you suspect something is not quite right, like with the bag colour, then you need to be extra careful. I would personally wait for that ad where you can tell beyond doubt that it is accurate and genuine and quite new but you do tend to pay a bit more.

Post last edited on 09/07/2017 08:43:13

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Jim1977

09/7/2017 at 8:01am
Location: Leicestershire
Outfit: Karsten 380 Veranda

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My best advice would be to ask the seller if you can get the tent out of the bag when you collect it to look at it before you pay and take it away.

A brand new tent can be wrecked on the first use by being put away damp etc, so really there is no substitute for seeing and feeling it.
If the flysheet is faded or feels rustly like a crisp packet you know it's had a lot of use and on its way out. You can look under curtains or inside the zip runners to see what the original colour was to see how much it's faded.

Then you can check out the windows if they look a bit funny in the photos. Ask to unroll the inner tent and have a good look for black dots / musty smell.

Any good camper should be happy to let you do this as a reasonable request.

good luck - buying a used tent can be a great way to save money but remember "buyer beware" or it could end up being a false economy and waste of money

Jim

lidds0

09/7/2017 at 9:24am
Location: Yorkshire
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Or, ask to see it pitched.

If it's on eBay, there's some buyer protection if paying by Paypal if the seller is posting it out to you. If collecting in person, you've no comeback (regardless of how you pay) so check it out thoroughly.

Bob61

09/7/2017 at 1:13pm
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Sometimes a black bag will look blue on an eBay photo.

I have bought a couple of tents off eBay in my time and thankfully they were as described...one looked practically brand new and lasted me a few years before I sold it on again.

Take a look at this page. There seems to be a Montana 6 and a Montana 6 deluxe which are priced differently so may well look slightly different. Compare the photographs with the one you are buying.

If you are collecting the tent make sure you have it out of the bag before parting with your money. You can smell mildew as soon as you open the bag...an unmistakable stale smell. Lay it out and have a good look at the flysheet for marks.

If they are posting it to you get it out and erected as soon as you can and certainly before your first intended trip. As mentioned, you have some protection for items 'not as described' on eBay providing you report it quickly.

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Ewen c

09/7/2017 at 3:06pm
Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
Outfit: Tents

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Quote: Originally posted by quilly101 on 09/7/2017
I seem to recall reading somewhere that the date of manufacture on an outwell tent could be found on a label in the bedroom compartment.

That is correct and not just outwell. It is y'all stamped on the fire warning label in the inner tent.

-------------
Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag

bex01

09/7/2017 at 4:49pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Montana 6

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Thanks so much for all your wonderful comments, sadly I didn't read them until I had got the tent home and unpacked. I was right to have reservations, although all components are there and packed beautifully, the tent is covered in black mildew/mould spots. Plus no year stamp on the fire labels in sleeping compartments. I have contacted the seller and I'm waiting for a response. Of course I paid cash so really worried that I have lost it all :-( so much for a lovely start to our camping life. If I have to keep the tent, potentially try to resell, are there any suggestions on how best to deal with the mould or should I just take it to the tip?

Post last edited on 09/07/2017 17:02:47

Post last edited on 09/07/2017 17:25:13

Bob61

09/7/2017 at 7:56pm
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Getting rid of mould is difficult and quite often a tent killer, especially if it has got into the seams. However, it depends how bad it is and where it is.

If it is on the inside that is better than on the outside of the flysheet because it can be washed in a mild solution of Milton fluid without causing any further problems. It can be washed on the outside but that may well also wash off the outer layer of silicon which means the tent will then need to be resprayed with a waterproofing silicon like Fabsil. Washing off the silicon doesn't mean the tent will leak but will look like a wet rag when it rains. The silicon causes rain water to bead and run off more easily.

If it is the inner tent that has mould that can sometimes be washed in a washing machine depending on the size.

One good killer of mould and mildew spores is the good old sun (no not the newspaper). If you are able to erect it in the garden in the full sun you may find the mould and mildew is greatly reduced by natural bleaching and the smell goes away, but whatever you do you may well still have marks left so selling it on again for a good price could be a problem.

I detest people who rip other people off and it is even worse when it is something like a tent which buyers really look forward to owning and having good holidays in.

foggers

09/7/2017 at 7:56pm
Location: Sheffield
Outfit: Cabanon Guadeloupe Zephyros3

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Mound/ mildew dan be killed off with a 10% solution of Milton sterilising fluid. To remove the marks, Vanish stain remover will do that for you. These will affect the waterproofing so you would then need to spray with Fabsil. This is worth trying rather than throwing it away and having to buy a whole tent again.

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bex01

09/7/2017 at 9:37pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Montana 6

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Thanks everyone, I have now spoken to the seller. It appears that it was ok when last used, so they were unaware of the problem (I guess it went away a bit damp) anyway, they are offering to give the money back, along with lots of apologies, so hopefully no harm done. I just need to start looking again. At least I've learned to never to put away a damp tent!!

Bob61

10/7/2017 at 11:18am
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Hopefully you will get your money back with no further problems. I hope you didn't have to travel far to pick it up...annoying but a good lesson learned.

There seems to be an awful lot of people who sell tents and caravans who are unaware of any problems. Just try asking a caravan seller if his caravan has any damp and you will get all the non-answers in the book...usually starting off with 'not the last time I looked'

lidds0

10/7/2017 at 4:19pm
Location: Yorkshire
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Good to hear the seller is willing to reimburse you - my advice is to take it back, pronto, and get your cash back.

Mack84

10/7/2017 at 5:11pm
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Outfit: Outwell hornet xl

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Can't remember what year it changed but look at the curtains if the zip is on the outside its an older tent

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