I've just bought a second hand tent, listed as used once like brand new! Anyway popped it up last night and it smells of what could be mould. I have a feeling the tent may have been put away slightly damp. There are some areas of concern which I've added a picture of one of them, this is actually in the inner bedroom roof. The main flysheet has some dark, greenish marks on the seamed areas on the rear panel, nothing major but just a little worried, it's may actually come off. Would you say this is worth trying to return or not? I'm sure every tent gets put away slightly damp from time to time.
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That doesn't look like mould to me...just dirt. If the inner tent is not too big it could be washed on a cool wash in a washing machine or by hand in the bath.
If the marks on the seams at the back of the tent are on the inside they too could be washed off with either plain water or a 10 to 1 solution of Milton Fluid.
It may be that once the tent has been erected for awhile the 'stale' smell will go away.
However, it is entirely up to you and if the advertisement stated 'as new' then you have every right to take it back and request a refund...but remember 'buyer beware' maybe you should have checked it before purchase.
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Thanks for the replies, the seller is happy to refund on return of the tent. Now part of me wants to agree with bob but it's the fact that it really does smell like damp and this being a air tent that's been discontinued I don't really want to take the risk on it getting worse than it already is. I bought it off a older gentleman and gave him the benefit of the doubt and said normally I would want to see it before handing the money over but if he was happy for me to take it and when I get chance I'll check it over, which was the day after collection.
That looks like mildew for me, because of the way it is spreading down some of the threads to make little black crosses ( the sign of doom and impending tent death!)
Whilst it is treatable I think the refund is the best option as it certainly is not "as new".
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