Faulty Tent From Boutique Camping

[SlammingBuddha]

Hi everyone,

 

I bought a Bell Tent from Boutique Camping on 29th July 2014. We used it for 3 days in august 2014 then yesterday I put the tent up at home to air it for this years holiday and noticed the canvass stitching had unravelled causing the inner canvass to begin to come away. After emailing the company some pictures they claim it is wear and tear and not covered by manufacturers warantee. My thinking is that it needs to be repaired/replaced as not fit for purpose. They claim the best they can do is to recommend a good canvass repair centre. Surely they cannot expect a tent to last 3 days before the stitching fails? I figured I would throw the breach of sale of goods at them and if need be a claim against them.

 

Any ideas would be welcome,

Warm Thanks

 

Tom

[citizenB]

I am sure someone will be looking in with advice on what to do later on today.. Meanwhile, I have tweeted your thread as well

[silverfox1961]

Hi

Although this 'may be covered under the sale of goods act the rules state that in the first 6 months then it will automatically be assumed that it was a manufacturer fault. After 6 months, it is down to the consumer to prove that it was faulty when purchased. I personally don't think this will have legs as how can you prove that it was faulty at purchase when you have used it with no problem.

 

They could easily come back and say you packed it away incorrectly thereby causing stress on a joint resulting in the event. The same applies if you packed the tent away when wet or damp.

 

While it may not be what you want to hear, I feel that the easiest way is to get it repaired. You could do it yourself. It isn't that hard a job

[GrumpyToSayTheLeast]

That sounds like it was packed away damp. How long was it aired for when you got home after your last trip? If, as you say, its a canvas tent, then they are notoriously fragile when packed away damp as the cord and indeed the canvas rots very quickly. Either way, I think you will lose a claim on this one.

Out of interest, how much was the tent? You may be able to claim from contents insurance in some circumstances.

Alternatively, if it is just failed stiches, then a repair centre should be able to sort pretty cheaply.

[SlammingBuddha]

Hi guys. It was packed dry. I made extra specially sure of that knowing how canvass is. Its a bell tent and its just the stitching on the inner part of the apex point where there is 2 layers to protect against the pole. It would be a fairly simple repair and after reading your posts with a much calmer head im inclined to agree. I wont be shopping at Boutique Camping again after spending £800 on a temt plus stove to receive that BS. Thanks again guys.

[GrumpyToSayTheLeast]

Packed dry means its been aired for a number of days in a dry environment. Leaving to dry on a camp site and then packed is not sufficient.

The inside of a canvas tent, like where the stitching you describe is, would only dry after being hung for a few days.

 

Glad you are a bit happier though and hopefully not to bad a job to repair. Good luck.