FamilySherpa
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Post by FamilySherpa on Feb 20, 2023 7:29:13 GMT -8
What's everyones luck with getting warranty, or at least cost effective repairs made to older gear?
I have several old mountain hardware, marmot, & arcteryx jackets that i don't wear anymore because zippers and seams are failing.
I assume seams delaminating is likely going to be considered normal wear and tear on 10+ year old jackets, but wasn't sure.
i don't really want to pay to ship things out to the west coast if they are just going to tell me they either don't qualify for "lifetime warranty" or will cost $100 bucks per item to repair.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Feb 20, 2023 8:53:47 GMT -8
Response is probably going to vary by company. We had a BA tent with unrepairable damage (can’t remember what; I think the fly got torn?). It was a much older model and they couldn’t replace the fly, but gave us a 50% discount on a new tent in exchange for sending in the old one so they could scavenge whatever was usable to repair other old tents.
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Post by downriver on Feb 20, 2023 9:32:11 GMT -8
I work for Patagonia and can tell you our company is excellent at fixing, repairing and replacing items regarding warranty issues. In-store (minor) fixes include patching, replacing buttons and zippers, replacing wheels on carry-on duffels, and other minor repairs. For items that can be repaired and need to be shipped out we use a local repair shop here (we also have a large repair department in Reno) that does excellent work. For items that cannot be fixed an exchange or store credit is issued. Every week I see customers extremely happy regarding customer service due to warranty issues. At a personal level I am really impressed seeing how Patagonia honors their warranty policy.
Have you contacted the companies 800 numbers or emailed customer service regarding the issues you’re having? I would probably choose the 800 numbers and speak with someone in customer service regarding your issues to see what they say regarding their warranty policies and your problems.
I would also look up the different companies policies regarding lifetime warranties before calling customer service. Hopefully, your zipper issues will be a quick fix.
Best of luck! Let us know how it goes. I’m interested in hearing about those companies and customer service.
Regards,
DR
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Feb 20, 2023 19:53:49 GMT -8
My recent(ish) Patagonia experience was it was trivial. I had blown out side zippers due to that silly welding tech dumbness and two weeks after I’d dropped it off at the SoHo NY store I happened to pass where they did in house repairs they mailed it back to me sewn up just right. For clothing that’s worth it were warranty not to seem feasible I’d say give Rainy Pass a call. They do good work in my experience. rainypass.com/Mine was an Ice Nine parka that was definitely more than a decade old, probably way more: Patagonia didn’t even blink. Per the help page 22 years old when I dropped it off. Made in 2000.  |
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FamilySherpa
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Tangled up in Rhododendron
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Post by FamilySherpa on Feb 21, 2023 5:15:48 GMT -8
Rainy Pass did a repair for me about 10 years ago. A crudely sewn patch on some ski pants that ended up being extremely expensive. The repair was made using ArcTeryx as a middle-man so they may have put a markup on it, idk.
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Post by trinity on Feb 21, 2023 6:18:52 GMT -8
I have a local tailor who does really great repair work. I recently took in a badly torn fleece, and he sewed it up as good as new. Not cheap, but kept it out of the landfill. Such quality craftmanship is not easy to find, but I take a lot of pleasure out of supporting a local business that does such great work.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Feb 21, 2023 7:01:37 GMT -8
I was hiking in the Catskills and had to take my pack off and put it up a ledge then climb up myself. Once on top I took a little break and unfortunately the pack started to fall over toward the ledge. I grabbed it by one of the light straps that holds the head down and it broke the buckle attached to the head but I did stop the pack from going over the edge. They have unique buckles and it wouldn't have been an easy repair for me to do. I caused the damage.
The head is removable and I sent just that to Osprey. I did have to pay for shipping there I believe and the return they covered. It took like three weeks or maybe more to get it back but nicely repaired. No charge or questions.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Feb 21, 2023 8:28:51 GMT -8
Last year I contacted Black Diamond about buying new tips for my poles, as I’d bent the bottom (a replacable part). Since I was using it as a tent pole in high wind, I figured it was on me. They sent me new tips, no charge, and instructions (easy) for swapping them out. I was astonished, since I had not even asked them to replace it—just inquired about purchasing the parts.
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Feb 21, 2023 10:31:51 GMT -8
My experience with Exped was very good. After several years of use the exit valve on my Downmat 9 became clogged with down. They couldn't repair it so the gave me a selection of 2nds for free, and I chose a Synmat 7. After several uses one if the internal baffles (lengthwise) blew, resulting in an elevated ridge on one side (still usable, but noticable). Then they gave me 50% off any new sleeping pad, which was a savings if $90.
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Feb 21, 2023 10:34:37 GMT -8
I wasn't so lucky with Black Diamond. After several years the straps on my elliptical trekking poles were starting to shred. I was interested in buying replacement straps, and twice contacted them online. My queries were never answered.
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Post by dayhiker on Feb 21, 2023 17:52:06 GMT -8
I have heard people buy Patagonia 2nd hand just to claim lifetime warranty! Or used to.
Tarp tent has sent me zippers to put on myself need to do other door now.
Edit
Osprey gave me a new pack after (shoulder?) strap broke, unfortunately they no longer make large packs that carry skis. I had a hard time getting back down the ski slope I think the "rib" I added to the front of the pack held it together sort of. (My skins kept slipping so I had a tough time making ti to the top just to find my pack was broken. Still a ways to get where I wanted to go that night and the next day so just turned around.
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Feb 21, 2023 19:37:04 GMT -8
I’ve had mystery leaks on Thermarest NeoAir replaced at no cost, though I think there’s a limit to how old of model they’ll deal with. Also gotta look at shipping whether it’s worth it. My latest Xlite is holding fast. Had Patagonia repair a vest no problem.
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Post by downriver on Feb 21, 2023 20:15:24 GMT -8
I have heard people buy Patagonia 2nd hand just to claim lifetime warranty! Or used to. Tarp tent has sent me zippers to put on myself need to do other door now. Yep, they still do... Regards, DR |
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Post by hikinggods on Feb 21, 2023 20:33:43 GMT -8
I had excellent luck with Montbell. My husband and I both had Alpine Light down jackets that were almost 15 years old, but still in excellent condition, except for failing zippers. I sent them to Montbell and they were returned with new zippers and shipped back to me free of charge. They look like brand new.
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Post by downriver on Feb 27, 2023 11:01:37 GMT -8
This is the local shop for repairs in Portland. They also do work for nationwide customers, too. mtnsoles.com/Regards, DR |
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