new tent - it's torn and they won't replace/refund - what can I do?

[jeangenie]

We bought a new tent on 13 May (delivered around 16/17th ) and put it up for the first time on June 8th when we discovered that there were tears in the flysheet (big tent, too large to put up in our garden so we waited until first arranged trip)
I reported this fault by email on 11th June but got no response so phoned on Saturday 16th to try to arrange replacement/refund. The guy said they were only prepared to repair and that we should have checked it within 10 days and let them know
I think c.21 days is not unreasonable to report a fault
The tent cost £225 and tbh I really don?t want to accept faulty/repaired goods at that price. Also we had planned quite a bit of camping over the next month and if we have to send it off for repair we won?t even have a tent to camp in!
Does anyone know if they are within their rights ? what is the best way to challenge this?

update - they will replace the tent with another from their range - she didn't say if they'd refund in her message

I can't see anything I really like on awnings direct - apart from possibly the wynnster phoenix 6 (but it doesn't have a porch, which I would like) or coleman cedar creek.

anyone got any experience with either of these in terms of ease to put up and durability, also size - I don't want anything that might mean we'd need two pitches

otherwise I think will press for refund - if so can anyone recommend decent tent with two bedrooms, sig, porch and easy to put up?

oh, and NO NEON gimmickery in the inside - the torn tent had that and it made me feel like I was clubbing - NOT good

Don't ask for much, do I

I have the Cedar Creek and it's really good, but a bit ugly. Millets do it (or at least did) for £125 though (they have a plastic brochure in store and you have to insist they stick to the advertised price otherwise they'll charge you £187).

Does anyone know of a company that repairs tents as my DS managed to break the zip on his and is saying he will need to buy a new one?
It was just a fairly cheap one he uses to go to festivals but wouldn't it be cheaper to try and repair it? (I am,and will remain, a camping virgin!)

Where are you Norks? I know of one near ringwood in the New Forest that are good and reasonable.

Thanks for replying.We're in North London unfortunately.

WE got the name of the place we used from the local tent dealership.

Good idea,thanks.