I'm gutted - they won't sell me a bell tent!

[MisSalLaneous]

Well, after hours of arguments discussions, I've eventually persuaded dh that we "need" a bell tent, and from reviews all over, we decided on an Obelink from the Dutch site.

From previous posts, it seemed possible to order directly from the Dutch site, but that you couldn't from the English one or over the phone.

It did say (even on the Dutch one) that they didn't ship to the UK, but as others were lucky before, I crossed everything and waited excitedly...

Then, NO. I just received the e-mail confirming that my order has been cancelled.

Please cheer me up. I can't pay £300 for a tent I don't need, as we have a perfectly good Vango Orchy. €195 was the Dutch price, btw.

Anyone know of places where you can buy the same quality (as same tents as Belltent) for cheaper? Or has anyone actually bought their tents in Holland itself?

A few people got them shipped last year (i remember being green with envy) . Riven was one i think.

Hi troutpout. Yes I know.... I'm so jealous. I convinced myself that, as it worked for them - well, you know.

I already imagined playing in new tent in garden this weekend as we're not going away and it's ds's birthday!

I feel ever so slightly sorry for myself. Can you guess?

Have you heard of anyone actually buying one in Holland? Dh said we could perhaps drive over for the weekend one, well, weekend, which I guess we can do. Will mean no cash saving, but a weekend trip always good.

So you want to drive over to get it? DOesn't thaat defest the whole point of it being cheaper?

Have you looked on ebay?

MisSal if you read through this it seems you can order direct from the dutch site, if you fill in the dutch form? Is this what you did?

Hello everybody. Thanks, I knew there would be tent lovers around soon!

omdb, yes, you're right re costs, but I reckoned if I was not going to make a saving, I might as well get a "free" weekend out of it. Thank you SO much for ebay link - I'll look at that in a second.

Oh yes, and in response to both of your last questions: Yes, I did exactly the same, which is why I was so very optimistic! I almost blabbed on here about my "new" tent (yes, that'll teach me), but thought I'd wait until it's here.

I understand Dutch, so everything looked fine. I got the first couple of (automated) e-mails, saying payment has gone through, stock will be despatched, and that they'd send me an e-mail with reference number.

However, I then got the e-mail this afternoon stating that the transaction has been cancelled as they don't ship to UK.

Ah, do you speak it as well as understand it? THey'd probably be impressed enough to send it out if you phoned

Gah, sorry didn't realize there were 2 threads...

Ooh a bell tent for €195 really?
(marking space on thread)

No, I don't really speak it. I speak Afrikaans (am South African), so able to read it fine and understand a little when speaking in person, but over a phone they might just think I'm insane!

I have called them though (speaking English ), but they told me they didn't sell to UK. That is their official policy, but until recently ordering through Dutch version of site went through ok.

It's a little less fun if I can't even be cross with someone - that's just their rules I guess. Urgh.

Sorry Driven, it's all my fault, I was impatient and fancied a moan with people that would understand my heart break. I was close to considering IABU, but thought that might take it a little too far!

Five, and it is EXACTLY the same tent as the one sold on Belltent UK for £299!!! Same tent!

I want one.

I assume so, yes. Can see how the Belltent people got upset about it, but would help if they brought their prices down a tiny bit in response.

I see under the tent clearly in English "we do not ship to the uk" sob, I know a Dutch person...... He lives in Ireland though lol, maybe we could get him to organise a courier, dreaming of warm summer days with a bell tent, or typical British weather and one of thes cute little stoves, sigh/sob.

Oh riven, go away.

Oh, and I've already decided I need fairy lights like you have, now that's gone too! I don't think they'd work with a "modern" tent.

Hahaha, Five. Well, if we do go over and have space, I'll check with you whether you're interested - I could perhaps buy one for you there and bring it back.

Cool MisS, I will speak to my friend too, see if he has any advice. Not that I am planning on camping until the snow really quits!

This thread has just made me and DH decide to go and look for fairy lights to decorate our one! - sorry MisSal!

Try ebay - I found a seller on ebay selling bell tents that looked remarkably identical to the obelink ones.