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View Full Version : Larry Adler and Marmot shell wear



John Deere
03-03-2008, 10:51 PM
So last year I thought right, I need some decent water proof and breathable shell wear, after looking around and asking plenty of folk I decided to go with Marmot Membrain three ply gear. The sales guys at Adlers told me it was equal to Goretex in water proofness but more breathable.

Overall I used it a few times, got rained on, stayed dry, all good. So now it is just on 12 months old and used about 20-30 days for bushwalking and ski touring, all activities that are presumably within the bounds of the scope of these products. I have found that the pants have worn where the harness of my pack does up right through the waterproof membrane!

In addition, my jacket of the same material has worn through the inner mesh to the membrane ready to wear through the membrane. I was less than impressed with this course of events.

I thought no problem, Adlers are a fine upstanding retailer and I paid way too much for this gear to support aussie retailers and so I could have some customer support, I will just take them back and see what they can do for me.

I made a special trip to the city and dropped them off for warranty assessment. They told me they would be back to me within three or four days with an assessment, that was fine. A week and a half later I call them and they have no immediate info and say they will call me back shortly. Two days later they give me a call saying to pick them up as they have been repaired, no problems!

I go to Kent St specially today to pick them up, they are brought out in exactly the condition I took them in, no repair or even attempt. They are currently telling me that the warranty doesn't cover wear and tear and that they cant do anything.

This is what their website says on that:

"If for any reason our service or products fail to perform during normal use or time and are defective in any way we will replace, repair or refund at no cost to you.ヤ Larry Adler."

So I have to ring Scott Adler on Thursday to see what happens! Close enough to $800 worth of gear.

I will keep you posted on the outcome, I know there are many Marmot gear fans here and I think Marmot themselves would want to support the gear they make.

BrumbyJack
03-03-2008, 11:28 PM
Buy Ground Effects... It's made in NZ and it's less than half the price.

FWIW I wore the cuffs out on a similar Columbia jacket about 10 years ago, but that took about 5 years and it still keeps the water out, I just don't wear it any more coz it's a daggy colour tongue.gif

The Wang
04-03-2008, 01:46 PM
Good lord.....

Keep us posted JD

snowman
04-03-2008, 04:04 PM
20 to 30 days is crazy for that price they should last years and years... hope they come to the party

kort
05-03-2008, 01:48 PM
Should have bought Arc'teryx ;)

But seriously, thats crap! Gear that high end should be lasting longer then 30 days.....good luck JD

azkaban
09-03-2008, 08:51 PM
We had a similar problem with the same establishment only last week JD. And it wasnt the first time either.
Best of luck with getting them repaired, if not replaced.

John Deere
09-03-2008, 10:42 PM
Oh really? I would be interested to know who did you speak to? I was told Scott Adler was the only person in the company who could make warranty decisions and he wasn't there all week??

What was your ourcome?

Vet
10-03-2008, 12:32 AM
How much does it cost to start a small claims tribunal case? I think its about $30 here but most shop owners prefer to keep customers satisfied. After all, they have better things to do.

John Deere
10-03-2008, 08:32 AM
I am not at that stage yet, I speak to Adlers today and am hoping for a good outcome.

azkaban
10-03-2008, 01:34 PM
JD Ours was never a warranty issue so I cant comment. Ours was, this time and in the past, a service issue and we have spoken to ALL the top people about it and have had our a*#es kissed but the problem seems to be rampant in their stores. I am not on here to slander them as I believe they have something to offer people, just not us anymore!!

John Deere
10-03-2008, 04:29 PM
Well, Scott Adler has done the right thing and replaced my gear with harder wearing gear! I have to say I am very happy with the service he has given me.

I feel sorry for him that his staff do not have the same level of commitment to service. He was not very happy when I told him the story.

The Frog
10-03-2008, 04:33 PM
Glad to hear the outcome was positive.

Taxman
10-03-2008, 04:34 PM
Always good to turn a bad news story into a good news story and credit to Scott Adler. Just a pity you had to fight so hard to get the right outcome.

azkaban
10-03-2008, 04:46 PM
Good news JD. Again good to hear that the "powers that be" are coming to the fore when their staff (some in managerial postions) are lacking so badly.

John Deere
10-03-2008, 05:28 PM
Yep, another reason why I try to shop locally, imagine doing all of this over the internet???

Caboose
10-03-2008, 05:35 PM
i think you would just take the hit if you bought online and try again :rolleyes: ;)

John Deere
10-03-2008, 05:57 PM
That'd be the only option really.

kort
22-03-2008, 04:40 AM
Originally posted by John Deere:
Yep, another reason why I try to shop locally, imagine doing all of this over the internet??? depends on who you deal with online - SOME (not all) online retailers will refund your money "no questions asked" if you find a defect with your gear (even if you are not happy with your gear AND you have used it!). If you restrict yourself to those "friendly" online retailers you will not encounter a single problem - you just gotta read their return policy.

I have some stories re: me returning gear that will make your head spin JD - will tell you one of them when I get home mate :)

[ 22.03.2008, 08:54 AM: Message edited by: Paul ]

John Deere
24-03-2008, 07:38 PM
A year down the track? I very much doubt it and would rather deal with someone in person for that sort of stuff!

kort
25-03-2008, 10:24 AM
JD - try 1,2 years down the track and I have gotten my $$$ back fron online stores without a problem - u just gotta read their fine print. Hell it could have been 5 years and they would have returned my cash no questions asked.

I got one story that even made Josie cringe about me returning gear :)

John Deere
25-03-2008, 02:20 PM
But if they had have disputed you wouldn't have had a chance. Thats why I like stores you can see!

kort
25-03-2008, 03:13 PM
ahh but they dont dispute (its no questions asked remember!) - thats the beauty of *some* USA online retailers :)

John Deere
25-03-2008, 08:38 PM
Nobody doesn't dispute ever ;)

And I think you are severely restricting your options if you only shop online at these places.

chunky
26-03-2008, 12:29 AM
It's all about service and by providing you with good service you are bound to try them again and also tell people about it too. Glad it worked out.

kort
26-03-2008, 03:59 AM
My experience of Oz stores has rather negative hence my need (or want) to locate my gear in other places, be it online, overseas. Personally I have found their service to be much better, even if I am conversing via email or in person. Every return I have made lead a refund without hassle.

Dunno about restricting my options but hey as long as each of us is happy with the service and product we are getting then we will keep coming back, online store or "in person" :)

JD - Am glad Scott Adler did the right thing by you mate :) Wonder if you deal with him each time - he seems to at least genuinely care about this customers and product....