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Subscribe to RSSThis past weekend, the temperatures dropped to just below freezing, so I decided it would be a good time to set up the hammock in the backyard and test how it would be.
The setup: Eagle’s Nest Outfitters (ENO) Singlenest Hammock, strung between two trees using ENO’s Slap Straps. REI short inflatable ground pad, The North Face 0 degree synthetic bag. I wore pants, t-shirt, fleece jacket, hiking socks, gloves and a micro fleece hat.
Everything went fine, except the zipper failed on my bag both nights. I need to try to fix that or it could be a problem. Other than the slight draft, I slept very well and was warm all night. Would have slept straight through if it weren’t for Althea jumping on me wanting to play at 4 in the morning!
So, I am sold to use the hammock on the Mitchell trip. I just need to fix my bag!
Im so glad that you came over to the cool people side! I cant wait to sleep in my hammock on the mountain. I dont think that the cold will be the tough factor in camping there, I think it will be the wind we could encounter. So fix your bag, pray for a cold and windy weekend, and lets find a place to experiment more before we are there!
I tried to fix the bag last night, but failed. There is a tear in the fabric at the bottom of the zipper that allows the zipper pull to come right off. Not sure how to fix it. I may call TNF to see about a warranty, but I have had it for 2 years, and did not buy it at REI
Follow up: I have e-mailed The North Face to see if they can do anything, so we will see how their customer service is. This is why I will always buy camping equipment from REI from now on! All I would have had to do is take it to REI, get a full refund for the bag and walk out with a new one. *kicking myself now*
.-= Kevin´s last blog ..What I’m doing =-.
Response from TNF:
Dear Kevin,
Thank you for contacting the North Face. We would like you to send your product in for evaluation and repair. We are sending general information that will help you with this process. Unfortunately we are unable to tell you if your product is under warranty or the price of non-warranty repairs without first being able to evaluate the item at our facility. Attached below you will find a copy of our North Face warranty return form.
We would prefer that you send the item using a shipping method that will provide you with a tracking number, and require a signature upon delivery. Please make sure that the shipping is prepaid and the package is insured for full replacement value. Please mark the areas in question on the product with colored tape or masking tape, so we can find them easily, and make sure that your form describes their location.
Please send the product in clean. California State law requires that products accepted for repair be clean. Soiled products will be sent out to a professional cleaning service prior to the repair, and we will assess an extra charge for that service. Also, sending out a product for cleaning adds an unexpected delay of two weeks or more.
Our normal turnaround time is about four weeks but may vary. This includes the shipping time by ground to you. If this turnaround time becomes a problem for you, tell us. We can sometimes “rush” repairs through for special situations. Just let us know.
If you have further questions, please call the Warranty Department, at 1(866) 715-3223, or visit the warranty question and answer section of our web site, at http://www.thenorthface.com.
Best regards,
Eric Worthington
Consumer Response Specialist
The North Face
http://www.thenorthface.com
.-= Kevin´s last blog ..10,000 calories burned, here we come! =-.
So now I am left with the dilema of paying for shipping to send to TNF so that they can determine if the damage is covered. And then wait 4 – 6 weeks to know whether I have to pay for the repair or if they will and then possibly pay for shipping back. And with the Mitchell trip in a little mor than a month, I can’t wait for it. So I will attempt to fix it myself again and then if not, buy one from REI. Perhaps I can get a deal at REIoutlet.com?
.-= Kevin´s last blog ..10,000 calories burned, here we come! =-.
that sucks… I looked through our stuff here, and I have an extra 20degree el-cheapo that you are more than welcome to. It’s always served me well, just not a name brand. That way you can send off your TNF bag to see how much they can do to fix it.
Just let me know…
Thanks for the offer, but last year it got down to 16 and I was a little cold in my zero bag, so I think I will try to figure something out. Plus, reading TNF warranty policies, they would probably consider the tear “normal wear and tear” or “misuse” or something and then I am out the cost of shipping.
.-= Kevin´s last blog ..10,000 calories burned, here we come! =-.