Gaynor Sports, Ambleside

I want to make a purchase but remembered this 'worst retailer' thread

I wonder if folk are still having problems?

Three pages of complaint were enough to deter me, that's why I asked the question - in the hope that problems had been resolved.

But no string of posts from happy shoppers, so I'll look elsewhere.

Gaynors are utterly cr*p. Steer clear of them and don't waste your time ordering from them. I ordered a sleeping bag on their website and they accepted my order. After 5 days I was immediately told it was out of stock..."but we get regular deliveries from Mountain Equipment". I phoned every week for a month and got the same story, I postponed trips while waiting and still ended up with nothing. Eventually they just said we can't supply you with that item (a Lightline Sleeping Bag!). I asked someone to explain why and was told a 'manager' would be in touch. They never did. Wanker. I would advise any potential customers of this online store to seek advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau and be well versed in consumer protection before using them. Rip off merchants who don't know what customer service is & should be blacklisted by the outdoor world.

My comments were directed at one online retailer, not the entire industry. Also, rather than being the cheapest, my purchase was about availability of the product. Retailers who are successful build up customer loyalty through high service levels and word-of-mouth advertising. Its only via these forums people can get independent feedback, this go's for their positive experiences as well. Most online retailers seem to be really helpful and this was the first problem I have encountered with an online purchase.

.....meanwhile the hunt for a sleeping bag continues!

Hi Lindsay

I must admit  I hadn't looked at Tower Ridge website before, but it seems really good and they have some really nice other kit I'd not seen before like the Exped sleeping mats. To be honest maybe I have limited myself too much just looking at Mountain Equipment. Having seen them I'm very tempted by Rab bags. My budgets about £200-250, so the Quantum 400 or 600 look really nice. You seem to have had great service from Tower Ridge. Thanks for the recommendation; wish I'd consulted the forum first (doh!). I'll let you now how I get on.....!

Eddie

Eddie

I have a Rab Q400 and find it a great bag. I can't compare it with other makes because I can only afford one good quality bag. I have another Rab for winter use and for trekking.

As for this forum - you'll find a lot of knowledgable members here most of whom are willing to give good and sound advice along with a bit of banter and sometimes also some controversy so just ask your questions or join in in the banter.

Slainte

Lindsay 

Another one in the eye for Gaynors.

I ordered a heap of stuff only to be granted a gruff response when I said I was doing a charity trek and needed the good sent through sharpish. They were only gonna process the online order the day after the day after, or something, and then I get an email through saying I'll have to wait a couple of weeks for some of the items so not to get in a hurry for any of it.

I rang up, get some girl who's like 'yeah sure we can get some of the stuff out to ya before you go,' at which point I cancelled the entire order and decided to look for someone whose online ordering facility wasn't half-borked. Or go to a shop, or something.

Not sure if the table format will hold together, but here's a selection I'm considering:

Rab Quantum 250Mountain Eqmt. LightlineM.E. Xero 550M.E. Xero 350Cumulus Quantum 350Rab Quantum 400Price £139150 (old model)190160200196Comfort (C)-2-5-10-7-6-5Length210205219203217215Width758077747575Weight630g1130g950g730g665g900gFill power750+700+700+700+870750+Pack size11 x 2419 x 2819 x 2817 x 2312 x 2715 x 25ZipHalf zipFullFullFullFullFullRetailerN.E OutdoorUltimate OutdoorsSports DirectSports DirectAdventure CentrePlanet Fear

Your looking at quite similar bags to me - i'm looking a bit lighter, more of a summer down bag - to 0 or +3 degrees to give a bit versatility.

Having looked for ages, i cant see anything better than the RAB and Cumulus range (Rab Q250 and Cumulus Q200 are the 2 i'm most interested in). I am trying to keep the weight down mind. I'll probably end up with one of these unless i see an absolute bargain - saw a RAB Summit 350 at Taunton Leisure for £90 last week but it was the no zip version which i couldnt handle (think they might have an ME Lightline in the sale for £150?)

You could look at the MH Phantom range as another possibility?

On the original post, i bought a down jacket from Gaynors 4 months ago, arrived in a couple of days no problems at all (might be stock issues?...)

Also just used Raw Outdoors.co.uk and Outside.co.uk - both of which have an excellent service (Outside do free delivery which showed up in 48 hours)

its the ME Lightline at Taunton Leisure £149.99

http://www.tauntonleisure.com/products/lightline--standard----special-offer-/1123/

Bit too heavy for me though (i'm looking to replace a ME Firefly synthetic bag at 1.44kg with a down bag and hope/expect to half the weight)