How ARB just managed NOT to lose my business (rant over)

[EricGagne]

I'm very disappointed and pissed today. I received the ARB Mosquito Net that I ordered for my awning. I don't know if I'm the only one who's had that kind of problems but frankly their quality control sucks.

First, there's no instructions in the box so I had to f..k around with it to try and figure out how it's supposed to fit there because every time I put so the "flap" at the top would be where it's supposed to be nothing else would work.........it took me about 45 minutes to realize that the zipper has been sewed with the flap inside. I don't think that how it's supposed to be and without any pictures and instructions I couldn't check.

Anyway once I figured that out I put the front and rear parts in the sliders and started installing the hooks..........only to realize on the 3rd one that when I snap them on the poles the tension rips the net alongside the sewing lines.

After waiting almost a month to received my mosquito net and wasting over an hour trying it, all I can do is return it and get a refund.

That's very disappointing, I bought ARB because for me it meant quality, apparently it's not always the case.

Rant over...........but I'm still pissed and ARB will never see my money again.

 

[AxeAngel]

You are lucky you don't own a disco2 with an arb bumper. All the airbag compliant bumpers for d2s bend into the fenders and hood when using a winch or recovery.

I know several that had this problem myself included.

They lost all my business a few years ago

-Sam

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Was the retailer not familiar enough with the product to coach you on install and help you troubleshoot any problems? It sounds like yours may have had a couple of quality issues, rest assured ARB's tech department will solve those, however in regards to the install its my personal beleif and this proves it that ARB is not a end-retailer, hence why they don't sell direct to the public and in fact sell through a dealer network that they expect to be proficient and knowledgable on their product. Would not have solved all your problems but maybe some of them?

I've personally dealt with a handful of the mosquito nets, no issues to speak of. I'd give your retailer or ARB's tech department a call on Monday and see what they can do to sort it out for you. If nothing else your issues will prompt future solutions. The improvements between the Simson II -> Simpson III and even more so on the Simpson IIIB has been parralleled by their awnings and related products. User feedback is fundemental to that improvement. Good luck!

 

[EricGagne]

I'm definitely going to take it back to the store next week, now that the net is ripped at a few places it's become useless. I really didn't pull hard on the hooks, the seams are so fragile that I doubt it would resist any strong wind so I can't keep this one.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I'm definitely going to take it back to the store next week, now that the net is ripped at a few places it's become useless. I really didn't pull hard on the hooks, the seams are so fragile that I doubt it would resist any strong wind so I can't keep this one.

Bummer to hear, get with the store and see what they can do to fix you up. Which size awning are you using? Is it a new Series III awning?

 

[EricGagne]

I don't know anything about ARB's awnings history so I can't tell if it's the new model or an older one. It's a 2000 (79") that I bough a few months ago. The mosquito net is a 2000 also but I wonder if it's wide enough, the part that slides in the awning is about 6" to 7" shorter than the awning, it seems a bit short now that I think of it, maybe that's why the net ripped beside the hooks.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Do you by chance have the part numbers off of either of them? I'm very familiar with the changes in the awnings but less so in any changes to the mosquito nets so a call to the ARB crew would likely net some answers. Good luck!

 

[EricGagne]

The mosquito net part number is ARB3112. I'm not sure for the awning but I think it's ARB3111, unless of course I ended up receiving an older model. Can I find the part # somewhere on the awning itself ?

 

[Street Wolf]

Boo hoo.

 

[EricGagne]

I put it back on to take some pictures that I'm gonna send to ARB. Maybe other owners here can tell me what they think.

Image 1: I think this is how the front part should go on.

Image 2: But I have to put it the other way around which is why I think the zipper was sewed the wrong way.

Images 3, 4, 5: To show the difference in length on each side

Images 6, 7,8: Tryin to show the stress on the net but I had the sun in the face. I have to pull pretty hard on the net to be able to zip the two pieces together, I think it's because the part that is on the wrong way which makes me lose about 2 inches

Images 9, 10, 11, 12: The stress on the net ripped it when I started clipping it on the poles. Two of my neighbors are seamstresses (no joke), one told me that they a point too big for a net this fine, the other said it is sewn to close to the edge.

Now if this is all normal and I broke it by being stupid or something please try to be nice when telling me........although instructions would have helped.

 

[Martyn]

As CruiserOutfitter said ARB is a good company to work with, so don't give up hope. I think a quick call to their service center will sort things out.

 

[teotwaki]

I have had very good experiences with their technical guys. Give them a try.

 

[cruiserlarry]

I've had the new Mosquito Net for my ARB 2000mm awning for about a year with no issues. And ARB technical assistance and customer service is second to none - give them a call before you give up..

 

[TangoBlue]

Take a deep breath and step away from the mosquito net... now pick up the telephone and call tech support.:coffeedrink:

I've purchased several ARB products, but not a mosquito net, and am thoroughly pleased with them all. When I've had questions with any of the items I either went back to the dealer or called ARB Tech support. In any of those cases when I needed assistance I got it, or immediate resolution. Like Kurt explained earlier, ARB and their dealer network stand reolutely behind their products.

You have to admit that's pretty rare these days.

 

[EricGagne]

I know ARB has good products, I actually own a few and I had no complaints until now. I already emailed them and I'll see next week what's gonna happen but in the meantime I need a solution for my next trip in September.

Unfortunately I'm afraid I won't be able to get a replacement for this mosquito net withing 3 weeks which is why I got a bit angry. I want the ARB and will take care of this but in the meantime I have to buy something else that I will probably never use again.

Cruiserlarry, I'm assuming you checked my pictures, am I correct in thinking that the zipper is sewn the wrong way ? I tried to find pictures on internet bu there's hardly anything except the small black and white one from ARB.