harkila boot returns

[murphy]

Morning all,
A very good friend of mine is having some problems with Harkila as in returning a pair of their boots.This is the second pair he has had problems with, the first pair was returned and a new pair sent out, the second pair have lasted less then three months of light use, no trips to Scotland just dog walking and and rough shooting.He has returned them again the stitching has started to come away on the tongue of one boot and so letting in water.He has washed the boots and dried them before sending them back as requested. so the leather was dry with no dubbing or wax applied. He then received a call saying that the leather had not been looked after and aloud to dry out.So we went along to the Midland game fair to ask a few Harkila dealers what their thoughts were on the problem. All of the traders selling there products told us that its not the leather that keeps your feet dry its the gortex linings, one trader even asked if he had long toe nails and did they need cutting!!! so the boots have now been returned still leaking back to my friend each time he returns them he pays for the postage and packaging which is not a problem if you get a new pair of boots. Has anyone got any advise as he now has a pair of boots under three months old and one wet foot. He has even asked if he could pay extra and upgrade to a pair of the Teflon coated boots, as he feels that the boots are not fit for purpose and should never be sold as a shooting/stalking boot at around £220. He wishes he had just brought another pair of Meindls ,his last pair are still going strong after four years. I have had a lot of harkila gear and had to return some of it and never had a problem myself,
What do you suggest?

Regards
Murph

 

[airman]

How does he wash the boots (not in a machine I hope)? This could have an effect on leaking. Its also correct that its the goretex lining that is waterproof and not the leather. If he has washed it in regular household detergent and conditioners etc then that's the cause of the leaking problem more than likely.

Also, if he has no luck with Harkilla or the dealers then contact Gore themselves. They are very protective about the brand.
To get the boots tested, simply contact LSR (Lancashire Sports Repairs) in Burnley. They are a Gore approved and licensed repair and waterproofness testing facility that can check and repair basically anything depending on its condition.. They can almost even polish turds!!!

 

[murphy]

hi, he washes them off with cold water and lets them dry he uses them daily for dog walking.Three months for a pair of £220 that now leak what a joke and then to be told you have not looked after them it takes me that long to wear them in.

 

[white van man]

I had to fight to get a pair replaced under warranty, the new pair have lasted two years but the leather is cracking despite soaking them in Harkilas own mink oil. I certainly shan't buy anymore. Got a pair of Altbergs now had them about 8mnths and still like new.
I believe there are two Harkila reps in UK I dealt with the guy from Scotland and he was very helpfull in the end.
Steve

 

[countrryboy]

Harkila boots are rubbish full stop (I've had 3 pairs, last 2 where 50% off and still rubbish value for money) Never again, no matter how cheap
1 of the benefits of buying boots fac to face in a shop means u an take them back and have someone to deal with

Can't help with the returns policy, but if ur really having no luck changing them
Try buying a pair of Yeti gaiters for them, I got an extra 3 seasons off hard use out of my 1st pair even thou both boots had massive holes at the ankles.
U'll prob have to silicon the nose of the gaiters on, or even right round the boot (u can still pull them of if u need too with silicon)

 

[User00001]

How on earth are they still managing to sell these boots and why would anyone buy them? One glance at the reviews and comments all over the interweb throws up countless disaster stories. They are junk full stop.

 

[murphy]

Thats the problem with internet shopping you can't just go back to the shop and hand them over and explain your problem. Think he has spent over £45 in postage returning them, so that bargain on line has cost him more. I'm shocked that a large company like harkila has such a poor customer services dept, after all there products are made for shooters/stalkers not the weekend dog walkers.

 

[Eric the Red]

The returns process is via the dealer you bought them from. You are entitled to say they have not been assessed properly - and if they will not replace - ask for a refund - or a replacement of equivalent value from another brand. The retailer should do this for you, especially as the latest pair are less than three months old.

 

[activeviii]

Will not use them or seeland now. Fed up of them. I bought 3 pairs of harleakalot as the same time as the price was right. First pair leaked out of the box, sent back and replaced, next pair leaked a couple months later, sent back for replacement. Third pair sent back and refund. First replacement worn for a week and now in bin. Second pair the replaced I use only in dry conditions as they leak as well. All in the same place and morning dew grass so no wet boggy grass.

Same problem with seeland. All pairs leak where the sole comes unglued from upper. Never use any of the two again, same problem with a jacket

Wish they spent money on the product and not on the marketing.

Claimed my postage back under the long range selling law when they went back to shops but not when they went back to importers. Nightmare company.

 

[Benji53]

For boots that cost as much as they do I wouldn't waste my money the clothing is the best around but boots are w@&k for that sort of money meindl lowa or lundhags

 

[Alantoo]

If your friend has no joy with customer service replacing the leaking boots and they are still comfortable, he might try the Sealskinz socks which have a Goretex layer built in.

I extended the life of my ultra comfortable Le Chameau boots for their 7th season and a bit, with Sealskinz. The outside sock layer gets wet but your feet stay dry and comfortable.

Alan

 

[murphy]

can't see the problem its only a small hole in both boots

 

[martin c]

great idea re the sealskinz thank you! MC