ORVIS lost my business forever and anyone else which believes my experience.Failure to stand behind their product and “100% satisfaction guarantee” means nothing.My lightweight waders starting leaking(seeping thru membrane) and after about 20 applications of Aquaseal they still leak.Sent them digital photos showing no abrasion and they look new from the outside and like a spotted cat on the inside.They even have a factory installed patch inside.Supervisor offed 20% off a new pair!I wonder if LLBean would like to show-off my photos as where “not to buy”!
I am so sorry to hear of your misfortune with your Orvis Waders. I bought a pair of them 3 years ago and they leaked in the seams and Orvis was very prompt in replacing them. Did you call Orvis direct or did you go through a dealer or retailer?
[This message has been edited by dleo6446 (edited 23 May 2005).]
I find that hard to believe, being an Orvis worker. They stand behind just about everything! We will repair or replace most anything!
Don
Don-I would be more than happy to email you directly with their response.
that is unusual. I know someone who traded in his Orvis waders at the end of every season because they leaked, and they gave him new ones each year. Once I had a problem with a reel and they not only repaired it for free they sent me a free reel to use while they repaired it. Another time I broke a rod in the middle of striper season and rather then make me wait 6 weeks for a repair they sent me a better rod as a replacement. I’ve had other companies, which will remain nameless, not even respond.
Are you saying that you sent them to Orvis and they placed a “factory installed patch inside” the waders (I would think it should have been outside) and it still leaked? You then put 20 applications of Aquaseal and they will no longer fix the waders under warranty?
How old are these waders?
Joe
Sounds strange to me, just had my rod repaired by them twice, my fault stepping on them. Just got it in today, fixed and perfect. The customer service was friendly, and prompt. Wasn’t charged for either repair. It would be interesting to see the email response from them.
A bum-legged old man and a drunk. That’s all you got?
That’s WHAT I got.
They actually sent me a replacement set of waders, before I could return the problem waders to them.
Swing hard, in case they throw the ball where you’re swinging. Duke Snider
For those that wanted to see the email from Orvis, I quote "Dear Mr. Rush,
Thank you for your email and your valuable comments. I am sorry to hear that the waders are no longer properly functioning, however due to the age of these waders, they are out of warranty. I do not think that a manufacturer’s defect was the problem with these waders, as manufacturer’s defects generally show up within the first few months of ownership, rather than after five or six years of use. I do understand your frustration with the situation, so I would like to offer you 20% off of a new pair of waders as well as free shipping. Should you decide to accept this offer, please email me after you place your order and I would be happy to apply these discounts. If you have any further questions or concerns, please email me.
Sincerely,
Jason Taylor
E-Commerce Supervisor
The Orvis Company "
And even mispelled my last name!
Did you really have them that long…“rather than after five or six years of use.”?
Personally, I would be a bit embarassed to return a pair of waders after wearing them for 6 years and expect a new pair. But then again…
JC
If they leaked from the get go and a patch didn’t take care of it, then I would expect them to make good on their warranty. But not after six years of use and countless patches.
JC,
Where did you get that statement from Orvis, because [url=http://www.orvis.com/intro.asp?dir_id=758&subject=744:89374]their website’s wader warranty[/url:89374] says the following:
If your waders fail due to a manufacturing or materials defect, Orvis will repair or replace them at our discretion, free of charge. This guarantee does not cover abuse, improper care, accidents, or the normal breakdown of materials over time. All defective or damaged waders should be returned to Orvis for evaluation, or call Orvis direct at 800-548-9548. Waders not covered by the guarantee, but repairable, can be repaired for a $30 fee.
Seems to me, that their wader warranty and who pays for repairs is completely at Orvis’ discretion (?).
as for trying to get free waders after 5-6 years of use: “This guarantee does not cover abuse, improper care, accidents, or the normal breakdown of materials over time.”
Hey Hex,
This link takes you too their guarantee.
[url=http://www.orvis.com/intro.asp?subject=111&bhcp=1:a8f58]http://www.orvis.com/intro.asp?subject=111&bhcp=1[/url:a8f58]
mmmmmm, seems they have a separate guarantee for waders. Then that would be a double standard.
I have a lot of Orvis gear and I am very happy with them, most of my reels are Orivs and one TLS rod. But I have not purchased their waders because of the fact that I have heard of a lot problems with leaks. They should at the very least clarify their guarantee.
Jerry
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[This message has been edited by Dot Man (edited 24 May 2005).]
Dear Board,
Orvis has changed their wader warranty several times over the years. At one point they would replace a failed pair of waders within one year’s time. If they were older than one year old they gave your choice of a refund or a credit towards new ones. This was prorated according to the age of the waders.
If anyone wants their waders replaced for free after 5 or 6 years I suggest they start out with the cheapest waders they can find because no company in their right mind will return obviously worn-out items for a 100 percent refund and stay in business for very long. Just buy cheapies and then you won’t be so upset when they fail. And they will fail. Proper care and maintenance helps, but even the $ 400.00 jobs leak over time.
I live close to a Cabela’s store and I often check the bargain cave for returned items. I’ve managed to pick up some nice deals on items in 99.99% of new condition, especially shoes. But I also see items that Cabela’s has agreed to return that most reasonable people would be embarassed to return.
There ain’t no free lunch folks.
If people keep abusing the various manufacturers warranties you will soon see 30 day warranties and no corresponding reduction in price either.
Regards,
Tim Murphy
Thanks for all ur comments. Just to clarify, they did leak in one leg in year 2, just enough to keep you moist. Should have called then but put it off.I did not fish for another 3 yrs.Total days in my tube were only about 20.The patch was applied at time of manufacture, not by me, and does not leak.It is the porous material that leaks and there is absolutely no abrasion on the waders.They look just like new.My photos document the above statements.Orvis says can’t be manufacturing defect eventhough their patch is depicted on the photos.Any decent wader,when properly cared for like mine, should not leak in 2 yrs or 5 with limited use.Oh well, so much for this.
Dear trout4me,
Out of curiousity, how and where did you store your waders during the time they were not being used?
I am of the opinion that waders should be hung full length with the feet pointing down in a cool and dry, but not too dry, place when being stored long term. A basement might be good, or it might be too dry if your heating unit is in the basement. I don’t think that storing them in a bag, even if it is the one they came stored in, is a good idea if you won’t be using them for a long time. I fear dry rot may be the real problem you have with your waders, especially if they were rolled or folded for a long period of time.
Regards,
Tim Murphy
Thanks Tim - I store them and all my fishing gear in a closet, hanging by the straps just like you said.We have central AC/Heating; have never been stored folded and there is no pattern to all the leaks.
Wet And Damp Expect Repairs Sometimes…
bubba_orvis
Just recently read A Sportsman’s Life by Leigh Perkins & he explained how Orvis had lots of problems with leaky waders when OSHA enforced new regulations concerning the type of glue that could be used for " welding " the seams together. Apparently the new glue wasn’t nearly as good as the old glue, so the leaky waders refunds was a business problem since Orvis didn’t actually manufacture the product waders. Personally, just got a new fly rod to replace the Trident that broke at the ferrule while casting. Their customer service is equal to or better than Sears & Craftsman IMO !