Okay, it's Friday in Britain.

Coleman is another of the old guard American manufacturing companies that
has gone through a series of acquisitions.  Today it's owned by Jardin
Corporation, an investment group that buys companies based on brand
recognition and turns them around. Check out their website and you'll be
surprised at some of the brands they own: www.jardin.com.

They are not a bad outfit, but they do squeeze the profit out at the expense
of other things (like people and salaries--my daughter used to work for one
of their brands).  It's just business: Profit or die, and at least these
brands are still around, and they wouldn't be otherwise.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Al Knoll
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 3:37 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: NVC: Coleman Camping Gear? No more.

Not your grampa's Coleman Company.  Been trying to get a replacement
under warranty for a HWOD "Hot water on demand" device for almost
30days.  No suds.  The conversations go back to the first of October.
So here's the tale:

First they say that they can and will replace it.

Time passes.

Then some kokamommie horsepucks about not being able to ship sealed
lead acid batteries to CA.  (MOTSBS)  Claiming a CA law forbids it.
This is news to FEDEX and UPS, I called em, they say no probs, mark
the box "contains non-spillable gel-cel or seal battery"  with a felt
pen on the side where the shipping label goes.  Called CA Hazmat
office conveniently located right here in downtowncowtown, feller says
we have no such regulation and points me to the requisite Federal
Regs.  Mark the box.  Done Deal.

Time passes.

But Wait!  We'll send you a 'gift card for the amount of your unit
(presuming they mean the HWOD).

Time passes.

Then today.  Harrumph!  Another missive from the folks with the burned
feet.  (They got burned from repeated contact with the dropped burger
patties in their previous career).    All we have is Hope, see below.
Last week they had to shut down when the pencil sharpener jammed.

>>I'm very sorry for the inconvenience that this has caused you. This
has been escalated, and I'm personally monitoring the status of the
gift card. We have put a rush on the gift card. Unfortunately I cannot
provide you with an exact date that you will receive the gift card,
but I'm confident you will receive it soon.

Thanks
Hope Korte
Associate, Consumer Service Support
 Customer By Email (Al Knoll)10/31/2013 01:41 PM
Coleman Consumer Service consumerservice@mailnj.custhelp.com

Sorry, no cigar.  You HAVE NOT BEEN A SERVICE TO ME!  (Yes I'm
SHOUTING) Howabout you gitchaself over to the clog in the system pick
up said card, and personally send it to me, TODAY would be fine.
Enclose your business card and the name of the clod in the churn, so I
don't blame you.   Registered Mail.  So we're sure what is really
going on.  Try Cabelas if you want to see what Customer Service is all
about.  Or my old alma-mater Hewlett Packard  .

This sort of stuff might qualify as elder abuse in my case and that's
not a good thing to have on your company or personal resume,

Oh yeah change that status to not solved.

Sheesh. Grumble..Growl..
<<<