Columbia omnitech leaks.

[BigPointer53]

My quad parka bibs have started to leak around the knees and was wondering if they have any warranty. They are about 5 years old with no tears just some good old fashioned use. Oh Well maybe I just got to stay wet.

[Buckeye]

Big Pointer call or email the company and chances are they will take care of it for you. Run a search for their web site or call your local distributor. I have had an upland coat and my old widgeon parka repaired for no cost other than shipping it to them. Not sure if that is still the policy or not but it's worth the effort.

[steve(IL)]

Be advised & IMHO - Columbia is nothing more than a mass marketing rip off of hard core products developed by outer wear companies like Patagonia and North Face. Sure my Patagonia things cost me more - but my hard used 10 year old jackets still look close to new and perform like new too. Admittedly, some Columbia stuff seems ok(I have one fleece shirt from them). But don't be fooled - Columbia costs less because it is often built to a lesser standard with lesser materials(Polartech products by Malden Mills excluded).

p.s. I melted a zipper on my Patagonia shell with the lantern while in the Fish Trap II. I sent it back to Patagonia to repair. Although I was completely prepaired to pay, they repaired it at no charge. I'll get at least another 10 years out of it now.

[Gumbo]

I agree about Columbia, and don't use their products (I categorize North Face just a little above Columbia, though TNF has made significant improvements in recent years). But I'm willing to bet they'll help him out. Reasonable wear is expected, and all reputable mfg's in that market will repair or replace defective or worn items. Usually the cost for repairing worn items is minimal, especially when compared against replacement cost.

[chrism]

I agree with your perspective on Columbia and TNF - except outside of the Mountain jackets, I thought most of the current TNF outerwear was crap that they marketed with their name hoping to make a fast buck....Their lifetime warranties have changed from months to a year on most garments. Mountain Hard wear (ex TNF crew) seems to still make the good quality, high end stuff. Don't get me wrong though - I think TNF still makes a great bag, tents, and packs. They were at one time (15yrs ago) the undisputed leaders in this field, but today the little guy has caught up and in some cases surpassed them - For instance some(!) of the Mountain Equiptment Coop stuff here in Canada, and some(!) of the REI stuff in the USA.
Columbia on the otherhand has always targeted the populous who doesn't want to spend the $$$ that patagucci or TNF costs - and they get what they pay for.
Having said all of this, I must say I am rather impressed with the Cabelas Guidewear - it is one of a kind, and seems to be the ticket for those of us who can appreciate a good product.
I too have an old patagonia relik - a fleece - 12yrs and still going strong! I had a columbia fleece and was using it to polish my boat after 2 yrs!

Food for thought!

Gunga din - I'm sure you would have a good tid-bit to add!...

[Gumbo]

I am Gunga Din--just figured it would be better to use name/state format.

I have an older, well used Patagonia fleece jacket like you--still looks and performs great! I sent some glove liners back to Patagonia after they developed a few small holes in the fingers causing me to get frostbite where the holes were. They sent me a brand new pair. I also sent them an older Gore-Tex jacket with zipper problems that I was going to sell on ebay, and they fixed the jacket up nice, which got me more money out of the jacket. I sent my Gore-Tex pants back to Sequel after punching through a hidden crevasse and sticking a crampon point in my leg. They fixed it for free. Lots of similar stories from vendors who try to be the best--not just maximize their bottom line.

By the way, I do have one TNF item--their Himalayan down coat. I bought it at their outlet in SanFrancisco for $200 (the Marmot equivalent was $600). I used to be a big Marmot fan, but now I really like Mountain Hardwear.

Good climbing/fishing.

[Coach]

From my experience with columbia the one thing they do have and do honor is a LIFETIME waranty on their products. Just get a hold of customer service and tell them what you are not happy with and TELL them you would like item repaired or replaced. I have done it a couple of times and they went as far as to ship me a new jacket next day air service. Called them at 2:00 PM and had the jacket the next day at 9:00 AM. I can't complain about them. Coack