Update on the new tent.
As said, it arrived within 24 hours of ordering but I was unable to try it due to being unable to bend (bad back).
Thursday back felt a little better so decided to put it up and see what it looked like.
Checked all the stitching - all looks 'doubled' and well done.
All joints / seams double stitched and taped.
All corner (pegging / guy) points taped and triangular reinforcing.
Zips - YKK and run smoothly, don't appear to be prone to snagging.
Poles - nice aluminium fit together tightly, all one-piece and like a huge octopus until attached to the tent/footprint.
Colour - it is a little 'brighter green' (lime green) than I would have liked, but better than orange or yellow !!!
Time for an erection :
Problem - the ends of the poles have 'nipples' which pass thru, eyelets in the footprint, tent and flysheet, one of the 6 nipples was a different size to the other 5 and would not go thru the eyelet. I tried every which-way thinking perhaps one of the eyelets was a larger size and by putting the correct nipple to the correct eyelet orientated the frame, but, NO. Nothing worked
Thursday sent the supplier a message and pictures asking for suggestions and a resolution.
Friday morning received a message "very sorry, replacement part will be shipped free of charge"
(I have found the nipples available on ebay at a cost of about £2.50 for a pack of two, so wasn't really worried, it was just the principle of buying something and wanting it 'right')
Saturday morning - package arrives, which seems rather large for just a nipple - open package and there is a complete replacement (tent, poles, fly sheet, pegs, guys - the whole lot).
Put the tent up - no problems and it really is a full two-man tent (both SWMBO and myself are not small people and fit easily) Yes it can easily be put-up 'outer first'
Saturday afternoon, send message to seller asking what they want me to do with the 'old' tent.
Sunday morning, receive reply
"Thank you for your message that the part has arrived. We are glad to know you are satisfied with the new product. Please keep the old one. We really appreciated your support"
I have left positive feedback for both the seller and the product - a measure of customer service is how willing and quickly the seller is to correct any problems, I really could not give them any less than 100%
Sunday morning - Ebay, 5 'nipples' for £1.77 ordered (delivery 4 weeks, but no problem - I just happen to have a 'spare' tent to 'keep me going')
I could have spent £450 on an MSR Hubba Hubba, but I spent £74.99 on a 'clone' so far I am more than happy with the tent and its apparent quality, I guess time will tell.
Picture of the 'offending nipple' (larger one, compared to the correct size)