Tentipi, why so expensive ?

[Paullyfuzz]

They look to have a fairly simple pattern for manufacture and aren't they made in China now ?

So why they do damn expensive ?

[Davey569]

Same as anything really... Its the name

[Ahjno]

- Quality (...)
- Branding (like Woodlore, Nike, Apple)
- China aint that cheap in production anymore.
- Transport

[Paullyfuzz]

So in essence you are just paying for the name ?
Seems a fairly simple tent to manufacture . I would love to know what they actually cost to make. Do Tentipi keep it secret who they use to manufacture ?

[widu13]

...because currently people are still willing to pay that amount. When demand drops so will the price!

[Paullyfuzz]

Are they definitely made in china ?

[Rob]

I have 2 and am still happy that i spent the money one them.

I have a 5 man arran light, which i got when they were still called moskoselkatan - in about 2000. It has seen some heavy use, but is still going strong. I have had a 7 man canvass one for a fair few years as well.

[mikew]

We have a Zirkon 7 and for us it was money well spent. There isn't really anything else that compares for less money. If there was, then maybe the price would be lower?

[Nonsuch]

Thought they were made in Estonia or somewhere in the Baltics in their own facility. It would be a big move if they have switched to China. Mind you I think it can be argued that China manufacturing now turns out the best outdoor gear (eg Terra Nova for one)!

[Andy BB]

Kifaru in the US are similarly priced.

[Badger74]

Well, looking at their Classic canvas tents and the prices, I'd look at re-enactment tent makers and get something at a third of the price for something similar. Victor James and Past tents are the most known in the UK.

[myotis]

As far as I understand it, they brought the manufacturing back to Sweden because of quality issues. Tentipi stated they had done this after a period of quality problems some years ago.

Now, it seems the top of the range Safirs are still made in Sweden, but the cheaper models are made in Tentipis own factory in China.

I don't think their is any doubt that Tentipi make Tentipi, either in their own factory in Sweden or their own factory in China.

I've had mine (a Safir) for just on twelve months, the first one came with faulty guy fixing, a buckle came apart in my hand and it leaked. This was replaced.

The second one has been Ok, but the groundsheet has developed strange holes which seem to be a result of ground beetles eating through it. This was in the garden where several tents have been pitched with no problems.

More recently the pole bent like a banana in what seemed to be only moderate winds, again this was in the garden, and I have had several other tents (nomad Masai, golite shrangrila 5 and mad bear tipi) in much stronger winds with no problem. Tentipi via Taunton Leisure sold me a replacement at half price.

I also recently bought the new porch whic, because if design problems, was unusable. Tentipi offered an indequate fix for the problem , and Taunton Leasure, on behalf of their customers refused to accept this as a solution and offered their customers their money back.

Overall, not that impressed, but I still like the tent, and if you want a polycotton tipi, there is no choice, you have to buy a tentipi. I am hoping that with time, I can put these issues behind me, and become as enthusiastic about my Tentipi as others seem to be about theirs.

As regards the price, have a look at the prices for De Waard tents, they make Tentipi look cheap.

Graham

[baggins]

There is another good quality Polycotton lavvu on the market. i've had a Bison Tundra 8 now for 6 years. It is absolutely bomb proof for half the price (stood up to the torrential rain and 70mph winds up in north wales 5 years ago). Ok, it doesn't have the impressive venting system and the floor is an expensive extra (which i've heard isn't that good), but that aside i'm really happy with mine and reckon it has a good many years of use in it.

[myotis]

There is another good quality Polycotton lavvu on the market. i've had a Bison Tundra 8 now for 6 years. It is absolutely bomb proof for half the price (stood up to the torrential rain and 70mph winds up in north wales 5 years ago). Ok, it doesn't have the impressive venting system and the floor is an expensive extra (which i've heard isn't that good), but that aside i'm really happy with mine and reckon it has a good many years of use in it.

I didn't realise these were still available, do you have a link to the supplier?

The Tentipi floors are extortionate,the "cheap" one is a couple of hundred pounds.

Graham

[Paullyfuzz]

Bison aren't made any more are they ?

[Andy BB]

Not a laavu, and I don't think they make them any more, but a good approximation in polycotton was the Vango Peace series. Bullet-proof floor sewn-in too. And at under £100 (I got mine new (the 500) at run-out price under £50!) a pretty good bargain. None of the faff of putting it up either - 5 minutes and good to go.

[Scots_Charles_River]

http://www.madbearoutdoors.co.uk/pro...hp?prod=Tundra

[myotis]

http://www.madbearoutdoors.co.uk/pro...hp?prod=Tundra

Unfortunately, Mad Bear ceased trading a couple of years ago. Virtually nothing is in stock, so I am guessing the web site us still up to clear out any remaining stock.

Graham

[Mikey P]

Regardless of where the product is made, it is the materials used, the quality of the workmanship and the skill of the operator, whether it's China, US, UK, Europe, wherever. A lot of Paramo kit is made in South America and it is still quality gear.

Patagonia gear is quite expensive, but they have ethical commitments which cost money. Arc-teryx are v expensive, as are Kifaru, but quality is second to none.

So, some people don't mind spending the money on something which they feel is fit for purpose, will last and will do what they want it to do.

The alternate is to buy cheap knock-off stuff off eBay where someone who lacks original thought has merely tried to copy someone else's design and sell it for peanuts. It might last. It might not. Regardless, it's not ethical.

[Paullyfuzz]

I'm not against spending money on a quality product, but when you actually look at a Tentipi, or any other lavuu or Tipi, they ain't exactly complicated to manufacture are they, all straight seems and easy pattern cutting.

I'm told Tentipi work on at least 100% mark up .

[MartinK9]

Unfortunately, Mad Bear ceased trading a couple of years ago. Virtually nothing is in stock, so I am guessing the web site us still up to clear out any remaining stock.

Graham

I got mine off a member here, fantastic lavvu.

[lucan]

I'm not against spending money on a quality product, but when you actually look at a Tentipi, or any other lavuu or Tipi, they ain't exactly complicated to manufacture are they, all straight seems and easy pattern cutting.

I'm told Tentipi work on at least 100% mark up .

It's usually the same with most things, Yes it may be of a better quality than others of that make , But , If it is sold by a company with a well know brand name That alone hikes the price up further.

[Mikey P]

I'm told Tentipi work on at least 100% mark up .

I think that's fairly typical for the outdoor industry. I guess it's why they can discount so much in sales and at the end of the season and still make a profit. My mantra is 'never pay full price for anything' - there's always a deal or a discount but, yeah, sometimes the prices can make you wince. I guess it's the going rate for quality stuff.

[mikew]

Another nice thing about Tentipi (for me anyway) is that we were able to walk into a shop and look at them before buying, and can have a face to face conversation about how best to use them with people who do use them. The Helsport tents look on a par but not made of polycotton.

[rik_uk3]

Simple design but well made and they don't sell thousands every week so I would think they work on a high mark up. People blame China for tat kit but remember, they make according to the remit given. You place an order and instruct what materials etc so first port of call for blame should be the brand owner.

[Shewie]

Remember the canvas ones AndyWink made a few years ago Paul, I think he struggled to keep the price low after the cost of the fabric and the man hours to stitch it all together.

After having a few days chilling at Comrie in the winter I really fancy getting a tipi someday, like you it's the cost that puts me off.

[bushscout1]

I've had a 7 man Arran for a few years now, and I must say my experience has been without issue. The quality of materials & construction is solid.

It's like a lot of things which need to be put into perspective, there are cheaper tents but you get what you pay for. It's probably more appropriate that we consider the value we get (ie lifetime & amount of use for the cost). I must admit that I for one have spent reasonable amounts of money on items which I haven't used / won't get much use from, so were they good value?

Many of us would be willing to spend more on a good quality royalex canadian canoe if we had the money, but would probably just accept the cost as there's not much to compare with other than cheaper brands or heavier materials. With a canvas tipi there's actually a lot more material than you'd think which will require a lot of work to manufacture to the quality & standards tentipi do.

I visited the Bushcraft Show a couple os weeks back and saw an alternative UK manufacturer of canvas tipis called Green Outdoor (www.greenoutdoor.co.uk) I only had a brief look as I wasn't in the market for one but they looked nice on brief inspection. I haven't compared prices / materials / build quality hence I am not drawing any conclusions about value, just thought I'd share another option which doesn't look to have been mentioned in the thread yet.

I'd recommend to anyone who will get the use out of a tipi to justify it's purchase that you won't regret the purchase of a good quality canvas unit which should last years.

[Scots_Charles_River]

Has anyone got a green one ?

They certainly look well thought out and have lots of good details.

[norca]

Helsport tipi ive had for 6 years best ive had light and pack small

[mousey]

I haven't read all this thread, but after seeing other bits of equipment and thinking "that's expensive" [or I could alter it to suit my purpose better] I've gone and made a version myself - sure I've saved in pure money terms [with materials to produce one] but the time it takes to fabricate/ design /think about it I would be turning a loss.

The next time you think it's expensive try making one yourself.