Problems with Antares tack- UPDATED

[jsjumper]

So I have a lovely Antares short girth (second from the bottom here- http://www.antares-sellier.com/index.php?category_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&Itemid=28). It’s been used VERY lightly, it looks practically new when cleaned up. But the elastic on one side has managed to almost completely separate from the center of the girth- the stitching connecting the elastic from that end of the girth to the center leather part of the girth has almost completely come undone… a few more stitches, and the whole side of the girth will come off (elastic & buckles). For a $250 girth, I’d think it would stay put a bit longer!

Has anyone had Antares tack fall apart like this? I’ve tried contacting the company and have not received a response. It was purchased directly from Antares, so there’s no buffer (like Smartpak) to try to resolve this through. Has anyone ever had similar issues resolving a tack problem with them? Not sure if there’s anything else I can do, and my local cobbler won’t touch it

[alto]

I’d not expect a $25 girth to do this!
Send Antares a strongly worded email, cc everyone you can find (sometimes Google will get you some alternate contacts, also go to Antares France for additional contacts), suggest that you and they are VERY lucky that their girth did not FAIL when you were actively riding …

If you have a relationship with SmartPak (or another vendor that deals in Antares) ask for their assistance in sorting this with Antares.

[Lucassb]

[QUOTE=JSjumper;7090599]
So I have a lovely Antares short girth (second from the bottom here- http://www.antares-sellier.com/index.php?category_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&Itemid=28). It’s been used VERY lightly, it looks practically new when cleaned up. But the elastic on one side has managed to almost completely separate from the center of the girth- the stitching connecting the elastic from that end of the girth to the center leather part of the girth has almost completely come undone… a few more stitches, and the whole side of the girth will come off (elastic & buckles). For a $250 girth, I’d think it would stay put a bit longer!

Has anyone had Antares tack fall apart like this? I’ve tried contacting the company and have not received a response. It was purchased directly from Antares, so there’s no buffer (like Smartpak) to try to resolve this through. Has anyone ever had similar issues resolving a tack problem with them? Not sure if there’s anything else I can do, and my local cobbler won’t touch it [/QUOTE]

Have you tried contacting Brad Van Kirk? I’ve always found him very responsive.

[FineAlready]

Long story short, yes, I’ve had major problems with Antares tack, and they have always done a very poor job of resolving issues.

[2ndyrgal]

Yes, brand new $$$$$$$$$ Anteres bridle.

Less than a month after purchase I was riding a rather disobedient 6 yr old gelding and as I pulled his head hard right, the rein (extra long, extra $$) snapped right behind the attachment to the bit. Not at a seam, in the middle of the rein.

I foxhunt and cannot imagine what would have happened in the hunt field. They did offer to replace them, but they “couldn’t get” the extra long reins, I was going to have to take a regular length. Which wasn’t going to do me any good, since my horse’s neck was not regular length.

I tried a saddle on vendor row down at KHP. Last day of the last show of the summer. Loved it. Tried to buy it right there. Guy Would Not Sell it, even though it was nicked and scratched from all the hauling around. Offered cash. “Pierre’” wouldn’t budge, said “you can either wait like everyone else or buy from someone else.”

I ordered a custom one from Richard Castelow. It was less money, better quality and Richard is a MUCH Nicer Guy.

I don’t like Anteres quality at all.

[jsjumper]

[QUOTE=FineAlready;7090839]
Long story short, yes, I’ve had major problems with Antares tack, and they have always done a very poor job of resolving issues.[/QUOTE]

Yeah… that’s the impression I’m getting. Well… no more Antares for me :no:

[jsjumper]

UPDATE: I was contacted shortly after posting by an Antares rep named Leslie who had been made aware of this thread. They don’t seem super happy about it & I felt a bit interrogated, but they have offered to repair the girth for free if I ship it to them in VA. Regardless, I appreciate the offer and am very happy that my lovely girth will live to see another ride
I’ll post an update once I’ve received it back repaired, hopefully it won’t take too long!

[alto]

Nice to get some response!
but if this girth is less than a year old, I’d expect a replacement girth not a repaired one - as for being “Not Happy”, this company needs to sort out their customer service & actually respond - your complaint is a common one (the Response Effect not the girth issue).

I do hope that after they examine the girth & repair it, they will send it back with some gift to offset your inconvenience and shipping costs.
Of course if it turns out to be an act of Mouse Vandalism (perhaps what Antares believes), then you can update this topic & applaud their generosity in repairing it free of charge.

(can you tell I also had zero response from them …and I was trying to buy a saddle :lol: - after 3 goes, I interpreted that as “not interested”)

[BAC]

[QUOTE=JSjumper;7091140]
UPDATE:
I’ll post an update once I’ve received it back repaired, hopefully it won’t take too long![/QUOTE]

Don’t hold your breath they used to send everything to France for repairs etc and it could take quite a while. I never had problems with my strap goods but agree with Lucassb about Brad Van Kirk, he has always been a pleasure to deal with.

[KateKat]

I had to get my saddle worked on a couple months ago and they were actually pretty awesome about getting it fixed relatively local to me (SoCal) and staying in touch. So, hopefully they will get the girth back to you quickly and are trying to improve the whole customer service experience.

[BeeHoney]

I’ve not had any issues. For a girth that is less than a year old and has been subjected to normal use…I agree they should replace it, not repair it. There shouldn’t be any excuses if you bought the girth directly from them. I can understand that they might want to confirm the date of purchase and inspect the girth in question prior to doing that.

[Appsolute]

Yeah, for a girth less than a year old, I would want a replacement as well (I mean come on, these girths costs many times more then a “regular” brand).

What are you supposed to use while they are repairing yours? If it were a car, you would get a loaner. Did they give you a time frame?

[LastCall9]

I had an issue with an Antares bridle that I purchased through a local tack shop. I purchased the bridle near the end of the show season and then my horse went lame. I didn’t end up using it that year and when I went to oil it for the first time the next spring, lo and behold it was missing a cheek piece!!!

My local store contacted Antares to see whether they could order just a cheek piece (or even 2). I was willing to pay. Antares was unresponsive, and said they didn’t and couldn’t do such a thing.

I then started sending inquiries to the general Antares website. The Rep from my area responded. After she went back and forth with the “Powers that Be” in France a set of new cheek pieces arrived at my door approximately 2 months later.

Although it was a major headache at the time, my local rep really went to bat for me and somehow convinced Antares to send her a couple of pieces (which they initially said they were unwilling to do). Because of her efforts I purchased a set of their leather jumping boots. Luckily both the boots and bridle have held up well for me.

[jsjumper]

[QUOTE=Appsolute;7091262]
Did they give you a time frame?[/QUOTE]

No… I didn’t ask, didn’t want to push it

[Star_s_Ascent]

Question for you all with saddles. I just ordered a custom saddle (something I never thought I would do!) When you have gotten a loaner have you had to pay for it? I’ve seen people talk about getting loaners but have never seen anyone say anything about paying. I had one on trial and took it with me to Southern Ca since we were heading down there and were in the same area as the rep (we currently don’t have one on this end of the state) Saddle on trial wasn’t quite what I needed so I took the plunge and ordered. He told me to see if they would let me keep that one as a loaner. I was told I could for $800 and would be refunded $500 after I returned it. I don’t know if it’s just because I had a saddle from the used part of the company or if this is normal procedure. Needless to say I’m not made out of money and after forking out ungodly amounts for a custom saddle I don’t want to lose that $300 and have nothing to show for it other than adding another $300 onto the price of the saddle I’m buying and the interest I will be paying on the credit card too!

[jsjumper]

I’ve been asked to update this thread- I received the repaired Antares girth back from the company a few weeks ago, and it is now fully functional once again

[TheJenners]

Wow…you were blackmailed with your own property? Nice Antares, nice.

[shojumpin]

[QUOTE=TheJenners;7144230]
Wow…you were blackmailed with your own property? Nice Antares, nice.[/QUOTE]

^^^^ Lol

[Tha_Ridge]

[QUOTE=TheJenners;7144230]
Wow…you were blackmailed with your own property? Nice Antares, nice.[/QUOTE]

That was my first thought too.

[vxf111]

[QUOTE=JSjumper;7144053]
I’ve been asked to update this thread- I received the repaired Antares girth back from the company a few weeks ago, and it is now fully functional once again :D[/QUOTE]

Wow. Customer service it its best. They interrogated you because their item fell apart and then held that repaired (not replaced, repaired) item hostage until you told the masses they dun good.

Did they cavity search you too? I hope they read you your Miranda rights!