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Zip Dee Problems..

Yahoo Message Number: 98836
I am not a fan of this company right now.  I need help.  I left the awning open when it rained and bent the awning roller.  I guess it cant get wet.  I called zip dee with my coach information, and zip dee serial number, and coach number. and no Zip Dee keeps no records.  They went over a lengthy way to measure and figure out what I have, then told me I needed a crimp tool and springs.  Ah yeah no, so I asked them for a real good dealer which does a lot of work on awnings, since one of my topper seams split, and I wanted to get all work done.
They gave me Out door mart, outside Greenboro NC which is about 2 hours from me.  I made an appoint to strighten the roller (or see if they can) and order other materials.  they gave me an appointment.  They took about an hour to tell me that they wouldnt even try to strighten the awning tube.  (I understand)  Well they measured, but not not zip dee said.  Then they sent me on my way telling me they will call with pricing.
They did call me back and gave me a what I thought a very reasonable price.  To reasonable, so I told them to email me the quote and I'll pay for the material and we will put it together.  Never got the email, would not give me anything in writing, and told me to come back so they and remeasure.  I tried to explane that I just drove 5 hours there and back and about $100 in fuel.  I didnt want to do that again for them to practices on me.
I called Zip Dee to complain about how they sent me 5 hours to someone who could do it, so I asked what they could do for me.  They were stunned, and told me that They can give me another dealer off the web site, or I can fix it myself.. (Wow great customer service)  So I asked if I drove to there factory would they make the repairs.  They said they will not work on them.  Can't say I blame them..  I dont want to work on this P.O.S either.  So I hear there the best, but again I am not impressed.
Can anyone help,  I am in the charlotte area, is there anyone had any of there fabric repaired at a place that they were impressed with.  It does not have to be the cheapest, looking for knowledgeable staff.

Thanks
Bob

Re: Zip Dee Problems..

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98838
BOB, We had a very similar experience with Zip Dee about 6 Months ago..Thankfully, we live in a city by the sea (Jacksonville, Florida) and there are lots of Marine Canvas shops here. I called three and got different prices, all within 150.00 of each other.
Mu spouse removed the canvas(takes awhile) and we took it to the shop. they sold us top of the line Sunbrella  that totally matches the colors on the coach(about 45 various colors and stripes as well as 4 designs). The total price for the canvas and labor was less than half the Zip Dee prices .
It was time consuming and annoying but together, we were able to install the new canvas our selves.. Like I said not easy but can be done. It took us most of a day but saved us Thousands. Definitely a two person job..
Works perfectly and we Love the new look. I can send you photos if you like.
Our daughter lives in Charlotte and we will be up there around January 8-10 for a Month.
Zip Dee is more sturdy and they do appear to remain a LOT straighter than other awnings. We really love ours.
Carol and Steven
98 CC Magna

Re: Zip Dee Problems..

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98839
We have had a couple of small repairs on our 3 Zip Dee awnings.  They were all done by a local repair place with no issues at all.  I have to stick up for Zip Dee a bit as I think they make very sturdy awnings.  I have had them on the last two motor homes I have owned.  To me they seem far better built than Carefree ones which are on a lot of Country Coaches.  We have left our Zip Dee awnings out in awful conditions with lots of rain and wind, and they have survived with no problems.  Our fabric is the original Sunbrella which is absolutely by far the best awning material in my opinion.  For our large awning with have a Girard.  I works pretty good most of the time but seems far more fragile than the Zip Dee.  The Girard has auto retract and the Zip Dee's are manual.

We have never contact Zip Dee directly.  We also had Sunbrella on our last sail boat.  Great fabric.

Bob & Barbara
2002 Affinity 42'
Jeep Wrangler 2013
Airedale dog 2012

I am too old to list age.

Re: Zip Dee Problems..

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98840
We got hit with a serious wind storm that bent the roller. It had a bow of 1 foot in the middle and by following the instructions in the manual, a friend helped me straighten it out. As long as there is no kink in the roller, it can be straightened.

Don

'02 Intrigue 11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: Zip Dee Problems..

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98857
Thanks for the information,  I did get a quote from Anna awning in Hickory NC for $2.50 a square foot.  I hear a lot of people like there zip awing, and maybe expect to much.  I just thought if they are so great the roller tube should not have bent from a little rain.  But I guess if that happens to anyone its hard to keep a positive frame of mind.
So now I guess I will have to get someone to put the fabric on.  I will keep my journey in finding out how to do awnings.
If anyone els has prices, or ideas please chime in.

Thanks
Bob

03 Allure 40 Tag  #30814