If the retailer is not prepared to refund your money then take them to court. The threat of small claims action should be enough to change the retailer mind. It wouldn’t cost you much to raise an action, in fact you can start it online if it is for a fixed amount. More info about Small Claims.

The things is if the retailer is being intransigent then you have to show him that you know your rights and, not only that, you are willing to pursue the matter further. Your claim is certainly not vexatious so it would definitely go to court if the retailer didn’t give you your money back. So go back armed with this info and see what he says.

we bought a £700 tent in March and there were problems with the poles not coming apart without extreme force. We asked for an exchange and exchanged for a different tent of the same brand. we went camping in cornwall in august and after 2 days the awning broke and the tent flysheet ripped. we contacted the company with details and dates, they said there was nothing they could do because when we were camping there was ‘severe’ weather and they also suggested that we tensioned our guy ropes too tightly. I replied, arguing that other tents in our field withstood the weather well, including cheap tents. Also we have camped in worse weather in our previous tent without problems. The retailer then said they would contact the manufacturer who refused to admit fault but offered to foot half the repair bill. Is this the best we can expect? We are so disappointed in the tent that we do not want to go camping in it again, we would only try to sell it after repair, to try to recoup some of the money.