March 2025


www.nitravelnews.com h the Hype?


Community’ . The welcome message on the ‘About’ section reads: “Welcome to


the


T entBox Community! This is a fun place to connect with like-minded TentBoxers and share TentBox pictures, videos, stories, t r a v e l plans,


tips


and tricks.” Sounds good right?


Well… here’s


where things get tricky.


After coming home and having so many issues, not only with the TentBox,


but also


with the Living Pod, I joined The TentBox Community Facebook page hoping that someone on there could maybe give me some insight into whether this was normal, if we really were doing


something wrong or if it was an issue only with our TentBox. However, I soon learned that while TentBox say the group is a ‘place to connect with like-minded TentBoxers’ and ‘share tips and tricks’, sharing any kind of issue you are having with the TentBox or any of the additional setup add-ons was strictly forbidden.


The Facebook group is heavily monitored by TentBox and all posts need to be pre-approved. Comments on approved posts are also heavily policed. Saying anything remotely negative about any of the products is not allowed. So rather than being a community where you can ask other TentBox owners for some quick help, if something is normal or if you are right to raise a complaint about issues you are having, in reality it is actually only a place to showcase the TentBox brand in the best light, controlled by the TentBox PR machine. The only kind of issues you are allowed to talk about in the group are things like “I can’t find a mattress cover that fits my TentBox” or “how can I hang my ipad up inside to watch a movie at night?”. A quick search on Trustpilot and you


can find some others that have had similar issues with the ‘Community’ Facebook page. In a reply to ‘Darren’, who complained that TentBox’s “control over social media pages is extreme and they do not like criticism” TentBox said: “We try to make our Facebook community pages a safe and inclusive place for our TentBoxers to talk about their latest adventures, share tips and ideas, and hopefully make some friendly new connections. We prefer to take any customer service issues offline and talk directly through our customer service channels; after all, each situation is different. We understand this is different from some other brands, but it is intentional.” In our experience, the issue with this


Finally… a Solution?


A few days after we returned from our camping trip we heard back from TentBox. They offered to send us the longer version of the Living Pod (which was designed for vans), however I explained that unless the ground sheet on the longer one could be attached to the side panels, then this was of no use to us. We needed something secure where animals couldn’t easily get inside. TentBox then offered us a refund, asking that I pack up the Living Pod. They said they would then send a courier to collect it.


While I had the customer service rep in a


chat, I again mentioned the issue we were having with the fold out base not fitting securely into the channel and sent a picture of the base which was now bowing out. The rep assured me he would get back to me after reviewing the image.


Later that week I received an email to say that after reviewing the images of the issues we were having with the TentBox, they had concluded that it was a manufacturing issue and that they would replace it free-of-charge. They asked that we package up the Tentbox and they would send a courier to collect it. When I asked how we were to package the TentBox, the customer service rep said they would send us bubble wrap to use. We waited for the bubble wrap to arrive, but with no sign of it by the end of the week, we sent another message to TentBox to see if they could track the package. A few days later we were notified that the package was marked as lost and that TentBox were sending us a new package. It took two weeks, but eventually the bubble wrap arrived and we wrapped up the living pod. The TentBox itself was trickier. It required two people to lift it off the car and between my husband’s 12 hour work shifts and the weather, it took us another two


weeks before we


could get it off the car and wrapped for the courier. Then it was just a matter of waiting for the new TentBox to arrive. By now it was late August, the end of the camping season for us. By the time the new TentBox arrived, we decided it was better to store it in the garage for the winter and put it up fresh the following April.


We have not opened the new TentBox


yet, trusting that our issues were genuinely a one-off manufacturing issue and not an overall issue with the model. We have no way of really knowing if others have had this experience with the Lite XL due to the restrictions on social media. We remain hopeful that this season we


will be able to properly enjoy the TentBox without any of last year’s issues.


The Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens


We recommend a stop at The Hidden Ground Coffee Cart at


the Beaghmore Stone Circles, Cookstown


Easter Market at Castle Ward


THE LOCAL TOURIST | 43


approach is that it is difficult to contact TentBox’s customer service. You are waiting on their convenience to get back to you, and that can take up to 48 hours. You can’t just lift the phone and speak to a customer service rep or log into an online chat. This is extremely frustrating. Having an online community where you can ask these questions of other TentBoxers would be much better, even if it was just providing reassurance.


The evenings are getting lighter and the weather is getting brighter and with Easter on the horizon there’s lots of exciting events and activities to look forward to. Whether you fancy embarking on an easter egg hunt at a local museum, taking part on a scavenger hunt at a farm, or following footsteps along an easter trail - there’s plenty of options to choose from. Here are some of our top picks which are guaranteed to entertain everyone, including the big kids!


The Enchanted Easter Egg Factory


Step into the magical world of The Enchanted Easter Egg Factory at Navan Centre & Fort this Easter! Discover the fantastical factory of Mrs. Grumpalot in our spellbinding stage show, followed by a fun-filled Easter trail and themed craft activity. This is a story of a place where Easter dreams come true... and where not everything is as sweet as it seems! At the heart of the factory is the villainous Grumpalot,


Mrs. Easter Trail at The Jungle NI a cranky and cunning


factory manager, who is on a mission to steal all of the Easter magic for herself!


Immerse yourself in the magical world of The Jungle’s Easter Trail, where forest fairies and elves bring magic to life. Find your way by following the clues and solving the puzzles along the enchanted forest trail. You will be greeted and entertained along the way with a selection of brand new characters who will interact with you to make this a much more immersive and magical trail than ever before!


Head to Castle Ward National Trust for the exciting Easter Market on 19, 20, and 21 April.


Explore a vibrant array of unique crafts and delicious foods offered by talented local artisans and vendors. From handmade gifts to delightful treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The market promises to be a fantastic family-friendly event,


featuring


entertainment that will keep the little ones engaged and smiling. Don’t forget—the Easter Trail runs alongside the market, giving kids the perfect chance to let off steam after exploring all the fantastic stalls!


Easter Egg Hunt Trail with Easter Bunny & Alpacas


Step into a world of Easter magic at this whimsical event at Ballyburren Outdoor Activity Centre!


Join the White Rabbit as your guide on a delightful journey through our trail, where kids will embark on an egg hunt, discovering clues that lead to hidden wonders. Families will meet some fun characters, receive their free Easter egg, and indulge in hot or cold drinks paired with delightful cakes and traybakes. Capture the joy and meet our Easter alpacas for a truly memorable experience.


Easter Themed Cake Decorating Workshop at Ballycopeland Windmill


Get ready for a fun and festive Easter Themed Cake Decorating Workshop designed just for kids!


In this hands on class with Bronagh from Bakehouse NI Cookery School, children will get creative as they decorate their very own Easter-inspired cake, using colourful icing, sprinkles, and a variety of edible decorations. With a maximum of 10 participants, each child will receive personal guidance while exploring different decorating techniques in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. Whether it’s bunnies, eggs, or springtime flowers, their imagination can run wild!


Hop into spring with the Lindt GOLD BUNNY Hunt, back by popular demand! Explore the stunning gardens, spot the hidden GOLD BUNNY statues, and uncover the secret clues to earn a delicious Lindt GOLD BUNNY 10g chocolate treat.*


After your adventure, relax in the café with a tasty treat or nutritious lunch. On Easter Monday (21 April) and Easter Tuesday (22 April) join us for kite- making fun!


Check out www.discovernorthernireland.com for full list of what’s on across NI this Easter


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