Bigfoot 4000T in -30 equals epic fail!

[WalleyeJeff]

I work at a national sporting goods retailer. Clam has some serious issues this year. We have had multiple returns for the XL 2000 and XL 4000 T (roof poles to long) will collapse. Zippers are dump. One new unit with broken window! (set up when cold) That's just the "Hub" style. With the sled style we have had many returns or requests due to missing parts. We have had an issue with all styles this year. I would rate the Clam products at the bottom. The Reps give us an email for responses! I will no longer promote Clam along with some of our staff.

[ZachD]

I agree about window height ... I was just thinking the same thing while sitting in my jm 5000 thermal....

also on the thermal it would be awesome if it hand a couple velcro spots you could hold the door up with out zipping it up for when you are strictly tip up fishing.. i rigged something up with some 50 50 cord for the one day because i dont like unzipping two different zippers to get out of the house to run after the flag...

the house stayed warm enough for me with out it zipped and just holding it up in place this was in -20 weather and the heater on low

[Corey Bechtold]

I just said the exact same thing to the guys in the customer service department! A Velcro flap for fast access wod be awesome!

As far as the other issues they are being looked at. Clam as a company is growing and trying to improve all the time. Hearing the issues others have been having will help them improve. They have the right people in place over there and look for better things from Clam soon!

Thanks for all your patience,

Corey Bechtold

[CAMAN]

Corey I'd believe they are trying to improve things such as their windows breaking if it just started happening, but it has been going on for at least 20 years now and they are still using the same cheap vinyl for their windows. Which proves to me they care about nothing but the bottom line.

[expl]

I know someone who has gone thru three of these clam hub houses,broken poles,broken zippers,broken windows.they replaced the last two for him free of charge,which is nice,he hasnt had a chance to contact them on the third one yet.These were over the course of a few years,so i see no product improvement whatsoever.You coudnt pay me to take one of these houses,everything I hear about them is they are garbage.The velcro on the windows in my otter that is over five years old seals just fine,no leaks and no broken windows either.

[fishnowworknever]

I've owned clam, frabil, eskimo and otter and I have to agree with the majority here that clam has really fallen off the QA/QC train. Their customer service is what put the final nail in the coffin for me the other year. Won't give them any more of my $.

[muskie hunter]

Corey can you please tell clam to make velcro windows on the shacks next year, and offer thermal options with black cloth on the inside not spray on the thermal shacks, and also offer them without black interior coating? This way amglers can get their shacks perfect for the way they like them.

[Corey Bechtold]

My dad has an Otter that has had plenty of issues too. Bad zippers /can't close the door at all unless it's over 40 degrees. Poles (the square ones) that can't even extend to the lock pin because the fabric is so incredibly tight. I cut the hell out of my hand trying to help him set it up. It's funny how blood never seems to stop when it's cold outside...

I know that nothing is perfect in this world. Otherwise there wouldn't be a Bible, repair shops or a need for customer service. Ice fishermen are definitely the hardest on their equipment.

The reason I know Clam is going to be improving is because I have met the new people that are working there and know they genuinely care and want to improve.

Let's hope for bigger better things from Clam in the future!

Good fishing,

Corey Bechtold

[cableguy2]

I still don't get it, Clam was working on the QA/QC last year too. Now a year later same complaints.

[CAMAN]

Yes I agree nothing is perfect, the problem is Clam likely has known their windows break and has obviously never done anything to change it for at least 20 years. They use the cheapest vinyl they can use and the consumer is stuck with it because more than likely it will be out of warranty when it breaks. Compare Clam windows side by side with Otter and you will notice a huge difference.

BTW - those zippers can be lubed to make it much easier to use, run a candle along the teeth and work it in with the slider a few times. Works great.

Also the tightness of the fabric has more to do with how it got originally installed on the sled, and as far as I know Otter doesn't install the fabric at the factory. Either the store or the consumer assembles them. It can be fixed, just need to remove the fabric from the sled attachment and adjust.

[CAMAN]

I still don't get it, Clam was working on the QA/QC last year too. Now a year later same complaints.

And the year before that, and the year before that......

[Coryy]

Come on guys! Let's keep this civil.

I have seen a lot of different houses in the stores and on the ice and Clam is certainly not alone in the market when it comes to issues, but that is true with any product that is manufactured by humans. There are no perfect formulations in fabric, windows etc that will handle temperature swings of over 100deg.

I have personally seen competitor's shelters on display that had broken poles, ripped tarps, and bent wall support knuckles.

No company is perfect, however I do know the people at Clam and every one of them is committed to quality and to customer service. I wouldn't be associated with a company that didn't believe in its product, people, and pros.

[expl]

Huh,must be a couple guys that get clam freebies or discount to be so defensive of them.Yes every product has its issues regardless of the company that manufactures it,but when I know someone who has gone thru 3 in a matter of 2 years.He barely fishes but 10 times a winter at the most,something isnt rite,and thats just 1 guy,how many more guys is there with problems. Im going on 5 years with the same otter and not 1 issue at all,zero none,poles work fine,zipper stays zipped and unzips when used,and I fish at least 4 days a week if not more.Just sayin.

[Corey Bechtold]

That's nice. But what Cory is saying is to try and keep civil. Clam is working on making things better. So is Frabill, Otter, Strikemaster, Vexilar, Marcum, Humminbird, etc. have other companies had issues? Probably. Do they take care of their customers? Most likely.

This thread is good but jumping in just to grind an axe doesn't help at all.

Good fishing,

Corey Bechtold

[deerminator]

I hear you on the windows. It's the only thing I don't like about the 4000. I had some issues with it last year - zippers, no net sewn in the ceiling, wrong size (!), etc. But they quickly made good on everything, sending me new zipper rings that work great, two very nice storage pocket systems that clip onto my hub poles, and an entirely new shelter due to that size mix up. The shelter has always performed great and we really like it. Sure there were some bugs, but these hubs haven't been around that long and they are quick to react when they know something isn't right. I would buy another Clam in a heartbeat and I say buy, because I am not on staff nor do I get freebies, etc.

[CAMAN]

Grinding an axe huh? Yeah let the fellas at Clam keep telling you they are fixing things. I'll keep buying Otters or whatever suits me best, but until Clam fixes the persistent problems I will be staying away.

BTW. ..I used to like Clam, I've had two of their shelters, I've got a gray Ice Armor suit which is awesome, 3 pairs of IA gloves which are OK, IA boots which are waterproof but not as warm as they could be(my slightly undersized lightweight Baffin Snosports are considerably warmer), and probably a few other things that I'm blanking on at the moment. I'm not saying the employees of Clam are bad at their job, I'm saying the execs who make the design decisions (pinch pennies) need to actually use their equipment in the real life conditions ice fishermen encounter daily.

You know what they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Maybe this will get them to change.

[Jeff Andersen]

I have much appreciation for someone who is looking for a product that will perform in the field. I work with Clam as a promotional angler and also provide input on product development and improvements. I'm also a fishing guide and also expect my equipment to perform. I can tell you the that what is said here doesn't go unheard. With that said I fish with many anglers that fish with all products mentioned and ALL have had issues. The fact that when it's -30 below stuff just simple breaks, plastic especially. Is there a better window? Possibly and I'm sure they have looked into that.

Clam has stepped up their customer service with people who spend their time on ice just like all of us. I have three pop up style houses for the past three years and have never had an issue but I bring them in each night and dry them out after each use. I have also had an X2 that I have abused over and over with not one issue.

Hope everyone is setting lots of hooks this winter!

[Mistermojo]

I'm not a Clam basher nor Clam shelter owner anymore, just an observer of what I think is going on in the marketplace. To me, it seems like Clam is trying to keep up with the Rapalas of the world by selling many different things like ATV trailers and fish batter. Even some of their accessories are just rebadged chinese stuff that the price is jacked up on - I can find the little magnetic LED lights for $1.99 at the tool place that advertises with 20% off coupons.

Maybe they grew too fast and lost sight of their core market trying to come up with the newest and flashiest every season? Pick a handful of designs and get it right. For goodness sake, there are 6 different models of Fish Trap 1-man flip overs. How about 1 thermal and 1 non thermal?

And while they're at it, crank up the production on the Arctic Warrior Tip-up - that thing seems like it's never in stock.

[MNCPRGUY]

I have had a few issues with Clam quality control on my JM thermal X and my Bigfoot. Is it frustrating? Sure, but Clam has always made it right. I have visited with the folks from Clam and I am a supporter of their products. I started this thread simply to highlight the problem I had and seek input for repair solutions. There may be better design options and I am sure Clam is taking all of this feedback in, but it isn't getting me any closer to a long term solution for my hub with three large holes in it!

I emailed Clam yesterday. While I have not received a response yet, I am sure I will. In the interim, I duct taped the holes and it held up admirably on Devil's Lake in 50 mph wind gusts 3 days ago. Also, to Jeff's comment, the house is always stored dry. I have a heated garage and always dry my gear thoroughly after use. The shelter was stored in its bag in my covered truck box prior to deployment but moisture was not a contributing factor to the windows breaking in this case. I am sure it is possible to construct a bulletproof shelter that will withstand the extreme temperatures and regular abuse but that likely comes at a cost and added weight. While some may be willing to accept these, I suspect Clam did it's market research and is simply trying to meet the average consumer's demand.

[SwivelDigger]

I bought a new thermal X last year. When I went to put it together it was missing some parts.....quite a few actually. Contacted customer service and got them copy of receipt etc.....and waited....and waited....and waited. Contacted again as it was around X-mas and I knew they were swamped.....and waited....and waited.....and waited ( seeing a pattern here?). Contacted them again and was assured by Friday I would have my parts.....waited until the next Tuesday and called again.....finally after roughly 7 weeks I got the parts I needed to finish putting the house together. Did they make it right? Yep, I got the parts. Was I impressed with the customer service? Nope.....on the bright side by the time I got it ready to go out on the ice the ice was about gone so it's just like I had a new house 2 years in a row. Would I buy another clam product? Possibly because I like the house, haven't had any issues with it since, but I was not impressed with the response time. The woman who I dealt with the first 3 times I contacted them was definitely NOT one who ice fishes. Finally the last time I got someone who actually gave a $&@!.

But I don't think it is just Clam, I'm sure all the companies have their issues. Hopefully it will get better, it has to or they will lose a lot of customers.

[Coryy]

Quote:

I'm not saying the employees of Clam are bad at their job, I'm saying the execs who make the design decisions (pinch pennies) need to actually use their equipment in the real life conditions ice fishermen encounter daily.

I can tell you that the people that work at CLAM (including the Execs) do use the equipment and put it to the test. Not only do they use it, but they also have a huge variety of Pro's testing the equipment in a huge variety of conditions.
Every company has it's issues, but this thread is not about that. This was to be a discussion about a particular problem that one person had with the windows on his shelter. Let's not stray from the topic here. We all have our products that we are loyal to and we all have our opinions/experiences that have caused us to go the direction we have. Let's get back on track and see what can't be done to resolve the issue at hand. A possible issue with the plastic on the windows of a hub shelter.
Please keep us informed on what Clam has done for you with the repair/replacement or overall resolution of the window issue.
Thank you

[DLD24]

I can pass that info on about the hight, but I need to ask. How tall are you guys and what are you sitting on? I sit on a Clam chair and don't have a problem looking out the windows but maybe I'm taller?

I think the reason for the location above the hub and not to the side is because of hole placement. Your more than likely not going to put your hole under the hub and can sit next to the window if needed.

You must be bigfoot or have to jump up into your chair if you can see out them windows haha..Also do you put the ice anchors on the inside of the shelter?? I didn't really pay real close attention, but I thought I saw straps on the inside for anchors...

[MNCPRGUY]

I received a response to my email late today. Pretty much just a canned response. The response stated they have a one year warranty and asked for more details including a copy of the receipt (which I don't have). I know that I purchased it in November 2012 so I suspect there won't be any recourse. Looks like I will be living with duct tape until I decide to purchase something else. Unless changes are made, it likely won't be another Clam.

[muskie hunter]

In my clam kenai the spray fell off and I got it warrantied and they replaced the tarp I then sold it and got the legend clam customer service was good though.

http://HotSpotOutdoors.com/forums/Ice-Fishing/discuss.cfm/106217/Clams-Canvas-Problems/

[Matt Johnson]

I have forwarded this topic to the team at Clam. We appreciate all the feedback and one thing Clam focuses hard on is to ensure the needs of the angler and customer are met. Not only will this topic be forwarded onto the right people at Clam but I will make a list of the points made in this topic and deliver them personally.

Also, mncprguy, I will follow up with you personally and make sure things are taken care of.

Thanks.