Kmart, Target, Aldi, Big W, and Funtek trampoline spare parts
Large department stores are typically known, across all their products from homewares to sporting equipment, to not support consumers with spare parts, trampolines are no different. On a daily basis, we get calls from their customers asking for help for their Target, Kmart, Aldi, Big W, etc trampoline bought two years ago or as recent as five days ago after some form of damage or deterioration.
Warranty
Departments stores are generally great if there is an immediate problem out of the box, typically it is a case of a simple replacement of the item for warranty in most circumstances. But if something isn’t a warranty like storm damage, or wear and tear, then you have a whole new problem on your hands.
A non-warranty problem, post trampoline purchase
- We are contacted daily by frustrated people who have trampolines whose suppliers don’t support their products with spare parts at all. There were Australian sports stores selling a unique style of American brand trampoline (Funtek).
- Funtek doesn't stock spare parts in Australia for its customers.
- This causes a lot of grief after an expensive purchase but with a common net problem.
- The shipping from America to get parts here is charged at a ridiculous amount.
Short term importers
- We know of people who bring in 40ft shipping containers of trampolines from one of the possible approximate 200+ trampoline factories in China. They typically bring in two or more sizes of trampolines at Christmas time and sell cheap trampolines via online shopping sites. They sell them all, then remove ads from selling platforms so they become unavailable post-Christmas for any parts or support.
- I heard this recently from a supplier in China who phones me regularly for a chat. He personally has a container on its way to Sydney now where he is selling the trampolines on a Chinese website site for Chinese nationals here in Australia. Sadly there will be no follow-up support for these customers, leaving them without any point of contact for spare parts.
Common post-purchase problems
- Unfortunately, for a number of families over a few years, the exact same problem occurred.
- The families purchased a department store trampoline that was assembled for Christmas. A mere 5 days later on New Year's Eve, hot sparklers landed across the mats burning a long hole in each of them. The mats were a unique spring count and size. We didn’t have anything to match and we were unable to find anyone else with a compatible mat either.
- This rendered the trampolines inoperable with the mat irreparable and irreplaceable. Extremely sad for those families affected.
- Definitely not viewed as being a warranty.
Storm damage and blowing away
- A big thing to help avoid the issue of needing trampoline parts is prevention.
- Be sure to secure the trampoline down using either a trampoline purpose anchor kit or something similar that can be made from materials found in most garden sheds and garages.
- The link on how to make your own anchor kit can be found here.
- So many problems come about because the trampoline has blown over or into something, resulting in tears in the netting and or the mat.
Environmental cost
- Many trampolines are sent to landfill way earlier than they need to be, only because some part not being available for customers to easily repair their trampolines.
- When customers phone and are seeking parts that we don’t have or we don’t know of any other supplier having a compatible part for them, I have a few suggestions to offer.
- We may have an idea where you can find it or with a bit of creativity, we can help you come up with a plan to modify and work around it.
- We care about our environment and if we can save any part from landfill, we will.
- You could be interested in some good ideas we have here - how you can recycle the parts of the trampoline too.
- Depending on the part in question this may be of help you today as well.
Ideas to get your trampoline back in action
Metal frame parts
Each trampoline factory makes to slightly different measurements, be it the shape of the tubing, the flanged tubing ends vary, some frame pieces have leg slots which also differ across brands, then there is the spring hole count per piece too etc.
- Take a piece that you want to be copied to a local fabricator/metal land.
- Many places can bend up a leg without too much drama. It may not be exact but it will do the job.
- Our local recycle depot keeps a range of trampoline frame pieces. Ask at your local recycle places.
- check out Facebook marketplace or Gumtree - someone could be giving a trampoline away that has the very piece you need!
Hardware
- Stores like Bunnings can be handy for fittings like clamps, screws and odd springs.
- They can also be very expensive. I think one trampoline spring at our local hardware was $12 (ours range from $2-$7).
Safety Net Enclosure
- Many of the department store trampolines are made from a poor material or not designed to last, they will have a low UV tolerance.
- In many cases, if the leg count is the same as most regular trampoline suppliers, a substitute can be found.
- It may mean buying a full net assembly with poles, but it will save the rest of the trampoline from the landfill.
- Likely you will need to be aware of the differences between inside and outside nets.
- A link to all our nets and full net assemblies with poles
Padding
- This is a pretty generic component.
- I am not saying it won’t be a problem, as there are times when we suggest people take their padding to an upholsterer or canvas repair place to have them repaired or have pads remade for their trampoline.
- Another option is purchasing new ones and we have a few tips on how to retrofit them as well.
- A blog link about quality GeeTramp padding with a video
Jumping Mat
Non-generic shaped trampolines - ovals and hexagons
- Additionally, there are some odd shapes and sized trampolines in the marketplace too.
- This can cause a cheap trampoline to become expensive very quickly.
- The wrong expensive ones become even more expensive.
Overall solution
- Be sure you and any friends or family do purchase from trampoline suppliers that can and will support you with spare parts.
- I write this article to inform you of these pitfalls, hopefully before purchase, as I do honestly talk daily to disappointed trampoline owners.
- Be aware of the fact that department store trampolines aren’t 100% compatible with many, and often any, independent trampoline parts suppliers.
- Also knowing that department stores don’t hold spare parts is important, particularly for any incidental damage by the kids or natural causes, even if the damage occurs a day or two after purchase.
Many callers tell me other suppliers have told them they need to buy a new trampoline. We start by seeing if and how we can help to fix it for free or minimal cost.
I hope this has been helpful! If you do need further help and or clarification please feel free to leave us a message or phone us on (03) 5292 1100.
Scroll further down the page for more articles relevant to buying spare parts for department store trampolines.
Photo - Flickr Pat (Cletch) Williams
