 What To Do If You Have Problems With Your KitWe firmly believe that we offer the very best quality and value for money in cricket equipment for the young cricketer. However, you will only get true value for money if your purchases perform properly and last well.
We therefore offer a one year warranty on all of our equipment and we will cover any and all damage resulting from poor workmanship and over and above that which could be reasonably attributed to fair wear and tear - in other words, anything that is not believed to be the fault of the customer. Warranty cover may involve professional repair, replacement, or full or partial credit, as appropriate.
In the event of any problems, please contact us so that we can review the situation and arrive at an appropriate course of action - we are always fair and balanced, and we will do everything we possibly can to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the customer.
Bats
This is by far the trickiest and potentially contentious area as any use of the bat to strike a cricket ball will result in damage on some level - each and every flowing cover drive inexorably hastens its demise. A bat is designed to be hit only with the sweet spot - the centre of the blade, some four to eight inches above the toe. Whilst unrealistic, hitting the ball with any other part of the bat is 'not recommended' and is likely to increase the damage caused. Regrettably this is the fault of the user and is unlikely to be covered under warranty.
A measure of surface cracking is common and is normally a sign that the bat will perform well. Cracks that spead across two or more grains are more sinister, but can usually be repaired. They are not necessarily a sign of a defective bat and are more often caused by insufficient knocking in or a mistimed shot striking the edge or toe of the bat.
In the unlikely event that your bat does sustain damage the first and most important step is to stop using it...immediately. There is a good chance that it can be repaired, but this is only a possibility providing any damage is kept to a minimum.
However, by no means all types of damage will be covered by warranty; all of our bats are guaranteed against premature breakage for a period of one year from date of purchase but this presumes proper preparation and ongoing care, as well as reasonable use. The type of damage, and the age and condition of the bat will be the determining factors for warranty cover. Where we do take action under warranty this may include a repair in preference to a full or partial credit, or a replacement.
We also offer a chargeable bat repair service in cases where the bat is repairable but not covered by warranty. Please contact us for more details and prices.
For indicative purposes, the following types of damage are typical:
| Symptom | Caused By | Remedial Action | | Surface cracks on the face of the bat | Normal wear and tear | Will not affect the performance of the bat and unless severe and/or excessive, and within the one year warranty period, unlikely to be covered by warranty. Can be repaired with any PVA water-based glue. Clamp and allow to dry, then sand with medium grade sandpaper and apply tape or bat facing | | Surface cracks on the edges of the bat | Normal wear and tear | Will not affect the performance of the bat and unless severe and/or excessive, and within the one year warranty period, unlikely to be covered by warranty. Can be repaired with any PVA water-based glue. Clamp and allow to dry, then sand with medium grade sandpaper and apply bat tape | | Surface cracks on the toe of the bat | Normal wear and tear | Can be caused by dampness, blows from yorkers and excessively firm tapping at the block hole in the stance. These will not affect the performance of the bat and unless severe and/or excessive, and within the one year warranty period, unlikely to be covered by warranty. Can be repaired with any PVA water-based glue. Clamp and allow to dry, then sand with medium grade sandpaper and apply bat tape | | Broken handle | Normal wear and tear | Potentially covered by warranty, depending upon the age and condition of the bat, and the circumstances. Outside of the year's warranty, this would be viewed as normal wear and tear. Providing the shoulder of the bat is not badly damaged, broken handles are quite straightforward and cost effective to replace. Repairs to this area of the bat must be carried out professionally. Please contact us for further advice | | Cracks or splits through the shoulder of the bat | Normal wear and tear
Weak willow (unusual) | May be covered by warranty, depending upon the age and condition of the bat, and the circumstances. Outside of the year's warranty, this would be viewed as normal wear and tear. This type of damage is often repairable, depending on the location and severity. If covered by warranty, our first course of action would normally be to repair the bat. Repairs to this area of the bat must be carried out professionally. Please contact us for further advice | | Cracks or splits through the blade of the bat or broken blade | Weak willow
Excessively dry willow
Poor preparation or care | Likely to be covered by warranty, depending upon the age of the bat and the circumstances. Outside of the year's warranty, this would be normally be viewed as the result of poor preparation and care, or simply wear and tear. Cannot normally be repaired. If within the warranty period, a replacement or a full or partial credit is likely. If outside the warranty period, it's just bad luck...but we'll be delighted to help you purchase another from our range | | Cracks or splits through the toe of the bat | Normal wear and tear | This type of damage is often caused by striking the ball with the toe of the bat, for example, when driving a yorker. May be covered by warranty, depending upon the age and condition of the bat, and the circumstances. Outside of the year's warranty, this would be viewed as normal wear and tear. May be repairable depending on location and severity. If covered by warranty, our first course of action would normally be to repair the bat, otherwise a replacement or a full or partial credit is likely. If outside the warranty period, it's just bad luck...but we'll be delighted to help you purchase another from our range | | Moisture damage, normally to the toe of the bat | Bat used in wet or damp conditions | The toe of the bat may swell and can be prone to cracking when it dries out. This would not be covered under warranty. PRO-Kit bats are all fitted with a toe protector which will help to some extent and further protection is possible by using a few coats of marine varnish on the toe of the bat. Better yet, don't use the bat in damp conditions! If water damage has occurred, clamp the toe of the bat in a padded woodworking vice and allow it to dry naturally. Use an old ball to knock out any remaining swelling at the toe. In severe cases a professional repair may be required at the customer's cost - please contact us to discuss your requirements | | Damage from premature play or abuse | Poor preparation or care | Cracks to the face and edges are likely to result if the bat is subjected to hard use or match play before it has been properly prepared and knocked in. Any evidence of premature use or abuse invalidates the warranty. Superficial damage should not affect performance and minor damage is repairable with PVA adhesive, as above. More significant damage may still be repairable, but at the customer's cost - we will be delighted to help arrange repair. Serious splitting arising from premature play or inadequate preparation commonly results in an irrepairably damaged blade | | Heat Damage | Poor storage and care | Exposure to extreme heat or very dry conditions will dry out the willow, leaving it brittle and prone to cracking, splitting or even snapping. This would not be covered under warranty. Heat damage is often terminal, so store your bat horizontally in a dry shed, garage or outhouse over the winter - centrally heated houses are very bad for bats! You should also avoid leaving the bat for long periods in a car or even lying in direct sunlight | | Damage from early season use | Poor preparation or care | Bats freshly removed from hibernation in cupboards and equipment bags are likely to have dried out and are therefore more susceptible to surface cracking or irreparable splitting. This would not be covered under warranty. Even bats that have been stored, as recommended in a shed or garage will need a little care prior to being used for the first time. Bats should therefore be re-oiled at least two weeks before use. Be especially careful in indoor nets and during the first few innings of the season as you find touch and form | | Damage from cheap, poor quality balls, often in indoor nets | Poor quality, overly hard balls | Poor quality balls are often unnaturally hard and can cause damage to a bat. This would not be covered under warranty. Damage from this source is likely to be more severe in indoor nets and in the case of a bat that is under prepared - either for first use or after overwintering | | Damage from repeated edging of the ball | Poor batsmanship?? | Ever thought of taking up golf? More seriously and although it has happened to us all, striking the ball with anything other than the middle of the bat is potentially very damaging - doing so repeatedly will potentially lead to irrepairable damage. For this reason, you should use an old bat, if possible, for your first few net knocks of the season to allow you to get your eye in |
Pads, Gloves and Other Equipment
When it comes to pads, gloves and other equipment, life is generally a great deal simpler than with bats...which is nice! As with bats we offer a full one year warranty against poor workmanship,abnormal wear and tear, or anything else than cannot reasonably be attribute to the fault of the user. In the rare cases where faults are identified, the cause is generally quite straightforward to identify and we will normally offer a replacement or full credit without quibble or delay. There are two exceptions to this rule, specifically, helmets and boxes. Neither of these pieces of equipment are unbreakable - they simply cannot be. They are designed to protect the wearer from normal to severe impact, but in doing so, they may sustain damage themselves. In such circumstances warranty would not normally apply, the equipment having carried out its primary function.
Most helmets, for example, specifically state that they should be replaced after taking a significant blow as their intrinsic protection may have been compromised by the blow. However, we will treat each case on its merits and so please feel to contact us if you feel that a box or helmet has performed poorly as a result of poor or defective workmanship.
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