My Experiences with
Cover-It Instant Garages

In 1993 or so, my father purchased a Cover-It Instant Garage, 14 x 30 x 14, to store his motorhome in.  We assembled it, had some problems (probably due to not perfectly level ground) but ended up satisfied with the cover.  It has held up well, with the only damages being:

1) Children playing, put a small hole in the side (barely large enough to push a pencil through) and this hole has never frayed out, gotten larger or anything.
2) Rear panel had a sawhorse leaned up against it, small holes were formed from the nails in the saw horse.  Those holes have also never frayed or gotten larger.
3) Front Panel... well, as it weathered and shrunk the stitching around the zipper let go so I can no longer zip the door shut.  This faces west, and seems to get most of the wind and weather up against it.  The material has some thin spots, but is still intact and keeps rain out.
4) In the last wind storm, the lacing around the bottom edge broke, allowing about 6 feet of the cover to come loose.  Has not compromised the rest of the unit, nor allowed any additional moisture to enter.
In May of 2001 I ordered 3 more units.  (2) 12 x 24 x 8 and (1) 24 x 24 x 10.  While not excited about the total cost for these three, $3567 + $633.73 (freight) = $4200.73, since I had experience with the product and was pleased with the quality and performance I felt that the price was acceptable.

During assembly I discovered that the method of construction had changed, significantly. The pieces were all cut to length and pre-drilled (punched actually) for holes (due to being punched, not all holes were "complete".  Had to remove the punched out part).  There is a lot of flex in the framework due to all the connections.  Also I discovered that not all holes were lined up properly.  One set of holes were so far out of alignment that after putting the bolt through the holes I had to bend it so it would line up with the cross pieces!  When putting the covers on, we discovered that the front and rear panels could easily be tightened up too much, so that they would end up being over 6" above the bottom of the unit.  That took some practice to get the panels to fit correctly.  On the largest unit, we never could get them to fit right, so there is at least 6-8 inches of space under the rear panel (between the bottom of the panel and the ground).  The front one fit better for some reason (almost like the rear panel was a little smaller.  I wasn't about to dismantle the unit to compare though).  When we put the covers on the units, we discovered that they were a bit longer than needed.  On the old unit, the cover was pulled under the bottom rail and laced upwards to tension it and hold it in place.  On the new units there was no bottom rail and the lacing was about a foot up the side and down to the lowest rail, leaving about a foot of the side panel free to open and close with the wind.  Not good in a storage unit!  On the two smaller units, there was about 4-6 inches of extra material on the ground on the sides.  Looked weird, extra on the sides but not enough on the front and back  On the larger unit it looks really dumb.  There is about a foot of extra material ON EACH SIDE that lays on the ground.  Looks like the unit is curtseying.  So here we are with an extra foot of fabric on the ground on the sides, 6-8 inches short on the rear, and barely reaching the ground on the front.  Also, with the new design, all the ribs for the structure are open pipe, standing on edge on the ground.  For the large unit, it is slowly sinking into the ground at the intermediate ribs, but since the front and rear most ribs are curved at the bottom those are not sinking.  The unit is taking on a real interesting shape now.  One of the smaller units I built a floor for, and set the unit on that so it wouldn't sink.  The other unit I built a floor inside of it, and without support it too is sinking into the ground in the middle.  The older unit has a continuous rail around the perimeter that the ribs fasten to, so it has not sank at all and remains solid.  The other units have so many connections that flex, they are not solid.  Basically, it appears that the materials are poorer quality in the newer ones than in the older one.  Construction design is weaker, manufacturing is not the same quality.  Basically, they are not the quality units I expected for the price.  Then this saga began, with a spot that was wearing through and ultimately tearing:

In January 2003 I noticed tears in the cover of one of the 12 x 24 x 8 units.  I contacted the company and received a response On February 4th, 2003:

Good Evening Mr. Leifheit

                 Your email has been forwarded to me to follow up on. I see that you are having some problems with your unit. What I need you to do sir is get in contact with me at the number listed below so we can converse on this issue and get a warranty claim started. Once you get in contact with me I can send out a claim form, which will ask you to read and sign and send back to me with a couple pictures included. I looking forward to speaking with you and assisting you.

Thank you

Eric Rivera
Customer Service Representative
1-800-932-9344 ext.418

My response (2-5-2003):
 
Thank You.  I will have time Friday to call, if I don't get a chance, Monday for sure.

--
- David R Leifheit
mailto:docleifheit@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~docleifheit

Response from Cover-It (2-6-2003):
Good Morning Mr. Leifheit

        I look forward to your call sir so we can get this issue rectified.

Thank you
Eric Rivera
Customer Service Representative

My response (2-27-2003):
Well sir, I called, couldn't call Friday like I thought because I broke a tooth.  Left you voicemail and have been busy the last 2+ weeks.

My number: 503-623-7022

--
- David R Leifheit
mailto:docleifheit@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~docleifheit

Further Correspondence (3-12-2003):
Well, I had called and you didn't call back.  Any chance we can get this taken care of?

I had referenced the pictures I took with my initial complaint, what else did you need?  I also gave you the order number and all...

Here are the pictures:
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-tear-0.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-tear-1.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-tear-2.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-tear-3.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-tear-4.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-tear-5.jpg

I'll try calling again I guess...

--
- David R Leifheit
mailto:docleifheit@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~docleifheit

Company Response (3-13-2003):
GOOD MORNING MR. LEIFHEIT,

                I HAVE RECEIVED YOUR PICTURES AND I HAVE MADE A FOLDER. MY
MANAGER HAS REVIEWED IT, AND SHE IS ASKING ME TO REQUEST FROM YOU ADDITIONAL
PICTURES SHOWING HOW THE TOP CROSSRAILS ARE ASSEMBLED IN YOUR UNIT. SHE IS
ASKING FOR ACOUPLE PICTURES FROM THE INSIDE, AND OF THE UNIT FROM THE
OUTSIDE FROM A DISTANCE. AND ALSO CAN U PLEASE INCLUDE A CONTACT NUMBER WITH
YOUR NEXT EMAIL.

THANK YOU
ERIC RIVERA
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
1-800-932-9344X418

My response (3-13-2003):
Sorry, I meant to put the phone number on it.  Not sure why I forgot.

503-623-7022

Address:
David R Leifheit
1070 SE Monmouth Cutoff
Dallas, Oregon 97338

There, that should cover that.  I will take some more pictures tomorrow, hopefully the weather will cooperate and not be overcast and rainy.  I can do a distance shot, but not directly of that side.  There is another unit 8' from it.  I can do angle on but not straight on.

     Not sure how much of the inside I can take, it is kind of full.  I will do my best though.  I did assemble per the instructions.  That unit is even sitting on a deck I built (after putting a floor in the other one and not liking how much lower the ceiling ended up... after building a floor on 2x4 w/ 3/4 plywood on top.  lost 4" in interior height that way, and I am 6' tall  I *need* the height!  :)

     I must say this is unexpected.  I bought 3 of these at the same time, 2 12x24 and one 24x24.  I already have a 14x30 which I have had for 8 years now and no problem (other than the stitching around the front door coming loose, the front panel shrunk a bit and with the wind on that 14x14 flat front... well the thread that held the zipper on let go.  But the panel is still solid) otherwise the fabric is still good. On the older one my kids put a small hole in it, but it has not frayed or gotten larger.  I can only *guess* that the fabric on the one that is damaged has shrunk more than the others, that seems to be the only explanation I can think of.
     I will say that the construction is not as good as the older one, but then that may just be the style (newer ones are all "house" shaped, older one is the other design, rounded) there is a lot of flex in the 24x24 from all the joints... and I did not like the pole ends on the newer ones, the older one has a perimiter pipe with "T" fittings for the uprights where the newer ones have just the uprights... which sink more easily into the ground.

--
- David R Leifheit
mailto:docleifheit@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~docleifheit

Further Response (3-13-2003):
The rain let up for a moment, and I took it.  Ran outside and shot some exterior pictures.

http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-exterior-1.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-exterior-2.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-exterior-3.jpg
(the rib near the rear of the truck, and the next one back are the ones where the cover is torn.  I think you can see the white in the pictures)

http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-exterior-4.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-exterior-5.jpg

And I think it is almost brighter *inside* than it was outside.  Those skylight panels are great.  Although it does mean that things inside fade.  But at least I can see!!

http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-interior-1.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-interior-2.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-interior-3.jpg
I cleared some room to take the pictures, rearranged a bit.  We didn't have much near the rips since there is some moisture coming through and we really don't want anything damaged.

I Hope those help.

Here are the pictures:
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-tear-0.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-tear-1.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-tear-2.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-tear-3.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-tear-4.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/coverit-tear-5.jpg

I'll try calling again I guess...

--
- David R Leifheit
- 503-623-7022
- 1070 SE Monmouth Cutoff
- Dallas, Oregon  97338
-
mailto:docleifheit@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~docleifheit

Request for response from me (3-22-2003):
 
Hadn't heard from you since this email.  It's been over a week, any news?  Need any more pictures?  Any more information?  Would like to get this resolved before summer if possible.

--
- David R Leifheit
mailto:docleifheit@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~docleifheit

Company Response (3-27-2003):
    GOOD MORNING

           MY MANAGER HAS ASKED ME TO ADVISE YOU THAT THE COVER MUST COME
BACK FOR EVALUATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE THIS CALIM FURTHER SIR
PLEASE GET IN CONTACT WITH ME SO I CAN GIVE YOU A RETURN AUTHERIZATION #.
1-800-932-9344X418

THANK YOU
ERIC RIVERA

My Response (3-27-2003):
Mr. Rivera,

    I am not sure why your company thinks it is good PR to inconvenience its customers.  You do realize that to ship the cover back means I have to empty the unit.  It is a 12x24 "garage" that contains furniture, bedding, books, and other household goods.  Emptying it means finding someplace to store these items, and storage is not cheap.  You also do not mention if your company is paying freight to ship this back to you.  That will not be inexpensive either.

Don't you have anyone on the west coast who can inspect it on the structure?

I will tell you what, since the fabric is warrantied for 5 years, and since there is one seam which is fraying at the edge of the seam, obviously a defect, I will send you the cover that is on the unit after I receive a replacement.  That way I am only moderately inconvenienced and will not have to find storage for the items currently inside the cover.  I will still have to move a majority of the items inside so I can unlace the bottom, but I will be able to put it all back in immediately after installing the replacement.

So as soon as you can let me know what to expect for shipping costs for the replacement, I would appreciate it.  Also an approximate date you will be sending the replacement cover, so I can make sure that friends/family are available to move the contents out, remove the cover, replace the cover and move everything back in.  I will send the current cover back in the box you ship the replacement in.

As for the return authorization number and contacting you, I thought we were in contact.  I have discussed this matter with you via these emails, sent you pictures and generally have done anything (and more) that we could handle over the phone.  Plus, we have the added benefit from emails to be able to look back on our communications and refresh our memories as to what has been said or done.

I await the information on the shipping costs and date for the replacement, and the return number.

Thank You

--
- David R Leifheit
mailto:docleifheit@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~docleifheit

My next communication (4-23-2003):
Once again I find myself writing you.  You didn't return the phone call... Kind of ridiculous to call you if you don't return the calls.

So, why not just give me the number and information via email?

I really need this taken care of before the stuff inside gets damaged due to the leaks!

Around May 1st I decided I had waited long enough and sent another request to Cover-It's customer service department for help solving this matter.  I asked that they give this to someone other than Eric Rivera since he didn't seem to want to return phone calls and didn't seem inclined to discuss this in email, which makes it difficult to resolve the problem.  Unfortunately he does not quote my message to customer service, and it is an internal form so I do not have it in my sent folder for reference.  I did receive a reply on 5-5-2003:
Good Morning Mr. Leifheit,

             I do apologize for not responding to you sooner sir. I am putting a return authorization number in our system, and will be expecting the cover for evaluation. Your number will be 111076A please put this number on the box that you are returning it in or they will not accept it back.

Thank you,

Eric Rivera

Of course I had to reply back (5-6-2003):
Sounds good to me.  I look forward to getting this figured out and taken care of.  I still have one question though, when can I expect the replacement cover?  Certainly I am not in a position to return the damaged one until I have the replacement to put on in its place.  If I know when the replacement will be here, I can get some friends together and we can unload the unit, remove the old cover, put the new cover on and reload the unit.  Nice and efficient (I hope it goes that smoothly!).

I look forward to the resolution of this problem.

--
- David R Leifheit
mailto:docleifheit@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~docleifheit

This got me the following response (5-7-2003):
GOOD MORNING MR. LEIFHEIT,

                 SIR I WOULD ACTUALLY NEED YOU TO SEND IN THE COVER FOR
EVALUATION BEFORE I CAN SEND A NEW COVER OUT. THE TECHNICAL ADVISOR NEEDS TO
SEE WIETHER THE COVERS DAMAGE IS A WARRANTY ISSUE FIRST OFF, AND THEN HE
MUST DETERMINE IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED OR IF WE MUST REPLACE IT.

THANK YOU

So we are back to the question of what to do with the items inside the storage unit while the cover is off.  I mean I bought these to use them, not leave them empty.  So I asked him (5-7-2003):
Then just what am I expected to do with the household that is stored inside the unit?  We are talking 12x24 unit.  That is almost a complete household.  Will your company agree to pay any damages that result due to the lack of the cover?  Will your company pay for a storage unit for all the items to be placed in until a determination is made?

I bought the instant garages to use them.  They are in use.  I have a total of 4 of them.  2 are identical, one of those has developed tears and fraying at a seam.  The fact that both were setup in the same manner, on adjoining days, and only one has developed tears, suggests to me that it is the material.  Further, the fraying of the seam near the tears suggests a "bad spot" in the material.

Once again I question why this needs to go back.  Don't you have a representative out on the west coast who can look at this in person and make a field determination?  Why should I be severely inconvenienced further?  (moving items from the tear spots, and dealing with the leaks has been inconvenient enough).

--
- David R Leifheit
mailto:docleifheit@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~docleifheit

Then I decided to go outside and see if the tears were any worse, what condition the cover is in.  I discovered that there were 2 more tears forming!  So I emailed this (5-7-2003):
To continue this, I went outside to survey the damage, to see if the tears had gotten any larger since last time I checked.  I find that they look about the same size, however there are 2 new tears forming at the rear 2 ribs.  All on the same side, same panel.

New Tears:
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/052003tear1.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/052003tear2.jpg

This is the entire side:
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/052003side.jpg

For reference, here is the entire side, with the tears and frayed area marked:
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/052003side-indicated.jpg

(only took me a half hour to figure out how to draw the lines in there.)

--
- David R Leifheit
mailto:docleifheit@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~docleifheit

After waiting a week, and no reply, I emailed Mr. Rivera again (5-14-2003):
I have not heard back from you regarding the last two emails I sent.  It has been a week... Does your company have no further position on this matter?  The replies are referenced below for your convenience.

I do need the complete address of where to send the cover back to.  I will be travelling East this summer and could possibly drop it off in person, thus saving a little on the shipping.

Since your company is not addressing the issue of what happens to the stuff I have stored inside, I think it best if your superiors understand that I will do what is nescessary to protect the household items I was storing inside the cover...
In other words, I intend to purchase as many of the cheap plastic tarps as I can and cover your frame with them.  I then intend to paint "This is Cover-It Instant Garage Customer Service" in large letters on the side, just so people driving by can see just what your product is like and how well your company stands behind it.  I don't see where your company will have a problem with me painting that on the side since all your covers come with the logo/advertising on them anyway.  Of course if that is not agreeable with your company, then maybe your company can offer an alternative?

Thank You.

Eric Rivera wrote:
GOOD MORNING MR. LEIFHEIT,
 

                 SIR I WOULD ACTUALLY NEED YOU TO SEND IN THE COVER FOR
EVALUATION BEFORE I CAN SEND A NEW COVER OUT. THE TECHNICAL ADVISOR NEEDS TO
SEE WIETHER THE COVERS DAMAGE IS A WARRANTY ISSUE FIRST OFF, AND THEN HE
MUST DETERMINE IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED OR IF WE MUST REPLACE IT.
 
 

THANK YOU

Then just what am I expected to do with the household that is stored inside the unit?  We are talking 12x24 unit.  That is almost a complete household.  Will your company agree to pay any damages that result due to the lack of the cover?  Will your company pay for a storage unit for all the items to be placed in until a determination is made?

I bought the instant garages to use them.  They are in use.  I have a total of 4 of them.  2 are identical, one of those has developed tears and fraying at a seam.  The fact that both were setup in the same manner, on adjoining days, and only one has developed tears, suggests to me that it is the material.  Further, the fraying of the seam near the tears suggests a "bad spot" in the material.

Once again I question why this needs to go back.  Don't you have a representative out on the west coast who can look at this in person and make a field determination?  Why should I be severely inconvenienced further?  (moving items from the tear spots, and dealing with the leaks has been inconvenient enough).

To continue this, I went outside to survey the damage, to see if the tears had gotten any larger since last time I checked.  I find that they look about the same size, however there are 2 new tears forming at the rear 2 ribs.  All on the same side, same panel.

New Tears:
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/052003tear1.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/052003tear2.jpg

This is the entire side:
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/052003side.jpg

For reference, here is the entire side, with the tears and frayed area marked:
http://home.earthlink.net/~familytravels/coverit/052003side-indicated.jpg

(only took me a half hour to figure out how to draw the lines in there.)


On 5/19/2003, I received this response:

MR. LEIFHEIT,
 

  YOUR RETURN AUTHERIZATION IS IN OUR SYSTEMS. THE NUMBER IS 111076A. IT IS
IMPORTANT THAT YOU PUT THIS NUMBER ON THE BOX THE FABRIC IS BEING RETURNED
IN OR IT WILL BE REFUSED. IT IS UNDER COVER-ITS DISGRETION THAT WE HAVE THE
OPTION TO EITHER REPLACE OR REPAIR. WE UNFORTUNATLY DO NOT HAVE ANY ONE ON
THE WEST COAST THAT CAN COME AND EVALUATE YOUR UNIT.

To which I responded:
Then, when the weather cooperates and it is convenient for me, I will return the cover.  And I -WILL- be covering the frame with all manner of cheap tarps and I -WILL- cover it with your companies logo.

I would have expected this level of service from a cheap cover company, but for the price and supposed quality of your companies products, I expected better.

At this point I would venture to say I will NEVER recommend your product to anyone else and when I replace these covers it certainly will not be another product from your company.  I paid premium price for what has turned out to be a cheap product with poor customer service.

I still need the address to send the cover back to.

--
- David R Leifheit
mailto:docleifheit@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~docleifheit

Cover-It's final word on the matter seems to be, 5-19-2003:
 
I AM SORRY YOU FEEL THAT WAY MR. LEIFHIET.
OUR ADDRESS IS
17 WOOD ST.
WEST HAVEN,CT.06516
Can't even try to spell my name correctly.  <sigh>

Well, I certainly wouldn't recommend these units to anyone anymore.  The quality of workmanship, the materials used and the "customer service" are all lacking.  I don't think I am being unreasonable, but I do wonder why I should have to pay to send the cover back to them and wait for them to decide if it is covered under warranty or not, then pay shipping for the replacement or for the return of the cover  -and- what to do with the furniture, books, clothing and other items I have stored in the unit while they decide.  Seems very inconvenient to me, and poor customer service.

Spelling errors in the letters are original to the letters, which were copy-pasted directly from the original emails.  The only changes made are the removal of previous quotes and Mr Rivera uses a lot of blank lines, so those were removed to keep the page shorter.

Update to this page.  As of 1-31-2006, ALL of the newer units have tears in them.  At the peak, and at the bend from "roof" to "sidewall".  The southern exposure and top is where the damage is occuring.  It hasn't even been 5 years yet and all 3 need new covers.  The unit I originally complained about is so badly damaged, the cover is almost useless.  I have to keep a tarp over it to protect the items inside.  The 24x24 unit has a trailer and several plastic bags in it (of household items intended for garage sale).  Anything else inside has long since deteriorated due to the sunlight through the "light panel" (never again would I order one of these with a light panel.  It appears to be the same fabric used for thier greenhouse model.  Lets all the light through and heat.  The light and heat has damaged many items in these units.).  The other 12x24 I have has wood, plywood, and misc. items which are arranged in the middle of the unit, with little along the southern edge where the holes are.  The 14x30 that my father bought in 1993 has finally developed a small pinhole up high, and leaks a few drips during rainstorms.  The string along the bottom finally let go, and I tore the door pulling the old motorhome out of it.  But it is still more sound than the other 3. 

I strongly urge anyone needing one of these "Instant Garages" to consider someone else's product.  Cover-It Instant Garages are, in my opinion, not worth the price.  The materials they are using now are of poor quality and deteriorate easily (and quickly) in sunlight and normal weather conditions.

The links to the old pictures are:

Picture Directory
Last Update, 9-22-2008 By late 2006 the cover over the 24x24 split down the middle at the top and slid off both sides of the unit. Leaving it completely uncovered. As of today, the unit has been mostly emptied, the front panel is in shreds (wind damage). The frame and the back panel seem to be the only "survivors". This unit will be taken down in the next year or so, I had been covering it with tarps after the top split, but I think I will just build a storage unit to replace it.
The original unit I complained about still has tarps over it. The splits keep getting larger even though it is not exposed to the elements. I have to put a new tarp over it every year since I am buying cheap tarps.
The other 12x24 unit I have is barely holding up. What is interesting is that it is in the shadow of the 14x30 unit and thus doesn't get as much exposure to the elements, yet is falling apart just the same as the other two I bought. Southern exposure and top are splitting.
The original unit Dad bought (the 14x30) is still standing. We tore the front cover when we drug the old motorhome out (wheels were seized). The stitching on the zippers had let go anyway so I couldn't close the door. With no front door, the unit has been acting as a big sail, catching all the wind. Last winter the wind broke through the rear panel... actually, the stitching on the rear panel let go and it has pulled away from the frame in a small area. Otherwise, a couple pinhole leaks at the top are all that is wrong with it. Basically, it is 15 years old and still doing it's job, unlike the covers I purchased which are junk.
We have drawn up plans for replacement structures. I would NEVER buy a Cover-It instant garage again.