A fair portion of people in the survival gear industry are deeply committed to making and servicing some very fine products. I can personally name Winslow liferafts and Sparklites as two companies I would buy from exclusively without question. I also know both have experienced problems in product. it happens. Instead of calling something garbage and bashing it online, I suggest contacting the distributor, which was done ( and you got a refund, right?) and the maker explaining your concerns.Seeing the consumer gets a quality product is a proactive effort of maker AND user. You don't sit on your keister waiting for rescue do you?