First, we're sorry. This has been messy, and a lot of the mess comes from Courant changing their instructions more than once about how it should be handled. That's why you've had different information from us over the past few weeks. We've passed on what we were told as it changed. On top of that, it took over a week to even get a reply from Courant's safety team, by phone and by email. We're not happy with how Courant has handled this, and we understand if you aren't either.
Quick guide – what to do
- Are you affected? Only Kalimba with a factory splice. Bought by the meter, or other Courant ropes, are not affected and can be used as normal.
- Stop loading the splice now. You can keep using the rope this summer if you tie off the splice and use a knotted termination instead. Never load the splice. Don't cut anything.
- Want a Courant replacement? You get a brand-new rope regardless of age, either a new Kalimba (new splice, in production by the end of August) or a different rope or product from Courant. Courant now wants you to fill in the return form (KALIMBA – RETURN FORM) and email it to safety@mycourant.com.
- Already arranged it through us? Then you're covered and don't need to do anything more.
- Can't wait, or can't work with the splice tied off? Contact us and we'll work something out together.
- Note: the earlier online form doesn't really do anything (more on that below). It's the return form above that applies now.
The fault is in the splice, not the rope
The original Kalimba splice relies on the whipping to stay secure, and Courant has determined that if the whipping is damaged or missing, the splice's security can't be guaranteed over time. So every rope with the original splice is being recalled. If you bought your Kalimba by the meter you're unaffected, and all other Courant ropes are fine.
You can keep working this summer
Because it's the splice and not the rope that's the problem, you can carry on using the rope over the summer as long as you don't load the splice. Tie off the splice and use a proper knotted termination instead. Never load the splice, and don't cut anything. If you're unsure how to make a safe termination, contact us first. If you'd rather hand the rope in now, that's completely fine.
Our recommendation: take a new rope from Courant
You get a brand-new rope, not your old one back. You can choose a new Kalimba with the new, certified splice (expected in production by the end of August), or a different rope or product from Courant. The upside is you get a completely new rope regardless of how old yours is today, which makes it worth the wait. This is the route we recommend.
How to do it: Courant now wants you, as the end user, to fill in the return form (KALIMBA – RETURN FORM) and email it to safety@mycourant.com. If you've already arranged your return through us, you're covered and don't need to do anything more.
About the earlier online form
The first online form Courant asked everyone to fill in doesn't really seem to do anything. After a while you just get an email that says, in effect, ”contact your retailer,” and Courant doesn't share what you submitted with us. Honestly, we don't understand what the point was, and it's another thing Courant seems to have changed its mind on. We sincerely apologize for that too. It's the return form above that applies now, not the old online form.
If you can't wait
If you can't wait, can't keep working with the splice tied off, or don't want a Courant replacement, get in touch and we'll try to find a solution that works.
One thing we want to be honest about: any replacement we provide that isn't an official Courant replacement comes out of our own pocket. We're a small business, actively managing our inventory and cash flow, so we apologize in advance if we can't pull a replacement from stock straight away. Rest assured we'll work with you to find something that works for both of us.
Questions?
If you have questions about your specific rope, contact us at info@arboristbutiken.se and we'll help you all the way.
Stay safe,
The Arboristbutiken team