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Don't ever, ever, ever buy a kids' play set from Rainbow. When I bought mine (about $4,500) 6 or so years ago, I chose them due to their size, reputation, and lifetime warranty against rotting wood.

About 3 yrs in, the wood started rotting and I made a claim. They kept asking for more information and I kept sending it. I'm very detailed and methodical and provided everything they wanted.

First they kept telling me that the replacement parts had been ordered. Then they said they were under new management and I had to start all over, which I did. Then they just stopped returning my calls. Twice I stopped into the local showroom and asked if they would please look into it while I was there and the guy would make a call to the "warehouse" and tell me they have the parts there and the warehouse would call me within a couple days to set up delivery. I'd ask why I couldn't just talk to them right then if they're on the phone with them anyway, but they said that's not how they do it and I need to wait for their call. Then I'd wait. And wait. And call. Nothing.

I pursued it for about a year and a half sporadically, but finally gave up and now have a behemoth of a play set in the back yard that the kids can't use because it's not safe and all but the main beams are rotted out.

At this point, I'd almost settle for them just removing it at their cost so I don't have to do it. I'm also thinking about advertising it on Craig's list for someone to come and disassemble and remove for free just for the parts.

I hope enough people see this and all the other bad reviews so that Rainbow can't can't get any new customers and either changes their dishonest practices or goes out of business before suckering anyone else.

Think hard before buying from them - at least in Florida, where I live.

Monetary Loss: $4.

Location: Orlando, Florida

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Guest

Agree completely...Don't waste ur money...Warranty has exceptions that you must provide pictures, receipts and other proof...Big hassle! Our new local dealer is sorry that's not covered..$500 for that piece!!! RIDICULOUS.

Guest

I may be looking into a class action lawsuit for this reason.

Guest

I am having similar issues with rainbow to get a simple rung on a rope ladder replaced. They admit it is under warranty but 4 months later, I can't get anyone to respond or ship me the part.

They aren't worth the money!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-695139

This is standard operating procedure there to avoid honoring warranty claims. They did the same to me for years on several different things.

They'll either not return your calls or they'll make promises that they never fulfill. Your best option is to tell everyone that will listen that they shouldn't buy from Rainbow.

That's what I finally ended up doing after selling my rotted (still under a useless warranty) play set to a handyman who liked fix it projects. Good luck!

Guest

really ?!? gotta retype that whole thing because of SECURITY CODE ???

Guest

Our wood is ok after 6 years but the vinyl covered handles and chains keep leaching gunk. It absorbs dirt and makes the kids hands filthy, just tried contacting te company but after reading here I don't think I will get anywhere. rainbow, prove me wrong!

Guest

We had a bad experience with the Rainbow warranty process also. It looks like I will be trying to sell this thing for $300 on Craigslist also. I would not buy from this company again.

I have seen nice sets at Costco in my area that are reasonably priced.

Guest

I also had a bad experience with Rainbow regarding their warranty. They charge a small fortune to ship your warranty items to your house.

Buy from Costco, and you'll be much happier in the long run. Do not be FOOLED into thinking that you are getting a warranty on a Rainbow swingset.

Anthony S Fgf

Small followup to my original message... About 2 months ago, I put my Rainbow Play Set up for sale on Craigs list with the disclosure that a lot of the wood needed to be replaced.

I sold the $4500 Play Set that was 7 yrs old for $300.

The only bright spot is that it's gone now so I don't have to be reminded of my purchase and also that the buyer left the rotted pieces and I happily cut them up and burned them in the backyard fire pit. It's too bad Rainbow is still in business and will undoubtedly sucker many more into their worthless warranty scheme.

Guest

Same issues here. A $6,000+ Monster Castle in the Orlando area.

2 years of the run around and the same stories about new management. The AG of Florida should stop them from selling in Florida.

My youngest kid now wants to use it and I can't let him near it, I know construction and have built houses....the thing could frall down and those decks must weight several hundred pounds, it will kill him. I am going to have to buy all cedar wood to replace the redwood and rebuild it myself or take a chain saw to it.

Guest

definition of insanity:

BUY A RAINBOW SWING SET!

total pile of cr*p.

after spending over $3000 it is hard to believe how poorly it has held up. the set is 1 year old, but looks as though it was built in the 19th century.

Guest

When our Rainbow play set was less than a year old, the vinyl-covered handles and trapeze bar all got black spots and super-sticky. They replaced them the first time (6 yrs ago) after coming out and looking at them.

I don;pt recall them charging anything to come out, but it sounds like that's just a way to discourage people from exercising their warranty rights. I'd check your contract to see if it specifies that charge. After they replaced the parts, they just got sticky and mildew spots within a year anyway.

Tell all your friends not to buy from Rainbow. The only way to save other people the frustration we've all gone through is to discourage others from buying from them.

Guest

I needed Rainbow to come out and look at my monkey bars and stair railing because they look like they are melting in the sun. They are sticky with black spots all over them.

They told me it would cost me $100.00 to come out and look at it!

Going to try and email them pictures and see what they do. After reading this, it doesn't sound like it's going to be much help!

Guest

why anyone would buy from rainbow swing sets is a mystery to me. i researched these blogs, decieded quickly that rainbow was not an option and proceeded to buy from another company (woodplay) that gave my family what appears to be excellent contruction, all redwood and and a pricetag i can live with.

if your in the baltimore area you really need to check out play n learn.

they are really close to the rainbow store but have much nicer staff and better pricing. many friends have purchased from them in the past and all had good things to say.

Guest

we spent about 4500 on our rainbow playset only to be very disappointed. i really feel scamed.

the set is only a couple years old and the problems just keep multiplying. 1st it was molding very bad and they told us thats not covered under the lifetime guarantee. then the wood started rotting in multiple locations and again we were told unless the piece breaks they will not cover it.

i understand a policy like this if i bought a 500.00 swingset, but it was 4500.00! very unhappy and would warn others to go elswhere.

Guest

in the middle of my rainbow swing set nightmare. paid a fortune, the wood is all cracked, mold is everywhere and they want to tell me its normal wear.

maybe after 20 years, but the swing set is not even 2 years old. i would not recommend this company. smarter to buy a 2000 swing set 3 times!

this thing cost nearly 6000. very upset..

Guest

very disappointed too. RAINBOW PLAY SYSTEMS, "AMERICAS MOST UNTRUSTWORTHY BRAND NAME"!

Guest

Okay.....why didn't I do my research before I bought the rainbow system? I was sold into the system by a good sales pitch, warranty (or so I thought) and product claims.

Like all the other reports before mine, my story is the same. Poor quality wood. It began to severly rot within two years. Making it unable for the kids to play on safely.

It is impossible to get anyone to call you back or follow up on the claim. Then when you do, you get multiple excuses and get stuck with a hefty shipping bill.......not free. Also, be aware the items will be delivered to your house, and you have to deal with that aspect of the delivery.

I could go on and on, but to sum it up.........DO NOT BUY FROM THIS COMPANY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would hate to someone get suckered into this company and send lots of money on this product!!!!!!!!!

Guest

our story is just like the others. rainbow has brought me to tears.

this entire warranty fiasco has created so much anxiety between me and my husband it is unbelievable. i was the one that demanded to go for the swingset with the lifetime guarantee and really expensive price tag. now it turns out the rainbow lifetime guarantee they refuse to honor. i went through their lengthy process and then they told me we did not maintain out swingset, and i told them my husband did that work once every summer.

all of the boards touching the ground were falling apart.

this past weekend he removed the rainbow and we purchased a new one from kids creations. this time i researched the brand before buying (big mistake the first time) and found kids creations to have many positive comments.

Guest

so happy i found this blog! went playset shopping and ended up at a rainbow outlet.

i just felt everytime i asked a pertinent question i was being lied to. she was like a robot spitting out very vague answers to basic questions. on top of that they were so expensive compared to other companies we visited.

its easy to understand the frustration all of you are having. don't know why anybody would buy from this place.

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