Tents are one of the most expensive pieces of camping equipment that you need to have and isn't really something you can do without. What's a camper to do? Luckily for all of us, used tents are readily available. Many people have thought they're going to like camping, so they buy all the supplies, and then only go once or twice or never in some cases. Eventually those tents get sold at yard sales and other places to us poor, but camp-loving fanatics.
Instructions
1. One of the best sources for a used tent is your friends and family. Many people have tents laying around that they haven't used in years. They may be willing to just give one to you. It never hurts to ask. If not, they may know a place where there is one you can purchase cheaply. Just be aware that if the tent is old it may need some minor repairs and need the seams resealed. Check the shock-cords (if it has them) to make sure the elastic is still good and won't snap the first time you try to use them. Also, make sure all the pieces are there.
2. Another good source to find a used tent is Craigslist. Check on here often, but also make sure to post in the wanted section. People frequently forget that they have something until you remind them of it. There may be tents on Craigslist year around but the best time to find used tents is at the beginning of spring as people buy new equipment and get rid of the old.
3. Asking on your local Freecycle just may find you a tent someone has lying around in their garage. Even if it needs minor repairs, good tents are expensive so they can still be a good deal.
4. Garage sales and flea markets are great sources of used tents as well. I've found at least four good tents this way, but the best was a brand new, several hundred dollar tent for $10. Even if you don't see a tent when looking around, ask the person running the sale. Frequently, tents aren't set up for display because they take up too much room. This can lead to them being stuck under stuff and left unnoticed. A buying tip is to ask how much it is before even really looking at it. The owner may not even remember what it looks like and so may give you a better deal. If it more than you want to pay after you see the tent you don't have to buy it or the owner may give you a better deal when you hesitate. Do make sure that everything is there before you buy though. It may even be a good idea to set the tent up if there is room. Most tents won't have a picture with them showing what the tent looks like set up so setting the tent up will let you know what shape and size it is as well as if all the pieces are and how easy or hard it is to set up. Make sure you know the price of the tent before doing this or it will cause the price to shoot right up as the owner will get lots of offers and believe you are desperate to have the tent.
5. If you want an expensive tent for a good price the best place to get it is a sporting goods store that rents tents. REI usually does this and there are a few others. Some of the tents may have seen hard use but are frequently top of the line. They usually only rent new tents because they are trying to sell the new models and renters will often come back and buy. That means at the end of the main camping season they get rid of the rental tents and get new models. Get friendly with your neighborhood REI to find out when this is happening and get in on it. Like any rental item, the tents may have seen hard use by people with little knowledge of camping (I had to set up a tent once for someone who rented a tent and had no clue set it up.), this may mean there are a hole or two or a broken pole in the most used of the batch. Luckily, these are easy fixes. Four-season tents may be the best of deals. They are usually the least used tents of all because most beginners don't go camping in the snow and if they do don't know they should use a special tent. Since there's not much difference other than a little weight and them being stronger, a four-season tent can be the best to choose.
Tags: used tents, make sure, tents have, because they, better deal, find used, give better