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Quote: Originally posted by Bob61 on 23/11/2009

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It is down to personal choice and personal income but there is no way on this earth I would pay £240 for a tent...any tent. I paid £140 for my Carolina 3 and I had to think long and hard before doing so, my previous most expensive tent being £70.

They say that modern synthetic tents last about 16 weeks I believe and that is not very long for the price, especially if you are a regular camper. Not only that but most regular campers either get bored with their tents after awhile, or find something they think is better, or their circumstances change and they need something different. So why pay huge prices for them.

At the end of the day a tent is just a big sheet of material held up by poles and ropes. How they can justify those prices defeats me.

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I guess if you look at it like that Bob61 - then a house is just a pile of bricks timber and plasterboard - and yet can cost Millions - A Car is just some sheet metal with an engine and four chars - yet costs tens of thousands - A wedding Cake is made of just flour, sugar and water - yet they too can cost hundreds of pounds - and the famous "Millenium Dome" was little more than a gigantic tent - yet the bill ran into Millions of pounds !!!

And OK Yes - I agree - we all have to abide within budgets - but to say that spending more than a couple of hundred quid on a tent is stupid - well - that in iteslf just shows a degree of ignorance !

a cheap 30 quid tarpaulin groundheet will leave you worse off - as water runs down inside it - where as a softex breathable will leave you warm and dry but will cost you 60 pounds !

Bob61 - you get what you pay for and its NOT ridiculous to spend hundreds on a tent - Its about buying quality that will have a RESALE value and buying AT THE RIGHT PRICE !  - if you buy a good Pollycotton one - it will last you years and years - as for Sythetic - well I paid just 96 quid for my Vango Idaho - used it carefully for 2 years ( 7 outings ) and sold it for 70 quid ! -  thats a loss of just 26 quid for 7 weekends away !  ( thats just over 3 quid a time capital loss !!!  )

My fabulous Bearlake 6 cost just a tad over 570 ( out of season ) and yet I can sell it in April on E-bay for a profit !!!!!!!!!!!!  - and its seen 2 outings !

My Vango Peace Tipi ( RRP 160 ) cost just 70 quid ( pollycotton ) that too will return its money when I choose to sell it in immaculate condition - same with my Outwell Baltic Sea L ( again bought at the right price )  which will bring me back that price again and again, although it has been used and packed carefully away 3 times.

Its not about the cost - its about buying someting at the right price - that will hold its value - and thats it  !!   So please dont come on here and say that tents are a waste of cash - cheap tents that have no pedigree and are daft colours maybe - but "propper" stuff  that had a good following and is manufactured in a decent cloth and colour - NAH

Simon

Ooooeeerrr! I think you must be reading something in my post I haven't said, Simon. Read it again and calm down. I haven't used any of the words you seem to think I have used...'stupid', 'ridiculous', 'waste of cash'...what are you on and can I have some?

However, I do agree with your first paragraph. I wouldn't buy a house costing millions of pounds, nor a car costing tens of thousands, and I certainly wouldn't spend hundreds on a wedding cake (Mr. Kipling is good enough for me) and the millenium dome is believed by many to be the biggest white elephant and waste of money in the whole of London's history...but yes I see what you are saying...if you have the money why not spend it on whatever rocks your boat.

...you're not in the second hand tent business by any chance are you?

Im not in the second hand tent business - but engage your brain before coming on a site that promotes the tent industry - and then tell everyone they are mad for invesesting in it !   Duhhhh !!!

Not exacttly a "no brainer"  is it  !!!

What this busienss needs just now IS investment !

blimey Dezzie -- hold your hat !!

I never said that a tent should be an investment - I said  that if you choose carefully and thoughtfully - and then LOOK AFTER your tent - and I do - very much so - that you will be able to sell it at a good price.  Now, if you are smart enough to buy when prices are low - in the Autum or early Spring - and then SELL when demand is at its best - ( early Summer ) then it IS possible to make a proffit - but thats NOT the goal

All I say is this -  Camping has never really cost me any real money - as I buy right and sell right,  I have done this all my life - with motorbikes - Cycles - cars - cameras and toys - thats me - thats how I do business.  I hate waste - and I wont throw money away - if I sell a second hand item - it will be spot on and worth the money !

But if you go out, buy an overpriced tent - and abuse it - then moan that you lost money - thats your problem - no one elses,

And yes that big gust of wind might take away your windbreak - but I bet you this - if you pitch properly then you wont be affected - and if you are daft enough to buy a tent you cant possibly dry out at home - on the lawn or a nearby feild - then dont moan that it was a waste of money - tents DO LAST - I have proved that - but its the owners that have to make an effort !   and if you pitch on mud - they your going to have problems - and that in itself is another debate !