Can I have positive stories please about buying tents second hand? We are looking at an inflatable and there are a couple on eBay which will save us the cost of next years holiday on the price of a tent/footprint/carpet package. We are a bit uncertain because obviously, if there's a problem, we can't take it back. Despite the savings, it still represents a big purchase and a big decision for us. I know some of you have bought second hand successfully, but is it worth the risk?
------------- Mummy of two daughters and two guinea pigs
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
There is a good chance that they are ex display tents. If they have been on display for around 4 months that is equivalent to about 5 or 6 years of normal use.
Polyester tents only have a life of around 5 months exposure to UV light.
There is picture of a family camping in it and it's pick up from someone's house. Of course that could be rubbish and there's no telling where if they bought it ex display.
------------- Mummy of two daughters and two guinea pigs
Reading some of the reports on these boards about inflatables I would be hesitant to buy one new let alone second hand. There have been a few reports of leaks etc.
A few years ago I bought a large dome tent off ebay which said it had only been used once. I think I paid about £50 for it and then later discovered I could have got a brand new one for about £75. However, it was in fact as good as new except for two missing guy ropes so I was pretty pleased with it and kept it for quite some time.
My latest tent was also purchased off ebay and was an ex display model. I bid £35 and amazingly won it. I reproofed the outside, repaired a broken zip, and have had 5 trips in it this year without any problems. For that price I have already had my money's worth.
I think I would hesitate in buying a second hand tent costing lots of money even if it seemed like a bargain unless I could see it erected first.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
If you buy a secondhand tent you take a risk unless the tent is there erected in the seller's garden for you to inspect carefully before buying, simple as that really.
Hi
As has already been said buying anything second hand is always going to be risky. On a positive note I have bought a 2 and sold 6 tents on Ebay without any problems I also bought a used tent off a member of this forum again without any problems. At this time of the year there are lots of bargains around from people who have bought all the gear, camped once didnt like it so are selling up. If you can see the tent pitched that would help but remember if you pay cash on Ebay you are not covered by buyer protection and I believe if you pay by Paypal and collect you are not covered either as you have the chance to inspect the item.
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
I know some people who had good deals when buying second hand tents, they've got some cracking deals.
Not so good myself when I won one off ebay, sadly it had been packed away and left damp at some point, black spot and tape coming of seams , We only found this out when I went to pitch it in garden..
I'll maybe get a year out of it...
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
My Montana 6 was second hand from ebay, it wasn't perfect but then it was a fraction of the price of a new one.
I wasn't sure if camping was for us so I bought second hand because I could get the exact tent I liked (size and layout) but at a reduced price so not a big deal if we didn't take to it.
We got three years out of it (two trips to France in it) and could have got more but have now sold it since getting the BL6.
TBH I'm not 100% convinced by the inflatables, ease of putting the tent up isn't high up on my list of things atm though, if it were I wouldn't have bought the BL
My Montana 6 was second hand from ebay, it wasn't perfect but then it was a fraction of the price of a new one.
I wasn't sure if camping was for us so I bought second hand because I could get the exact tent I liked (size and layout) but at a reduced price so not a big deal if we didn't take to it and a popular tent to sell off to be able to upgrade when the time came.
We got three years out of it (two trips to France in it) and could have got more but have now sold it since getting the BL6.
TBH I'm not 100% convinced by the inflatables, ease of putting the tent up isn't high up on my list of things atm though, if it were I wouldn't have bought the BL
In selling my used once Vango Inspire 600 2014 (only used twice, once in the garden as a test pitch and the other, four nights in dry weather), if you want a second hand tent from someone reliable. Only selling as my 20year old and 15 year old sons have decided that they on longer want to come camping with me and I need something smaller. Groundsheet and carpet too :)
i bought a Vango airbeam tent, used once by a family who decided camping wasnt for them.
new price was around the 500.00 mark and i paid just over 200.00 for it.
apart from needing sand hoovering out of it and the floor wiping clean - its in excellent condition and im really pleased with it.
its pot luck buying used, but if its not matching the sellers description then you should be able to get a refund, depending of course where / how your buying the tent.
wishing you good luck and hope you get a bargain!
------------- Facebook:- Tent Camping group
Living the Dutch Dream - Karsten 300 pod + extns in Sea Green and Pure Cotton
Zempire Air Force 1 Pc
Cabanon Bora Bora cotton
Outwell Brandon 4e
Zempire Aero Shelter 150D
Vango Illusion 500TC & 420D
Vango Galli 420D
Outwell Concorde 5SATC
Vango Capri 400xl
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
We bought a secondhand Bear Lake 4 on eBay this year. I asked the seller to have it erected in the garden when we went to pick it up so that we could examine it fully before accepting and paying for it.
This also had the advantage that we helped him take it down and pack it away, so he could show us the best way to do it.