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Hi Paul

I tend to have a look around a good camping shop first as I like to see a product before I buy it.  I will always go for a good name rather than a cheaper copy as I am a firm believer in the saying "you get what you pay for". 

I recently bought two Outwell Deluxe Large Camping beds and although I was unable to view them before I purchased them, I read reviews about them and other similar products before buying them (they were not cheap).  As our local camping store had sold out of them, I got them on-line and was really pleased with the service - they arrived within 2 days and are brilliant products.

We are looking to upgrade out tent next year and I have set my heart on an Outwell Montana 6.  Done loads of research on this tent and have asked for opinions from a couple of camping shops in my area.  All say the Outwell make excellent tents and that the Montana 6 would suit us.  Have looked online and although I could probably get it cheaper online, I am going to buy it from our local camping shop as I know from other customers that should anything be wrong with it, they will exchange it with no problems.  

Good service is a real seller for me and I will return again and again to a shop if they provide good service and advice not only at the point of sale but afterwards as well. 

Anne

I would rather buy from a camping shop locally if I can get good service and advice and I'd be willing to pay more than shopping on the internet.  However, I recently experienced bad service from an assistant who obviously didn't camp and I thought to myself, what of waste of time and petrol, why bother.  Last week, happily, after asking advise in a camping shop, I was so impressed, I came out with a lot more than I intended to purchase!

I would go for a branded item as I feel long-term, a quality item will last longer and be the better buy.  Having said all that, I do buy camping stuff from Aldi and Lidl as it's very good value for money but I wouldn't purchase a tent from a supermarket(snob)!

Yes, I would and have, made a journey an hour or so for a big purchase or many smaller items because you can't beat a mooch around.  A trip to a camping shop is always an exciting prospect, even if I don't need anything!

Who would you consider to be the top 3 camping "names", in terms of reputation & quality ??

Do you mean manufacturer or retailer?

Great Thread. Im a bit of a geek for things like this having done consumer behaviour at uni this year!

Im always torn between a bargain and brand names so often i buy a mix of both.

I’m not fussy really... I will buy anything as long as I think it will be useful... I absolutely picking up bits and pieces from the pound shop and then using them and felling like I have got a bargain...

For example I bought 3 of those spoon, knife and fork sets for about £3 from a camp shop  -  As we have lost a few over the years, I picked up a few sets for a £1 each in the pound shop – bargain

We have bought Gerert camping pillows for £4 each but could probably have made my own by cutting up a normal pillow and sewing into 2 as the gelert ones aren’t anything special. But I just didn’t have time.

Unbranded basic wind up torches – Got a few from the petrol station for a few quid – they have lasted years and are great for the kids as I don’t mind if they leave them on as they have no batteries  

Things like cookers – I would always tend to go for a   ‘named’ reputable brand as think this is important from a safety aspect (probably unfounded though)

Tents – It has got to be a reputable brand – Outwell is a name we trust for tents so would probably always buy their tents unless we saw one that we liked and came with a good reputation.

Pegs - It's got to be Delta's everytime- they haven't let us down once.

I like to walk round camping shops and I expect the staff to know what they’re on about! If they can’t advise properly about an item, then I don’t buy.. You tend to know if they are confident about what they are talking about..

This is an interesting thread - I am guessing that you (g4fne) are in the retail business, and looking for some customer feedback. That's cool.

For me, I like quality. I hate being let down by an inferior product, and I have usually found that you get what you pay for.  So, I look for quality brand names - labels that have a reputation to maintain, and I'll pay as much as I can afford. (Remember: A well known name is not the same as a good brand name).

Of course, there are many things that don't need a brand name. I guess it depends if I am depending on it, or not. It's all about Trust.

I like to research online, but I also like to touch and feel the product, and if the staff are approachable, then getting advice from a store can be invaluable. The trouble is, often one finds the staff not approachable, or not knowledgeable. If the customer experience is right, I'll return time and time again, and I'll often pick up a spur-of-the-moment 'extra'.

I'll buy online where I think I am at least risk, and from operations with good returns policy (not that I want to return stuff, but it indicates their attitude to their customers).

As we used to repeat to our marketing trainees: "With every transaction you have the opportunity to impress, or disappoint. There's nothing inbetween"

Good luck with your reseach.

You cannot beat a good look around a decent camp shop!! When I buy things now its generally a replacement rather than a new item - although I have some good ideas!  All my 'good ideas' have to be approved by OH although I have been known to buy cheap - and then replace with a better brand if my idea has worked. However these 'good ideas' are planned stratigically - nothing is bought on a whim!

I love a bargin and will 'shop' around for the best price - if its something expensive I will generally buy from a shop incase it has to go back - or if its something I cannot get in a shop then I get it on-line (new poles for tent and storm straps).