I've been looking at the FS threads and it got me thinking why people have stuff to sell? I haven't had any old gear that is fit to sell on. Am I alone in only getting stuff that is used to destruction then stuffed into a drawer just in case it can be used again? I am still using every bit of outdoor kit I own and have ever owned except for stuff that has been damaged beyond use or no longer fit me (my excellent buffalo windshirt actually that might fit me know)?
I know I am a hoarder so do struggle to relinquish stuff and some stuff doesn't get used that much but it does till get used. I think the reduce, reuse and recycle mantra works. I basically never have to get rid of stuff as it is rare for anything to be beyond further use. The only thing I have that needs to be got rid of is an old leaky tent. I'm loathe to get rid of such a stalwart that has served me well.
What reasons do people have to sell stuff on? Wrong size? Wrong product? Just bought on a whim and need to sell to get the next item bought on a whim?
The first two reasons I never do as I really take too long to get anything so I know it is the right size and the right product for me. I do buy on a whim but everything I buy like that is used until I no longer are able to use it. I never find I need to sell anything to replace it with another spur of the moment purchase. I never buy anything without the money to cover it without selling anything.
It does amuse me to see some gear freaks who practically seem to live in the classified topics.
Being an alumnus of the mountaineering club at the university I work at, I tend to give some usable stuff to them. So a couple of packs I don't use any more, all my pre-LED head-torches etc. have gone to them.
If something's in pretty good condition (the odd thing that got bought but never found a use) I'll maybe eBay it, but on the whole that's more faff than it's worth for a few quid. More typically it's stuff that's pretty well used and I give it away, sometimes free, sometimes in return for a small donation to RNLI/MRT at the recipient's discretion.
because i like to try stuff so i accumulate stuff that i don't really like or it turns out that i have very little or no opportunity to use it.
i've gone through the whole gamut of waterproofs before finding paramo the perfect one for me - i used to think goretex/event was breathable; until you try something that really is.
what's curious is that despite trying loads of stuff i find myself coming back to time and again is the "old fashioned" gear. it's been around for so long in the same guise because simply it works and works well - e.g. karisma fleece, windtops, buffalo, silk, wooly jumper, wooly hat
> What reasons do people have to sell stuff on? Wrong size? Wrong product? Just bought on a whim and need to sell to get the next item bought on a whim?
All of the above, yes. Or buying better stuff once you've tried something, and realise you can get better.
I often buy stuff just to try out.
But I keep it all for 'reference purposes'...
Then there are the 'stupid bargain' purchases in TKM...
I'm in a similar situation, really. I've got kit that I bought 18 years ago (and I'm only 31!) when I was first starting to invest holiday job money in gear. I still climb in 18 year old rock shoes that fit me perfectly and have been re-soled a half dozen times. One or two older bits just get saved for 'mucking about'; worn out baselayer gets recycled if I can find a place to do so. Saleable kit - of which there's very little but just occasionally I have something decent that is surplus to requirements - goes to charity shops.
I used to use the same gear for years, till i started getting into the 'lightweight thing' about 5 or 6 years ago. I bought very little new gear and it was used till destruction.
Now i only sell gear if it is in good condition, and i don't have any use for it. I tend to keep everything i buy. Having 2 kids is a great excuse to buy/hoard gear. I can buy something new knowing it will also do them.
On the whole I wear stuff out, I find that there levels of wear that defines use, first is stuff that is either new or still works as new so that's ones best gear, hill use only and you look after it properly.
Then there's second string, stuff thats pretty worn or old but still OK, that's for when you might be doing something thats a bit too rough/dirty for your best kit, this just gets shoved in the cupboard when not in use, no special care.
Then there is the stuff that is really f***ed, this goes to the gear graveyard, stored loose in the back of the landrover with the jack & toolbox etc, this kit is only used when doing really messy stuff (think things involving paint, fuel, cement, oil, soot, blood, manure etc), I find once kit reaches this level it usually ends up being slowly ground to bits under all the other 'junk' in there and eventually dissapears. Occasionally I'll clean out the back of the rover and find a couple of odd gloves full of holes, a flattened boot with no laces and a twisted up, mouldy, oil and dirt encrusted rag that on close inspection is recognisable as a once treasured and much caressed state of the art waterproof jacket.
Then there is the stuff that is really f***ed, this goes to the gear graveyard, stored loose in the back of the landrover with the jack & toolbox etc, this kit is only used when doing really messy stuff (think things involving paint, fuel, cement, oil, soot, blood, manure etc), I find once kit reaches this level it usually ends up being slowly ground to bits under all the other 'junk' in there and eventually dissapears. Occasionally I'll clean out the back of the rover and find a couple of odd gloves full of holes, a flattened boot with no laces and a twisted up, mouldy, oil and dirt encrusted rag that on close inspection is recognisable as a once treasured and much caressed state of the art waterproof jacket......
..... and these go straight to the OM classified - "used once... only ever pitched in the garden", you know the sort of thing!!
so no geaar junkies here then. All stuff bought and used to destruction? Hmmm! Why don't I completely believe?
I have never had the money to keep splashing out to find my ideal system / gear. having said that everything I have bought (as opposed to others who bought me stuff - I mean a fleece is a fleece isn't it sort of comments) has been an improvement or a considered purchase. They have all been an improvement on what has gone before. I learnt a number of years ago that before a purchase is made it is better to research the best thing for your needs taking into account efficiency of money. However if you have no alternative to spending a lot then you have to, just save up first. It is worth getting good gear over the cheaper gear IMHO. However You can find cheap bargains if you know what you really need.
My gear gets used to destruction. If it has not fallen apart it is in my cupboard, spare bed, various wardrobes and front room waiting to be used. I do have a heirarchy. My good gear gets used most but for my allotment I use those fleece jumpers bought for me, they are great for that. I will never use my softshells for digging the plot over. however if I am honest my only gear to have failed have been boots and one tent. I still have some of those boots (good enough for gardening despite the cracks in the sole aren't they? My tent is still at home because Ii have a sentimental attitude to it. I had so many good trips in it. Kind of like putting an old dog down, iI just can't so it has gone to a retirement home behind my wardrobe.
Clothing just seems to go on for ever. My first synthetic piece of clothing for the outdoors was a HH lifa top bought at the age of xx. Well Lets just say 24/25 years ago when I was a kid (still fits because it stretches). Funny how strong smells bring back memories!!
I have never had anything fit to pass on to anyone. My only weakness has been stoves. I have bought a load to tryout and will use them again. I could sell some on but why as I'd get nothing for a mini trangia clone or a honey or a pepsi can stove, etc.
Then there is the stuff that is really f***ed, this goes to the gear graveyard, stored loose in the back of the landrover with the jack & toolbox etc, this kit is only used when doing really messy stuff (think things involving paint, fuel, cement, oil, soot, blood, manure etc), I find once kit reaches this level it usually ends up being slowly ground to bits under all the other 'junk' in there and eventually dissapears. Occasionally I'll clean out the back of the rover and find a couple of odd gloves full of holes, a flattened boot with no laces and a twisted up, mouldy, oil and dirt encrusted rag that on close inspection is recognisable as a once treasured and much caressed state of the art waterproof jacket......
..... and these go straight to the OM classified - "used once... only ever pitched in the garden", you know the sort of thing!!
I hope you're not referring to my lovely "as-new " Laser Comp here, Matt. 93 bleedin' views and not a nibble. Are they all holding out for the new Vaude Power Lizard?
Anyhoo, back to the OP's question. I have sold on a fair few items of kit as my backpacking style has evolved. Realising that a 17kg pack was no fun for an old git like me, I sold on the items that I replaced with lighter alternatives. No point in keeping them if I'm never going to use them. Where possible, I try to find an alternative use for something so my Primus Anti-gravity stove is now used for solo car camping, as is my MSR Blacklite pan set, both former backpacking items.
I think one of the reasons that people end up with surplus gear is that outdoor kit itself is actually fairly cheap compared to both other sports (think of golf or fishing) and to the difference it can make to your enjoyment of the hills.
I went through several combinations and brands of sock before finding the one that suited me. I probably spent over £60 doing so but that is nothing compared to the bliss of comfortable feet on the trail. Sleeping bags and mats is another area where trial and error (plus a few quid) to find what suits you is well worth doing.
Well I recently generated a huge surplus by suddenly discovering the idea of things that fit me - I've now won my war on arm lift Since I don't like the idea of keeping anything I'm not going to wear again around I moved a bunch of stuff on. Some charity shop, some here.
I guess it'd be the same if I found something notably better and affordable than my existing things - then I'd replace them and likely move the old one on.
Shoes I don't really have a 'soft' usage for. They tend to get retired for use walking to work on pavements which finishes them off soon enough!
I've bought a couple of things and then decided they're not for me so these have been sold on.
I've also sold on some clothing that I've slimmed down from, purely due to size. I look after my gear so its in good condition and I only sell to help someone fund their habit cheapily.
In a way, this helps with the use, reuse and recycle.
> I have never had the money to keep splashing out to find my ideal system / gear.
I have. Lucky me. To share that good fortune, I try to pass on my findings...
Thanks, only goes to remind us lot what we would like but can't afford. Well, can afford but at the expense of other stuff that it seems I have to buy ahead of outdoor gear. I'm sure the council will understand that a new tent is more important than paying for libraries, police, fire service etc.
Having said that I do have a very good system / gear collection not by trial and error (well a little bit) but by reading up on gear, advice from forums, online reviews, mag reviews and friends advice / recommendations.Informed decisions over luck, trial and error or several dead end purchases.
Needless to say if you can't afford to buy something that doesn't work means that what you get is right for you and gets used which also means it gets used until fit for the bin or recycling.
Having said that I do have a very good system / gear collection not by trial and error (well a little bit) but by reading up on gear, advice from forums, online reviews, mag reviews and friends advice / recommendations.Informed decisions over luck, trial and error or several dead end purchases.
We've all made them from time to time I'm sure. Could be a thread about that, What's the biggest turkey one has ever bought?
Not exactly relevant but I've been a prize turkey today. I put my BMC Llakes map on my roof then opened the boot of my estate. Sure enough after shutting it aand making sure it was shut (looking at the bottom of the boot lid) I turned and got into my car driving off with it on the roof.
So if anyone goes near the Elterwater carpark (the free one above the village up the hill a little) or on the road back to Aside please pick it up it is mine. It wass bought as soon as they hit the shops and part of the print on the edge near Wasdale has rubbed off. Its been everywhere in the Lakes with me. I could just buy a new one though.
. 93 bleedin' views and not a nibble. Are they all holding out for the new Vaude Power Lizard?
.JPG)
