Second Hand Stores and Closeouts

thatmguy · Jan 26, 2003

Be sure that you check your local second hand stores or the stores where they are set up like a garage sale.

At mine, I found a "Platypus 7 piece set" - 2x1 litre pouches, 1x2 litre pouch with drinking tube, and 3 Nalgene small mouth bottles, 1 with loop top - price - $6.00

I had also found an MSR Titanium Kettle for $4.50, and a SnowPeak cookset (can't remember model name) that is 2 piece (top is frypan, bottom is pot), oval and holds a cuttingboard, and will also hold a fuel cannister and stove - for $4.00 (didn't have the fuel or stove though...)

There are a ton of other things I've bought for dimes on the dollar.

Last week, a luggage shop, El Portal, was closing. Space Pens $5 (one with a leather wallet), Space Pen refills $.40 each, leather laptop case $20 (no strap so extra discount), Eagle Creek and Victorinox pouches for $3-5 each.

Use your money wisely, and check out the stuff going on all around you.

x39 · Jan 26, 2003

I picked up a blaze orange LL Bean backpack at the Goodwill store today for 29 cents! It shows some use, but has no tears and all the zippers work, I thought it was a pretty good find.

RokJok · Jan 27, 2003

Right you are, gentlemen! Inventory disposal stores, Dollar Stores, charity stores (Salvation Army, St Vincent De Paul, Deseret Industries, etc) and garage/yard sales are excellent sources for picking up items on the cheap. In my area is the surplus outlet for an airplane manufacturer and you can find just the craziest material items there at decent discounts.

Also check the "warehouse district" of your locale for surplus outlets or disposal vendors. Some of these could be factory storefront shops (especially good from smaller manufacturers), overstocks, damaged packaging returns, obsolete models disposal, used but in good shape items, etc.

And there's always eBay....

Think outside the (brick & mortar) box for the best deals.

Tightwad · Feb 1, 2003

Ah Yess! A subject near and dear to the ol' Tightwads own heart

Saving money

In addtion to the places mentioned I prefer
used for most of what I buy (except really
personal stuff

) to get 99% of the use
for 20% of the cost or less

sere_usaf · Feb 22, 2003

Another good thing I've found when buying new equipment for my various hobbies, I guess you could say is..."Buy in advance." What I mean is, at the end of the current season start shopping around and picking up the clearance/closeout items that weren't sold. I found you can get alot of this stuff close to 50-75% off if you time it just right! But like I said, it's kinda like "buying in advance"...cuz by this time the seasons changing (and depending on your hobby) and you'll have to wait until next year. I know it sounds corny...but I've picked up quality BRAND NEW equipment for almost nothing.

That's just me though...

thatmguy · Feb 22, 2003

Right, now is a prime time. A lot of sporting goods stores are having year-end clearances (end of their accounting year).

I've been picking stuff up for 1/2 price or better. Get out there, spend some money, save some money, and improve your stash.

Mike

x39 · Feb 23, 2003

I scored again this week at the Goodwill store, a pair of Sorel boots in almost new condition for $4.99! Their the kind that look like hiking boots with black rubber up over the toe and leather uppers that are a bit over ankle height. Very comfy.

Tightwad · Feb 23, 2003

A Tightwad's rule to live by.....

You NEVER have to pay full price for anything
because you'll ALWAYS have more time than money.
So let someone else pay the full price and you
get the full use buying USED.

swede79 · Feb 23, 2003

Tightwad, you sure sound like my wife... Wait a minute, how come she's never around while you're posting. Hmmm...

Bhodisatva · Feb 28, 2003

Thatmguy - where is this second hand store at?

The best deals I have found are old school T-shirts for 99cents at the Thrift shop, and the usual stuff in the Campmor and Sierra Trader catalogs.

thatmguy · Feb 28, 2003

It is a loca lstore called New Uses here in Columbus.

It is a hit-or-miss. I can go in 30-70 times before a score like the ones I mentioned, but I rarely leave empty handed.

People bring in stuff when they clean out garages and work areas, and this place buys cheap and sells at a comfortable markup.

The kettle and solo kit were scored about a week apart. It was several months until I later found the hydration stuff.

I've picked up a couple SAKs for $5-7 each, as well as a Gerber multitool for $5.

Persistance is the key, as well as a good network of family/friends to alert you to places with bargains.

farmboy · Mar 1, 2003

My personal best is a Harris Bipod for $1.00. I'll bet the wife caught hell when hubby got home that night!