Trying to sell my Bear Lake 6,wanted £400 for it now reduced to £375 Ono,only had a little bit of interest in it,currently for sale on Facebook and gumtree,are these tents no longer sought after or do people just want cheap second hand polyester tents?
I guess it depends how old it is, how much used, what condition and what you're including with it, as well as the price. And, if you've included lots of recent, good pics in your ad.
Where you're situated will be a factor as well as whether you're prepared to post.
If you put it on ebay with a low start price the market will decide what it's worth...
Wild guess on my part, as I'm not into buying and/or selling used goods, but I'd say the majority of folk looking at the used market are likely to be newbies, looking to set up as cheap as possible, "to see if they like camping", as many on here often advise. With respect, many of them wouldn't know the difference between "a cheap polyester tent" and a decent polycotton, but even if they did, at this stage of their camping career, they'd stick with the cheap polyester anyway.
So straight away, your target audience is reduced massively.
Those that get into it, and fall in love with it, then start looking at upgrading their gear, including the jump from a polyester to a polycotton tent.
However, as they have now convinced themselves that they are in it for the long haul, it could be argued that they may well be prepared to pay new prices for new gear, thus limiting your target audience again, to those that now appreciate the advantages of polycotton, but remain "on a tight budget".
The majority of folk that appreciate the value of a good tent will already have a good tent.
The number of folk that are prepared to fork out £400 on a used tent may well be extremely low.
Add into the equation a general mistrust by many re used goods in general, and almost certainly with regards to tents (Which can look perfect to the eye, at the time of "cash on collection", but fail miserably once set up in the rain).
Maybe also add in the fact that we are well into the camping season now, as opposed to being at the start.
And of course, if it's a collection only, the audience is reduced again, to those living nearby.
I'd say it's very much a niche market, with a limited target audience, and very much reliant on luck. All you can do is sit tight, and not let it go for silly money (unless you're desperate for the cash, of course).
*Disclaimer:
The above is based on very little knowledge and/or experience with used selling and/or buying.
The above is based on very little knowledge of Outwell tents in general, and/or the specifically mentioned Bear Lake 6 Polycotton tent or it's considered value.
The above is based on very little knowledge. Full Stop!
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 17/7/2017
The number of folk that are prepared to fork out £400 on a used tent may well be extremely low.
Geography matters as well. A new product gets delivered to your door. Many sellers on eBay will not arrange delivery of bulky second-hand items, so although it's not such an issue if the item is only 10 miles away, it is certainly an issue if you have to trek halfway across the country to pick the items up.
Once you factor in the fuel and the time lost driving when you could be working (I'm self-employed), the item can end up costing hundreds of pounds more than the sticker price. I do watch tents and other items on eBay, but I have to be very selective about what I go for.
If I were looking at your Bear Lake, I would probably have to factor in well over £100 in fuel and likely several hours of driving as well, so call it a half day off work at least. So to me the real cost to get the item bought and back to my home is more like £600 than £400 or £375.
This is a general point, not one specific to tents, but the net effect is that, for many buyers, the gap between second-hand items and new items is actually smaller than many sellers think. That makes the new items more attractive and pushes down demand for second-hand items.
Quote: Originally posted by Bearlake6camper on 17/7/2017
Trying to sell my Bear Lake 6,wanted £400 for it now reduced to £375 Ono,only had a little bit of interest in it,currently for sale on Facebook and gumtree,are these tents no longer sought after or do people just want cheap second hand polyester tents?
If you want an honest answer it is probably overpriced. A quick look on ebay sold items see's them selling between £210 to £300 at auction with one exception. Auction is the only real way to see the products worth.
Plus the pics on your ad aren't the best, showing the tent on what looks like a garage floor. Then your description, highlighting how heavy the awning is and that is needs a small repair.
Add this to your relatively rural location...
Sorry if this sounds harsh, not meant to but if it helps you sell it then i'm happy :-)
Thanks for the helpful replies I was reluctant to sell the Tent but me and the wife have fallen out of love with camping,we have very busy lives with 2 young children and demanding jobs,the Tent is kept on garage floor and wanted to get rid before potential mice get into it and to raise some cash for our abroad holiday next year,not too keen on eBay as think the fees are a bit ott nowadays but looking like the only option for a quick sale.
We bought both our outwell tents on ebay . Norfolk lake and indian lake.
These were our first proper tents after a gifted polyester tent gave us the camping bug.
Keep ion trying.
Best to start with a low price and let the bids start.
Good luck
Quote: Originally posted by Bearlake6camper on 17/7/2017
Thanks for the helpful replies I was reluctant to sell the Tent but me and the wife have fallen out of love with camping,we have very busy lives with 2 young children and demanding jobs,the Tent is kept on garage floor and wanted to get rid before potential mice get into it and to raise some cash for our abroad holiday next year,not too keen on eBay as think the fees are a bit ott nowadays but looking like the only option for a quick sale.
I know what you mean re ebay fees, although in my experience you generally get a better price which more than covers their charges. Avoid paypal if you can.
As Westward says, geography plays a big part and it gets worse if you live anywhere north of Dundee or a Scottish island as carriers won't look at you!
I want to sell my (old style) Kairos, with footprint and carpet. It's only been used twice from new (circumstances changed) and stored inside. £100 the lot. No takers because of the delivery charges.
My Caranex, with full free-standing kit, is being trialled by our local event first aid group to see if it's suitable for providing privacy for people injured/taken ill at events when we're not supplied with other accommodation. If so, then this will be bought off me - I can't afford to give that kind of money away - in instalments.
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A few years ago I think you would have sold it more easily. Trouble is these days air tents have caught on for large family tents, especially heavy polycotton ones.
The Bear Lake is an awesome tent, but it is also very time consuming and heavy to pitch. Most people are selling them to buy something easier to pitch, which limits the market.
For £300 they are a fantastic bargain for anyone willing to put them up and down though, when you think you wouldn't be getting half the quality if buying some new polyester tent costing twice as much.
If you don't want it then anything for it is better than nothing. Put it on eBay £10 start & sell to highest bidder buyer collects. It will sell for much higher price if you erect it in garden & take plenty of photos.
Forgot to mention, you may make more on any accessories you have for the BL if you sell them separately.
We had the tent, carpet, front extension and groundsheet and sold them as 4 lots. Plenty of people bought the tent and then wish they had extra bits to go with it, or bits get damaged and they need spares.
I kid you not, we sold our BL6 groundsheet for £120 on eBay. I think we ran it as an auction starting at £20. I nearly fell off my seat when the auction ended!!
You could even split the tent for spares if you don't mind posting to people. The BL6 sold in high numbers so there will be people out there who have a torn or mouldy inner tent, a bent pole, mucky fly sheet or a holed ZIG.
If you sell it whole, remember there are always other BL6 on eBay, so make sure yours is the best photographed and the best described listing to maximise the interest and price you will get. Photos from all sides, photos inside, photos of the bags and pegs and door mat etc.
To be honest Jim you have hit the nail on the head, we were going to go down the air Tent route when we decided it would still be hard work with 2 young children and all the equipment, it's on eBay with a 250 reserve and if it doesn't sell I'm not giving it away, might want to use it again one day.
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Topic: Why can`t I sell my Tent?
