I bought an ex-display tent. Granted it was a little more faded than an off the rack tent, needed a little bit of a clean and that was about it. My main reason for buying was the fact it was a Polycotton and not a synthetic. At the time of buying I had the option of quite a few synthetics including The Monty 6 and a few other outwells and a couple of gelerts. The difference was pretty much night and day with regard to the condition of the synthetic tents. I also had the added bonus of getting a thorough inspection of the tent whilst it was absolutely pouring down with rain - not a drop inside made me part with my cash. The tent was a Norfolk Lake with at the time an rrp of 999 pounds - I paid 110 pounds. Now I also have the added advantage of having a cousin who works for a very famous canvas tent manufacturer and just happens to specialize in the testing and quality side of canvas tents - Including the effects of UV rays on said materials. After a fiddle about with the flysheet, he gave it the A-OK, so all in all I was lucky to get my bargain. A lot of folks here buy second hand tents from ebay - not that there's anything wrong there, but its just as risky as buying an exdisplay in my opinion. How many folks on these forums have bought second hand frame tents and are still camping in them? So for me its a no for an exdisplay synthetic tent, but a thumbs up for an exdisplay cotton tent(as long as I can see it in the rain). The other posters are completely right though! There are some exdisplay tents that are priced ridiculously high. It may be a better option to shop around for a new tent at the same price or maybe even cheaper!!
------------- Always forgive,Never forget;Learn from mistakes,But Never regret;People change,Things go wrong;Just remember life goes on
Cool campers use Delta Pegs.
The happiest people aren't the ones who have everything they are the ones who make the most of everything they have
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The 6 - 8 weeks is a bit worrying.. I've wasted cumulative days which would be 2 of those weeks with the tent up in the garden waiting for it to dry...
To be completely honest, I think it would be better to contact the tent manufacturers to find out the natural life of the tent you are interested in. Better to get it from the horses mouth so to speak.
------------- Always forgive,Never forget;Learn from mistakes,But Never regret;People change,Things go wrong;Just remember life goes on
Cool campers use Delta Pegs.
The happiest people aren't the ones who have everything they are the ones who make the most of everything they have
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Topic: Buying an Ex-Display tent, pros and cons
