Inexpensive Sports Equipment
This weekend our local university hosted their annual ski and snowboard sale. It’s a great way to pick up new and used equipment at discounted prices. We will need to purchase skis for our kids soon and I want to make sure that we aren’t spending unnecessary money.
As with all things kids, the equipment is quickly outgrown and often only lasts one season. Here’s where a swap sale, or resale will be a great solution. There is lots of selection, new or gently used equipment, and great prices. It also offers a place to resell our old equipment and recoup some of the cost.
Tips for getting the right equipment
- Arrive early. Kids equipment is usually a hot item and sells fast. Find out ahead of time when the lines begin to form. Here people wait in line for hours before the sale starts.
- Do your research ahead of time so you know exactly what you want. Make sure you know the appropriate sizes and conversions.
- When buying used sports equipment, make sure the organization is checking for and avoiding selling outdated or recalled items.
I prefer the swap sales over rentals because you can usually resell the equipment for a similar price. In the long run, it is often cheaper to purchase used equipment rather than rent. In addition, the sales attract many sellers, so you can be much more efficient than shopping on Craigslist or eBay.
Look for other clubs and organizations that offer swap sales for sports equipment, as I’ve heard about them for other sports.
