Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => For Sale, Hire, Wanted, User Classifieds, Sale Bargains => Topic started by: surfnscenic on November 08, 2011
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The Regatta Shop in Portstewart, on the seafront is always worth a plunder when you are up that way.
http://www.portstewartclothing.com/
Liam, especially for you!
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not a town i'm ever in unfortunately :'(
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I've bought loads of stuff there. Obviously it's very Regatta heavy so if you're not a fan of the brand then you wont be able to buy much else, however, if you don't mind Regatta stuff it's a great spot and pretty reasonably priced. It's also a brilliant place to get cheap outdoor gear for the kids (including hiking boots/shoes).
Plus you can go to Morelli's for a wildly overpriced ice cream while you're there! (Also worth mentioning there's a great butchers in Portstewart who sells award winning sausages).
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not a town i'm ever in unfortunately :'(
Wot he said... :( :( :(
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Maybe i'am just a 'cheap-skate' but i don't buy any of my gear from shops,they're too expensive for quality brands.I prefer EBAY,i've kitted out the whole family with North face,craghoppers,berghaus,gear for a fraction of the retail price,for example i've about eight fleece jackets,all top brands with at least two of them costing near two hundred pound's,total cost to me including postal,- 129 pound,it's just a matter of searching for the items,again another example i bought a pair of Berghaus goretex yeti gaiters,cost 2.89,The seller did not spell them right so the listing was wrong,mistakes like this i'am always looking for,just got a pair of Brasher boots today,worn once,total cost including postal to me 31 pound,even if i had the money to buy new,i would not,the list goes on silva type 4 compass 4.00,craghoppers goretex jacket 19,if anyone out there does not believe me i can provide proof,anyway there's always a bargain too be had,so next time check ebay first
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Maybe i'am just a 'cheap-skate' but i don't buy any of my gear from shops,they're too expensive for quality brands.I prefer EBAY,i've kitted out the whole family with North face,craghoppers,berghaus,gear for a fraction of the retail price,for example i've about eight fleece jackets,all top brands with at least two of them costing near two hundred pound's,total cost to me including postal,- 129 pound,it's just a matter of searching for the items,again another example i bought a pair of Berghaus goretex yeti gaiters,cost 2.89,The seller did not spell them right so the listing was wrong,mistakes like this i'am always looking for,just got a pair of Brasher boots today,worn once,total cost including postal to me 31 pound,even if i had the money to buy new,i would not,the list goes on silva type 4 compass 4.00,craghoppers goretex jacket 19,if anyone out there does not believe me i can provide proof,anyway there's always a bargain too be had,so next time check ebay first
I'm with you on this... Nothing "Cheap-skate" about it!!! Although, now that you have shared this gem of information, Ebay will be cleaned out by NI-Wilders and it will be off to the shops for you ;D
I really need to get my kids kitted out properly if I'm going to enjoy the winter months in the hills and Ebay is defo the place to do it, especially for kids outdoor gear. Kids grow so fast that most of the items up for grabs will genuinely have only been worn a few times before they are outgrown.
8)
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Maybe i'am just a 'cheap-skate' but i don't buy any of my gear from shops,they're too expensive for quality brands.
Disagree with this. There are bargains to be had, your just not looking hard enough.
I feel it is better to buy in the shops, especially local independant ones. you can try on the clothes and get professional advice. I like to keep money in the community as compared to giving it away to someone else. If I have to pay a little extra to make sure someone local see's the good of it then so be it.
These sort of qualities you just cannot find anywhere else.
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most times Oisin the money does not go to local,it goes to Blacks,Cotswolds,Millets,even worse it goes to the Tax-man.It's the best way to recycle your gear and by buying from people just like ourselves we're cutting out the middle-man and in-turn helping kit ourselves out for a fraction of the price,fair point Oisin about trying on the garment for size,but i've found a way around that that,recently i was watching a summit series North face jacket on Ebay but was worried as the size was large and i though it may not fit me,so the next day when the wife was shopping in Belfast i tagged along and when around the Outdoor shops trying on different size's,guess what the large size fitted no problem,so back onto ebay 7 bids later, 36.00 thanks very much i'll have that.There's nothing like a bargain.As i posted above new brasher cost what about 128 pound or so i payed 31 for a pair worn once,bright lights and big windows i thank you not
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The temptation may be to buy stuff that you don't need because it is a good price. How many jackets do you have Mr surginor? I'm always a bit scared of counterfeit gear online.
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Hey Jsurginor, that wasnt a softshell with some repair to the front zip was it?
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RE: Buffalo Shirt - I had one when I was younger, I would buy a new one if they wern't so expensive.
Above is a prime example, and I hope you don't mind me using it Lenny!
Times are tight for everybody at the minute and I feel that if an item can be purchased second hand, in order to get you out into the hills, then go for it!!!
It doesn't have to be second hand items either...
I do understand the benefit of advice received from "some" outlets when purchasing boots etc, and buying items like this on Ebay usually ends in false economy but...
...if I was looking to buy an item, and wanted a bit of guidance beforehand, I would put a post up here on NI-Wild and let our Gear Monkeys give me the pros and cons, then I would get myself on-line and buy it at a bargain price.
If I can save myself 30-40% (Which is nearly always the case, even after p&p) I'm going to.
8)
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Well to be far i did buy one north face fleece that was a rip-off,and that was a good point about buying too much stuff as well.Let's see now I,ve five north face ,two karrimor,two Berghaus,1 craghopper fleece's too many i know ,but some of them were as little as 2 quid,so when you put the price together what i payed for them it works out about the price of two jackets from a store
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most times Oisin the money does not go to local,it goes to Blacks,Cotswolds,Millets,even worse it goes to the Tax-man.
Even though I'm not talking about the big chain stores I see where your coming from. But that in comparison to the amount of money Ebay make? tiny.
I was mainly meaning the shops that are owned by local people, the smaller shops.
There are bargains in the shops all the time, just wait until they are wanting to get rid of old stock or last seasons, alot of the time its cheaper than it would be on ebay, and you get it instantly.
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Example:
Primus Omnifuel Stove - Amazon: £119.99 (Plus Nectar Loyalty Points)
Primus Omnifuel Stove - Cotswolds; £145.00
18% Saving without having to try and get parked or sit in traffic for an hour.
Links
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Primus-Omni-Fuel-Stove-Bottle/dp/B000KBJ8N4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1320847735&sr=8-2
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/product/primus-omnifuel/fuseaction/products.detail/code/97210015/id_colour/180
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Example: Example Revised
Remember % Discounts
Cotswold
15% of £145 = £21.75
New price = £123.25
Amazon
£119.99 + P&P (9.99)
Total = 129.98
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Well Osin I think you're right about sourcing out local suppliers offering good prices,it can only be a good thing
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OMFG really, are we really discussing this. If you want to shop around and get the best price then do so. If you want to give away extra money for the same stuff more fool you. but do we really need to disscuss this???
Back-up sonny, I'm enjoying the debate :-*
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my best ebay bargain, a goretex sprayway coat for £1 :) , also bought loads i don't need :( , some day i'll have to get round to selling it all ::)
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The discussion has already extended beyond mere bottom-line price into wider consideration such as service and local jobs. I think it's worth the thoughts of those who want to talk about it.
Oisin, touche on the stove pricing example ;)
Having worked in high-street retail I have been glad of those jobs, and hence the customers who used the shops, but admittedly do enjoy the choice, handiness and prices of online retailers like Amazon & eBay. I'm happy to pay a difference for good service when needed, and a little difference for instant ownership. Many local places will match valid prices or at least do their best to get in the zone of possible agreement (considering their physical overheads).
Although someone always has to buy new, or be the one making it; in terms of sustainability, which may be on the mind of many outdoor users who value the environment, the second-hand/recycling scene is also important. Many outdoor products take a lot of energy, water and fossil resources to produce. Added to their long life-span it makes sense to pass them on if no-longer wanted.
eBay only take 10% for giving you access to millions of potential buyers. Although it adds up to megabucks in their pocket from millions of auctions, each seller gets 90% of the transaction, and they aren't owners of chain stores or global companies - they're regular folk (usually national) who might spend that money down the shop to buy a new jacket rather than add it to their big bank account.
Gumtree is completely free and dealing with people local to you.
There are many good points here. I see it as a big complex web. In the long run it does us harm to be too mercenary, but no point denying opportunity when needed.
As a bike courier some people tell me I'm too expensive and others tell me I'm too cheap. The service/product has different value to them. As the one on the bike I can only say it isn't worth my time to do it for any less, in which case no one would have the service available to them!
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Example: Example Revised Example Revised Again
Remember % Discounts
Cotswold
15% of £145 = £21.75
New price = £123.25
Amazon
£119.99 + P&P (9.99)
Total = 129.98
Not everybody gets the 15% discount, and if they do, then why add it on in the first place?
Also, it would definitely cost me more than £9.99 to get into Belfast by car or Bus from Downpatrick in petrol alone, never mind having to pay for parking if I visited the City Centre store.
Here's a Primus Omnifuel (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Primus-Omnifuel-Stove-with-Fuel-Bottle-/200627449884?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Camping_CookingSupplies_ET&hash=item2eb653f01c#ht_500wt_1287) on Ebay. Brand New £108.46 + £7.50 p&p (Total £115.96) on a Buy-it-Now auction
Most on-line items arrive the next day and can be delivered to your home or work. If I was relying on local stores I would have to wait up to 5 days to get the items I wanted (Sunday to Saturday) or take time off work to visit the store. On-line Shopping is 24/7.
The idea of buying to much online shouldn't really come into it. I find I buy more walking round the shops because it's all sitting there in front of me. If I go into a shop for one thing I nearly always end up buying two or three things instead.
Last time I was in Cotswolds I went in for a £6 bottle of Primus Fuel and ended up with a map of Donegal, an Animal Hat and a pair of Scarpa Hiking boots and a spork >:(
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Your
sword spork skills are not lacking. Touche touche!
Good postage and time constraints turn the tables on store immediacy in your case (and many others). More good points.
note - don't let any of my bosses see about all those add-on sales you bought: makes my sales efforts look bad, think I sold more re-proofer than jackets ;D
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Dowser, allot of the points you make are very valid and I certainly agree with them. I would buy a fair amount of kit online and I don't personally have a problem in doing so, though on the flipside I do occasionally shop locally, Cotswold, Surf Mountain and Jacksons due to the discount afforded to me through various groups or friends who work there.
Your point about why charge the 15-20% extra is true but I feel that the discount is applied on a number of levels, loyalty and perhaps because someone brings people into the store through recommendations. Does it make the application of discount fair, well no.
Clothes and personal kit I always buy new, I don't know why it is just something I feel the need to do, it's just one of those wee things about me. I like new gear and kit and I suppose something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it but I am realistic in what I am willing to pay for it.
All in all i suppose it comes down to two key points for me, cost vs. quality and confidence in your gear it if all goes wrong, these two things, in my opinion, are very personal.
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And to think all I said was:- :) ;)
The Regatta Shop in Portstewart, on the seafront is always worth a plunder when you are up that way.
http://www.portstewartclothing.com/
Liam, especially for you!
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Good points made by all.
Still like the buying in shops more than online, more of an experience. Everyone's different though. :)
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I have to enter into this discussion as a guy who works in the retail business even though I work in the office. The idea of going into a local shop and trying on stuff and getting the benefit of the sales assistant’s advice and then going online to buy the garment I think is unfair. I don’t mind people buying stuff online but don’t use shops to do the research. Use forums like these for advice. Because of this, some of us, including me are on 3 days a week. The reason why things are cheaper online is because they don’t have the same overheads. In fact as someone said earlier, how do you know what you are getting? Is it a copy? Is a fake? By all means buy online but also think of your local high street retailers. Can’t be fairer than that. Can I?
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I have to enter into this discussion as a guy who works in the retail business even though I work in the office. The idea of going into a local shop and trying on stuff and getting the benefit of the sales assistant’s advice and then going online to buy the garment I think is unfair. I don’t mind people buying stuff online but don’t use shops to do the research. Use forums like these for advice. Because of this, some of us, including me are on 3 days a week. The reason why things are cheaper online is because they don’t have the same overheads. In fact as someone said earlier, how do you know what you are getting? Is it a copy? Is a fake? By all means buy online but also think of your local high street retailers. Can’t be fairer than that. Can I?
On the point about trying on in shops I recall reading an article in a magazine probably Trail or TGO where a retailer in an outdoor clothing shop charges people for trying on, for this very reason. If they buy it the initial charge is deducted from the cost. I can see why they do it.
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In my 'opinion' this is what's wrong with posting idea's on a forum,in no way what so ever did i instruct,or advice that other's should do what i did in respect of trying on a coat in a retail shop before i bought it online,this was a personnel account of how i bought this coat,i can see now that this seems to offend some people,but i made the mistake of thinking some of you guys were in the same situation as me ,ie can't afford the shop prices,made the mistake of thinking personnel opinion's are welcomed,ps i also work in retail,and it never stopped me telling anyone a good way to get a bargain
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If I was looking for a new item of clothing I have no problems with trying it in the shop them buying it online. In the end its all about what you want and what you can afford. I know there are overheads for running a shop but the increased prices in shops are OTT and I am sure you still make loads of profit (why else would you do it?). Business that sell online have overheads and can still keep there prices down. I must add I do buy from shops as well and have gave many a penny to Jacksons and Surf Mountain. But at the end of the day why pay more when you dont have to ???
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Thank's Lenny
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But at the end of the day why pay more when you dont have to ???
Well said... That sums up what competition in the market place is all about.
Competition is healthy, and good for the consumer.
Also keeps the retailer on his toes which should ultimately lead to better local prices and services ;)
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in no way what so ever did i instruct,or advice that other's should do what i did in respect of trying on a coat in a retail shop before i bought it online,this was a personnel account of how i bought this coat
I don't see any reply that said you did. There was opinion aired on the method described in your personal account of that particular coat. There are some who agree with it, and some who don't.
I will openly admit to having 'tried in store & bought elsewhere' at least once, but am less inclined to do it again having since thought about the matter.
Also keeps the retailer on his toes which should ultimately lead to better local prices and services ;)
It certainly does!
I know there are overheads for running a shop but the increased prices in shops are OTT and I am sure you still make loads of profit (why else would you do it?). Business that sell online have overheads and can still keep there prices down.
The overheads really do not compare: rates, fancy fixtures, theft, staff, lighting, heating are all many times more than online outlets. The record stores didn't make enough profit to stay open when amazon and play.com came along. For that, I'm as guilty as the next. It's complex, and wider economic situations and lifestyle changes pressure our approach to retail... in a sense most of these things are not essential like food, but they are all part of having an enjoyable (and even healthy) lifestyle /keeping us sane... which isn't a bad thing as long as it doesn't make a lot of other people unhappy ;)
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Sorry guy's I wasn't making any personnel attacks. Apologies if I gave that impression. All I am saying is, it works both ways. Buy online but also don't forget the retailer as well as it might be cheaper as pointed out by a previous contributor to this discussion. At the moment I can't really buy in outdoor shops because of my 3 day week but I am going back to the old days whereby I am putting my aside in my local outdoor shop through a "Club Scheme".. I have half of the price of a new Bearghaus Jacket that I am looking at nearly paid for. It maybe the long way around but I will get it eventually. Don’t get me wrong, I have bought stuff online. Usually things that I can’t get locally.
Where I work, we don’t charge for trying garments on as this would not be feasible in our situation. We want people to come into our shops. Also it is not really true to say the small high street shop is making profits, they are just making a living as with all the staff that are working there. Online Shopping versus High street shopping. Online wins as they don’t have to employ as many staff or their set up cost are not high. Like Like twentyclicks says they don't have electric, telephone and rates bills like a shopowner has and it can be done from their homes. So, as high street shopper is serving the local area and some of you may have family members and friends employed. Just a thought. Again, I don't have anything against buying online.
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Thought I'd chirp in here ;D
Just before Christmas I bought a pair of Regatta Ghyllbeck boots from TK Maxx for £30. I could have put out £100+ at Cotswolds but after reading some comments here I chose to search TK Maxx and Sports Direct.
These boots fitted perfectly in the shop and have been comfortable ever since as I've been breaking them in :)
(http://www.rutlandoutdoor.com/ProductImages/rmf198-41p-u.jpg)
I also picked up cheap gaiters from Tesco for £7. I have since tested these through muddy puddles past my ankles. Not a drop of water or dampness entered my foot area :D Shame the dog didn't have the same protection :o
My point being the cheaper stuff isn't always terrible. Of course your mileage may vary :)
I got my daughter a pair of these from TK Maxx. Haven't tested these but they are comfortable.
(http://www.regatta.com/images-AW/products-aw/RWF194-8MS-d.jpg)
BTW I'll go where things are cheapest; online or bricks & mortar ;D
But I'll always give preference where customer service is particularly good like Cotswolds. Some retailers prices are just way out and they really need to take a fresh look at things.
If I was charged to try something on I'd turn immediately and walk out. I love visiting outdoors shops and often buy on impulse plus it's easier to hide from the missus ;)