When purchasing new camping gear, quality is important, but so is the price. You don’t want a flimsy product and you don’t want to pay top dollar if you don’t have to. At the same time also, you want to avoid deals that seem too good to be true. While extremely cheap offers can sound like a great deal, they often aren’t.
Sometimes camping equipment deals that seem too good to be true actually are – although the initial investment might be low, it could end up costing you in the long term, whether through maintenance costs or missed opportunities to put your money toward a more worthwhile investment. Here are the reasons why you should be careful with extremely cheap camping equipment.
You Could Be Buying Fake Camping Gear
Reputable camping gear vendors like Woods Canada want nothing to do with fake goods. The brand has value to the retailer as well. If asked, vendors should be able to clarify their supply chain. Some camping equipment that are extremely cheap are actually fake.
If you’re buying something pre-owned, it can be difficult to keep the same level of scrutiny up. Check labels and serial numbers as carefully as possible. If an item has survived one owner, odds are good it’s not counterfeit.
When shopping for camping equipment online, stay away from auction sites which are rife with counterfeit goods. Look for authorized retailers or online versions of brick-and-mortar stores. These retailers are more likely to have those supply chain controls in place.
It Will Still Cost You
Even if you get an item for free it still costs you in some way. It can take up space and breathing room in your home. It can take up time, effort, and energy if you’re researching, driving, and picking it up.
You can have a bag full of free stuff for your camping trip but those items will still take up your time in cleaning, maintaining, repairing, and moving them.
Before you take anything that is free, remind yourself that free is never really free and what it will cost you.
Consumer Implications
As a consumer you need to remember that nothing is free! When something is offered extremely cheap, it simply means the provider is assuming the cost. Typically, there is a valid reason for this. When you get a better deal, you spend more. Just because something is cheap does not mean it is better or even cheaper for you.
You May Lose Money in the End
These days we rarely buy gear at full price, because we know there is usually a discount. However, some retailers deliberately price certain products low to get the attention of consumers to whom they hope to sell other more expensive products.
It’s easy to rationalize purchases by saying “But it’s so cheap!” A $10, $15, or even $20 purchase may seem like nothing, but that cheapness only encourages us to buy more cheap stuff.
It’s easy to be seduced by the cheapness of something into thinking it’s a good deal or right for you or your budget. Stores know this, and that’s why they often have a bin of super-cheap stuff right by the entrance.
You Could Get Scammed
If you’re buying camping gear that’s extremely cheap online, chances are the vendor is trying to scam you. Getting a great deal online involves more than just getting the lowest price. You’ll want to be sure that products arrive on time, that quality is what you expected, that items include a proper warranty, and that there is a way for you to return products or get support with any questions or issues you have.