Would you buy a second hand tent?

[lisad123]

We need to replace our folding camper and have decided that for now we can only afford a tent.
I'm really not keen on nylon do going for polycotton and love the outwell ones. Size wise thinking bearlake or Clearlake is more of our choosing.
They are quite a lot new but seem to be holding their second hand price too.
Would you buy second hand?? I know to look for holes and mould, but other than that it's fine right?
We need a replacement ASAP so can't be too picky either :(

I think you'd need to see it erected and thoroughly check it out, it wouldn't bother me buying second hand as some people are more in love with the idea of camping than the reality hence selling. Research tent, age costs etc and give it a thorough inspection.
If your unsure and in a real rush why not rent a tent?
www.tent2hire.co.uk/
Lots of other company's too,just an option, maybe they sell them off too?

Definitely we have sold some lovely tents just because as our family grew so did our tent !

I'd agree - we've just sold our Outwell Norfolk Lake to a lovely family. Check the photos on ebay - if people tend to use their own photos then they seem to take pride in their tent and would therefore have looked after it better (hopefully!) try to see it erected if you can.
The fact that they do hold their price shows what quality they are.
What's your budget?
If you are used to a folding camper then what about a trailer tent instead? There are lots on ebay and they seem to be cheaper than folding campers.

Damn wish I knew you were selling a Norfolk lake, would have bitten your hand off! can I ask how much you got for it? I'm confused about prices and which outsells are poly cotton.
We are used to our folding camper but can't really afford the garage rent anymore, so am going for a tent and small lockable trailer that fits on drive.
I will sleep in anything as long as its warm and dry.
We have about £500 towards a tent

This was ours on ebay but there are lots there for slightly less.

The polycottons are all the Lake series and I think there are some newer ones as well - I'm not sure without checking the Outwell website.
We've actually downgraded in terms of getting a smaller tent - we now have this tent from the Netherlands and it's fab - canvas cotton and MUCH cheaper than most stuff availiable here. Thet delivered it in 4 days too

and if you got a NL you'd definately need a trailer - it was massive!

We bought a vango Maritsa 700 for a total bargain on Ebay - we put it up when it arrived to make sure all the bits were there and no holes. Having just had our first weekend away in it can confirm that it is great and in no worse condition than if we had used it for a couple of trips. Go for it!