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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Would you drive to Holland just to buy a cheaper tent??

58 replies

MisSalLaneous · 30/03/2010 14:59

I'm gutted (see earlier thread - as everyone ignores me I'm taking shotgun approach to getting sympathy votes ) as I can't order a bell tent through the internet, so I'm now considering a weekend trip to Holland to buy it there.

Would you? Have you?

It's a saving of around £100, so even if just braking even, it would pay for the weekend.

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overmydeadbody · 30/03/2010 16:20

No I wouldn't, it will end up socting you more, in realisty, so unless you wanted a weekend break in holland anyway I can't imagine it is worth it.

It's just a tent, at the end of the day, there muist be another way of getting hold of one.

MerlinsBeard · 30/03/2010 16:21

but paying for the fuel would whack the cost up anyway

BariatricObama · 30/03/2010 16:23

no it is madness.

overmydeadbody · 30/03/2010 16:23

Don't loose hope!

Look here. Aparantly they sell them through German Ebay as they have a deal with bell-tent uk not to supply to the uk through their obelink site.

DrivenToDistraction · 30/03/2010 16:26

Have you phoned to ask if they'd post one to you? It's certainly worth a try, don't worry about not speaking Dutch, it really isn't an issue ( I live in the Netherlands and everyone speaks English)

southeastastra · 30/03/2010 16:32

yes! would be fun

MisSalLaneous · 30/03/2010 16:35

I know, it is probably a little crazy to consider that, isn't it? It's just - I like Holland anyway, and if there is a way that I could easily reach their store for roughly that much, I wouldn't mind. I suspect it would cost more though, and prob a lot of faffing around.

Driven, yes, I phoned, and they said they don't sell to UK, so I can't blame them at all!!! They have an agreement with Belltent uk that they won't sell to UK customers, as it's so much cheaper directly, obviously affecting Belltent's sales. I thought I'd try the Dutch version of the site though, as lots of people (both on here and UK Campsite) were able to buy it that way until late last year.

omdb, thank you so much for that. I'm going to look into that now.

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MisSalLaneous · 30/03/2010 16:36

ooh, crosspost with SEA.

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southeastastra · 30/03/2010 16:49

doing something spontaneous like that makes life so much more exciting and if it's something you really want the journey would be fun

FiveOrangePips · 30/03/2010 16:57

You could camp in it and save money on accommodation too, I am with Sea, spending the money on a break is way more fun - but I am not a very practical person.

MollieO · 30/03/2010 16:59

Haven't seen your other thread but others on here (FlamingoBingo and Riven and possibly others) got bell tents sent over from Holland. I've seen Riven's and it is lovely .

MisSalLaneous · 30/03/2010 18:39

Hmm, well, dh is home now, and he's game to go and collect it if practical. Now just to figure out exactly where they are...

Hey Five, if we do end up driving over and have space, I'm more than happy to pick one up for you. I'll check with you before when if we go.

MollieO, I'm so very jealous of them all! It's from posts on here that I originally got persuaded to do the bell tent thing in the first place, and as some were still being sent late last year, I was hoping the same thing would still go.

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confuseddoiordonti · 30/03/2010 18:42

I think a friend of ours bought one online from Holland for a fraction of what they cost here. Have you explored that option?

MisSalLaneous · 30/03/2010 18:44

Yes, I tried ordering direct, but they've got a policy of not selling to UK which it seems they've started enforcing on online orders too. I just chanced it really, and is now sulking for no good reason at all.

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MisSalLaneous · 30/03/2010 18:53

omdb, the link you gave earlier is now also updated to look and say exactly the same as the Dutch version, i.e. not selling to UK. Thanks for the tip though, I appreciate it.

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Slubberdegullion · 30/03/2010 19:05

Sal could you pick me up a De Waard Pyramide while you are there.

IN FACT what the chuff are you going all the way to Holland to buy a Bell tent for woman? Holland is the land of the canvas pyramide.

It's like flying all the way to Disney land Florida to only go on the spinning tea cups ride.

No offence the bell tenters mind

(slight aside) WHERE is milleniumfalcon these days?

MisSalLaneous · 30/03/2010 19:13

Hey Slubber. Yes, if space no problem at all! Hmm, this canvas pyramide things you talk of... Do I want to know? Dh already borderline on indulging this new obsession of mine.

Hah no, I'm nosy. Tell me more. Just out of interest's sake, of course...

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MisSalLaneous · 30/03/2010 19:14

at tea cups ride comparison.

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Fliight · 30/03/2010 19:17

I noticed obelink don't ship here any more. It's really sad. We got ours from them and it was brilliant, but we sold it...we didn't ever go camping, just had it up in the garden!

Slubberdegullion · 30/03/2010 19:24

yes indeed you do want to know, and you will thank me for it

I have a pyramide on my profile, I'll try and find some inside shots in a mo. Mine is a Cabanon, so lovely french canvas. milleniumfalcon has a De Waard albatros and it seriously is the most beautiful tent in the world ever.

The back half is exacly like a bell tent, with a single central pole, so you get that lovely rounded arse and nice slopey cosy walls inside.

At the front by the door they open out with two poles (and a further 2 poles for the porch) so you get much better standing area (straighter sides) in the 'living area' bit of the tent.

They are 4 season tents. V strong.

De Waards ARE the best tents in the world (imho )(apart from super high tech mountaneering ones). They are beautifully made and if you check them out on the ukcs they can last 40years+ if looked after.

Sadly they are hideously expensive (£1000+) to buy new . You can get them on the Dutch equivalent of ebay, maaketplaas or summat and arrange for them to be transported.

I'm too much of a chicken to buy a 2nd hand unseen tent costing over £500 though.

One day, One day I would love one.

Until then my Guadeloupe will do us fine.

MisSalLaneous · 30/03/2010 19:25

Fliight, I've also thought of using it in the garden during the year, e.g. on cold / windy / rainy days.

I'm all for supporting local business, but it is a bit much when they have a near to 100% mark-up (taking into account that Belltent etc will not be paying €195 for theirs).

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bramblebooks · 30/03/2010 19:31

I bet you serve bloody courgette and stinky cheese soup in that tent too - in the cobb. Am now addicted to said cheesy soupy confection and it is slubber's fault.
burps winsomely at slubber.

Although mine do not have mice in them.s

bramblebooks · 30/03/2010 19:33

and re the tent, probably wouldn't drive all that way to see it 'unseen' as it could be as pants as the fireplace I ordered online which had to go back after sitting in my hall uncollected for 3 months.

nappyzoneloveslindor · 30/03/2010 19:33

can you not order it and get it delivered to a mumsnetter in non uk then pay for them to post it here? There must be oodles of nicenon uk resident mumsnetters.....

MisSalLaneous · 30/03/2010 19:34

Oooh, they do indeed sound lovely!!! Dh, will however, kill divorce me if I spend £1K on a tent, however amazing it is...

I'm going to search for them and drool a bit now. Will file them in my ever-expanding camping dream list.

So far, also have:
cobb
kelly kettle
she wee / pee wee
dutch oven pots
triangle hanging thing for pots above
rough coir matting for my (non existing) bell tent
those german lanterns (to burn down my non existing lantern...)
De Waard Pyramide
Oh, and bigger bank balance, which would help shorten list

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