Northern Dancer
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Hello Everyone.
I do hope you are enjoying the summer, though the advertising market is talking about "back to school" and the like.
Remember camping in all its many forms is always in season.
I have a friend who called me the other day and ranted about the purchase of a high-item brand-name tent and pack he purchased. He was astounded that both pieces of equipment were, as he put it, "Absolute Junk". [Actually, he used more colorful adjectives.] He went on and on about how things leaked, didn't fit properly, and even fell apart. First time out and off the shelf, never been used, and both were total failures.
"Why don't you return them?" I said. He couldn't. Because they were "final" sale items.
I've long been aware large companies spend more money on "positioning their products" than on improving quality. I purchased a very popular winter coat that stores couldn't keep enough on the racks. A year later you could go to a Value Village and pay a pittance as compared to the original price. Good looking, stylish but freezing cold. Nothing like the company said they would be in the dead of winter. Like, I mean nothing.
So who believes and buys expensive items because they believe they are buying the best? Not the experienced. The experienced person has a need to fill and check out equipment extensively with specific criticism, and scrutiny. They tend not to buy on the spot, or as they refer to it, impulse buying, and are careful what and why they buy, and check out"independent consumer's reports". I recommend you take a friend or two when you are checking things out.
I've found this situation on places like Amazon site. They have a tent costing 423.95 for example. You check further down the page and you find the same tent under a different name and the cost. $2,300.99 plus shipping, handling, and taxes to be added. Something is wrong. Not really. If you are willing to pay for it the company is more than happy to sell it to you.
Buy from reputable dealers.
Check out the "returned items" policy and be careful that you don't throw away the "original" packaging.
Test the equipment before you use it "in the field.
Use your head rather than your checkbook to make purchases.
Don't buy on impulse.
Have a sound rationale as to why you are making the purchase.
Drop the word "best" when thinking about purchasing.
I've noticed people posting "best" equipment sites seem to list the same companies all the time.
Noting is said about other companies who have tried and tested gear.
Why is that?
Think more in terms of functionality, durability, and practical application, and don't be enthralled by a logo.
Who makes the product and what country does it come from?
Having shared all that tell us about your nightmare experience with bad [but always good-looking] equipment that you have had.Check out the "returned items" policy and be careful that you don't throw away the "original" packaging.
Test the equipment before you use it "in the field.
Use your head rather than your checkbook to make purchases.
Don't buy on impulse.
Have a sound rationale as to why you are making the purchase.
Drop the word "best" when thinking about purchasing.
I've noticed people posting "best" equipment sites seem to list the same companies all the time.
Noting is said about other companies who have tried and tested gear.
Why is that?
Think more in terms of functionality, durability, and practical application, and don't be enthralled by a logo.
Who makes the product and what country does it come from?
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