MEC Gear Swap & Rental Sale (Sunday Oct,14, 10:30am-1:30pm)

lulululu

Info quoted from CT:

WHAT: Mountain Equipment Co-Op Bi-Annual gear swap/sale
WHERE: on the roof of the MEC store at 130 W Broadway
WHEN: 10:30 am - 1:30 pm, Sunday Oct 14
WHY: Buy gear for cheap...from my experiences, 15-40% of retail


It's called a swap, but you don't have to bring anything to trade. MEC sells off its warranty returns and rentals, and members are welcome to put their own gear in the swap for $2 each and 5-20% (I forget) of the sale price (which the seller sets).

This sale has been going on twice a year for the past decade. It is BY FAR the best place to buy high-quality outdoor gear for cheap, and pretty much the only way that poor folk like me can get well-equipped. Better than any factory sale. It's common to see 3-ply Goretex jackets go for $20-50 (down from $200+), trail shoes for $20 (down from $120+), expedition water filters for $20, etc.


CAVEATS:
1. It's gotten so popular that in the spring, the lineup for Vancouver started at 3 pm. I arrived at 3 am and there were 40 people camped out on the sidewalk in front of me. The first 50 got in on the first wave. This only really matters if you're looking for high-value items like skis, kayaks, etc.

2. The warranty returns are used, to varying degrees. Some are mint, some are thrashed. The price tags will list any damage. It could be minor like a loose thread or stain, or more serious like delamination or a rip. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, most of the fixes will be trivial and MEC staff will even offer suggestions.

3. The first hour of the sale is chaos. Imagine boxing day in the US. Hoarding is forbidden but still happens. There aren't changerooms or mirrors for trying things on. The naked consumerism and greed can be a bit ugly.

4. There is no warranty, returns, or exchanges on anything bought at the gear swap.

5. Cash only, you MUST HAVE A MEC MEMBERSHIP (costs $5) so bring your member card.


Call the store for more details, 604-872-7858