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Always On Sale: Find great gear for cheap on eBay
Peter B. Mathiesen saved more than seven hundred dollars on seven great products by shopping for them on the online auction site. The gear he purchased was either new or barley used. See what he found, and read his tips for finding your own deals.
Peter B. Mathiesen
From a new GPS to an old wool jacket, you can find anything on eBay. Last year, the Internet auction behemoth sold sporting goods worth billions of dollars. If you're not shopping on the "Bay," you're missing some great deals.
To prove how much you can save, the F&S editors gave me a budget to buy the best hunting gear bargains I could find. Over a two-day period, I spent $368.82 (including shipping, which is factored into the amounts shown) on new or barely used gear. I also found the retail price for each item and determined that my collection was worth $1,132. Before shipping it all to the office to be photographed, I inspected each item. Here's the haul: Total I Spent On this Gear: $368.82 Total retail value: $1,132 Badlands Superday Backpack Badlands makes excellent packs, and this one arrived new with the tags on, having never seen a day on the trail. Although the $14 shipping charge was a little steep, I still saved over $60. What I Paid: $92.89 Retail: $160 Burris Landmark II Binoculars 8x32 The only risk I took was on a new but low-end pair of binoculars from Burris. I figured for the price, they'd be a good beater set that I could stand to lose or drive over with the truck (I've done both before). They turned out to be much sharper than expected, and I'll use them this bow season. What I Paid: $57.95 Retail: $140 Bushnell/Cabela's Trophy Red Dot Scope Listed as used, this red dot was sold by a guy who just hadn't found the time to mount it on his shotgun. Now awaiting its place on my 870 for spring turkey season, it came in perfect condition with all the paperwork, some batteries, and a set of rings. What I Paid: $40.00 Retail: $90 Lowrance iFinder Hunter GPS This lightly used unit showed up in stellar condition, with the original packaging, instructions, and an extra mapping card included. At this price, I don't mind that it's last year's model, and I'm sure it will find a spot in my deer pack for several seasons. What I Paid: $83.55 Retail: $300 Gerber Torch Tanto Serrated Knife This tactical-style knife was delivered brand-new and still in its box. It has an evil serrated edge with an extremely sharp pry point -- an enormously practical tool for the price. What I Paid: $16.49 Retail: $64 Mossy Oak APX Velocity Jacket The APX Velocity is one of my all-time favorite deer hunting jackets. I chose the メBuy Nowモ option (meaning I paid a set price instead of bidding). It had been used one season. The seller stated that he had cut off the neck gaiter because it was too uncomfortable. Not a problem to me; I'd made the same modification in the past. What I Paid: $42.00 Retail: $239 Irish Setter Deer Tracker Boots Possibly the best deal I found, these uninsulated boots have Gore-Tex waterproofing and a cork insole. They will last for years and were received in brand-new condition with original tags and packaging. What I Paid: $35.94 Retail: $139
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