Climbing Equipment

[dsheehan]

Hi All,

I need to get a range of quotes for some new equipment we're purchasing for the Group.

Can anyone advise of Scouting friendly suppliers they'd recommend. I've already approached the Go Outdoors Group and DMM who sell some of the items we're looking for direct but could do with a few more for balance and comparison.

Thanks,

[Nick]

Cotswold Camping used to do Scout Leader discounts and their staff in the Reading branch were knowledgeable. However I last bought equipment from there several years ago so don't know how they are at the moment.

[Neil Williams]

We've got kit from The Climber's Shop before, when they were based in MK. That shop is no longer there but they could I'm sure still supply anywhere by courier. Joe Brown's Shops is (the Welsh instance of) the same company.

[dsheehan]

Thanks both- good suggestions.

@Nick, I had forgotten Costworld Outdoors still sat outside the JD Sport conglomerate that all the other high street names now sit under (and crucially have the same supply line/group sales department).

[PeterSheppard]

I need to get a range of quotes for some new equipment we're purchasing for the Group.

Can anyone advise of Scouting friendly suppliers they'd recommend. I've already approached the Go Outdoors Group and DMM who sell some of the items we're looking for direct but could do with a few more for balance and comparison.

So apparently I've not been around these parts for a while!

Add "Up and Under" in Cardiff to your list. They're fully set up for B2B mail order as well as being a physical shop, and will happily set up accounts for Scouts. They have 3 price lists rather than percentage discounts but you'll be on the lowest one. They will happily do quotes, adjust items and quantities and re-quote, and do reserve invoices so you can pay by BACS or post a cheque etc. I've put 5-figures worth of orders through them.

However, unless you have a climbing wall in your hut that you're buying for, seriously consider whether climbing equipment or any other PPE being purchased at Group level is worth it, or if you'd be better off setting up an activities SASU at District or even County level. I've had to condemn climbing equipment on four occasions now where it looks like it's barely been out of the packet because the leaders in a group have lost interest or moved on and nobody has followed behind with the skills, and the kit has been in a cupboard but had ticked over its manufacturer's recommended service life and therefore could no longer be used - and that hurts to have to do.