CLIPBOARD : The Sporting Outlet

Lorraine Bonner’s family lives the typical Southern California athletic lifestyle. Her closets and garage are crammed with sporting equipment purchased over the years by her three children, now 18, 25 and 27. With their permission, she gathered up most of the gear that wasn’t being used and sold it at the Sporting Outlet, a sporting goods consignment shop in San Juan Capistrano.

Bonner’s mini-trampoline sold for $18, a dive mask and snorkel went for $28 and her daughter’s ski overalls brought $15. Bonner received half of the proceeds and continued her closet-clearing campaign. Recently she placed a pair of swim fins ($10) and a wet suit ($60) on sale.

“Like most people, my family goes all-out when they start a new sport or hobby,” said Bonner. “They buy all the gadgets that go with it and then move on to something else. Next time I think I’ll shop here instead of paying full price for new equipment,” she said.

The Sporting Outlet, owned by Kay Verity and Annie Haven, sells quality new and used sporting goods on a consignment basis.

Most of the goods come from owners who have moved on to a new sport or are upgrading their equipment. The new items are from store or factory close-outs. The equipment sells for about half of what it costs when purchased new. The Sporting Outlet splits the proceeds on items up to $1,000. Beyond that, owners receive a 60% share.

The 1,600-square-foot store recently had computerized exercise bikes, home gym equipment, surfboards, golf clubs, body boards, a kayak, bicycles, scuba gear and fishing equipment on display. Those with extra large items to sell (boats or pool tables, for example) often post photographs on the Sporting Outlet’s front window.

Verity and Haven maintain a computerized want list that helps them match buyers and sellers. “That’s the fun part,” said Verity. “I like it when someone contacts us wanting to sell the exact item we know someone’s looking for.”

They say they accept only quality items in top condition. If you want to place equipment on consignment, Verity and Haven recommend cleaning it up and locating all the instruction booklets or assembly diagrams. The store accepts some items that show normal wear and tear, but everything must be working.

“We also accept antique sporting goods,” said Verity, pointing to a pair of antique ice skates and turn-of-the-century bamboo fishing poles. “Some people collect them as a hobby and others use them as decor in stores and restaurants.”

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sundays.

Address: 31654 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite A, San Juan Capistrano

Telephone: (714) 248-5175

Miscellaneous Information: If you have items to place on consignment, call ahead for an appointment.