More Shops Offer Used Sports Items
Probably no other type of merchandise lurks unused in the backs of closets more than sporting goods. So I’ve wondered for the last 10 years why there was only one consignment store for such items in the Los Angeles area.
Encore Sports in Woodland Hills had been the lone entry in this field. After several years in business, it now concentrates on surfing and other water sports and offers some great deals on used equipment. (Encore Sports is at 22715 Ventura Blvd., (818) 348-8813.)
But what to do with the bowling balls, skis, tennis racquets and golf clubs that are collecting dust? Good intentions for getting in shape often lead to a lot of treadmills, rowing machines and stationary bikes just taking up space, once motivation wanes.
Now, however, whether you want to buy or sell, there are a number of new sources for sporting goods deals.
Play It Again Sports, a nationwide franchise based in Minneapolis, with more than 100 stores across the United States, opened its first Southern California stores in Culver City and Ventura last month. Another in Agoura is set to open this month.
A combination of new and used sports and exercise equipment--about 60% of it used and 40% new--is on the floor in Culver City. Just about every sport is represented. The only thing not seen was a polo mallet, but proprietor Gary Leyton says, “One may come in any minute.”
Close-outs, discontinued lines and overruns make up the new inventory of moderately priced equipment. A set of golf clubs (two woods and five irons) from Dunlop, Pine Meadows and Lancer run $89.95 to $120. A good deal of used but reconditioned exercise equipment by Tunturi is selling at about 30% off. Weider weights are 10% to 50% off. Used entry-level workout benches run 50% to 70% less than new, as do treadmills and stair-climbers.
Play It Again Sports will buy, sell or trade, so you can make a little or spend a little. The consignment split is 60% to the consignor and 40% to the store.
The Ventura location, proprietor Dave Raulin says, is well-stocked with used golf equipment from all manufacturers, including pro and store lines. There is also a big supply of new and used in-line skates by Rollerblade. One pair of used Zetra Rollerblades was $49.95 (new $115 to $155). A used Tunturi Executive Ergometer stationary bicycle, incidentally, was $150 (new $250).
Play It Again Sports in Culver City is at 10814 Jefferson Blvd., Unit F. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. MasterCard, Visa, American Express accepted. Call (310) 287-2237.
The Ventura store is at 4705 Telephone Road. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. MasterCard, Visa accepted. Call (805) 644-4948.
The Agoura store will be at 30317 Canwood St. Hours to be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. MasterCard, Visa accepted. Call (818) 879-5083.
In Woodland Hills, independent operator Jim Schermer has just opened Sports Again, which specializes in recycled sports equipment, but also carries new merchandise and close-outs from various manufacturers.
New in-line skates, guaranteed to be a hot gift request this Christmas, were $49.95, instead of $69.95, in brands such as California Pro, Fiore and Rollerski. Street hockey sticks were $8 and the goal sets $29.95 (average retail price $49.95). Such new equipment as kneepads were 50% off retail at $7, same with elbow pads for $6, and helmets with face masks $29.95 (average retail price $59.95).
There’s a mixed bag of exercise equipment: samples from trade shows, manufacturers’ close-outs and used items in the store on a consignment basis. A used multipurpose rower by OP, originally $199.95, was a wonderful $65. There were good buys on new bikes: A five-speed, 20-inch (good for a kid up to about 12) that retails for $120 to $150 sells for $80.
The best deals are on consignment equipment, most of it in good condition. Skis that retail without bindings for $125 to $300 are $10 to $50 with the bindings. Ski boots that sell new for $85 plus were between $10 and $25. Golf clubs are $5.80 each; skateboards that were manufacturers’ demos are $6 to $10, but their original prices were $30 plus.
You’ll love the way Schermer prices weights--at 30 cents per pound. The consignment arrangement is a nice 50-50 split, and right now Schermer is taking just about any equipment that’s in good shape.
Sports Again, 19942 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. Extended holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. MasterCard, Visa accepted. Call (818) 888-9728.
