the igearlist blog

Finding Discounted Outdoor Gear

2010-10-26T19:23:00.000-07:00

Buying outdoor gear doesn't always have to mean relentlessly emptying your wallet. Buying used outdoor gear is a great option! But if you've already searched igearlist, and posted to our "wanted" section to no avail, hang in there - a few more great options exist.

Deal of the Day

There are several outdoor gear daily deals out there. Keep tabs on all of the deal-of-the-day sites using GearScan or Clean Snipe. Both of them do a great job of tracking multiple sites such as Steep and Cheap, Bonktown, Tramdock and others. GearScan goes the extra mile to cover REI, Rock Creek, and a host of other outdoor gear deals.

Gear Alerts

If you don't have time to keep checking one-off deals, there are a couple of ways to be alerted to specific deals. Both equipster and Gear Burger allow you to be notified when specific equipment goes on sale.

Old-Fashioned Shopping

Lastly, a couple of new online venues have opened up shop recently that offer discounted equipment. If you haven't joined The Clymb, or visited the Department of Goods, they are both great options. The Clymb offers member pricing for top-notch gear that is sold event-style. You get an alert to an upcoming sale, and the pricing is available during a certain time period. The Department of Goods is an outlet-style website that is continually well stocked.

Make Your Own

Last but not least, you can make your own gear. No kidding! Several DIY sites exist, and of course, your results will vary. And sometimes the hilariously disastrous results are worth the trouble. I will leave it at that and save the rest for another post!

- P

A Good Read: Outdoor Adventure Blogs

2010-05-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

Obviously we're not writing much on our blog here (yet!) but we are reading a bunch of great outdoor blogs. Here's a short list of blogs we've been liking:

The Adventure Blog: Kraig Becker tirelessly covers every human powered adventure that he catches wind of. That's a TON of adventure coverage. We are not sure how he pulls it off...we're just glad he does it.

Also in the RSS reader is Skagit Alpinism. Follow cutting edge alpinist Colin Haley through his feats in Patagonia, Chamonix, and the Cascades. This is real deal coverage of his trips, including coverage of when things are not going so well. His last post is not to be missed.

High Places: Steph Davis has a refreshing take on blogging which is to answer her email with blog posts. She will answer any range of questions from climbing (of course), to skydiving, base jumping, dogs, nutrition, training, motivation, injury and love...with the occasional base jumping video thrown in. It is rare to find a blog so informative and honest.

And personally I'm always excited to see a post pop up in Geoff Roes' blog: Fumbling Towards Endurance. The title of his blog doesn't tell the entire story: Over time, Geoff has become quite an accomplished 100-mile ultra runner. Most importantly, his passion for running shines through in every post, whether it chronicles a sure win, or a low point.

Of course there are many other amazing blogs! One thing that we have not been able to find though, is a good white water paddling blog (rafting or kayaking). Any suggestions?

Going the Distance

2010-03-15T21:33:00.000-07:00

Friends of igearlist are taking to the desert again this spring to raise money for kids sports and arts scholarships.

This April, Team Good For Kids will be competing in a 7-day expedition length stage race in Western Australia. They race to raise awareness and support for Good For Kids Foundation.

But first, a pit stop: Meet Team Good For Kids before they race off into the Kimberley Desert of Western Australia. Team GFK will be at Sports Basement in San Francisco discussing the expedition length footrace format, sharing their race experiences and showing off their gear. What's it like to dive into a far away desert with little more than a daypack and a pair of sneakers? You'll find out!

Click to learn more about the 2010 Team Good For Kids and Good For Kids scholarships and programs.

Details:
Date: Sunday, March 28th
Time: 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Location: 610 Old Mason St. The Presidio, SF, CA 94129
Included: Slide show photos, snacks, wine, light refreshments and a free-entry raffle for GFK and Sports Basement goods. FREE.

You can also follow Team Good For Kids on Facebook, or keep track of them on their blog.

Where Is That?

2010-03-07T11:46:00.000-08:00

We are excited to see that gear has been posted to igearlist from all over the United States. Yeah! Occasionally we see a city that we haven't had the chance to visit or read about...and our typical response is, hey, I wonder where that is?

If you've ever thought the same, we'd like to point out that every listing is linked to a google map of the city that the user indicates in their post. If you click on the tiny "G" icon in the listing view (see picture above), the appropriate google map will pop up, and your question will be answered!

From a practical standpoint, you can use this feature to determine how far away the seller of an item is from where you are (or will be.) This is especially useful if you're looking at a larger piece of equipment like a boat or a bike, or anything that requires a "test-drive" or fitting.

Tents for Haiti

2010-01-29T16:05:00.000-08:00

We have been wondering where tents can be donated for Haiti's relief efforts. According to many news sources, tents are needed for those displaced by the recent earthquake. The number of people without homes in Haiti boggles the mind!

I was perusing one of my favorite reads, the Gear Junkie blog, when I found the answer... so I wanted to pass this important information on.

Here are the links for where to donate that tent!

The American Alpine Club

The Adventure's Edge

Blue Ridge Mountain Sports

Arizona REI stores (both Paradise Valley and Tempe)

Please forward this link along to anyone you think might be interested. If you know of any other places, post them to comments.

Thank you!

-the igearlist team

Ride the Wave

2010-01-22T12:26:00.000-08:00

It's been about a year since we re-launched igearlist, and traffic is really starting to pick up. Proof is not only in our numbers, but this week alone I've had 5 separate enquiries about the outdoor gear I have posted for sale (and for free) on igearlist.

If you have a pile o' gear in your garage collecting dust (or worse!) now is a good time to give igearlist a try. Just think - it takes just 5 minutes to post a pair of telemark boots. A few emails and a trip to the post office later, you have a nice installment of funds towards your next pair, or even a nice donation for Haiti.

On igearlist, your ad won't get buried in a pile of irrelevent search results like it would on a bigger site. Not only that, but your ad is live for 120 days and you can edit or delete it at any time ...we'll even promote your listing to our fans on Facebook and to our followers on Twitter.

All is free! So, whattaya got?

-igearlist

Holiday Gift Guide

2009-12-11T10:50:00.001-08:00

That time is upon us...and it came up fast. We are down to the last few days of holiday shopping. Without further adieu, here are a few unique and economical gift ideas for the outdoor minded. If you see something that you're interested in, click on the images and links below for more information:

Explore the life of Georgie White Clark, the woman who instigated commercial rafting in the Grand Canyon. This is a fascinating book! By pioneering the use of large rubber rafts, she helped turn an elite adventure sport into a widely enjoyed outdoor activity. Some of the stories in this book are unbelievable and captivating even by today's "extreme sport" standards.

Oooooh, the Planetary Design Double Shot Travel French Press Mug... this product is time tested: durable, easy to use and clean, and makes great coffee. This mug is the mug to have for everything from commuting, to car camping, to expedition rafting. I've even taken this mug backpacking. Love it.

Binoculars are an awesome thing to have along during outdoor travel. Binoculars can be used for scouting climbing, mountaineering, and scrambling routes - as well as rapids. They are indispensable for bird and wildlife watching. And when you are gazing up at a canyon wall and wondering if you see some yet undiscovered petroglyph, binocs can help you confirm your sighting. :)

Protective, colorful and handy for backpacking, day hiking, paddling, or just about any expeditionary trip. Once you have a dry stuff sack to use, you would be surprised at how many things you decide you'd actually like to keep dry!

Just look at this fancy multitool. For the cyclist on your list, this is a solid pick. Out on the trail, having the right tool, and in many cases, just having a tool at all can be indispensable. This is also a great thing to keep in your car or garage for simple bike adjustments at the trail head or before you head out on the road.

Duct tape is universal outdoor equipment. And...nothing says "holiday gift" quite like good old fashioned duct tape. Save your friends from having to wrap duct tape around their golf pencils, hiking poles, and Nalgene bottles for travel. Give them a tiny pre-made roll of their very own. Besides...if you can't duct it...

So, you saw it here first - duct tape on a holiday gift guide. Only on igearlist! Don't forget to come back and sell all of your old gear when the holidays are over and you are out of garage space. :)

- igearlist

Good Things Happen

2009-10-31T12:05:00.000-07:00

Good things can happen when you sell your used outdoor gear. Beyond the obvious things - more money in your pocket, more space in your garage - there is an often overlooked side-benefit: connecting with people. Think about it, who are you most likely to have something in common with? Yep, someone who has the exact same outdoor recreation interests. Depending on what you're selling, you might find that the person you're selling to lives in your area, and is the same size or at a similar skill level as you. Pretty cool.

I sold my Alden 16 the other night (yep it was posted on igearlist!) While I was a little nervous in the lead-up (will they find the house? will they want it? who are they?) I ended up meeting two of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. We chatted about rowing, kayaking, white-water rafting - and one of my favorite topics - rivers. To spend a few minutes talking enthusiastically about the Colorado river on a Tuesday night was totally fun.

And, relieved of a 16-foot open water scull, oars, and rigging, you can imagine how much space was freed up. Now this durable piece of equipment is no longer degenerating in storage - it will be used and enjoyed fully, as it was intended to be.

So, go ahead, post something. While you will always need to follow common-sense safety precautions when buying and selling gear, you might be in for something fun!

-igearlist

Selling off rental outdoor gear or a livery fleet?

2009-09-07T14:47:00.000-07:00

If you are in the business of renting outdoor gear, or if you run an outdoor program and have equipment or livery (i.e. rafts and/or kayaks) to sell off - we can help.

We will send you a spreadsheet that you can quickly fill out with descriptions and prices. Send this back with pictures of the gear you are selling (optional) and we will post the items on igearlist for you, for free. Your listings will run for 120 days and we will promote them for you via Facebook and Twitter.

(You'll be responsible for following up with any inquiries, negotiating, and conducting the sales and shipping.)

Please contact us for a blank spreadsheet or to get started!

- igearlist

Anatomy of a Scam

2009-09-02T22:45:00.000-07:00

More often than not, the folks who respond to igearlist ads are great people who are sincerely interested in buying your gear. Every so often, a scammer replies to an ad. What should you look for when you get a response to your ad?

- A strange email from someone who either states that they are from a foreign country, or just seems like it.
- Urgent request to send a money order to you (sometimes with a request that you "send back the difference")
- Person requests your name and address, etc. for a money order
- Person claims to be acting on behalf of a client
- In general, mentions of money orders should be a huge red flag!

Here is a great example of a fraudulent ad response (and, this is real - I got this today):

Hello,
How are you doing? I am interested in your item available for sale on igearlist.
Please kindly get back to me with the Current Condition,Pics,Asking
Price and if still available for sale....?
Also get back to me if you have the relevant documentation for it..?
I have just contacted my customer who wants the item and he his is
okay with it . My client willing to offer you for the item, so do get
back to me with this following information's below..?
NAME : to be written on the Money Order
ADDRESS :
CITY :
STATE :
ZIP-CODE :
COUNTRY :
LAST PRICE
PHONE NUMBER( Land and Mobile) :
Once i get those details from you, i wont hasten to pass it down to
my client to issue and send you the cheque, and once the payment has
been sent to you through UPS COURIER SERVICE on a second delivery, i
would hesitate to let you know. But,note that shipment cost will be
included on the cheque.. So consider that the item was sold to my
client..
Take Care.
Mary

Sorry, Mary...we are on to you!!

- igearlist

Get a Widget

2009-08-05T16:41:00.001-07:00

If you are looking to add content to your website or blog, contact us for some widget code!

Here is our backpacking widget:

All of our posts are moderated, so you will not display any junk or spam posts. Widgets can be by location, category, or...user (you?) We can even change up the look a bit, or help you fit it into the look and feel of your website.

We hope to hear from you!

-igearlist

Include a photo in your igearlist post

2009-05-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

Here are a few ways that you can easily generate a Photo URL (direct link) for your igearlist post:

1. TinyPic - TinyPic offers easy image uploads with no need for a login. Just upload your image, and copy the link under "Direct Link for Layouts". The Website/Email setting is recommended. Back at igearlist, paste this link into the Photo URL field when you are posting or editing your post.

I just used TinyPic to upload this image. I chose the Website/Email setting:

2. ImageShack - ImageShack also offers free and easy uploads with no login required. Once you've uploaded your picture using the Webiste/Email setting, copy the link in the "Direct link to image" field.

Here is an image I just uploaded using ImageShack:

(Hi ladies!) Not bad, eh? This took me 2 seconds to do.

3. For any image that is being hosted on a website, you can find the photo's url or direct link by right-clicking on the image. In IE, click on "properties" and then copy the url next to "Address (URL)".

Unfortunately this third method won't work for every instance where a website is hosting an image. One great example of a site that doesn't generate direct image URL's is PicasaWeb.

TinyPic and ImageShack are great ways to generate an image URL for your igearlist post! Please always refer to the Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy for any website service you visit and use.

Do you have an online photo album of the item you're selling? Not a bad idea - the more photos the better. You can include your online photo album in your post by putting the URL for your photo album in the Info Link field. (Just make sure it's a public album so folks can see it!)

-igearlist

Numero Uno

2009-05-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

So, we are not quite open for beez-wax yet and we already have our first post! Pretty cool. Obviously, the site works, we just need to tweak a few things, but we've all been super busy. Seriously we're maybe a week away.

Here's the post:
Wanted: Toddler 30#vest style life jacket - $0-$20

Do you have such an item?

- igearlist

Missing Listings

2009-03-18T15:24:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

A few people have attempted to post their gear for sale on igearlist recently. (Thank you!!!) The trouble is, we're not quite ready for you. This is why your posts never showed up. (It's not you, it's us! Really, we mean that.) We are excited to see your posts come in, but we can't make them live just yet.

We apologize if you didn't see the "under construction" note on our website before posting - we know it's not up very high. The good news is that we're very close to launching, so if you can just hold on to your gear a little bit longer...it won't be long, we promise.

If you want to know the second we launch, just start following us on Twitter!

Thanks!

- igearlist

Progress

2009-03-15T11:06:00.001-07:00

You probably haven't noticed, but several new pages went up this week. We're working on our database and we're just that much closer. Real close!

We're leaning on spring out here in California. That means spring cleaning, right? We'll be ready for when you decide to turn that mountain of outdoor equipment into cash...or when you decide to take that backpacking trip and need a place to get some good equipment for less money.

Thanks for stopping by!

-igearlist

Still chipping away!

2009-01-13T18:23:00.001-08:00

Don't worry, we're still here, still chipping away at our relaunching efforts. It looks like we will be back up and running by the end of February! Yeah!

In the meantime, if you have questions for us, please be in touch. Email us at: info (at) igearlist (dot) com.

Happy winter!

- igearlist

Do you remember us?

2008-11-11T20:49:00.000-08:00

OK, let's back up a few weeks. We are igearlist, the free online classifieds for outdoor gear. We had a jammin' thing going, really. 1000 unique visitors a month, 60 outdoor gear posts and climbing. Then, we got hacked! Injected, to be specific. That brought things to a screeching halt, as you probably noticed.

So, we are retooling and relaunching shortly. The next iteration of igearlist will be incredible. In the meantime, we are hiding safely behind Google's hopefully infinite firewalls and security measures. Can't get to us here, you hackifying hackifiers!

Please come back soon and check us out. Our apologies to everyone who's listings disappeared in the midst of the hackery.

- igearlist

We're on our way back.

2008-11-11T20:47:00.001-08:00