Has anyone bought a used racquet from TW's 'liquidation' section?

[AndrewD]

Just wondering if anyone has bought racquets from Tennis Warehouse's liquidation/used section?

The few I may be interested in are listed by TW as being in "Good to fair condition. Frames show normal demo use". As I haven't bought many used racquets before, I'm not quite sure how to interpret that description. Does TW's idea of good to fair mean 'falling apart and wont last one re-string' or does it mean 'used but in good condition, no cracks, still very playable and with good life in the frame'?

Thanks very much.

 

[bossass]

I got a PK Type C 98 from them. I'm sure it was listed in "fair condition". I'd rate it an 8 of 10. I was pleased. It needed a new under grip, and just had cheap syn. strings, but overall I thought it was in great condition considering how cheap it was.

 

[Dennis Anyone?]

AndrewD, I recently purchased a former TW demo with the same description regarding its condition. I'd rate it a 6/10.

Definitely playable, it's just not pretty. Numerous paint chips--a couple that reveal graphite underneath. However, there doesn't appear to be any structural damage.

I wasn't concerned with the strings, bumper/grommets, or grip as I usually replace these items on used racquets. No racquet cover or original dampener came with mine.

Haven't strung it yet, but I've cleaned it up, i.e. took off demo stickers, etc.

Overall, I'm pleased to have acquired a back-up of my favorite (and discontinued) racquet for a fair price. Cool bonus: the serial number comes from the same batch of the racquet I already owned. Only twenty-three units apart.

 

[AndrewD]

Thanks. On the one hand I can get two frames for the price of a brand new one. On the other hand, I could get a racquet that has been weakened due to the amount of re-strings it has had and the amount of abuse it has had.

Dennis Anyone,
What model racquet did you buy?


Has anyone else had experience buying from TW's liquidation section?

 

[garbage]

AndrewD, I've got an nPro Surge coming in on Monday. It's described as "Used demo racquet in good condition. Frame shows normal demo use" . I'll let you know how that goes.

I asked the same question about a week ago:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=147781

 

[AndrewD]

Garbage,

Thanks for the link. I was hoping to get something done this weekend (grab the frames while they're available) but, if not, I'll look out for your review.

 

[garbage]

Ah yes, I know the ones you're eyeing. I was tempted by those ones as well!

 

[Richie Rich]

I just don't think I could buy a used racquet sight unseen, even if it is being sold by TW. You have no idea how the racquet was treated even if it seems in reasonable condition.

I know TW will take care of you if you are not happy but for those of us that live overseas it can be quite a hassle with shipping, duties, etc.

 

[AndrewD]

I just don't think I could buy a used racquet sight unseen, even if it is being sold by TW. You have no idea how the racquet was treated even if it seems in reasonable condition.

I know TW will take care of you if you are not happy but for those of us that live overseas it can be quite a hassle with shipping, duties, etc.

Richie,

That is my main concern. I had actually been hoping that something might crop up with a 'used only once' or 'essentially new' rating. Fair to Good is probably more of a risk than I'm going to take.

I can get the same racquet, new but unstrung, for $110 or, roughly, two used for the same price as one new. Just had to work out if it was worth the risk or not.

 

[backcourt]

Andrew, I bought an rds 003 from the liquidation section which was described in good condition, and I would say it came in at 9/10. It had been strung with wilson reaction which showed very little wear and was not a demo. I wouldn't hesitate if you're getting a good deal; although a used demo may be a different story.

 

[AndrewD]

backcourt,

I was hoping to find one in similar condition to the racquet you bought (almost no play) but the ones I'm looking at are strictly demo frames.

I sat down and compared the cost of the two demos from TW vs two brand new ones. Just got a big surprise to find that the difference was only $100 total ($50 per racquet). Of course, if I had to pay the original retail of $170 per frame, the price difference would have blown out to, roughly, $250 total and the demo frames would be too attractive a proposition.

One other thing that occurs to me now, and I mention it only because it might be a useful thought for others tempted to buy a demo frame, is that, given the amount of use and re-strings it has had (can only speculate based on good-fair condition report) the racquet may have either become soft or started on that road. As the demo I was looking at is a flexible racquet, that could mean a loss of power or a dead-ish feeling. Not such a big deal with a very stiff frame and may make it a little more playable.

 

[garbage]

AndrewD, I got my ex-demo from TW. It's not a racquet I've ever played with, so I can't comment on whether it's going soft or not. It's got moderate scuffing on the bumper, none on the frame. The frame itself has some small blemishes most likely from storage/shipping. I'd rate it probably an 8-8.5 (basing this on other racquets I've bought and sold on the boards). This is the one described as "Used demo racquet in good condition. Frame shows normal demo use."

 

[AndrewD]

garbage,

Thanks very much for the extremely prompt review. Excellent news regarding the racquet , hope I get something in similar condition.

Can I ask why you decided to buy the Surge if it isn't a racquet you've used before? Did you just go by the specs and/or reviews and thought it was worth taking a punt on?

 

[Dennis Anyone?]

Dennis Anyone,
What model racquet did you buy?

RDX 500 Mid.

Honestly, it didn't occur to me at the time to consider how many times such an old stick has been restrung. Just posted a question to TW asking how frequently they restring demos.

 

[garbage]

Can I ask why you decided to buy the Surge if it isn't a racquet you've used before? Did you just go by the specs and/or reviews and thought it was worth taking a punt on?

Long explanation:

I already had an order for the new Donnay oversize (pure curiousity) so I figured that at $49, the nPro Surge was cheap enough to have a punt on without having to pay extra shipping charges. Of course, I read all the reviews I could get my hands on beforehand and have a fairly good idea what specs I tend to get along with. Like your Volkl Tour 10 Gen 2 post, I'm looking for some extra oomph on general rally balls that I don't feel I currently get on my ProStaff 6.0 95.

Short explanation:

I'm a racquetholic

 

[AndrewD]

Long explanation:

I already had an order for the new Donnay oversize (pure curiousity) so I figured that at $49, the nPro Surge was cheap enough to have a punt on without having to pay extra shipping charges. Of course, I read all the reviews I could get my hands on beforehand and have a fairly good idea what specs I tend to get along with. Like your Volkl Tour 10 Gen 2 post, I'm looking for some extra oomph on general rally balls that I don't feel I currently get on my ProStaff 6.0 95.

Short explanation:

I'm a racquetholic

Understand your thinking completely. When I started this thread I'd been planning to just grab the Gen2 frames in the liquidation section. Now, however, I'm thinking it might be worth my while to take a punt on two other racquets that are close to the Gen2 and t10MPVE but which might offer a bit more pop on serve than the Gen2 without sacrificing the flex I prefer.

 

[garbage]

I only just noticed that the racquet actually has 'demo' as part of the paintjob so it's not possible to remove it.

 

[jck01]

I just wanted to include my 2-cents. The cheaper racquets in the liquidation section of TW are generally in fair condition and higher priced racquets in the liquidation section are generally in good-to-excellent condition. That's been my experience.