Testing Equipment Made Easier?

Hey guys,

I just thought of something that could make the lives of table tennis equipment junkies a lot easier.

I apologize if this was already posted or suggested, but I looked for something similar, and couldn't find any.

When I visit the "for sale" section, I'm saddened by seeing how many members sell their recently purchased (almost new) equipment just because it "didn't suit their style". Even though reviews cover almost every aspects of the items reviewed, they are in the end subjective, and diverging opinions exist in most if not all of them.

Wouldn't it be great if we were able to test the equipment we want before we actually buy it? How much time will be saved? You don't need to go around looking at 5 pages topics reviews to see if its right for you anymore! How much money will you save? You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to find the perfect rubber for your new blade anymore!

Along with FS,FT, and LF, something new can be added. It can be called 'T' for testing!

How it works is:

1- Post a topic about the equipment (i.e, T: TBS with tenergy).
2- Get a response from someone.
3- Agree on the "testing period".
4- Do the trade.
5- After the testing period is over, ship the equipment back.

If this were to become something, it will require a much higher level of trust than the usual sales and trades require. As it can be easily used as a bad tool to deceive members and never give their equipment back. However, with the right intentions and the right people, it can be a very nice and useful tool.

I'm not sure if this topic should be posted in "Equipments" or "General", if a moderator sees this, please move it to wherever you see is fit.

Please write your responses below!



Edited by Mottaku - 12/02/2010 at 1:18am

Take a look at the FS section and see how many people buy blades or rubbers from newbies  (new members)   the rating beginner with  two or three posts to thei name who may have a decent blade for sale... in most cases that is a NO NO!.

Sounds good, but what I usually do is to buy used equipment (mostly blades) in the forums and then, if it doesn't suit me, after some time, sell it again. If one doesn't damage it, they can usually sell it at a very similar price. Ok, there's always the risk that there will be no buyer, but on the other hand one can try the items out for as long as they like.

I don't want a nearly perfect blade come back with chips, dings, or others.

Sorry, doubt this will work. Too many shady people out there.

I think it would be better to just try out equipment at table tennis clubs. Or perhaps meet up with people around your area to try equipment. Or, just read reviews. Maybe we should have a section for set-ups that work well for specific styles of play.

Also, rackets and rubbers are quite personal objects that most people will not want to loan out. Most would rather sell and you can go ahead and resell it.

TT e-tailers and retailers rely on ITTF rule changes and EJ's to stay in business.

If you could find the perfect blade, they would go out of business.

I haven't switched blades since I tried a Virtuoso. I see no reason to ever need another blade.