best and worst online shops for buying gear?

[wayno]

I"ve only bought one item through amazon, a couple through bivouac.co.nz and another through sunnysports.com
had no probs real problems other than a slight delay in delivery with bivouac, both were selling the items at the best price i could find for each item.
what are other sites people would and wouldnt recommend?

[Strider]

I have found these guys to be absolutely fantastic!

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/

[Ent]

Hi

Second Strider's recommendation. All have been great but never had much an issue with gear from any of them. O-EMC shipped a left rather than right hand zip sleeping bag and immediately offered to pay freight back and for the replacement but it was no big issue for me so thanked them and told them not to bother.

Received a faulty you beaut lighter from Campsaver that failed. Sent an email asking what the process and was immediately given a full credit.

Moontrail fell foul of Cascade Design do not ship ban which made shipping the other items too dear. Got a very good offer on freight from them to compensate.

Elite Mountain Supplies were great as well. They use a courier service but very dear. Sent a request and they shipped the tent by Royal Mail. Even wrapped the tent in its groundsheet to protect it.

In Australia Main Peak and Hiking.com.au excellent as well. Paddy Pallin by mail order a disappointment while local shop good so why bother ordering online.

Generally found online shops knowledge excellent. Great getting an email saying "x brand is a small fitting suggest you up size" when I ordered a few clothing items. Also get honest answers saying "Y might not be what you want".

Cheers

[tasadam]

My experience in buying 3 tents on 3 different occasions through Moontrail has been good, all that I expected.
I've always used their points system as credit to get a discounted item.

[oyster_07]

I can vouch for the following:

hiking.com.au
mainpeak.com.au
antigravitygear.com

[ULWalkingPhil]

Paddypallin online sales are pathetic, there service is shocking. I placed an online order with them, never do that again.

I could tell you the dramas I had but it would take ages to type it out on my small phone. I'm currently laying in my hammock on a hike.

[Dale]

Another moontrail.com fan here.
prolitegear.com has a great selection of lightweight gear and the cheapest prices (on sale) I've seen anywhere for Icebreaker.
backcountrygear.com
hermitshut.com
nrsweb.com for kayaking etc...
wiggle.co.uk is a good source of trail runners and postage is free with a minimum order (that's not that much)

[wayno]

gearbuyer.com is a great place for checking reviews on outdoor gear and finding the best prices, it's american based so dont expect to find local brands

[roysta]

I use lots of them and frankly I haven't run across a bad one, maybe because I wouldn't dream of using a lot of Oz ones anyway.
There are exceptions in this country though, like www.mainpeak.com.au www.bigjohn.com.au www.wildearth.com.au and www.bogong.com.au

American goodguys include www.moontrail.com www.moosejaw.com www.backcountrygear.com www.backcountry.com www.rei.com www.amazon.com www.altrec.com www.e-omc.com and across the Tasman there are a few too, like www.bivouac.co.nz

[Tortoise]

I use lots of them and frankly I haven't run across a bad one, maybe because I wouldn't dream of using a lot of Oz ones anyway.
There are exceptions in this country though, like http://www.mainpeak.com.au http://www.bigjohn.com.au http://www.wildearth.com.au and http://www.bogong.com.au

Am a bit slow - Are the exceptions the good guys or the bad guys IYO?

[anotherwalker]

I can definitely recommend

Adventure Friends
http://adventurefriends.com.au/

These guys had fast and friendly service, fast delivery (3 days for my parcel to travel 2500km) and they even price matched a competitor to get the deal.

I can also recommend.
http://stores.ebay.com.au/soldiersshop AKA http://www.kitbag.com.au/

They had reliable service and I am still using there Sleeping Bag seven years on.

I can also recommend for there fast and reliable service.
http://myworld.ebay.com.au/dvmx_imports/

Thanks
AnotherWalker

[LTM]

Two shipments with Campsaver, spot on service and much cheaper than Aust shops of course. Bits and pieces from various local and US ebay vendors, no problems there either.