No-one camps till April....

[jakunen]

So, just drove to a camping shop near work to buy a new stove for tomorrow's camp as I can't find mine.
Saw gas, meths, repair kits but no stoves.


Me: Excuse me, but where are your stoves?
Snobby shop assistant: We don't stock any until the end of March. No-one goes camping before then.


Was so tempted to say "well why the ... are you open then?!"

I've worked in a few camping shops and even during 'off season' we still kept a few essential items people may need. At least Millets still stock 'out of season' items thankfully...

 

[mousey]

You're obviously not a true camper then, as you should have shelves and racks of stoves in your camping gear man cave - so not finding just one stove should be inconsequential.

[sorry, and yes this post is tongue-in-cheek ]

 

[jakunen]

Did have spares until I got married... only car camped for several years now...

 

[Toddy]

Hobo stove it

I think too many shops get stuck in the 'must do it now' mindset. So Christmas is past and Valentine's Day's next but Easter stuff is already flooding the shelves.
It's just like fashion, and until Easter camping isn't fashionable

Man Cave ??? ….Mrs Four-sheds

 

[jakunen]

Well, then I guess we're a very unfashionable lot, along with the scouts, Duke of Edinburgh groups, etc., etc.

 

[Toddy]

For a given value of fashion, I suppose we are. To most folk here it's kind of everyday stuff, but that's not true for most of the population.
I admit that shop assistants like that totally discourage me from returning though, and I like Millets too. Not for everything, but they are there 52 weeks of the year, and they do carry a wide range of useful stuff. Staff are generally very helpful as well

Is there no one nearby who'd lend you a stove for the weekend ?

M

 

[Trencakey]

Cotswold Outdoors in Reading
271 Basingstoke Road
Reading, Berkshire

RG2 0HY

 

[jakunen]

won't be able to get there in time tonight, but already spoken to my local Millets and I can make it there in time and they have what I want...

 

[Trencakey]

won't be able to get there in time tonight, but already spoken to my local Millets and I can make it there in time and they have what I want...

Nice one.Glad you're sorted.

 

[Somellier]

Reminds me of the guy who bought a new motorhome and wrote about it in the CCC magazine: "and I've arranged winter storage for it". He should have been a caravaner