Posts Tagged table tennis tables

Used Table Tennis Table: Nothing Wrong If You Know How to Buy a Good One

If you want to introduce your family to the exciting and fun world of ping pong, there is nothing wrong if you decide to purchase a used table tennis table. Your priority is to look for good quality, pre-owned equipment, preferably, a professional type if your funds can support it.

The best places to look for it are your local sports stores, table tennis clubs and ping pong associations. There you can ask for anyone selling their table or for any leads. Another way is to let your circle of family and friends know that you are in the market for it. Word of mouth news will circulate around and who knows, there may be a neighbor who plans to move out and dispose of their old ping pong table to buy a new one. The other sources are newspaper classified ads, the yellow pages and online manufacturer’s websites such as Amazon.com, eBay.com, Craigslist and Nextag. You just search for used table tennis tables under this category and you will be having many options.

In buying a used one, it is important that you are in a position to know if the price of the ping pong table being offered is reasonable in the condition that it is in. Usually, the deal is on an “As Is, Where Is” basis. First of all, you do not know the wear and tear background of the item. You just have to believe or rely on the information given to you when you inspect and ask some questions. In online auctions, this may not be possible. It is only the price and the photo or video that you have to base your interest in making a counter-offer.

A sample used table being sold online is a Butterfly T2625SU Centrefold 25 Sky Rollaway Table Tennis Table (Tournament Used) for $ 2000-35% discount or $1300 free shipping.

Another sample online ad: “Stiga Elite Roller Ping Pong table for sale. New, these tables sell for around $900. A used one in good shape, which this one is, sells for $400-$700. We’re asking $400 for ours. I’ve attached a picture of the table in the flat play position. It also folds up for practicing alone. If you’re interested in purchasing, you will need to come to our house with a truck.”

How can you know if the price being offered is fair? To that question, if would be easy if you are aware of the year model and brand. If you get info from the manufacturer the brand new price of such model, it would be easy to calculate the depreciation percentage. Typically, a seller who bought his ping pong table two years ago for $1,000 will ran an ad and sells it for $ 500. If you make a counter offer for let’s say $ 300 and it is accepted, you can conclude that you have a good deal. For the discount of $ 200, you can budget it for enhancement or improvement of the table.

In cases where it is possible for you to inspect the item, it would be better if you can bring along someone who has the technical expertise to examine and assess the table. Part of the evaluation process is to the test the table by playing with your friend. You can do some ball bounce checks. Find out if the ping pong ball bounces according to the international standard. Try a variety of spin shots.

Check the smoothness of the surface quality and watch out for any warping or damage. Inspect the levelers if any and the condition of the wheels and the brake mechanism. See how it folds and check for other features such as playback. Have some tool and measuring tape handy to check the measurements and level. Feel also how stable and secure it is. This is the advantage of a visual inspection. If the price is negotiable, then you can go ahead and negotiate if you discern that the table can still be useful for many years. Be fair with your vendor. Don’t haggle too much if the price and table’s condition are okay.

Cost of Table Tennis Table: Get Top Value for Your Money With the Right Model and Brand!

Official competition table tennis tables come in regulation sizes of 9feet long by 5 feet wide. Other tables are smaller in sizes like some leisure tables and the mini tables. These are constructed from various types of materials such as solid wood, particle fiberboard, reinforced fiberglass, aluminum, galvanized steel, etc. Many features such as quality of the materials used, the way the table is folded and stored, its weight, the thickness, design of the table, the kind of coating and finish of the surface top, the mechanism of the undercarriage, the wheels and brake mechanism and brand name determine the cost of table tennis tables. Many popular brands have been in the market for many years and have created world champions. This kind of brand will definitely be more expensive than the other brands.

Millions of people all over the world are buying ping pong tables and its accessories to enjoy playing this phenomenally popular sport. There are many types and designs of ping pong tables which are ideal for youth clubs, schools, institutions and homes. Many manufacturers have classified their products into leisure, outdoor, indoor, competition, ping pong conversion tops and mini types and have different price ranges. Some manufacturers and retailers have used table tennis equipments being sold at 50-60% discount off the brand new price.

On the average, you can safely buy a reasonably priced ping pong table and conversion table top from a low of $ 100 up to more than $ 2,000, depending on the brand name, features and the unique characteristics of the table. If you want the get a top branded table, you can search the retail stores and websites of Stiga, Butterfly, Joopla, Prince, Sportscraft, Kettler, and other popular brands to view their products and prices.

Take a look at the Optimum 30 model from Stiga which sells for $1399. How come it is priced at this amount? Evaluate the features: It has a 30mm thick top instead of just 25 mm. The steadiness and regularity of the ball bounce is unmatched. Its surface top undergoes a multi-layer treatment and has a unique finish coating to provide appropriate shine. Its weight is 146 kg under Class A packaging in double cartons. It has other stable features when it comes to folding, undercarriage, wheel casters, safety lock, leveling, playback capability, etc. This model is very durable and designed to last for many years.

Another popular model is the Stiga Thunder Outdoor table which is an all weather table with a permanently attached net. This model has many outstanding features like playback mode, excellent surface ball bounce, versatility and superb weatherability. You can also use it for indoor play. Its cost is around $ 850.

Another brand which is claimed to be the best in pro bounce ball is the Butterfly Centerfold 25 Sky Rollway model which sells for $1,925 online. It’s got a name and record to protect, being the official table of the 2004 US Open ITTF Pro Tour Championships. It has a new look with its legs painted red and placed at 400 mm inward to accommodate handicapped players. It has its surface top colored blue and other features which provide safety, sturdiness, quality performance and consistent top rating.

Whatever type of ping pong table you like, be it for family hobby, leisure and recreation, for indoor or outdoor use, for tournament competition or for schools, youth clubs and institutional use, you should choose a model and brand which fits your needs and you budget. You get a much higher value for your cost of table tennis table based on the brand name you select if it is a breeder of champions, its possession is a status symbol and its life span is longer than the others. You get top value for your money if you develop closer and more loving relationships with your family and friends as you share the fun and enjoyment with all kinds of experiences and memories to treasure in playing this wonderful sport.