second hand trampolines

looby75

My ds wants a trampoline for Christmas and the cheapest I've seen one for is an 8ft one for £129 with the enclosure net which would mean my ds would get NOTHING else for Christmas from me.

A good friend has just told me she is selling her 8ft trampoline and enclosure for £50 as it is too small for her kids. She has only had it for 4 months, and thought at the time she bought it, it would be too small but her dh insisted it would be big enough (never listen to a man about size right ladies lol) In theory is should be in good condition and on the surface looks as though it is, but I'm a bit concerned that by her own admission it's a bit small for her kids and they have been using it for 4 months!

Is there anyone here who has a trampoline who can tell me what bits I need to check to make sure it's safe to use before I agree to buy it. If I spend £50 on it and it turns out to be faulty I won't then be able to afford to get my ds a brand new one.

jambojen_2

I bought my boyfriend a trampoline and we have had up to 10 people on it at partys. not recommended i know.
i certainly wouldnt consider selling it even if we wanted to as u just cant tell the damage or stress that has been put on the strings or the general structure.
if this has only had kids on it one at a time then it should be ok.
However the only thing i can recommend definatly checking is the springs, have a look at them when there is no one on it, and they should be tight, and not stretched. if they are stretched then its likely it has been well used and will need new springs soon, which arent cheap.
jen
x

Becles

Will he play on it, or is it a whim?

The girl next door went her ends for one, and her parents gave in a bought one. It was used daily for a couple of months, then she's hardly bothered with it since.

If money is tight, it's a lot to spend on something that he might get bored with quickly.

Rachie_B

wait til the summer when he can get more use out of it lol

maybe your friend means its too small to use for more than 1 child at a time ?

ailuro2

there should only be one child at a time on it anyway.

Check out the accident stats for these things, a bloke at my work is a trampolining coach and says he wouldn't let his son near one of these 8ft things, his son 'bounces' at top levels and broke his thigh landing on one foot instead of two,was only bouncing,not doing any spins etc at the time.

I know they are very popular, but proceed with caution, and consider classes first to get him trained and see if he likes it.?