Rooftop Tent Moral Dilemma... advice?

Ok, I used to be an avid camper and backpacker. These days I camp a couple times a year. Typically I backpack in because my objective is to be surrounded by nature, not people. I bought this rooftop tent to accommodate a 5 night camping/Firefly Festival my younger Fiance really wanted to go to. The tent was amazing with the limited space we and tens of thousands of other "campers" were availed. The Tepui Tents Kukenam Ruggedized SKY Tent is by far incredible! It's extremely well made and soooooo cool! Everyone at this festival went crazy for it.

Well, now I've realized I probably won't use it for another trip for years. Any future camping requires I can have mobility... so, here's the moral dilemma... do I return it? I bought it on sale from REI and it cost a total $1700.00+/-

I feel like a shithead returning such a beautiful tent that was used once and cost so much. Despite really wanting to keep it, I just don't have the space to store it and won't really need it again. I thought about a trailer set- up, but don't have the money, and she ironically hated the festival, so.... that's not happening again.

REI employees were so stoked I bought this tent. I feel like a handjob bringing it back, but I don't want to waste 1.7K worth of liquid money either.

Advice?

 

Who cares what other people think. $1700 is a lot of dough

Return that bish
Or if it makes you feel better, sell it on Craigslist. These tents hold value really well, you could probably get close to all your money back

 

At the right price, this thing could easily sell on TW's classifieds. IMO, I'd use it as a reason to get out and camp more often.

 

is @boogie3478 still looking for one? its the right color....

 

I hate REI. Return it.

 

and I spy some Hella Sharptone horns behind that grill. I put on a pair last year and love 'em.

 

If you don't want to be a "handjob" which I'll agree you will be, sell it privately on Craigslist or the like.

The reason why shit is so expensive and why stores have to mark stuff up so much is because people who abuse return policies. And it's one of the main reasons rei just changed their return policy.

It's not the manufacturer or the stores fault that you didn't make a good decision before the purchase, so you take the hit, don't make everyone else pay for it.

 

Exactly. REI isn't going to repackage everything and try to put it back "on the shelf" per se. They'd probably put it up on their scratch n dent sale and take a huge hit for doing so.

 

Sell it privately. Don't be a douche and basically steal the use of it. How would you like it if people just came to your place of business and stole your services, expertise, product, or whatever? Do the right thing.

 

You could just sell it to me!!!

 

Sell it on Craiglists or on here. Im sure it will sell quick. But right now youre "that guy" who has a RTT but doesnt use it enough to justify keeping it.

 

You could for sure get almost all your money back in a private sale. Just pack it up really well before you ship it!

 

Don't put the costs of your decisions onto others. Grow up and take the loss. But its only a loss if you consider that experience you had with it not worthwhile, which I doubt.

I also agree with @HoulaHauler, use it as an excuse to have more outdoor fun.

 

I returned mine 2 days before the one year mark. They took it and didn’t ask any questions. It didn't open all the way and it was like sleeping in a banana. haha. The 17 year old working the counter doesn’t care. No one cares. Return that crap and get your money back. If REI didn’t want people doing that, then they would change the return policy.
I returned mine, took the cash and drove .5 mile down the road to buy a roofnest.

 

This is what is wrong with our economy

 

Fify

Common sense, ethics and morals... Not common.

 

Have no worry.
The credit card-wielding InstaExpo bros keep all the companies bottom lines healthy

 

That sweet truck is begging to be off-roaded more. Keep the tent and hit the wilderness every chance you get. Or sell it here or locally. Don't be "That guy" and take it back.

 

Some people went full on abrasive to this guy asking a question about a situation that I guarantee every.single.one. of us have wondered about, if not outright acted upon without caring.

@WhiteTacoLover

$1700 is a lot of money, especially if you're not going to use that tent to it's full extent. Instead of returning it to REI consider, as some people have suggested, selling it here, on eBay, Craigslist, etc. Or, again as someone suggested, use that tent as an excuse to get away from civilization and back into nature.

But if you decide on returning the tent to REI, have at it. I don't see the "abuse" - intentional or otherwise - as some people have alleged (with zero evidence that was your intention and the fact you created this thread strongly suggests otherwise), and if the store will accept the return, you will have your money back.

 

I find it odd that your first RTT purchase was basically a top of the line model, and not something more budget friendly since you seem to just be trying one out.

Keep it or sell it locally, don't take it back.