While being victorious in a sporting event is priceless, the cost of your sports equipment will have a price tag. However, that doesn’t mean that you should need a second mortgage when shopping for sports equipment. These tips will help you to find the right equipment at the best price on planet Earth:

1. Visit local thrift stores.

You can find virtually anything under the sun at these stores-including some used sports equipment. Unfortunately, you won’t find a complete selection of equipment at these stores. But you can still find a decent selection, and particularly after the winter holiday season, the end of the summer, and the end of the school year.

2. Ask friends, relatives, and coworkers.

You might be pleasantly surprised at how many people you know are trying to sell their used sports equipment. And as an added bonus, you’ll likely get accurate information about the condition of the equipment. As with other purchases, it’s advisable to buy stuff from people you know. Sports equipment is no exception to that standing rule. It’s highly likely that the person will even be able to cut you a fantastic deal on whatever equipment you’re looking for.

3. Shop for “nused” (almost new) equipment.

First determine which equipment you need for a certain sport. In all likelihood, you can find secondhand equipment whose quality is almost as good as brand new equipment. Some stores actually specialize in secondhand sports equipment. Another excellent source is online auctions. Whenever possible, carefully inspect the equipment before buying it. Without taking that step, you could end up spending less on equipment that will give you more headaches than it’s worth.

4. Search offline and online classified ads.

There are tons of people interested in selling their used sports equipment. With the advent of the Internet, online classified ads have expanded the possibilities of your search for sports equipment. Instead of simply flipping through local periodicals, you can now access several local and nationwide online classified ads.

5. Shop around.

Whether you’re buying new or used equipment, shopping around will help you get the best deal on whatever equipment you need. Shop online and offline, to give you the best chance at finding a rock-bottom price. And whenever possible, compare at least three prices for a particular piece of equipment.

6. Get a guarantee whenever it’s available.

Unfortunately, sometimes it’s hard as nails to get any type of guarantee on used products. But it’s worth a try! If a person or store is willing to give you a guarantee, make sure to get it in writing. Inspecting used sports equipment before you buy it will help to reduce the likelihood of having any problems down the road. But a guarantee will help to give you peace-of-mind that you can get a refund if the equipment disintegrates after the first time you use it.

While winning isn’t always guaranteed in competitive sports, you’ll feel like a winner if you can find high-quality sports equipment at a super low price. These tips will help to get it done!