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IanMetro



Member Since: 11 Sep 2017
Location: Somerset BS21
Posts: 2772
United Kingdom 2014 Freelander 2 SD4 Metropolis LE Auto Fuji White

I remember with fondness, cycling over to Bath and spending some of my 2/6 pocket money in the large government surplus store.
I think my most prized buy was an ex-army morse key.
Happy days before integrated circuits and software. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 76k+ miles) (MY2015)
Post #348526 30th Apr 2018 10:56 am
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T4



Member Since: 05 Mar 2018
Location: Essex, Gower & anywhere inbetween
Posts: 141
United Kingdom 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 SE Manual Tambora Flame

Quote:
Does anyone remember Tottenham Court Rd in London in the 70's when it was full of Government surplus shops selling all sorts of goodies?


I used to go to Swansea Market for my Army Surplus. There were a couple of shops/stalls there heaped high with jackets. You had to dig around to find a good one and even then might need to spend an hour or so refurbishing it. Happy days though.

While I decry the demise of "real" shops I am as much to blame for their departure as I can't remember the last time I actually went "shopping". Generally now the whole experience is disappointing, frustrating, bewildering or just plain annoying...it must be an age thing.

I accept that you can't necessarily get the whole impression of an item off the internet but with so many reviews and YouTube clips available you can often get a better overview than looking at a sealed blister pack or pretty box in a shop.

I'm not in the least surprised at the departure of any High Street shop. The costs involved in running such an establishment must be prohibitive and then so many people go in to look and then buy the item they see for the cheapest price they can get off the internet. They save money, don't have to carry it home and can often have it the following day anyway.

If you consider the costs of a swanky shop, in a salubrious location, with presentable staff (you hope) compared to a warehouse (or old barn) when you now don't actually need a "Shop Window" to sell stuff it just doesn't stack up.
Post #348527 30th Apr 2018 10:58 am
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JulesK



Member Since: 07 Dec 2014
Location: Ceredigion.
Posts: 1652
Wales 2014 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Firenze Red

Swansea Market Surplus !! now there's a blast from the past, I used to go up to Brecon for my gear but now use the one in Sarnau near New Quay got some nice stuff but it not like the old proper surplus stores.

Found one once heading back from LLandiello little hand written sign on side of road bought tons of stuff but could never find it again Rolling Eyes If it wasn't so bad it'd be funny.

🐑
Freelander 2 HSE auto 2014 ( Florrie ) ..... Try again.
Freelander 2 GS 2012...... Gone.
Post #348545 30th Apr 2018 12:35 pm
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