Suggestions needed for pre-BRC shopping trips.

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DaddyMassive
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Suggestions needed for pre-BRC shopping trips.

Post by DaddyMassive » Wed Jan 09, 2008 4:25 am

Aloha my fellow burners!
I'm concocting plans & costing for 08, searching for suitable raw materials etc & so forth, but I'm hindered slightly by UK search engines giving me UK based irrelevant results.


Could I ask American burners to suggest the names of a few stores, likely to be in or around San Francisco, that'd carry what I want (preferable with websites so I can eye up stock).

I need..
A hardware store chain I can buy (and cut) wood, rebars, tools etc.
A decent 1st or 2nd hand bike shop
An outdoor survival shop for tents
2nd hand sofa shop

Don't really want to Walmart it all cos it all seemed a bit cheap and nasty last time I was in there.

Cheers
DM

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BitterDan
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Post by BitterDan » Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:51 am

As far as hardware chains go, we have Loews and Home Depot in the bay area.

There are plenty of sporting goods stores around here too so finding a tent should not be a problem.

As far as second hand sofas, try Goodwill.
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theCryptofishist
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Post by theCryptofishist » Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:24 am

No, not Home Despot, please.
We also have Ace Hardware, which is an association of independently owned stores, so stock will vary, but I've never heard of them taking over the world or being unkind to trannyboys.
Big 5 is the name of one sporting goods store. Is there an REI in or near SF rather than on the other side of the bay in Berkeley?
If you want to buy a bike that's so cheap that it wouldn't last much beyond what you're going to use it for on playa, you might try a chain store like target.
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StevenGoodman
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Post by StevenGoodman » Wed Jan 09, 2008 12:09 pm

There is also Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH), which is a formerly local chain now owned by Sears. There are also many independent lumber yards. Example, Minton's is just down the street from where I live. http://www.mintonslumber.com

Sportsman's Guide http://www.sportsmansguide.com is a good place to buy online. You could have them deliver it to someone in the bay area and then pick it up when you get here.
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Dork
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Post by Dork » Wed Jan 09, 2008 12:54 pm

There is an REI in downtown San Francisco. Big 5 has cheap tents and such that will generally last the week.

For second hand bikes and such there's Goodwill, Salvation Army, and you can look up "thrift" in the phone book. I don't know of any that post their stock online - you just have to go and see what they have.

One big question - how do you plan on disposing of all these items? Whole pieces of wood (un-cut 2x4s, etc) can be donated on the playa, heavily modified pieces have to be burned or taken to the dump. Couches usually need to be taken to the dump because they're too dusty for charities to want. Bikes, well, that's a whole other subject.

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misfit
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Post by misfit » Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:23 pm

web site for all of your needs,,, keep an eye on , craigslist.org , for the bay area.... burners that are not returning to the playa in 08', will be dumping their gear shortly...... free bikes, $25. tents, $40. shade structures....................
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phil
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Post by phil » Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:51 pm

I know you've asked for San Francisco-based stores, but remember that Reno probably has everything you need. Take a look at Louise's pages at
http://civilizedexplorer.pbwiki.com/CivExReno
which have links to stores with online presences, addresses, links to maps so you can get to the store, and lists of stores by freeway exit, which lets you maximize your shopping by putting as much in one location as possible.

Buying in Reno means you don't have to carry that load over the Sierra Mountains, if that's of any interest.

Either place you shop, have fun, and drive safely.

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Post by erri2000 » Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:00 pm

After all the complaining I have been hearing about advertising products on the eplaya or playa, I am very surprised you all are so quick to reference to major retailers.

I am not saying to not frequent a store to get what you think you need, but what about throwing ideas out before links, and use links when it is to a specific product that someone asked for?

As for buying a tent, why not ask if a friend has one first?

Or if you have had the pleasure of meeting my guru Disco Love, email him, he gave it to anyone that asked. Coup de Coup!

His structure was the best, everyone ran to it in the wind, and I it didn't cost that much for the parts. And he has used the same tent for years.
Plus the tents that you buy for "fishing" is just going to get the sh*t kicked out of it in a windstorm.

I watched Shiva Boy set up his tent like 7 times over the course of the week. It was funny because his name was Shiva. And his campsite kept getting destroyed. (THAT IS ART! Shiva Boy is my second favorite piece of art next to the "Thing" now)

Think about designing your own tent, clothing, what ever, first before you run out and spend tons of money.

Try a thrift store first.

Save your money people, don’t be foolish thinking that buying anything is going to make your experience any better. The things you bring are second to the fact that you showed up and participated.

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Some people just don't get it

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AntiM
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Post by AntiM » Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:13 pm

A word about eplaya in specific. Since I'm the commerce grinch, I have this down.

From the Community Guidelines, in the Expected Behavior section:

The ePlaya is a no-commerce zone. Recommending a good deal you found is acceptable, gifting is always encouraged. Advertising items or services for sale or trade will not be tolerated.

A link pointing off-eplaya is okay, selling your own tent on eplaya, no. I know, I know, but them's the rules. People are supposed to be smart enough to check Craigslist or ask through whatever forum their regional is using if they are interested in second-hand items. The OP is from overseas, perhaps they aren't familiar with our major retailers and/or do not have the time to rustle up used camping goods. Of course other suggestions are encouraged, but building a camp from scratch is not possible for everyone.

And yes, for the people flying in and buying their supplies last minute in CA or Reno, what are your disposal plans? Couches especially!

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AntiM
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Post by AntiM » Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:15 pm

Oh, and Fishy, we won't shop Ace Hardware here in Utah, the local chain is owned by polygamists, the evil FLDS kind who subjugate young girls and throw away their young men.

We have Smith and Edwards, the Country Boys Store! Yeehaw!

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The CO
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Post by The CO » Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:27 pm

Ahh, Smith & Edwards, the greatest surplus store ever. I consider a stop there whenever I pass thru Utah to be as essential as Moab or Zion.
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BitterDan
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Post by BitterDan » Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:03 pm

Sorry about posting a corporate giant like Home Despot but the OP asked where to find stuff. I don't know about you but I can typically find what I need at Home Depot as opposed to going to seven "local" hardware stores to get everything I need. I know it's not right and the big guys are putting the little guys out of business but I don't feel like spending all day to get what I could have gotten in 10 minutes at Home Depot.

Just my 2 cents.
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theCryptofishist
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Post by theCryptofishist » Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:12 pm

AntiM I wouldn't shop at ChildmolestersRUs either.
BitterDan For me trips to home despot seem like that Bataan Death March, not ten minute jaunts.

YMMV
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Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

DaddyMassive
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Post by DaddyMassive » Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:00 am

Cheers for the feedback!
& sorry for muddying the forum with mention of uber corps.

Just so you know 'where' I'm coming from (other than a bored lunchbreak)
In 2007 I went with 5 others in an expensive, cramped RV and spent 5 hours trudging round WalFart buying a bunch of crap we barely made use of.

This year the size of the group is increasing greatly.
Dunno numbers yet.. I'm sure you've all experienced similar BM virgin apathy about commiting to 'a holiday' :lol: 8 months in advance.

Needless to say, with the amount of $ we'd have to spend on renting RVs to accomodate our party (and have space so as not be at each other throats about who ruffled the dust sheets or left the lettuce out :P ), we can afford to splash out a bit on some hair-brained projects (and still save a fair bit in comparrison).

If I could, I'd buy everything from independant stores or the likes of craigslist, but I'm likely to have 2 days in San Francisco to find & buy most the materials/equipment I need for my plans, so I can't chance getting lucky when I'm there. (I'm saving all my luck for finding a 2nd hand chopper bicycle).

Cheers again,
DM

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