If you’re looking to participate in shows or events, you may be wondering whether it’s better to rent or buy your canopy tent.
The truth is, there isn’t one clear answer. It will depend on your circumstances and how much use you think you’ll get out of a canopy tent. With so many great canopy tents for vendors out there, it can be difficult to know what to do.
Here are the pros and cons of renting and buying, so you can make the best decision for you:
Renting a Canopy Tent
Here’s what we think about renting a canopy tent:
Pros
Firstly, there’s the ease of use. If you hate the thought of having to set up a canopy tent, or you’re pressed for time, renting is a great choice. The rental company may set it up and pack it down for you. They can even choose the best tent based on your needs, so you’ll save some time deliberating on which one to go for. They can advise you on the best tent for the day itself, taking weather into account, which is an important consideration when event planning.
There’s also the cost. Renting a tent for a one-off event is going to be more cost-effective than buying one if you’re never going to use it again. You may also be able to grab some discounts on other rental items (like air conditioning units, chairs, or tables).
Cons
There are some downsides to renting a canopy tent. You’ll have limited use of your tent – just the day that you have chosen.
You can’t guarantee the quality of the tent, either. Tents can start to look a bit shabby and worn if they’ve been used dozens, if not hundreds, of times. You won’t be able to tell for sure the quality of your tent until the day of the event itself.
You’ll have less control, too. If something goes wrong with your rental company – if they get stuck in traffic, or they’re short-staffed, for example – you’ll be stuck without a tent on the day that you need it.
Lastly, if you have a lot of events coming up, it may be more cost-effective to buy one yourself. You could stand to save quite a bit of money in the long run if you invest a little more to start with by buying a canopy tent.
Buying a Canopy Tent
So, what about buying a canopy tent?
Pros
Firstly, there’s value for money. If you have a lot of events coming up, the cost-per-use will go down, and it will work out cheaper in the long run.
You’ll also have more control. You can choose the tent that you like the best, and you’ll know exactly what to expect each time you use it. If there is wear and tear, you can deal with it as you go (or replace it when you feel it is necessary). You won’t have to worry about relying on the rental company on the day – you’ll have the security of knowing your tent is right there waiting for you.
You can also customize your tent with no limitations. You can attach lights to your tent, paint on the sides, whatever you want!
Finally, you can also sell the tent afterwards and recover some of the investment, when buying a newer or an upgraded tent.
Cons
There are downsides here too. You may face a larger upfront cost, which can be difficult if you’re just starting at events and you have to watch your budget. You’ll also have to make a decision on the kind of tent you’d like to buy.
The other thing to consider is that you’ll have to put your tent up yourself (or hire someone to do it for you). This isn’t too bad – you can get some tents that are easy to put up – but it may take a bit of practice to start with.
We hope this has helped you to decide whether to rent or buy your canopy tent!