Please help choosing a ping pong table/ finding a deal

[Kelram]

My son is 12 years old and the only thing he wants for Christmas is a ping pong table. I looked online at a wide variety of stores, but have no idea what I'm looking for. It seems that most indoor tables are 5/8", with the more expensive ones closer to a full inch. I guess this is for warping issues? How important is the thickness? Do I need more than 5/8"? We will leave the table set up all the time in the basement.

Also I can't see how buying online would be cost effective because all the sites I find a good deal on a table then tack on $150 to deliver it. I would rather pick it up locally. Sears, Dick's Sporting Goods, Target, Walmart, etc. if I have to pay so much to ship it.

I was thinking of spending around $300. Can I get a good table for that?

Anyone have any opinions about it that might be helpful? I sure would appreciate some guidance. Thanks!

[dmtiern]

Ours is from Sports Authority. We've had it about 3-4 years & paid around $150 on sale (Stiga Model#t8160) It only got so-so reviews & was stated as hard to assemble. DH & DS put ours together easily. It was exactly the quality we needed for the use it got. Now that the novelty has worn off (!) it mostly stays folded up. At the moment is is where my Christmas tree is stored, inside the fold LOL!

 

I'd check Craigslist. Just did a quick check of my local CL and see one for $50 including paddles & balls!

[donella]

I got on a few years ago at my local wal-mart.It was 99.00.It is still up and good .It is not strong enough to sit on but it has been good for us .I do not have any boys though just girls and we have it in the family room and we use it for that or to work puzles or play other games on.

[Kelram]

Thanks for your replies. I was worried about not knowing enough about what to look for in buying a used ping pong table so I had not looked on ebay or craig's list. I should probably consider it tho. I might look at our local play it again sports outlets. These things seem to be a purchase that gets used for a while and then gets stored away, like the above poster said. Thanks again.

[jagman]

My son is 12 years old and the only thing he wants for Christmas is a ping pong table. I looked online at a wide variety of stores, but have no idea what I'm looking for. It seems that most indoor tables are 5/8", with the more expensive ones closer to a full inch. I guess this is for warping issues? How important is the thickness? Do I need more than 5/8"? We will leave the table set up all the time in the basement.

Also I can't see how buying online would be cost effective because all the sites I find a good deal on a table then tack on $150 to deliver it. I would rather pick it up locally. Sears, Dick's Sporting Goods, Target, Walmart, etc. if I have to pay so much to ship it.

I was thinking of spending around $300. Can I get a good table for that?

Anyone have any opinions about it that might be helpful? I sure would appreciate some guidance. Thanks!

Kelram,

 

From what I've read the thicker the table top the more consistent/truer bounce, so tournament tables use 1" tops. You can get the following 3/4" tables for less than $300 dollars during black friday.

 

Dick’s Stiga ST3000 Features:

• Model Number: T8730

• Playback positions allows for single player use

• Table Thickness: 0.75 inches

• Table Color: Blue

• Wheel Type: 3 inch Ball Bearing Casters

• Number of Wheels: 4

• Style of Legs: 2 inch Square Self-Opening Steel Legs

• Number of Table Top Sections: Two

• Apron Size: 2 inches

• Net Included

• Quickplay patented design - From box to play in 10 minutes

• 3/4-in competition blue top with treated underside to prevent warping

• 3 inch ball bearing mag casters with rubber wheels

• Corner protection pads prevent snags

• Regulation style edgebanding and striping

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3948425

249.98 during black Friday.

http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/black-friday-16156-ST3000CompetitionTableTennisTable.html

 

Sports Authority Ping Pong Ultra, Features:

• WideSpan technology increases table stability

• QuickPlay® chassis design allows quick and easy set-up

• 3/4" tournament blue top

• Silk-screened striping

• 2" steel apron

• 1.75" round steel, self-opening legs

• Steel chassis with oversized steel side panel

• Wood cross-brace support

• 3" Mag-Wheel

• Ball-bearing casters with locks

• Corner protection pads

• Complete net and post set-up

• Folds into compact storage and playback positions

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3812578&kw=3812578&sr=1&origkw=3812578

 

Black friday ad (link below) says 189.99 but it shows a different table but references product id 3812578 which is the same as link above.

 

http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/black-friday-16562-PingPongUltraTableTennisTable.html

 

Both the Dick's and TSA tables are 3/4" blue tops with 2" rails, and nets included, but the Dick's table has square legs and the TSA has round. I have personally seen the ST3000 from Dick's and it's a nice table. I would recommend that you stop by either Dick's or TSA to look if they have the tables set up, so you can see which one you like. The reviews say it's a heavy table so if you're going to pick either one of them up, you might want to take some helpers for loading and unloading it. Best of luck. :)

[donella]

Acadamey Sports has one for 69.00 dollars on Fri and Sat if you have one close by.Called Table Tennis.