As Easter weekend draws near, it's the perfect time for outdoor activities like running, cycling, family camping trips, or a friendly tennis match. For those keen on trying new sports but wary of the cost of equipment, selling or trading in unused items could be a solution. In response to the over 100 million pieces of unused sports gear gathering dust in UK homes, Decathlon has launched its inaugural Easter Buyback Weekend. The Buyback scheme will operate from Good Friday through to Easter Monday (excluding Easter Sunday) across more than 40 stores nationwide. This initiative offers people the opportunity to trade in their gently used sports gear and equipment. This not only provides shoppers with savings just in time for Easter, but also promotes waste reduction and gives pre-loved equipment a second lease of life. Decathlon members who participate in the scheme will receive an additional 20% bonus - up to £50 - on top of the standard Buyback value, credited as a Decathlon gift card. Initially, the Buyback programme was exclusive to Decathlon bicycles. However, as of April 2024, it has expanded to accept 50 different items spanning over 15 sports and activity categories, regardless of brand, reports the Mirror. These include cycling, golf, horse riding, racquet sports, combat sports, GPS and watches, camping, and many more. To take advantage of the 20% Buyback bonus, customers must be a member of Decathlon. Membership also grants access to other benefits such as earning rewards on every purchase and a welcome bonus of 1,000 points upon joining. The brand of equipment is not a concern for the programme, which accepts all brands. However, due to high demand, Decathlon is particularly encouraging trade-ins of bikes, water sports equipment, and racks. Depending on the condition of the item, customers can recoup up to 40% of its value in the form of a Decathlon gift card. To participate in the programme, customers need to complete an online assessment that provides an estimate of their item's value, then schedule an appointment at their nearest store. This is where the trade will occur, and they will receive their gift card. If customers are not interested in trying Decathlon's programme this Easter, they might consider Sports Direct, which also offers a variety of sportswear, trainers, equipment, and membership options with exclusive offers, monthly prize draws, and events. Go Outdoors is another alternative for great deals and exclusives this weekend, currently offering exclusive member deals on fishing gear, sleeping bags, and tour packages at discounted prices. Decathlon boasts a 3.6 out of 5-star rating from more than 42,000 reviews on Trustpilot. One customer raved about their experience: "Wow, absolute 5-star service. The team was amazing, helping us choose the right bikes for the kids. The build and service team were excellent." The reviewer also mentioned a complimentary service offered within six weeks to ensure the bikes were still a good fit. "A free service within six weeks once they have settled into the bikes - the team couldn't do enough. I would definitely recommend getting your bikes from here." Another satisfied customer praised the quality and affordability of Decathlon's products, saying: "Great value products. 2 in 1 shorts and sports sunglasses both served me well in my recent half marathon. Highly recommend the products." Not all customers were completely satisfied, however. One shopper expressed frustration with the website, stating: "The website let me down. When I first tried to buy my size it was available, but after six tries over two days, my size was gone, I was very disappointed." Conversely, another customer had a positive experience with delivery, commenting: "Great value product. Fast delivery."