Neil - As the name suggests, "Used Tackle" do sell used tackle - but they also sell bankrupt stock. There are no sell by labels of the packets, so you are probably right in that are approaching their sell-by dates. However, they have done me ok. I targetted large shoals of Bream last year at Duston Ressy in Northampton with some success using just the methods I outlined above, and using "Used Tackles" ?1 a bag groundbait as a base mix!
Its good stuff - but if you want to spend ?3.50 to ?4.50 for the same stuff? Thats up to you mate!
In my opinion - for what its worth - 'big-name' baits etc are just that 'names' - ok - some are made to tried and trusted remedies, and thus can be relied upon - but we are talking groundbait + attractors!!!