Do you buy second hand??

[MugglesandLuna]

Have been thinking about getting DD some Happyland stuff as she likes playing with her castle. Have been looking at stuff on Ebay and I would get alot more for my money if I got some stuff thats not new.

AIBU to buy stuff thats second hand. If I put it all in a big box DD (who is 3) probably wouldnt know.

[Grumpla]

Yanbu! Happyland is totally indestructible anyway, I bought tons second hand for DS and it was all in great condition (and very cheap!)

[chrisrobin]

YANBU, I buy second-hand, I have just bought DS1 some Lego for Christmas from ebay.

[Eddas]

yes, 2nd hand is the way forward, best value for money. Even better than ebay try local bootfairs where you might just pick up a real bargain. I'm looking at bootfairs at the moment for ds (4) and dd (7) as money is tight and i'm all for a nice bargain!! I bought dd a hideous fairy photo frame with a daughter poem in it, now she will love it but i'd never pay the new price for it, it cost £2 from a bootfair with some other bits too.

2nd hand is the way forward IMO, just wish i'd realised earlier (I started doing this last year, bootfairs/ebay/charity shops=FAB for bargains)

[NHScutback]

I definitely would with Happyland, she'll only get another year or so out of it, it keeps nice, wipe clean, etc

[ThatsNotMyBabyBelly]

I do - have saved a fortune on litle tyke toys this year. The majority are a bit faded but basically as new.

[Haribojoe]

I'm happy to buy secondhand and have got loads of friends who do most of their DC present shopping on ebay, nearly new sales etc.

[LordOfTheFlies]

Last year DS wanted a series of books.Some were current releases in book shop.Others were out of print so DH hunted them down on Amazon.

DS was delighted, it's like getting books from the library, you know someones read them before you.

[going]

I did that for Ds when he was 2 1/2. I bought a huge bundle of Fisher Price little people from a NCT nearly new sale.

[Pigleychez]

I dont normally but have just bought a MASSIVE box of Happyland stuff out the paper for £50! Theres must be over £200 worth of stuff easily!
It came in a huge plastic storage box too.

I wanted to get them a huge set to share ( ages 3 and 15mths) and it would cost a fortune to buy it all straight away. I would of taken all the toys out of packets before anyway so they are ready to play with (Gives us a leisurely morning with them being occupied!)

Ive given it all a wipe over with Milton and water and they look brand new, you would never know. Just won the funfair set off Ebay to go with it.
In fact im feeling abit of an Ebay/happyland addiction coming along!!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Don't think DS had anything new until he was at 5. YANBU, go to ebay and just wrap it up nicely. You could always put it in a huge box 'cos everyone know that whatever you buy the DC will play with a cardboard box anyway [griin]

[Bettymum]

I get loads of things second hand and just bung it in the washing machine for a good wash before use. Saves an absolute fortune!

[ObiWan]

We used to get second hand stuff when we were small.
If we ever noticed a slightly tatty box we were informed that Father Christmas couldn't possibly have transported everything from the North Pole without a bit of damage along the way.

One of my lot is a bit odd, and hates the idea of 'new' things, clothes, toys, the lot. He prefers the idea that something has been tried and tested and loved before he gets to give it a second chance!

[jester68]

I have and would buy second hand. Last year my youngest was only 7 months old and we managed to get her a few toys in excellent condition second hand. We just cleaned them, then wrapped them up. She was non the wiser, and I did not have any stupid packaging to struggle to open!!!!

My eldest wants a DS for her next birthday (she will be 6) and we are looking to buy that and a few games second hand if it works out cheaper.

[Mowlem]

Yes, I have and do.

This year we have got my DD a second hand ipod touch as it is only £70 and we couldn't afford one new (and even if we could - wouldn't spend that much on a present anyway!), but I refuse to pay the overinflated prices of the DS games.

[myBOYSareBONKERS]

jester68 - gamestation sell pre-owned DS and you can get the warranty with it as well. I got my DS2 a DS last xmas and it has been great. Used the warranty already as he dropped it and it broke and it was foxed for free

[LittleJennyRobyn]

Yes Have done and still do every year, Also Shop at charity shops and boot sales.

I have bought previously for DS's, computer games, consoles, ipods and gadgety stuff they like, and for DD, I have gotten her tons of My little pony, baby annabel,happyland etc and when she went through a bob the builder stage, loads of pre school toys.
All for a fraction of the cost.

DC's dont mind one bit as they get more for the budget. DD doesn't seem to care/notice that it all came in big box instead of original packaging.

So absolutely No YANBU

[Peachy]

Yes, it makes a little go so very far indeed. Especially ds games etc, and when ds1 had a robot craze half teh stuff he wanted was only available second hand anyway. Buying second hand stretched ds3's £35 birthday bidget to three ds gmaes and a wii game, so frankly what's not to love?

[Peachy]

Oh preowned (we say preloved ) DSs in Gamestation £49 yesterday.

That HAS to be a bargain.

I think ds2 is after a shark skull or something so that takes second hand to a whole new level LMAO

[PurpleCrazyHorse]

Definitely. DD is 2yo and she's nicknamed the eBaby because she probably has more secondhand than new. The time will come when she'll want new but for now she just loves opening the wrapping paper.

We did great for her birthday as I got a nearly new condition toddler trampoline from FreeCycle. I did splash out on a £8 DVD set from Sainsburys and a couple of colouring books, but we probably only spent £10 or so! She's been bouncing on the trampoline all morning and is now having a nap

TBH I'll probably get DD some secondhand clothes for Christmas as she's usually spoilt rotten by the GPs (only GC!).

[PurpleCrazyHorse]

Do be warned, eBay and FreeCycle are quite addictive and it's only a short step from 'Happyland' to 'handbag'!!!

[oldraver]

Yes I have in the past. I managed to get a boxed set of Ferrari Duplo for DS for half the shop price

[deemented]

Gosh yes!!

I always buy preloved if i can get away with it.

My sister however, would have a fit of herself if i told her that some of her DGS's Christmas pressies came from a carbooter...

[inchoccyheaven]

Yes definitely buy second hand if it is cheaper and in good nick. Bought 4 ps2 games for £8 in a this and that shop. If the boys don't like them then I haven't wasted a lot of money and I can re sell them on.
I even show the boys on amazon etc the price of new compared to second hand and let them decide which they think is better value.

[justcallmemummypig]

yes i bought a scooby doo in a charity shop yest that i know my ds will love, will stick it thru the washing machine first but it looks clean anyway.

Mine have never noticed if something isn't boxed.

[poppyandsneeze]

Happyland is so expensive brand new. That yes buy second hand. I purchased happyland for my little boy many years ago for Christmas. Put it into a nice cardboard box and wrapped. They don't know the difference at that age and he was so chuffed with the items.

I will probably buy some more happy land this year for my little girl as we still have the original items.