Am I being tight?!

Tbh.. at 5 she's too young to notice probably, but when older - I agree with your friend. No issues with secondhand stuff, buy lots from Vinted myself, including clothes, appliances, etc. But for a special occasion I'd want a new present. Or if used, then something really good and in mint condition. Parts needing to be changed doesn't sound 'like new' condition. To be fair, no one ever gave me a used present before, not as a child or adult. But as above, at 5 you can get away with it just about.

Is it a Woom??

Ðitch the friend, she sounds toxic and jealous of your dd learning to ride.

People have different attitudes about second hand stuff.

I was chatting with my mate earlier (we are both moving house soon) and he mentioned needing a new sofa, and I suggested Facebook marketplace, and he said his Mrs wouldn't sit on a secondhand sofa!

I"m a bit of an old hippy myself and all about reuse and recycle, but what am I going to do - tell my mate his Mrs is a dick? (I don't think she is, for the record. I think she is an utter saint for putting up with him).

Some of us are cool with 2nd hand stuff. It's better for the planet. But some people can't get their heads around it, and that's also ok I guess.

OP, your friend is being a bit of a dick, but if she is otherwise a nice friend, I would just laugh it off and move on.

I have no doubt many of my very dear friends are utterly blindsided by the pre-loved tat I gift them at Christmas and birthdays!

Kids' bikes are like cars - the minute you drive them off the dealer's lot, their value drops by at least 25%.

@McSteamyorMcdreamy - you've done well, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

You probably could have bought a new bike for the same money but it would have been a pile of tat and would have been dead in 5 minutes. A good second hand bike is much better, especially as it seems you are handy with maintaining it. Trade it up when she grows out of it for similar in a bigger size

I bought my daughter a huge box of Playmobil secondhand for her fifth birthday. It didn't come in a box so we laid it all out the night before, all set up like a village. She was so excited when she saw it
Little children haven't learnt to care about the things adults etc care about.

If they love it then newness doesn't matter , and buying second hand is so good for the planet too

Your friend sounds like a dick

Your dc will love it! Both my dc's had second hand bikes

One of the best presents I ever had was a second hand bike.

Old bike, new friend!

Not tight at all, we do the same. Why pay price of brand new when you can a perfectly good item for less? Second hand bike, go kart, x box, all appreciated and loved. Xx

Crikey no of course you’re not being tight. I’ve always bought my kids as much second hand as possible. Not only is it cheaper but much more environmentally friendly. My older two (10 & 8) now when they get their own money they always look to buy second hand if they can and they’re also pretty good at cleaning up old toys etc to sell on!

Your friend sounds like an absolute fuckwit, OP!

My kids and myself for that matter have never had new bikes. Kids grow out of them far too quickly

I don't think it's anything other than the weight that's the issue with them really. It's not that they need to be top of the range, but a lighter weight bike is easier for them to handle themselves (I doubt a 5-6 year old could move a 10kg bike around) and less painful when it lands on them in any inevitable crashes (and I think probably easier for them to course correct on to prevent any crashes but willing to be corrected on that one).

I think it depends if they're using it just for play as well or if you use bikes as a method of transport. Probably not at 5 but I was cycling my own bike for transport alongside my dad by 7 and out on my own by 9 or 10.

I always get second hand bikes, through choice. They get a better quality bike. They don't mind at all, and we sell them pretty much at what we paid for them as they are good makes. Which means I don't mind getting them a new bike every other year as it barely costs me anything

I realised as an adult that my parents got me second hand bikes as presents as a child. I didn't notice as a child. As an adult I appreciated their sensible approach to finances and am grateful to have grown up learning how to be frugal.

I got plenty of other presents second hand too: scarves, a skirt, books and those are just the ones I know about and can remember.

I always buy bikes second hand and have given for birthday/christmas. I’d rather get a better brand - they are lighter/easier to steer. And more expensive. Kids don’t use them for long. Second hand a win for everyone.

I've never had a new bike even as an adult - you get much better bang for buck secondhand as long as you know what to look for. It's actually great parenting to model financial responsibility, not overstretch yourself to 'spoil' your kids - but also, you've researched this, done it up, you've put a lot of thought and effort into this as opposed to just chucking your debit card at Halfords. Your friend is being silly and I hope your daughter enjoys her bike.

All my daughter's bikes have been second hand. Means I can buy her a better quality bike and they are always well looked after meaning they are second hand and shiny. Her latest bike was a polka dot frog bike. Envy of all her friends and no one knows its second hand until I tell them 😁 I also always sell for same price I bought meaning that each bike is theoretically free.

At 5-6 do they need a top of the range bike? They grow so fast they won’t have it long. I got my dd a “Frozen 2” bike- she loved it and was on it every week for hours no problems!

Bought my DS a bike for his 4th birthday.

It was £10 off gumtree. Some signs of wear & muddy.

He was made up with it! 😊

Got him a £1 second hand "it's my birthday" T-shirt off Vinted that had been worn once too.

No point spending loads when they grow out of things so quickly. Your friend is a snob.

Your friend sounds uncouth, to be honest. I would pay her no mind whatsoever, and not bother discussing your monetary choices in future, with her.

Another one here who gets 2nd hand ones. One of my teenage ds's friend's is from a biking family. I paid £60 for a bike off them for his birthday recently. DS was thrilled, it's a decent one, that they put new tyres on. It
meant he still had money left from the £100 budget we had for him. Second hand bikes are great.