to buy clothes and presents for the kids from eBay instead of new??

[CocktailQueen]

Over the last couple of years I have become an eBay queen and use it A LOT for purchases - lots of kids clothes and pressies, as you can save so much, and it's ecologically friendly too. But - we're not badly off and I don't actually HAVE to buy second hand - so AIBU?? Do you do the same? Or hate the idea? I'd much rather buy a party dress, say, for £5 than £20! My dd won't get much wear out of it, so why spend a fortune; and it's not likely to hae been worn much already. What do you think??

Mamamission - stick it in the dishwasher. Big tip I picked up working in a pre-school where they were given lots of toys. Even Brio used to get washed in the dishwasher and come out sparkly clean.

Gosh No! I would say the reason you have money is because you arent someone that thinks your children need to have brand new.

MrsDreadfullyMorbidMausoleum - Sadly I don't have a dishwasher, but thanks for the tip.

I spent £80 on a bundle of clothes for DS on eBay recently. I got 20 pairs of trousers, over 30 long sleeve tops, and 30 odd tshirts
All in fantastic condition, and much of it named brands. To have gone and paid that amount in the shops, I'd not have got much more than 4 outfits, as it is he will need no clothes buying at all now til summer when we'll want a few pairs of shorts. To have bought new all what I've just got, in nearly new condition, well I dread to think. We are on a small budget and eBay means better quality clothes than I could otherwise afford, and more money left over for other things. THAT is what my boy deserves. And yes, I buy my clothes on eBay too :)

My kids main presents come from Ebay. I am a single working mum, I cant afford £60 for a new bike or £140 for a DS. I got DS1's bike for his 4th birthday for £10, and am giving them second hand DSs from a friends son this year. DS2's 2nd Christmas present was a big VTECH train set they dont make anymore, which I got in mint condition for £7.

They get some little bits new (like they both need a new scooter, which Ive found reduced for £15 each) but if they want something really big or expensive it comes 2nd hand or not at all.

I'm not sure about 2nd hand for other people. I give things, but not as gifts IYSWIM, but I do have a very small limit (£5 each) for presents so tend to look in the sales and bargain bins all year round.

So YANBU.

And I sell most of the boys clothes on ebay/facebook. Most have done 2 kids, so I sell at things like £1 per pair of trousers, but it helps someone else out with not much money, and raises a bit more for me. I have no problem with 2nd hand, charity shop, ebay or anything for clothes or toys for my children.

I have just bought DS1 a bundle of Dr Who micro universe figures and the storage tardis for £40 - the figures alone in the shops are £8 each.

DS1 has just got 'into' Lego Bionicle, which have been discontinued and replaced with Hero Factory. He desperately wants some for christmas and I have managed to get a load of ebay for a fraction of the price I would have had to pay in the shops. He will be so happy with them and won't care that the boxes have been opened once before (I doubt he will even notice).

Most of his clothes are hand-me-downs from various people which is great as they always have loads of wear left in them and they are new to him IYSWIM.

I buy loads from ebay. I just bough a really nice pram for the new baby all the accessories etc for £60 ( can u tell im pleased!). Would be wayyyyy out of my price range new.

OP here - Cool - thanks for the replies!

Just to clarify, I don't buy second hand for other people (except dh...) and I don't buy shoes on ebay!