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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy a second hand bike for a present?

66 replies

namechangerbat · 21/12/2011 15:41

Dd is 5

New bike from halfords is about 80-100£

Independent bike shop in town sells "good make" bikes, raleighs etc, but they are 170£ +

They have a nice Raleigh Krush pink and silver bike - its second hand though for £50

I thought it was fine to do this, but my darling MOTHER has just read me the riot act about the children DESERVING a new bike and new things.

I have spent between 80 & 100 £ on her other presents - so I think I've spent quite a lot!!!

She does need a bigger bike, her old one is now far too small and can be passed down to DD2

OP posts:
moogalicious · 21/12/2011 15:44

YANBU. My kids have all got second hand bikes. Ignore your mum.

Your dd will love it I'm sure.

MissPentChristmasBudget · 21/12/2011 15:46

YANBU, as long as the bike is in reasonable condition and the shop have made sure it's all safe etc.

Kayano · 21/12/2011 15:47

Yanbu, my two neices are getting second hand bikes but they don't mind

Although dn2 has since asked for a 'white bike' we have said that Santa may have had to get one in a different colour Confused her fave colour was purple when they got it! Oops

Original poster
namechangerbat · 21/12/2011 15:47

The bloke from the shop is cleaning it up and checking it over. He said he would sell it in spring for £80 but im sure thats just sales man chat Grin

OP posts:
tadleylass · 21/12/2011 15:49

how abought you give the bike to her in a week or two so no a xmas present a swap for her old one that dd 2 will have and i' am shure you've got her enough all ready

shrinkingnora · 21/12/2011 15:49

YANBU. Your mum is. I am very jealous that you have found a second hand one - spent weeks trying to find one for DS's fifth birthday!

GrimmaTheNome · 21/12/2011 15:50

YANBU. My treasured girlhood bike was secondhand when I got it. When I outgrew it we cleaned it up and resold it to someone else equally delighted to get it.

The important thing with bikes is that they are the right size and they work. A good 2nd hand is a better bet than a crappy new one.

MyCarHasBrokenDownAgain · 21/12/2011 15:50

YADNBU! My DS's first bike for his birthday last January was £10 from a mate at work. He loved it, he used it, and I didn't shit a brick about him scratching up/wrecking £170 worth of new bike.

New now has a 'new' bigger bike that cost £2 from a boot sale! OH serviced it, it works perfectly fine, is safe, and DS loves it.

We used the money we saved to pay for other treats and days out!

icooksocks · 21/12/2011 15:51

I have got my kids all manner of second hand bits for christmas. My DH was made redundant in October and we just cant afford piles of brand new pressies for them. They'll never know.

OldGreyWassailTest · 21/12/2011 15:51

Nothing wrong with a 2nd hand clean, safe and sparkly bike. She'll love it.

When my son was small, and I was broke, he desperately wanted Tonka toys. Bought them 2nd hand, he neither knew nor cared and played with them for years.

jesuswhatnext · 21/12/2011 15:54

your mum is a nutter! Grin kids don t give a bugger where it comes from!

Original poster
namechangerbat · 21/12/2011 15:54

Thing is, I bought myself a second hand Raleigh last summer for £50 and my mind just boggles why I would spend more on a 5 year olds bike than my own!!

This bike is the perfect size for her :)

I can't face halfords either to be honest. At least the bike shop is an independent one with a normal person in it that actually knows about bikes.

OP posts:
cuteboots · 21/12/2011 15:56

YADNBU Nothing wrong with this at all. My first bike was second hand and I loved it some second hand bikes are in better condition than new ones

WilsonFrickett · 21/12/2011 15:57

Tell your DM she's absolutely right, and then go and buy the second-hand bike anyway. No-one will ever know. YADNBU. I left it too late to find a second hand bike that fitted DS Xmas Sad

GrimmaTheNome · 21/12/2011 15:58

Giving trade to independent bike shop is A Good Thing.

Wrap it with tinsel and she'll adore it Grin

lostlady · 21/12/2011 15:58

YADNBU. Quite the opposite.

Original poster
namechangerbat · 21/12/2011 16:00

That settles it. How do I wrap the fucking thing?

Dd is only 5 and is 49 inches tall with a 20 inch inside leg!!

OP posts:
JellyBelly10 · 21/12/2011 16:00

YADNBU!! My kids are having a second-hand Christmas this year!! Second-hand toys, second-hand Playstation games, second hand Lego and second-hand puzzles!!! They've got some new stuff too, but if it wasn't for Ebay and local Facebook selling sites my kids would be getting practically nothing this year!! Just how it is! Times are tougher!!!

Winkly · 21/12/2011 16:00

YANBU my bikes were always second hand, I fail to see the problem so long as they're safe, especially since your daughter will probably be too tall for it this time next year. I like Wilson's idea.

inkyfingers · 21/12/2011 16:15

Just buy it. Don't get into any discussion with your mum. She may not ask further about it - BUT if she does, ask her what exactly is mean about the bike and other presents you've bought.

Original poster
namechangerbat · 21/12/2011 16:15

Will Dd Mind?

OP posts:
DorisIsMerryOnChristmasSprits · 21/12/2011 16:19

DD6 is getting a 2nd hand giant one this christmas (the brand not just enormous Xmas Grin All of the girls bikes have been 2nd hand bar a balance bike we bought for dd3. Not only have they been 2nd they have also been passed down to next sister.

Your mum would have a field day in our house.

We went with a 'better' make as they are generally lighter, and this one had a grip shift for when she wants to start changing gear.

(much of their presents are from car boot sales too.... (only santa brings new!)

manicinsomniac · 21/12/2011 16:20

YANBU at all! (People who buy new bikes are unreasonable imo Wink - though thank goodness they do or we wouldn't have the option to re-buy them!)

I bet your daughter won't even notice it isn't new. And if she does she won't care.

Almost all my daughters' presents are 2nd hand. I've probably spent in the region of £60 - £70 on each of them but it would probably have been £400 or so on each if I'd bought it all new - much better to have loads of 2nd hand stuff than a little bit of new stuff I think.

manicinsomniac · 21/12/2011 16:20

YANBU at all! (People who buy new bikes are unreasonable imo Wink - though thank goodness they do or we wouldn't have the option to re-buy them!)

I bet your daughter won't even notice it isn't new. And if she does she won't care.

Almost all my daughters' presents are 2nd hand. I've probably spent in the region of £60 - £70 on each of them but it would probably have been £400 or so on each if I'd bought it all new - much better to have loads of 2nd hand stuff than a little bit of new stuff I think.

GrimmaTheNome · 21/12/2011 16:22

Will Dd Mind?

No, but how will she even know? If there's a scrap of dirt left - well obviously the elves road-test bikes Grin