To sell (rather than give) all my baby clothes & equipment to a friend?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

A work mate / friend is currently expecting her first baby and I have just had my last baby (I have 3), so I am looking to clear out all my baby stuff and she is looking to buy. I have known her for about 10 years and although I'd describe us as friends, we aren't particularly close or anything, we get on well at work but have only gone out socially together about 5 times over the years. However we are a bit closer more recently since she has become pregnant.

Anyway, given we are friends it feels a bit awkward now for me to ask her for money for the baby stuff. I gave her all my maternity clothes for nothing but I have absolutely loads of clothes, plus the usual Moses basket, steriliser etc to get rid of. Given the price we originally paid for everything I think I'd need to charge something but given she is a friend I have no idea how much to ask for, it seems a bit awkward somehow but I know she'll insist on paying something too.

So Aibu in asking for money? If not, how much (% of original costs) should I ask for?

Some people are just so feckin tight. You have got your use out of the stuff, just give it to someone who needs it. Someone I know once offered me some Star Wars toys for my son, I replied saying that would be lovely, she then said I'll price them up for you??!! The world would be a nicer place without so many tightarses trying to make a quick buck

I wouldn't charge your friend, though. Sell it on Ebay or what have you if you want money for it.

She might be co-sleeping and breastfeeding and not need a basket and steriliser.

Unless you're hard up, though, that's kind of tight-fisted.

I was given lots and gave lots away. I think it's rather lovely, the way baby stuff gets passed on and on.

If it's all been used for 3 children, no matter what the original cost was it owes you nothing, as they say. I wouldn't charge.

Yes, I too love the way that baby stuff gets passed on and on and on, but I also recognise that some people may need to sell the old to raise the money to buy the new.

What Maud said. Reading a lot of threads on here, it's obvious that many many people cannot afford to just give things away- they need the cash to buy school shoes. Some things (eg clothes) really aren't worth anything after 3 kids as even if unstained, they go all bobbly, but some of the larger plastic items are, as they never seem to die (I'm thinking walkers, exersaucers, bumbos, swim rings etc).

I have been given things by friends, and always pass these things on, but some other stuff I have sold. I've also bought things from friends. I don't think they're tight for not giving them. I was still getting a big discount on new and they were in great condition.

We're about to sell stuff to a friend. If she doesn't want it we'll get a hundred pounds on ebay at least. If she doesn't want to buy it I'll sell it, I won't give it to her. Doesn't make me mean.

Shuffleball, I don't think that makes me, or anyone else selling baby things, tight. If I hadn't sold my children's old clothes I would of had to put their new shoes:coats on a credit card...how ridiculous when people who bought these things were over the moon with their purchases. I think you were a little quick to judge.

People don't have to buy these things, I think if everyone is straight in what they are expecting there shouldn't be any awkwardness.

And just to point out again, everything was in pristine condition, no stains, no bobbling. I completely get it when a bag of toot lands on your lap and money is expected but in many of the postings here things have barely been used.

Shuffle how can you say that some people are so tight without including yourself in that??? Happy to take someone else's outgrown purchases, but suddenly a price is mentioned and you think they are the tight ones??? Some people amaze me! Why would you assume it's being offered free of charge?

OP I think as long as its clear from the outset that you are offering to sell, and she doesn't have to take anything if she doesn't want to, you are fine to sell. Being honest though having looked locally to me, second hand baby items really don't sell for much round here so maybe see what it's like near you before making a decision. Eg £300 silver cross prams go for £40 if you're lucky here, Moses baskets and stands are given away as people won't buy second hand as they would still need to buy a mattress so may as well buy it all new. Clothes tend to sell for £5ish for a binbag of unbranded/supermarket items, £5-10 for a mixed carrier bag with a few items from Next/Debenhams etc.

If you need the money, sell to a stranger. Give to a friend.

OP, YANBU at all - you're completely right that it would be normal to sell 'almost new' big items (like the Moses basket and stand) rather than give them free-of-charge to someone who isn't a close friend.

I didn't have much success selling clothes (even new ones) on ebay, but sold my steriliser, cot, breast pump etc no problem at all. Why not get an idea for how much things like the moses basket would go for, then ask her if she is interested in buying them from you before you list them? I don't think there's any obligation to discount the price much from what you might get on ebay for those things.

At the same time (and separately) you can give her some of the nice, nearly-new newborn baby clothes and make it clear that you don't expect anything for stuff like that :)

I now pass any clothes in really good condition to friends for their children and freecycle the rest, and have sold (or given to family members) any of the expensive stuff like cot, buggy etc