I don't buy/use second hand, ie clothes, electricals, toys, shoes, etc (New to MN)

[HowTerriblyEngliscOfMe]

Nor have I ever. Not as a child, not as a teenager, not as an adult and now, not as a parent. If you have the money to not to need to go second hand for things, why are others so disgusted at the concept that you don't? I understand why people do it even when they don't need to, and I know there are plenty of people who don't have any other choice, but why can't people just leave me to it? It's my family, my home and my decision.

It's my mil who gets the most distressed about it. She will go on at me about it every chance she gets and I really don't understand what her problem is. I don't NEED to save that extra few hundred pounds, I don't NEED to buy toys and clothes in charity shops, I don't NEED to buy my electricals from eBay, so what is her problem?

When we started collecting things in preparation of our first child's birth, she was so weirdly mortified that dp and I were going out buying new nursery furniture and clothes, car seat, soft toys etc. She would utterly panic when we would mention that we were researching cots or buggies.

"But this person had a baby last year, you could have theirs! I'm sure they wouldn't mind! Let me get you their number..."

It got worse when dd was born she would come and thrust other peoples old baby clothes at me and continue to suggested people who had things they could give us, or come bringing baby toys from charity shops. Eventually I got so frustrated with it, I just told her outright to stop, quite forcefully actually. But it just continued a few years later when ds was born and it still continues today.

Do people really think IABU? Why? Anyone else out there like me?

I think its a personal choice. I prefer to buy new products too however, some things i don't mind second-hand like a phone/car and maybe the odd handbag! :)

You can get some really good bargains on the second hand market, once cleaned, its almost new~!

You do realize that the moment you buy anything knew the value diminishes hugely?

Think furniture. Always better to buy at auction if you can as you'll sell again at what you paid for it.
Toys - massive mark ups
Clothes - ditto

You're not betraying excellent economics IMO.

But then, it's not my money you're throwing away.

what point are you struggling to make back2.lack of profit,lack demand=companies fold
spending and demand and growth drives an economy
if others chose not to buy new thats their legitimate consumer choice. I predominately buy new,some 2nd hand

Let's hope you arent ever in the situation where you have to buy second hand. You won't be able to afford to be so precious.

auctions?I buy online because I want warranty,it suits,and on my days of it's easy
I dont have to go to auctions to purchase what I need,it's online.mere tap away
agree though regards motor vehicle, they deprecate upon leaving forecourt

I dont think her issue has got anything to do with money at all.
She also does shop around she says.

The op hasnt been back since the middle of the night. Not sure if she works say on shifts, or if she is posting from maybe another country.

I am thinking, that now MN seems bigger, that threads like this, for a newcomer, must seem ,or can seem quite intimidating. Not sure that there is an answer to that though.

choosing how I spend my disposable income is not precious. there's a myriad if choice
I mix purchase new and secondhand,depending on availability,price,and what it is
I don't polish my Halo just because I've shopped 2nd hand

"hmv and blockbuster folded with inadequate spending as contributory reason"

You can't blame people buying second hand for that seeing as both companies sold second hand stock.

If nobody bought anything new, there'd be nothing decent left for the charity shops. Economy would be even worse....the charity martyrdom on here would be eve more intense, maaaan.

I don't seek to blame or dictate whether one buys new,or 2nd hand.up to. them

Just seemed a bit odd to talk about the advantages to buying new, talking about it helping the economy, then talking about 2 companies collapsing due to lack of spending when those 2 companies got a portion of their stock/profit from second hand goods. They weren't the best examples to use unfortunately.

Should also point out I buy used and new. Because I like both and there are advantages to both.

I don't think anyone can claim to be superior by buying only one or the other.

But I still maintain that it's odd to be offended/disgusted by people buying second hand.

not odd in the least
spending drives demand, demand maintains profit. buying newusntome dirty act of avarice like some allude to

"spending drives demand"

Yes, but in those particular stores cases, that spending could just as easily be on second hand. Spending on new isn't any more advantageous than buying second hand. As far as I was aware Blockbusters didn't even stock anything new to sell. Their "new" was to rent (arguably little difference when it comes to renting), whereas they only sold second hand.

are you still stuck on blockbuster,hmv?in all sector demand is necessary it=profit.
lack of demand in any sector leads to downturn,potential loss profit,jobs loss cm are demand driven,self employed for profit reliant on local demand to continue

I agree that there is a certain sort of unthinking consumerism that is very unnerving. If I see some shiny new thing tempting me I imagine it out of it's packaging and sitting dusty on a charity shop shelf. If you wouldn't buy it then you probably actually don't want it.

I agree that there is a certain sort of unthinking consumerism that is very unnerving. If I see some shiny new thing tempting me I imagine it out of it's packaging and sitting dusty on a charity shop shelf. If you wouldn't buy it then you probably actually don't want it.

good for you,what a comfort
funnily enough see item I want and imagine it at home,with me
no where near oxfam,not dusty in the least

If I was in your MIL shoes, I would be hurt. If I COULDN'T personally afford to buy my grandchild NEW stuff all the time because dear mommy doesn't like used... I would be hurt.

In fact went through this... I bought my grandson a used stroller,in excellent condition, and well, it wasn't NEW so, it was never used.... I was afraid to give my grandson anything because of how the mom would make me feel, Not appreciate what I have given her.

It's great you have the money to do as you wish.... It's people like me that buy those things and cherish them when they are slightly worn, or no longer fit your lifestyle.

This all makes me wonder about your MIL.... I sure know how she feels! It took a few years but my DIL has come around. She doesn't turn her nose up at things that are used.... Or heaven forbit a special hand me down for my own children!!! I was soo pleased when I see her put on a wintercoat, both my boys used as children. Her partner used it as a security blanket, then on his teddy bears, and now his son. She made my day to love my love, and the memories I shared with it.

I often buy things USED, and redo them, restyle them and put my own creative mind and love into it... I wonder if I was your MIL and I gave you something that was "USED"...whether you wouldn't appreciate it at all....

sm I only carried on talking about blockbusters/HMV because you responded to my post where I talked about blockbusters/HMV. If you don't want to talk about blockbusters/HMV then don't carry on the conversation about them! I thought it was polite not to suddenly change the subject!

passing on sentimental items,is lovely.not 2nd hand as such more treasured and significant

mother2many I completely agree. The OP has no concern for her MIL at all beyond the fact that she is irritating because she does not turn up with new stuff all the time and sees the value in second hand. As I have said - ungracious.

dreamofwhitehorses - this is a brilliant idea and a great test when I see something that catches my eye. I def plan to give this a go!