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Original poster

To think that the majority of people don't realise stuff can be bought cheaper?

132 replies

Namechangearoonie123 · 13/07/2014 15:00

Who is buying new retail stuff Confused

At a car boot sale yesterday everything was 50p-£2, DVDs, furniture, dresses that would cost £50, shoes that would cost £60,chests of drawers that would cost £40, books - almost new 10pence

Everything I buy from EBay is half/third of what it would cost new

I got a barbecue for free on freecycle, I'm just about to give away a leather sofa for free that would have cost £600. (It's as new and was in the house when we moved in)

Who is buying new ?

OP posts:
AnnaLegovah · 13/07/2014 21:29

I did look at Ikea Ladysybil but even they're not cheap and I'm not even convinced the quality is that good - we did have the Solsta sofa bed for about a year that just fell apart through overuse (as a sofa). Most Ikea sofas are pretty uncomfortable too.

Funnily enough I'm also on the hunt for a 'rustic style' dining table. Wink

JustAShopGirl · 13/07/2014 21:42

I don't really buy second hand - but only because I know that when I personally get rid of something it is for a reason... it is broken, been puked on too many times, has a nasty unfixable squeak, has something sharp sticking out of somewhere unfixable, has a label that bloody irritates - even after you chop it out etc etc etc

If that is the crappy stuff I get rid of, why would I want to buy other people's crappy stuff - or do people really get rid of absolute gems....

Preciousbane · 13/07/2014 23:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BumpNGrind · 13/07/2014 23:40

I like a mix of old and new furniture and I love customising, painting and creating something unique. However the thought of spending my weekend trawling through the boots of others to buy tat I didn't even know I needed, to fill my house with clutter I don't want, is a horrible thought for me.

Titsalinabumsquash · 13/07/2014 23:54

I'm happy to buy books, toys, fabric or other household bits and bobs at a charity shop or car boot, eBay etc. I won't buy a sofa second hand again, the last one I did was gorgeous and comfy and cheap from a charity shop but when I went to sticky hand down the back of the seat cushion to search for the tv remote a few days after delivery, I was greeted by thick, black/red/white and green mould!

Lucylouby · 13/07/2014 23:55

I know stuff is cheaper, but I also know I am going to have to search and search to find stuff I want second hand and I just don't have time to be trawling through. The problem with buying of the internet is not all sellers are honest, your excellent condition item might be my tatty looking, fit for the bin thing. I have had stuff sent to me stained and faded that was meant to be immaculate. I'd rather save the hassle and buy new.

PhaedraIsMyName · 13/07/2014 23:58

Sienna I have a number of second hand items all of which have been bought from second hand/vintage shops rather than car boot sales. They have been laundered/dry cleaned as appropriate by the shop. Thereafter when worn have been laundered /dry cleaned as when needed by me as I do with any other item of clothing.

I've never considered they need special treatment and even if I did, what more can be done ?

So my answer to you is wash / dry clean as appropriate to the garment. If that leaves you feeling uncomfortable then second hand/vintage isn't for you.

HayDayQueen · 13/07/2014 23:59

If you don't mind the brand, style or colour, yes you can find something cheaper.

But if you do mind, then its annoying and very time consuming to even try to find what you want cheaper/secondhand.

I use Which? to research the best product then go and buy it. I prefer to save money by buying a decent product the first time.

angeltulips · 14/07/2014 00:34

I don't buy second hand, but nor do I throw a lot out/buy lots of th

angeltulips · 14/07/2014 00:35
  • things

eBay is a time wasters oarsfise, car boot sales are full of crap.

I can and do wait for sales, go to outlet stores etc.

angeltulips · 14/07/2014 00:35

*paradise

Gah!

Redglitter · 14/07/2014 00:43

When I moved house 5 years ago just after my dad died my mum gave me a cheque which allowed me to completely refurnish my entire flat with brand new furniture.

I bought everything brand new.. suite, dining room suite, eye watering ly expensive side table, tv unit and bureau from Laura Ashley, bed, coffee table I spent a fortune but not only was it the first time in my life I had brand new and I picked new furniture but my old stuff got given away.

fridge/freezer to a friend, suite to the hospice shop, units, tv unit and a ton of kitchen stuff to free cycle. TV wardrobe chest of drawers bed and bedside tables to a homeless charity.

so yes I spent a fortune but a lot of other people benefited too Smile

BlackeyedSusan · 14/07/2014 00:55

I bought a new sofa. by the time we get rid of it it will not be worth anything at all. we will keep it until it is too broken to repair, and probably long past that ttime too. we had a second hand one before and it was dirty, stained and smelly. good riddance to it.

we bought new furniture. it is our forever furniture. we do not intend to replace. we have some second hand stuff, but will replace with new when we can afford it, or it breaks to the point of no repair.

clothes get worn as best, everyday going out to the shops, everyday at home, garden/diy, rags.

HicDraconis · 14/07/2014 01:22

There are a few things I would never buy new - cars spring to mind, I've always gone for older, lower mileage models.

However, clothes & furniture are always new, DVD/CDs I don't buy (we stream whatever whenever), books are downloaded to kindle (difficult to buy at a car boot) & kids toys new because the second hand stuff is never in good enough condition.

I did buy a second hand spa (£5k instead of £12k) but I probably spent the difference in chlorinating it :)

SquigglySquid · 14/07/2014 03:13

You can buy used on Amazon for cheap. Problem with online is people sometimes exaggerate how "lightly used" a product is. That said, I have gotten some nice used things online.

RJnomore · 14/07/2014 03:25

I grew up in the 80s wearing second hand shite and I have worked very hard so that neither I nor my kids have to do it now.

I do a lot of shopping around online though and rarely pay full price for anything.

Batmansbuttocks · 14/07/2014 06:29

OP I probably would find you a sanctimonious tit in RL. I know a few people who are in love with their own 'special bargain shopping powers' and frankly they bore the arse off me.

I'm too busy, probably too well paid and just can't be bothered to trawl care boots sales/gumtree/auction houses/discount aisles.

I use eBay and Amazon but other than that I like new stuff. It's all about priorities and we are all different.

AramintaDeWinter · 14/07/2014 08:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Chocrock · 14/07/2014 08:29

But if you need a new sofa / dress / DVD whatever, surely you want to chose the right size or colour or a film you want to see not just go for whatever someone else doesn't want any longer. If you only buy from car boots etc then you don't really get a full choice - or a money back guarantee!

Openup41 · 14/07/2014 08:54

I would not buy clothes from Ebay/other online company. I have to see the product in the flesh before I part with my money.

I agree that you have limited choice when looking for furniture in second hand shops. You may have to compromise on style/colour and a lot of people are not willing to do this even if it could save them hundreds.

I do not like tatty charity shops and go to those in more affluent areas. The stock are far better in style and quality.

I do not like jumble sales and car boot sales. I find them chaotic and full of tat.

defineme · 14/07/2014 11:03

Thanks to those who lookked for ds trisuit for me. Ordered him a lovely one for £35 including postage. He will be thrilled.

bakingaddict · 14/07/2014 12:13

After 5 years of wear we donated a 3 seater to the BHF which had orginally been bought for £549 with a matching 2 seater. After it had sold we got a nice thank you letter to say that this donation had raised £199 for them. Considering our initial outlay for both sofas i'm not sure that it represented a bargain for the purchaser but hope they were happy with it anyway

TantrumsAndBalloons · 14/07/2014 12:25

To be fair, you can't possibly not understand why people buy things new?
Some people love bargain hunting, car boots, eBay etc. my mum is one of those people.

But to some people me that is my idea of hell.
Yes, my mum can find something I just bought from Amazon, Currys, etc at half the price. But it takes time to look everywhere, compare prices, bid for things. I personally don't want to do that, I really don't.

It's not that hard to understand is it?

D0oinMeCleanin · 14/07/2014 12:31

Some people need things now, not when they become available second hand.

My parents are happily scouting about for a second hand oven. They'll use their old, reliable one until they find one. OTOH I needed an oven, the right szied oven and I needed it now. I looked on ebay, gumtree etc. There were none suitable on that day. I'm sure if I waited a few days/weeks there would have been, but I didn't want to wait. My TV I happily waited for.

My Dad has it now. His blew up at 4:20pm last night. He tried to go to Tesco to get a new one, but they wouldn't let him in. He ordered a new last night because he needs a telly now.

Pastamancer · 14/07/2014 12:33

The people who are buying new are helping to keep shops open and therefore people in work,