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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that damaged Boden clothing is a new fetish

51 replies

quarkinstockcubes · 31/01/2017 19:07

I like some of the Boden stuff but think it is overpriced (for my budget anyway) I always have a look on ebay and I am always flabberghasted by the amount that people will pay for a damaged item. Recently I have seen:

"Excellent condition, a 9cm rip on the arm but as you can clearly see the fabric is very forgiving".

"Great condition, creosote spilt down the front but it doesn't spoil the dress"

" Excellent condition, in the pictures you can see I had to replace the hood (very badly sewn hood attached which doesn't match the coat) and three small holes"

The damaged stuff seems to sell better than the "new with tags" stuff or the genuinely excellent condition stuff. A paint stained dress went for £18. Most of the stuff seems to go for almost half the price of the brand new price.

Can anyone shed any light?

OP posts:
pigeondujour · 31/01/2017 19:10

People LOVE Boden.

Original poster
quarkinstockcubes · 31/01/2017 19:13

Yes I get that, but if I loved it that much I would pay a few pounds extra for something new that I could then damage and sell on The prices for damaged stuff is mad!

OP posts:
Bodicea · 31/01/2017 19:46

I don't get it. The money stuff on my mini boden fb group goes for is ridiculous. Similar price to sale stuff. It is beyond me. I only ever buy in the clearance sale. Perhaps it's for clothes that never end up in the sale , like popular prints that always sell out.
But to me second hand never feels the same and isn't worth the money.

PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 31/01/2017 19:48

The 2 mini boden things I have didn't wash well. Glad I didn't pay full price!

CouchSwede · 31/01/2017 19:49

creosote spilt down the front but it doesn't spoil the dress

You're not SERIOUS? ConfusedHmmGrin

Ouch44 · 31/01/2017 19:50

Ooh, I have a load of DDs old Boden stuff I've always meant to put on EBay. Maybe now is the time!

Grumpbum · 31/01/2017 19:50

I find this with another brand Frugi, there's a print which was so popular people are paying £45 for baby trousers with a hole in. I just don't get it

SugarLoveHeart · 31/01/2017 19:53

I've seen Boden in TK Maxx. It's horrid... I like a nice dress but it seems like overgrown girls dresses for women. I'm sure the kids stuff is nice!

pigeondujour · 31/01/2017 19:56

I think people just like it (and what it says about the wearer) enough that they want to wear it but can't afford it new. Or it's so overpriced in the first place that people think they're getting a bargain getting it cheap, even when it's ruined.

Mrsemcgregor · 31/01/2017 20:02

Every time Boden is mentioned on MN I go back to their website to see what I am missing. I don't get it, why is it so popular? Does Kate Middleton wear it or something?

BikeRunSki · 31/01/2017 20:03

Maybe people want the damaged stuff for the fabric?

user1485196412 · 31/01/2017 20:06

Grumpbum you beat me to it-I was about to mention Frugi. 'Normal Frugi wear' (ie washed out). Small hole on sleeve and paint mark which I'm sure will sun out. £18, will only send by unicorn first class'

Grumpbum · 31/01/2017 20:11

I know user it's crazy and not that good

Original poster
quarkinstockcubes · 31/01/2017 20:16

It is possible they want it for the fabric

There was a purple duffle coat (that I am lusting after for dd) that had a toggle missing, was threadbare and looked as if the dog had been using it as a bed. Twas a right minger (complete with dog hair) "Very good condition, I'm sure with a hot wash it will come up as new" Apart from the fact that the coat is dry clean only it looked really manky. Went for £22. They are in the clearance for £32 atm.

OP posts:
CurlyhairedAssassin · 31/01/2017 20:16

People will buy anything. I realised this when i saw a relative selling half-used bottles of perfume on eBay from the 1990s and calling it "vintage", claiming that the smell was still good cos it had been kept in the box away from heat and light.

There is something very wrong and "Miss Havisham" about someone who would pay money for a half-empty bottle of 20 year old perfume.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 31/01/2017 20:18

I do think these people have mental health problems around shopping.

SingingInTheRainstorm · 31/01/2017 20:20

I don't think it's a new thing, it was around 10+ years ago. The distribution warehouse was (don't know if it remains) by the M1. I used to drive past it.
I think it's a fairly middle class thing. Or at least was.

GimmeeMoore · 31/01/2017 20:22

Why would it necessarily be a mental health problem,his did you arrive at that surprising conclusion?

F1GI · 31/01/2017 20:25

People certainly can get addicted to shopping.
But it sounds odd to buy damaged clothes.

Dozyoldtwonk · 31/01/2017 20:26

I unashamedly love Boden for my 18mo DD but never hardly everbuy full price - they almost always have discount codes on (I try & wait for th 20% off plus free delivery ones). The quality is great and some of the designs really lovely. I agree the clothes are overpriced though, although I guess they realise that with the pricing model they now seem to have adopted (excessive discount codes).

They seem to waste a LOT of money posting out thick catalogues that could be available online…

YippieKayakOtherBuckets · 31/01/2017 20:26

Actually, curly, if you take a look at the perfumista threads on s&b you'll find lots of perfectly normal women, only a few of whom routinely wear wedding dresses, who buy perfume on eBay - even if it has been opened. Lots of classic scents have been reformulated, either for reasons of cost or because in many cases certain ingredients were outlawed by the EU as allergens.

A half-full bottle of something rare or pre-reformulation which has sat happily in a dark drawer since 1997 can be an absolute jackpot for a collector.

Dozyoldtwonk · 31/01/2017 20:27

Forgot to add, I don't think I'd buy them second hand though, unless they were super cheap & in good condition!

bowed · 31/01/2017 20:28

I don't think it sells for as much nowadays. The children's clothes used to be like that and sold like hot cakes, but there's a lot of years old tat around now, and it doesn't all sell. Depends what it is. A good coat for women will still sell.

I haven't bought anything from Boden for ages not since the Summer. You could always find one or two items but not so nowadays. Apparently they've streamlined, which is why not so much choice.

bowed · 31/01/2017 20:30

A half-full bottle of something rare or pre-reformulation which has sat happily in a dark drawer since 1997 can be an absolute jackpot for a collector.
Really? But it doesn't keep well, even in a drawer, that I've found. I had to throw away a few bottles a while ago because it simply didn't smell the same.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 31/01/2017 20:31

Maybe it's a new breed of creepy pervert like the ones who buy used knickers and bras?
Perhaps the real money is in the exchange of smutty messages....
'How did it get creosote on it?'
'Well, I was on my way home from waitrose when the gardener pushed me up roughly against the newly painted pagoda.....'

Ooh errr missus....

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