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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy second hand bits for Christmas...

99 replies

Emlou07 · 04/12/2017 13:30

My 4 year old has recently taken a huge liking to shopkins and Barbie. I've been looking on eBay and can get bundles of both for a fraction of the price of them new.

Not that I'm being tight, I just dislike spending £2.50 on 2 shopkins when I can get 10 for £5 eBay. Same goes for barbie clothes and accessories.

Is this out of order? I'd obviously buy looked after bits and put them in a nice box. She will also have new bits.

OH says I'm being harsh.. I thought it would be sensible 🤔

OP posts:
Queeniebed · 04/12/2017 15:04

Ive seen loads of shopkins on facebay - £10 for a massive job lot - pristine condition. My cousin buys the gross version for her son and once opened it gets dumped in a box - it seems to be the blind bag excitement rather than the toy itself that some people like

SandyDenny · 04/12/2017 15:06

Unless you tell him or someone makes a big fuss he probably won't even notice.

Stupid and wasteful imo to buy something new just because it's new when you can get the same thing secondhand.

Ime people who won't buy second hand often have weird complexes about what people will think about them. As far as I can tell the only people who would judge are other people like them.

ilovekitkats · 04/12/2017 15:06

It's very sensible if you can get more for your money. A friend recently sold some Sylvanian Families stuff and people snapped it up for Christmas because it is so expensive new.

When DC was little I used to remove the packaging anyway, to put in batteries etc, and then wrap it up, as it made it easier than trying to unwind those annoying wires that hold everything in place, or remove tons of plastic clips and rubber bands.

Your DD would be thrilled to open a box full of Barbies and clothes, I'm sure and won't even give it a thought where it comes from.

Iwantamarshmallow · 04/12/2017 15:15

YANBU - not only is it so much cheaper its more environmentally friendly to buy second hand. At 4 she probabaly won’t be able to tell the difference between new and pre-loved

saladdays66 · 04/12/2017 15:16

When the dc were younger I bought almost every toy second hand - betetr for the planet, they don't know any better, and saves money! Now they're older I'm glad I did, because I can't get away with that now!!

ILikeThatSong123 · 04/12/2017 15:30

Years ago when my dd was 5 yrs old for Christmas we bought several stuff brand new but I knew she liked baby born miniature doll and accessories which was hard to get and the limited stock that existed in toy shop was too expensive.So didn't get any of those from the toyshop.
I came across baby born dolls and clothes and pram etc as joblot on ebay and bought them quite cheaply. But because they were second hand i didn't feel happy to give them for Christmas.
Come Christmas she received all her presents except this second hand stuff from ebay. She was happy. Just after boxing day she developed a horrible cold, couldnt get out of bed very tired etc. To cheer her up i brought the joblot baby born miniworld stuff in a decorated shoe box. She went mad with joy. It was the best thing ever, she still mentions. It cheered her up so much, she stayed in bed without complaining and feeling very content.
She remembers it as ifbit was Christmas present and as one it the bests.

larry55 · 04/12/2017 15:51

I have bought secondhand for dgs with dds permission. I have bought him a wooden rocking horse and a wooden train and having looked on line they would have cost over £150 new and I got them for £25. Dh is going to paint the seats so that they look like new.

Dgs won’t mind and I know that he will get lots of enjoyment from them.

Oriunda · 04/12/2017 15:54

My son loves Imaginext stuff. Some of it is really expensive and also not easy to get hold of, so I always buy second hand off local Facebook groups or Ebay. The year I got the Batcave for £10 he was delighted. Still holding out for the Green Lantern planet, but even on EBay they go for a fortune second hand.

He’s not interested in the box - just the playsets and figures. Most of his presents are second hand. I like that it’s recyling. I recently sold all his train sets (he knew I was doing it) so he understands that another child will receive them and he has money for other toys.

NerrSnerr · 04/12/2017 15:58

Most of my children’s Christmas presents are second hand. I was chuffed to find some of those hide and squeak eggs in the charity shop for £1.50 last week as i have seen on here they’re a great baby gift so that’s the 8 month old’s main present Grin

My three year old has a mixture of new and second hand, I have bought some beauty and the beast and my little pony stuff dirt cheap on eBay.

DoesHeWantToOrNot · 04/12/2017 16:02

I got my daughter a smart trike from the charity shop for £3 last week and it's in excellent condition. Apart from the foot rests being a bit dirty it looks like it was barely used and she loves it.

Ellie56 · 04/12/2017 16:04

I used to do this all the time and just give them a good wash before wrapping them.

Sometimes you get some real bargains - virtually brand new toys for a fraction of the cost. Grin

DixieNormas · 04/12/2017 16:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PoppyFleur · 04/12/2017 16:08

Regular purchaser of 2nd hand toys and it's not because of lack of funds. I have purchased some excellent condition items from charity shops. I feel virtuous that I am saving the planet, some money and giving toys a second chance of being loved and played with (Toy Story 3 got to me more than I care to admit!).

The amount of plastic that ends up in landfill is criminal, you are doing a good thing OP.

Panicattheschoolgate · 04/12/2017 16:13

My DC really loves a type of book which is no longer in print and they asked for a toy which is no longer made. I got both second hand. I doubt my DC would give one as long as they have them.
I buy new stuff also but I might end up a total grinch when he starts asking for expensive things. January sales and I don't care how grinchy I look!

FlyingJellyfishInTheAttic · 04/12/2017 16:16

YANBU. I do this and money saved into pot for DD future.

Leeds2 · 04/12/2017 16:18

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest. That said, I wouldn't buy a second hand Barbie doll as a Christmas present because, no matter how the seller described it, I would assume its hair would be matted and horrible. Yes to Barbie furniture though!

Bumdishcloths · 04/12/2017 16:20

Not in the least bit bothered. If it was for someone else's child I'd probably buy new, but for my own I'd have no problem. It's new to them and that's what matters Smile

newmumwithquestions · 04/12/2017 16:29

I would do and have done. How I filled DDs stocking last year!

I wouldn’t buy second hand as presents for other people’s children as I’m not sure if they’d be happy about it (but would if I knew it would be happily received). But I try to actively encourage it for my own.

Basseting · 04/12/2017 16:40

This is how I have afforded clothes and toys for my two throughout their childhood. Only now, at 10 and 13, is it harder.
I used to be a volunteer at National Childbirth Trusts Nearly New sales.
Got some amazing stuff for pennies.
The sheer volume of stuff that ends up in landfill is staggering.
We were watching: The Polar Express at the weekend.
When it got to the bit about the unloved toys my two were talking about some of the toys they had 'rescued' from charity shops / boot fairs with pocket money over the years.
They don't know how many I rescued too!

jaseyraex · 04/12/2017 16:54

Definitely a completely reasonable thing to do! At 4 she won't know or care if it's brand new or not. My almost 3 year old has taken a shine to Disney Cars, I've bought loads of the little metal die-cast cars on eBay. Bundles of 20+ for as little as twenty quid. The things cost £5 upwards for one single brand new one! If they're in good enough condition then it's absolutely a sensible thing to do.

stargirl1701 · 04/12/2017 16:58

Better for the planet and your pocket. My rule of thumb is, if it's plastic, it has to be preloved.

HappyFeetAgain · 04/12/2017 17:03

Yanbu , completely sensible to do. Op I always wanted brand new toys for my d's and we spent a fortune on a ton of stuff. Looking back at how little time he's used them and how much we accumulated I would definitely have bought second hand. Your dd will outgrow them and then you will end up donating or throwing it away anyway so why waste the money.

ArcheryAnnie · 04/12/2017 17:04

Totally sensible! Good for you (as cheaper), good for your DD (as they get the toys they want because affordable), good for the environment (which your DD will have to live in) and good for the sellers/charity shop/wherever you get the toys.

I got DS huge bags of lego from the charity shop for xmas when he was small. Total win, as got a huge amount for a tenner.

BikeRunSki · 04/12/2017 17:06

Hell yeh
Scalextric, Playmobil, Lego (can’t buy the Harry Pottet stuff new anymore), Bikes..... alll new

Our books, clothes, many toys, and this years’ Christmas jumpers all largely come from charity shops. We’ve had some amazing stuff second hand. When stuff is grown out of, it usually goes back to the charity shop.

coffeeandcake7 · 04/12/2017 17:11

I boy second hand for my 4 yo dd most Christmas . This year she wants a dolls house. My budget was £80, which I could get a new average sized dolls house from Argos for that price. (And spend 4 hours building it) instead I have found an immaculate second hand one 3x the size , retails at over £200 for just £70 and I don't have to construct it!