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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I can't ever imagine being so financially well off that...

293 replies

DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 30/10/2019 19:44

... I would pay £49 for a toddler puddle suit from Mountain Warehouse when I could buy a second hand MW one on eBay or fb for £3.

There's a few of these like this.

Same goes for buying things such as Bumbos brand new. Jumperoos or vtech walkers.

Who actually buys these brand new when they can constantly be found for a fraction of the price in immaculate condition elsewhere.

OP posts:
KatyCarrCan · 30/10/2019 19:58

It's not that difficult to imagine. And as PPs have said, if no-one bought new there wouldn't be second-hand ones available.

Camomila · 30/10/2019 20:00

I like getting things second hand but its not always practical - say your DC needs something specific for in a few days. There might not be any age 4 puddle suits on your local fb page and you might keep getting outbid on ebay.

ParkheadParadise · 30/10/2019 20:01

I bought all new stuff for Dd2

When I was finished with the pram, cot, toys I gave it to a charity that helped teenage girls who were pregnant.
I had Dd1 young and everything I had was second hand.
When I had Dd2 I was very lucky to be in a totally different financial situation and could afford to buy what I wanted.

Jimdandy · 30/10/2019 20:01

I didn’t mind second hand equipment that is hard plastic but I like new clothes for my children.

I just don’t like my kids in second hand clothes, no snobbery just personal choice I like new things.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 30/10/2019 20:02

Honestly? I never find these 2nd hand, immaculate condition bargains everyone on mnet claims their DC are clothed in.

I have come across:

  • Reasonable condition expensive brand stuff (Jojo, Boden, frugi) being sold for at least half the brand new price, often more. Why would I buy that? I can buy it new myself and have it perfect, with a receipt, and choose other matching items from the same range, then sell it on for 40 or 50%. That way I spend close to the same but have more choice etc.
  • things being sold more cheaply. In at best, serviceable condition. Very faded colours, clearly washed & worn a lot, often a bit out of shape or looser than they should be, bobbled. These are invariably described as "excellent condition" or "this was barely worn". Hmm
  • huge mixed bags of clothing available cheaply, in ok condition. The bags invariably contain - 1 or 2 good items from pricey brands. 3 or 4 dubious items from pricey brands (weird colours, stupidly impractical or poorly designed, unpopular in other ways. 20 dubious items I don't really like or don't suit my child, from Sainsbury's, george, next, Matalan etc. These bundles are always described as "excellent condition including boden/frugi/joules".

I have literally given up even trying.

Neverender · 30/10/2019 20:03

I didn't even think of it at the time. (Not on eBay etc) so just bought what I thought baby needed. Now I have a Bumbo I don't know what do with but I'm skint....yay....not...

JoJoSM2 · 30/10/2019 20:05

I like new, high- quality thing and buying from places with good customer service and efficiency. We're well off and never faff with sell anything on either. We just give away/donate it when we don't need it any more.

Neverender · 30/10/2019 20:05

When you're working full time and on a good wage you buy what you want. Then the shit hits the fan and suddenly you're (skipping maternity leave), a single parent scrimping to pay the nursery bills. It happens...

Mumofboth · 30/10/2019 20:05

What a stupid thing to get annoyed about! I’ve worked and studied really hard, as has my husband and I have never worn or dressed my kids in second hand clothes. I want to choose colour/size etc and at a convenient time for me to shop. And I just want our clothes new. Each to their own. I’d never judge someone for wearing second hand and I shouldn’t be judged for wearing new.

Purpleartichoke · 30/10/2019 20:06

I have limited time to shop for bargains. I have zero problem with buying most things second hand (no cloth furniture because of bed bugs). Most of the time, I need the ease of just walking in and buying something or even better ordering it. It’s the same reason many of our no longer needed, but perfectly functional items, get donated instead of sold. Of course, there are many people without the money to make that choice, but since it is an option for me, I will gladly trade money to free up time.

Original poster
DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 30/10/2019 20:07

I realise that without those who buy them new, there will never be the option to buy them second hand. Of course, that goes without saying.

What I'm saying is, it doesn't matter how well off I become, I will never, ever get items such as these brand new when I can get them in excellent condition for pennies.

OP posts:
Original poster
DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 30/10/2019 20:09

What a stupid thing to get annoyed about!

I'm really confused. What was it about my my post that made you think I was annoyed?
Whatever it was, it seems to have annoyed you.
I am well educated and have worked hard, I'm not saying I'm broke. I'm not.
I'm saying I will never see a point where I will spend that much money needlessly. (IMO)

OP posts:
xraytangocharlie · 30/10/2019 20:10

I remember chatting to another mum once, we knew one another from toddler group and I'd gone round to hers for coffee and a playdate for the dc. She was showing me the new baby clothes she'd just bought (she was nearly due her 2nd) and I asked her why wasn't she re-using the ones from her first. Apparently she'd thrown them all in the bin when they were outgrown and was buying new again. I said I'd been to a car boot sale and got some really lovely things from there for my dc and the look on her face was an absolute picture. She was horrified and in an appalled voice she said she'd NEVER buy anything for HER children second hand, it would all be brand new.

She pretty much avoided me from then on.

misspiggy19 · 30/10/2019 20:10

That’s nice dear

Celebelly · 30/10/2019 20:10

But that's just your own personal preference? I'm sure there's stuff you might spend money on that I wouldn't, but that's just the way life is Confused

Sunshinegirl82 · 30/10/2019 20:12

@ragwort I generally buy things new for convenience but get a fair bit off our local FB page. I just wouldn't think that a charity shop would have loads of uniform like that so it's more that I wouldn't go in looking for it than I wouldn't be interested if you see what I mean?

It might be worth publicising on local FB groups or similar?

Original poster
DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 30/10/2019 20:12

People keep referring to clothing.

I wasn't referring to clothing (is a plastic jump suit clothing? I guess so but not day to day).
I was deliberately giving examples of plastic stuff.

My post seems to have been mixed up changed and then replied to.

OP posts:
tenbob · 30/10/2019 20:12

The Mountain Warehouse branch near me has a near-permanent 70% off sale, so I doubt anyone ever pays £49 for a puddle suit there even if that’s the RRP

Celebelly · 30/10/2019 20:13

On the plastic note, Aldi have a sale on wooden toys at the moment and there's some really nice stuff. I bought enough for DD's Christmas and birthday and it wasn't expensive. Just in case anyone is looking for stuff!

LionelRitchieStoleMyNotebook · 30/10/2019 20:13

I wouldn't put my baby in a bumbo or a jumperoo so YABU for that, they're no good for their hips and the v tech walkers are about twenty pounds and look like baby fruit machines

Original poster
DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 30/10/2019 20:16

Good point upthread to the person who said they were working full time so don't have the time to look for bargains.
I'm still on maternity leave for a few more weeks and I do the time.
I don't usually, and it is more pressure.
Getting brand new is just a few clicks and guaranteed.

OP posts:
Original poster
DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 30/10/2019 20:17

(I still wouldn't. I just see your point).

OP posts:
Waxonwaxoff0 · 30/10/2019 20:17

I earn £8.75 an hour and I don't buy second hand clothes for either myself or DS. I know they can be washed but it gives me the heebies thinking about who might have worn it before.

I wouldn't spend that much on clothing for a toddler as they grow out of things so quick but I own several pairs of Doc Martens that I bought new (£100+ each). They last for years.

Priorities innit? I think people who spend tens of thousands on brand new cars are crazy but that's their prerogative, not mine. We all have different views on what's excessive and what's not.

Original poster
DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 30/10/2019 20:17

I wouldn't put my baby in a bumbo or a jumperoo so YABU for that, Hmm

OP posts:
OpheliaBee · 30/10/2019 20:17

Totally agree. DS has very few new toys. His jumperoo, outdoor toys, push along walker, lots of plastic toys etc. Are all secondhand. I won’t buy plastic new if I can help it, and find you can even pick up lovely wooden secondhand toys. We’ve given a lot of stuff he’s outgrown (toys and clothes) to charity or have sold them on. Helps to prevent unnecessary waste.