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Original poster

Sylvanian Families

30 replies

Buddyelf · 10/10/2018 11:34

DD who is 7 has never shown an interest in these before but this week she saw them advertised and in a catalogue and has decided to ask Father Christmas for some. I don't mind this as such, I think they are lovely toys but my goodness are they expensive. Why are they so pricey?
I thought I would buy a set from smyths (the baby castle nursery for £30) and maybe get some of the figures from eBay but even on there they are so expensive. I suppose my question is, are they worth paying out for? Seems like they retain value going off eBay prices for the used stuff but I'm somewhat reluctant to pay £15 for a set of 4 little fuzzy figures.

OP posts:
Aprilislonggone · 10/10/2018 11:35

Creepy
Little
Fuckers
Imo.

BlueOooChristmas · 10/10/2018 11:56

We're buying our first set this year for our youngest as she loves little figures and playing house. I think the price is due to quality and brand prestige but not 100% on that. They were popular when I was a kid (never had any myself) but I'm 34 now and they still are. So they must be doing something right.

I think of them like I think of our Lego. That if the day comes when no one plays with it I will get a good portion of my investment back.

LyraLieIn · 10/10/2018 11:58

There were a couple of. Families in Argos. 3 for 2 recently - does anyone know of any live deals for buying them? Or recommendations of where they might be before Christmas?

Hoardernomore · 10/10/2018 12:04

They are crazy expensive and not even much cheaper second hand... in fact some of the retired sets are more I think!
I got a good deal on ebay after bidding on some that had unfortunately (for them) been listed as ‘sylnnanians’. I got the school, the windmill, a car, the nursery bus and some figures for £32! This pleased me a lot.

Dd is nearly 3 and she plays quite a lot with hers. Not every day but I’d say 3-4 times a week she will play for a good couple of hours at a time with them. She loves dolls’ houses and I guess they are basically like dolls’ houses but with cute little animals!

Jackshouse · 10/10/2018 12:13

If you have Amazon prime there is a great offer on the starter cottage.

justwantedalaugh · 10/10/2018 12:14

Never had them as a kid, but always thought they were charming and so damned cute!

Original poster
Buddyelf · 10/10/2018 12:18

@Jackshouse great, we have amazon prime - I'll take a look. I'll keep an eye on Argos as well, hopefully they will do another 3 for 2 before Christmas.
I never had them growing up but I remember them, they've been going for so long. They are pretty cute and I have a younger DD who would definitely play with them once my eldest is too old for them.

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TheTurnOfTheScrew · 10/10/2018 12:20

they are expensive, and the range appears considerably reduced from what it was a few years back. However, the stuff is good quality, and has great play value. DC1 had a couple of little figures at three, and will still play with them occasionally at 11 (don't tell her friends I said that Grin). DC2 has the bulk of the collection handed down and it's lasted well.

IMO the shops/restaurants/doctors etc are much better value than the houses, as you get furniture and accessories with them, whereas the houses are just a shell and you'll need furniture for them.

bookworm14 · 10/10/2018 12:21

They are expensive, but in my experience they get played with a lot. DD (3) has them out practically every day. Some of the sets aren't too pricey: I got the Cosy Cottage and Forest Nursery for less than £20 each, and both of those come with quite a lot of furniture and accessories. The animal figures do cost a lot, but in terms of cost per use it probably works out quite cheap (for us, anyway).

PiggyPoos · 10/10/2018 12:23

I've got some of these this year too.

Good to know they seem to last!

Asj0405 · 10/10/2018 12:27

I never considered these for my children until last year when we went to my sister's and my youngest 2 didn't put her kids sylvanian families down all day. They were then top of the Christmas list last year so decided to invest in some. I got quite a few bits in the argos 3 for 2 and set up a camelcamelcamel for them on Amazon and found they randomly dropped prices on there as well. They ve been very well played with throughout the year and still look pretty new so very good quality. This year they have asked for more to add to their existing sets and am seriously considering buying a job lot from eBay. I wouldn't usually do this but from seeing how well theirs have kept and because of the price of them to buy new I'm thinking this may be the way to go.

Asj0405 · 10/10/2018 12:31

TK Maxx are supposed to be good for the sylvanian families too.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 10/10/2018 12:41

DD adores hers and plays for hours with them.

bookmum08 · 10/10/2018 13:06

As someone has already said TKMaxx is good. There is some in there right now. Also if there are any Collectables Toy Fairs in your area check them out.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 10/10/2018 14:12

Also new sets on eBay are ££s cheaper than toy shops. 2nd hand stuff seems to go for a fortune which I just cannot work out!

Original poster
Buddyelf · 10/10/2018 14:17

@HollyBollyBooBoo I noticed that too, some of the used items were more expensive than the new ones.

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Justanewname · 10/10/2018 14:20

I just bought the starter cottage which comes with a rabbit and some furniture for £13 on amazon today. It’s back up to £18 now which is still quite a good price for it. If you create an alert on camelcamelcamel for whichever set you like you might get lucky with a good price before Christmas.

Original poster
Buddyelf · 10/10/2018 14:22

Whats camelcamelcamel please?

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Hoardernomore · 10/10/2018 16:02

Bargain madness has them too. They aren’t hugely cheaper though.

Asj0405 · 10/10/2018 16:03

camelcamelcamel it tracks prices on Amazon if you set up an alert for a specific item and notifies you if prices drop for it.

alwaysthepessimist · 10/10/2018 16:14

Our DD 6 has these too, she started getting them last Christmas, they last very well & are pretty well built tbh. Have a look at TK Maxx - they have them on offer in my local one, also watch Amazon Prime on Black Friday time - they often have them on deals then too.

alwaysthepessimist · 10/10/2018 16:15

One other thing - after Christmas the price drop is pretty dramatic so if you just buy a little this year if they like it you can always buy & stash for next Christmas and if they go off them you pretty much know you will get back what you paid if you needed to resell

Original poster
Buddyelf · 10/10/2018 17:01

Thanks so much for all the advice. I’ll set up an alert on camelcamelcamel and keep an eye on after Christmas sales! Thanks again

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Angelcd · 11/10/2018 20:38

You can get the babies in a blind bag for £3.99 i got these in smyths isnt that many to collect but good for the price x

sproutsplease · 11/10/2018 20:40

They are so cute, dd is outgrowing them but they do last well as long as you don't Hoover them up accidentally.