Buy used?

[UglyBethy]

Hello everyone.

I am trying to save money right from the start. But I worry about buying used clothes or even toys.

Would you buy them used?

Yes, of course.

You'd be hard pressed to find anything in this house that hasn't come from a charity shop or ebay.

often/usually/yes

why do you worry?

Of course. Loads of toys can be put through the washing machine, or dishwasher, or wiped down with flashwipes. Clothes can be washed. What's the problem? Far cheaper, and far more environmentally friendly.

Why not? If it can be washed, I really fail to see what difference it makes. The majority of our clothes are secondhand, and an awful lot of the toys too. My home is practically a shrine to the furniture that can be bought at the tip. And you know what? You'd never know. I'd rather buy good quality second hand than brand new cheap crappy shite.

I get given used clothes lol!!

Got ds a Nintendo game used & it's fine but for 2/3 the price.

Thanks everyone!

So far all of you have said yes. Anybody who "wouldn't" buy them used then? I am wondering what your reasons might be if that's the case.

Is this some kind of market research? I see you signed up today

Interesting, perhaps it should be a market research.
I've purchased a baby grow on ebay from a supposed good seller. This was before Christmas. And I am STILL disputing it because I haven't received it yet! I am quite dubious to try something like that again. Then I hear stories from friends about buying a buggy that ended didn't fit and couldn't return it. So far not a good experience for me before I ended up here.

Toys (most Xmas presents), clothes (dressing up and other), double buggy and high chair all bought from ebay. Oh and a welsh dresser.

Key is to make sure they are a UK seller, check their feedback scores and pay with paypal or cash on pickup.

Sounds like a problem with Ebay, not second-handness, then. Why not try charity shops or car boots? That way, you can easily inspect before you buy.

Would you stay in a hotel?
Would you eat in a restaurant?
Would you rent a cottage or a villa?

Yes?

You are more than happy with second hand and you weren't even in charge of the cleaning process :-)

If you're buying second hand it is very much a case of caveat emptor - let the buyer beware. Unlike new items which come from reputable retailers with guarantees and so forth, you have to have your street-smart antennae on when buying used goods so that you don't get sold a pup.

• On E-Bay, check the wording and appearance of the advert. If it's worded badly in broken English, if the description is unclear or if the photograph of the item is set against a scruffy background... be suspicious.
• Get chapter and verse on the article. Ask lots of questions. 'Exact dimensions of the buggy', for example, so you know it'll fit through the door or whatever. If you don't ask, you can't complain if it's not what you were expecting.
• If something looks too good to be true... a Louis Vuitton suitcase for a tenner.... give it a wide berth.
• Check feedback comments

Don't let one bad experience put you off. If you don't get your money back for the baby-gro you haven't received, leave the seller some rubbish feedback. Boot sales might be better for you.... there you can judge the goods and the seller in person.

We buy loads of stuff second hand, nearly everything DS owns is from a charity shop or car boot. Clothes and toys. All is easily washed. DS gets bored of his toys and grows so fast I refuse to spend a lot on brand new things. We've had a lot of designer stuff for him from car boots for 50p and it sells well on ebay afterwards when it doesn't fit For his shoes I get him measured then buy some hardly worn ones second hand. I've even bought myself clothes second hand, which before having DS I was a bit snobbish about TBH if it can be cleaned/washed and saves (then makes!) money what's the problem?