Baby clothes hand me downs - what would you do in our situation?

[sleepyhorse]

We have got 2 gorgeous boys and decided we definitely don't want anymore children now. Have got bags and bags of lovely boys clothes and I know that i could probably sell on eBay and make quite a lot of money as a lot of the stuff is good brand and great quality, hence could pay off a lot of my debts! However I have got 2 friends who are pregnant with their second child, they both have a girl hence if they now have a boy think they are kind of expecting me to pass the boys clothes onto them. I was more than happy to do this initially but now they have both turned round and said they are not going to find out the sex of their baby as they want the big surprise when baby is born. So it means have got to wait nearly 6 months and can't even commit to either friend until baby is born. Be awkward too if they both have boys, if this does happen should I just split the clothes? Or do you think I should just sell them and pay off my debts?

Sell them! My son wore some pink as a baby and it didn't do him much any harm.

Have you tried talking to your friends about it? They would probably be understanding if they know that you could do with the money, and I can understand about not wanting to store the clothes for ages.

How about offering them a compromise- they can both choose one or two really nice outfits which they can keep if they do have boys, and sell the rest?

Half and half?

Sell them. Friends should not expect anything from you. If you offered to give them clothes that would be lovely, but you haven't offered.

Sell them. It would be a nice gesture to pass them on to your friends, but they can't expect it.

Actually, in practice, what I'd probably do is sell the stuff that would make the most money and pass on the useful basics to your friends.

I wouyld sell them too! I think paying debts is far more important. You could give them stuff that you don't get to sell.

Sell them. Maybe keep back a couple of outfits each if you're feeling generous.

It would be different if, for example, you'd had lots of clothes or baby equipment for one of your DCs from them and you were going to give them these in return. But if they are just expecting it for no reason, then YANBU to sell them if you need the money.

They wouldn't expect you to give them £100 each to buy baby clothes, would they?

Sell them, and then pass on whatever doesn't sell.

Be honest - just say "sorry we are short of money so we have deiced to sell them, I wish we were in a position to give them away but we can't. Maybe if you have a boy we'll be able to give you some more stuff later"

Some great advice. Sorry I should have mentioned that ages ago I did say to one of the girls who was always complimenting the way I dress my boys that if she ever had a boy I would pass on their clothes so it's my own fault really. But the thing is am just so worried re money at the mo, paying off debts and trying to keep up with bills including ds1 nursery fees. Bugger!!!

Nct nearly new sale! Sell the best stuff and big stuff and offer them the basics and stuff that doesn't sell! Your first responsibility is to yourself!

If these are friends though, I'm sure they won't mind. I'm in the same position as your friends- expecting DC2, with friends who have had boys while my first is a girl. One friend has offered me some clothes if this one is a boy and I will be very grateful. But if it would be better for her to sell the clothes I wouldn't feel at all offended. Have to say though that I'd prefer it if she told me first, as then I could offer to buy some myself, and we'd both benefit.

Even if you did make a vague offer in passing a while ago, real friends will understand that circumstances change, and clearing debts is more important than passing on clothes.

Thank you to everyone, I was feeling really mean and selfish before and now you have re-assured me I'm doing the right thing. I will keep back the practical and basic stuff for them.

Never heard about the nct sale? Better than eBay?

NCT sales are waaaaay better than ebay! (for buying stuff, anyway )

My friend gave me some handed down stuff for DS, and the odd thing she was going to sell on ebay, she offered me for a token amount (ie there was a nice change-bag which I gave her £5 for). I think she went ahead and sold loads of stuff as well, it just never came up. Don't feel bad

Nct sales take 2 forms. You either hire a table and sell the stuff yourself, or hand all your stuff over and pay them a percentage (35 ish) of what you make. You can sell all manner of baby equipment, toys bedding. No postage and it is full of people buying stuff fir children. You can usually fond some bargains for your own as well!

Www.Nct.org.uk and click on in your area to fond your local ones. You can also search mn for selling tips!

Oooh, what sort of age do NCT sales tend to go up to? (I'm guessing mostly pretty small baby/toddler stuff, but I can always hope!)

Up to about 5 but some of the toys are suitable for older!

Sell the ones you'll get the most money for, or all of them if it's easier. Your debts are more important and no doubt the friends will get offers of clothes and loads bought as presents anyway. NCT nearly new sales take a commission, but then again, so do ebay!

I would give them an outfit or 2 in each age group (maybe up to a year) as people will give them outfits at the birth and there is Christmas and birthdays etc and they will end up buying stuff they see that they like. That way you are giving them a little hand, but you can sell the good stuff and pay off your debts.

NCT stuff is very cheap to buy, but with the cheap prices and the commision 35%, I think you would make more money on ebay. But poster above is right about the non hassel of having to post stuff.

You have debts, and you're even asking?!?! Sell them!