I buy bundles of clothes off eBay for my kids as I can't be bothered to shop....

[NormaSnorks]

That's it really. Don't know whether it's a confession, or a boast (saving money ) or what. I just thought perhaps it is a little strange....

Basically I never have enough time to trail around the shops, and the kids hate it anyway. So I tend to find big bundles of things in good condition on eBay and then just bid quite a high price to make sure I get them.
I find that if find someone with the same taste as mine then it's a bit like having a personal shopper, and it all gets delivered straight to my door.

We then just chuck out or send to charity anything we don't really like, or is not in good condition.
Also I don't really care then whether the kids get really dirty or rip their clothes, as I don't feel as if I've spent loads of money.

One of my friends was quite shocked when I told her this.
Does this make me a bad parent??

I love your bundle frogs (but as DD is only 18 months feel I should restrain myself....).

Norma, I have some clothes like that, only bigger than 10 mostly - Gap, Next, Animal, Quiksilver, Nike (and some lesser brands like Matalan's) - might you be interested?

I have them in a heap and am going to put them on ebay at some point, I could email you a list if you like

i love your bundle frogs but dd3 is tiny.

Oooh - love your stuff, frogs. You must have like four kids though! (and none a handy 2ys older than mine )

I love bundles. You end up with a greater volume of clothes, and can have a lot more fun mix and matching. It doesn't stop you picking things up from regular shops if you love something you see, but it takes the chore out of it.

(JanH - I think I have e-mailed you at your Yahoo address - let me know if I have got the right one?)

Oh I do too. Absolutely love it. And I'm hoping to strike up similar relationships with people to buy from/sell to.

I think if the Mumsnet Wanted/For Sale threads were a bit more organised I'd do it all through here because I hate the bidding and waiting and having to constantly keep an eye on e-bay sales. I just want to know I've got the bundle iyswim.

But I still haven't learned to sell on e-bay, so my bags and bags of really lovely top notch second hand clothing will soon take over the whole of our spare room. I give plenty away to charity, but still got tons of stuff that's too good to give away just yet.

Gotta take myself in hand.

Terrible, yes.

All children should only wear brand new Mini Boden or White Company or Tiny Tyrwhitt clothes, immaculately pressed, and with shiny clean hair at all times.

Watching your bundle Frogs

That does sound a little stalkerish though doens't it!

what's wrong with doing that? It's all recycling as well, which is great for the environment.

got the whole of DS1's summer wardrobe last year from the local school's PTA sale - went in and just bought everything for a 2-3 year old boy. I was quite proud of his £16 wardrobe for the season, and will be even more proud when DS2 wears it all as well in a year's time...!

Did once go to an NCT sale and it was horrible!! Felt like a boxing match, and everyone else was there an hour early

I feel a new MN spin-off brewing. Is 2 yars the rule of thumb for turning over hand-me-downs?

Kif seeking mum with:
boy born winter 2004 or winter 2005
girl born spring 2002 or spring 2003

Kif offering suitable clothes for:
baby boy due winter 07

We like Boden, Monsoon, M&S. Unfortunately we mainly wear ASDA (plus assorted odds and sods from ebay bundles )!

London

Add your details and we can matchmake!

Kif - that's an idea of pure genius!!

I have autumn boy 2002
summer girl 2005

Have Boden/M&S/George/Tesco/Mothercare/Pumpkin Patch/Gap/Fairtrade stuff (to balance the evils of Gap) etc

Loch Lomond

Ok, I'm looking for girls clothes aged 7-8 and boys aged 4-5. I don't do Barbie or branded sportswear or t-shirts with "cute" messages. Otherwise I'm not fussed so long as the clothes are in really good condition.

I can offer: girls all ages up to 6-7 and boys all ages up to 2-3. But since I haven't got a picture trail, or taken a single picture yet, or organised anything into bundles, its prob best to ignore me in this respect for a little while.

But buying, yes I will do.

Perhaps we should start a new thread?

I need age 10-11 boys! Don't normally see older childrens clothes on MN. ds2 gets ds1's outgrown clothes and dd1 and dd2 have been given enough clothes to last a while!

I have age 2-6 boys clothes to sort for selling.

Oooh, I'm not sure what address I have on there, Norma - will scout round in a min but please also try

holden_jan at hotmail dot com

DaphneHarvey, I can't supply, but do look for clothes for girls aged 6-7 and boys aged to 2-3

Spag - where are you now? Do you still have my email? My ds is 3.4 and I have a pile of 2-3 stuff that I was going to give to the charity shop. You can have it for free if you want.

Even better is to offer/request on your local freecycle. I've given away huge bags of baby clothes all in near perfect condition, aswell as unwanted toys and kitchen aplliances and recieved stairgates and bedframes and allsorts.

I can't do photos I am afraid. You could collect if from me if you want.

I couldn't get the Yahoo account thing to work to get on to Freecycle

Do you really Fimbo???
I am not sure if I have your email still...I think this is a different PC...will check!

hope you don't mind - summarizsed this discussion on a new thread

A large amount of DS's clothes have come from a friend who has a slightly older DS. He hasnt had much new stuff at all.

Doesnt bother me in the slightest.

Where is the new thread? It all goes too quickly on here.