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Original poster

Do you buy clothes for your kids on ebay?

39 replies

Poppychick · 28/02/2008 20:58

I have bought some stuff but have generally been disappointed - does anyone buy successfully and get bargains? How?

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lovecat · 28/02/2008 21:03

Until recently I bought a lot for dd from ebay and have always been pleased with what I've got.

Mind you, I always go for bundles because (a) I love getting a big box of stuff, it's like Christmas and (b) it just seems better value for money.

The reason I've stopped getting so much from there is because at 3 dd is now getting far more wear out of her clothes and so anything I'd be buying for her second hand is likely to be that bit more worn out, iyswim? While she was shooting through her clothes I got some gorgeous stuff that had barely been worn - now when I look at 3-4 yr old stuff it seems to be either really high-end stuff that goes for £50+ or really worn/stained stuff that I wouldn't put her in, even for nursery.

HTH

pedilia · 28/02/2008 21:04

I have got some brilliant bargains on ebay, although the high postage costs from a lot of sellers are starting to put me off.

I always look for auctions finishing late at night as less people will be bidding then!

PortAndLemon · 28/02/2008 21:06

Yes, and I'm usually happy.

I only buy brands I'm familiar with (and generally the good-quality stuff that costs what I think of as silly money to buy new), only buy items that have really good clear photos, and look for nice specific detailed descriptions. Sellers with good feedback (and preferably those selling their own children's outgrown stuff rather than running a business) are also a plus for me.

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geekgirl · 28/02/2008 21:08

no, I don't, once you've added the often extortionate postage cost you may as well have bought the item new in the sale.

Youcannotbeserious · 28/02/2008 21:14

I buy and sell loads on ebay. You can get some great bargains, but people nowadays are putting stupidly high postage costs on to bump up the price ( plus there are no e-bay fees to pay on the postage)

For me, I still to items I can pick up or can be delivered and also stick to quality brands.

Stick to private sellers if you want a bargain - shops and powersellers are no cheaper than the high street and often come with none of the guarantees. If you find a seller you like, bookmark them and you'll be notified when they add new stff.

Don't bid until the last possible minute (use auction sniper for something you really want)

I just bought some fantastic clothes for DS (to be!) and the seller dropped them off to my MILs to save the postage costs. ANd I've bought ALL of my maternity clothes from E-bay. I've got a Formes / mamas and papas and Isabella Oliver wardrobe for less than £100.

PortAndLemon · 28/02/2008 21:25

Should also have added that I don't bid on stuff that has ridiculous postage, and I use auctionsniper.

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 28/02/2008 21:26

Bundles are the best, they go for very little, and theres usually a high proportion of it that's nice.

Majorca · 28/02/2008 21:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Youcannotbeserious · 28/02/2008 21:39

Auction sniper is just a program which you can use with ebay - you put in your highest pib and also when you want the bid placed - usually between 5 and 20 seconds before the end of the auction.

There are other - bidnapper is another - but I think auction sniper is the most common. You have to pay a small fee (after you've used your free snipes) but it does tend to be worth it.

The prices you can get for items really depends on the make and the condition, I used to sell alot of my SDs stuff on there, as they would grow out of it quickly and they'd often have only worn the stuff a couple of times (only so much wear a top can get when the kids are only here EOW!!!).

Personally, I only buy and sell designer stuff. I bought my little SD a ski suit (Quiksilver) for £50 and was over the moon with it, it would have cost over £300 new and was perfect. She might get another season out of it but then I'll sell it again.

I get carried away sometimes too!!!!!!!

Youcannotbeserious · 28/02/2008 21:40

sorry, meant bid, not pib.......... I haven't been drinking, honest!!!

MrsBadger · 28/02/2008 21:43

my mum buys dd stuff and does very well.

she is cautious and canny and buys well-photographed bundles from, like Port&Lemon, sellers she likes the sound of with reasonable postage, and isn't afraid to stop bidding if it goes over her max price.

Agree baby stuff is generally a better buy than hard-worn stuff for older kids.

Original poster

Poppychick · 28/02/2008 21:45

I've sold on ebay LOTS and on a couple of occasions got more than I paid for things!! Very silly ...

Going ot have a look for sniper, never heard of that before - thanks.

OP posts:

Youcannotbeserious · 28/02/2008 22:25

I've done that, too, PC - I guess sometimes people are looking for 'vintage'??!??!

Majorca · 28/02/2008 22:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PersephoneSnape · 28/02/2008 22:41

I try not to buy on ebay, although i do sell childrens clothes - tbh I have one big spend a year in the next sale on boxing day for the kids and top that up with asda. most of my childrens clothes come from the local salvation army shop, where i get gap, M&S, next, john lewis etc for 2 items for a quid. i go for 'good' high street rather than 2nd hand george/cherokee because i think it wears a lot better. Theres also the benefit of making sure there aren't any dodgy stains that you can't see on ebay

Youcannotbeserious · 28/02/2008 22:46

That's what's great about auction sniper though... You set your bid and the emotional side of 'I've been outbid, bid again... BID AGAIN... BID AGAIN' is removed (yes, we've all been there!! )

I also buy from second hand shops. I have no problems at all with second hand stuff....

Talking of high prices, though... there are some old blackpool pleasure beech stickers going for £3.50 and they have 8 bids... WHY????

Oblomov · 28/02/2008 22:46

I was talking to my friend about this today. She feels she gets betetr deals in next sale and tesco sale. She is disappointed alot by e-bay. Even I would not describe all the clothes I have been sent as excellent condition. Not MY exc condition !
Plus, as lovcat says selling bay clothes, which get worn once, more likely that it really is exc condition. At 3 and 4, they have worn it alot more.
I must, I must try to sell more and buy less.

Flibbertyjibbet · 28/02/2008 22:48

I bought a lot on ebay for my boys in smaller sizes as there are a lot more items in good nick from children not old enough to feed themselves or run about!
Now though clothes for ds2 (aged 3) are expensive on ebay as there are a lot less of them 2nd hand in good condition, and as they are bigger the postage is dearer. Ebay is fab though for buying a bigger size for ds1 so that he can match ds2 who wears his old clothes, I do shop on ebay for specific items for that reason.
We have a good dress agency near me that sells next gap asda etc so I can pick up nearly new jeans etc for £1.99. I buy a lot from George and t shirts are cheap enough anywhere, buy in the sales.

Youcannotbeserious · 28/02/2008 22:49

It does really depend on what you are looking for. Personally, I don't think Next / Tesco stuff is worth buying on e-bay. I agree with your friend - the sale stuff is as well priced and better condition...

But, if you are looking for pucker stuff - I bought a Bill AMberg papoose on ebay recently for £100 which would have cost £300+ new....

I bought a travel system for £35 (Mamas and papas) and have also bought a lot of Formes maternity wear....

That's a lot cheaper than you can buy it new for!

snottyshoulders · 28/02/2008 22:49

I've had some great bargains from e bay and stuck to bundles and brand names that I know last well. Also to sellers that have 100% feedback and take good photos! Most sellers are paranoid about their feedback being damamged so are fair if you're not happy (thsi only happened to me once, with a toy fire engine and I got to keep the fire engine and got a refund too!)

Original poster

Poppychick · 29/02/2008 19:40

Thanks for sharing! I won a couple of items again yesterday so time will tell!!! Tried to take on board the tips and registered for sniper - can't work out how to use it yet though.

happy shopping ...

OP posts:

mumofdjandp · 29/02/2008 19:50

I have bought some stuff but been disappointed too

BlueberryPancake · 29/02/2008 21:23

I don't use ebay for clothes. It's not worth it. You can get cheap stuff at Asda and Tesco and they don't wear it for long enough anyway. Matalan is good as well.

It's great for toys and stuff, especially toys like legos, they are so expensive to buy new

mumofhelen · 29/02/2008 22:07

I stopped after a while because the stuff just wasn't good. I also lost out on £25. I paid for the item and the person took the money and disappeared.

threestars · 01/03/2008 10:19

I never make money selling DS's clothes on ebay. I have only ever sold the designer stuff that his Italian auntie buys him, eg Armani, Ralph Lauren, D&G, Timberland, and only ever got £5 or £6 for them, tops. Now I'd rather give them to friends.

Yet when DH bought him Diesel & Levi jeans he paid a relative fortune for them. Not that I'm jealous or anything...
And I found that maternity wear is always quite expensive, compared with their original price. eg. Top Shop maternity jeans cost around £35 new and sell on ebay for around £25 second hand. I've given up on it now, although I must say that because e-bayers want good feedback, the clothes are always clean and fresh and in good condition.

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