Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Secondhand vs new

58 replies

Katiem1234 · 02/06/2019 17:38

I saw a friend today and it got me thinking. Would you rather spend x amount on something new, or something better quality secondhand?

For example, my friend has a tight budget and spent more on an Argos Cuggl stroller new than I did for my silver cross pushchair secondhand. It came up as she’s a bit disheartened she couldn’t afford something parent facing for newborn bit, and I told her how you can get a lot more for your money if you buy secondhand. However she’d only buy new and did turn her nose up at the idea of buying secondhand.

We just have different perspectives I guess, but it did make me wonder what everyone else's views are on new vs secondhand?

And maybe re-assurance I’m not the only one who thinks secondhand is fine!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

SweepTheHalls · 02/06/2019 17:39

2nd hand for everything except mattress'

cakesandphotos · 02/06/2019 17:41

Second hand for everything except cot mattress and car seat

BogglesGoggles · 02/06/2019 17:42

We only buy new because we have two children and most things don’t last beyond two. We did try buying things second hand at first but it was a waste of money because it all fell apart halfway through. If I only had one child and knew someone who was selling items after one child I would thoughdepending on the brand.

mrsed1987 · 02/06/2019 17:42

Nothing wrong with second hand

Cosmogirl86 · 02/06/2019 17:43

I bought my pram new as I'm carrying twins and it's almost impossible to buy double prams on second hand market. Similarly, I wanted two matching cots and I couldn't find them second hand. And car seats were new for safety.

However, clothes, blankets, changing station and many many other things were going either bought secondhand or hand me downs from my older siblings with children.

I would have bought everything except mattress and car seats second hand if I could.

Bambamber · 02/06/2019 17:45

For my daughter I got loads of stuff second hand. I would much rather get more for my money. I would always buy a new mattress and a new car seat, but other than that as long as it's good quality still I couldn't care less. I am doing the same this pregnancy.

Bol87 · 02/06/2019 17:46

Most of my baby stuff was second hand! We were kindly bought a travel system & cot by Grandparents but the SnuzPod & Moses basket were second hand. Our ergo baby was second hand. Our stroller we bought later on was refurbished from mamas & papas. A huge volume of her clothes are still from eBay or nearly new sales in my local area. And the majority of her plastic toys are from Facebook marketplace (recycle plastic and all)..

Makes so much sense to me & has saved us a fortune. I do make sure everything is clean, smart & from a smoke free home. And I’d always buy brand new car seats. She of course gets some new things at Birthday & Christmas and I’m like a hawk stocking up on clothes in sales!

IceRebel · 02/06/2019 17:47

Second hand for everything except cot mattress and car seat

This!!

I can understand why people buy some things new, but I will never understand those who buy prams / pushchairs. The price of some new prams and pushchairs makes my eyes water.

Teddybear45 · 02/06/2019 17:49

New stuff often comes with guarantees which makes it preferable for me. There’s also the matter that you often don’t get the full kit second hand (or it’s damaged and the damage isn’t obvious at first glance) and so you often have to spend a fortune getting it fixed. In some cases that may mean you effectly pay the same for a second hand item as you would if it were new.

Georgeofthejungle · 02/06/2019 17:51

I’ve bought so much second hand. I got a second hand next to me and Just bought a new mattress, second hand buggy - new mattress. I wouldn’t buy second hand sheets or underwear and I wouldn’t really buy cheap stuff secondhand (like supermarket clothes or brands like hauk) but everything else I see no issue. Truth of it for us is if I hadn’t get second hand we couldn’t have afforded it! I’d much rather have something in great condition second hand than a cheaper new version.
Your friend has her opinion but I bet you anything after what you’ve said she’ll be perusing fb marketplace tonight and having a wee nosey :)

Georgeofthejungle · 02/06/2019 17:53

Agree with that point too @Teddybear45 but where things are complete, etc I will buy second hand x

Lookingforadvice123 · 02/06/2019 17:53

Nothing wrong with second hand! There were a few things I wanted new including push chair (but didn't get an extortionate one - got a Mamas and Papas discounted because the colour was being discontinued!), beds (cot, Moses basket, snuz pod) but I got so many clothes second hand from a friend, and also bought all of the short term toys eg bumbo, play mat, jumperoo etc second hand. We have since had DC2 so all of the stuff we bought new is getting its second use anyway (and some stuff eg perfect prep and steriliser didn't stand the test of time and had to be re-bought anyway!).

Dandelion1993 · 02/06/2019 17:55

The only two things that have to be new are a car seat and mattress.

Would never buy them second hand.

Starlight456 · 02/06/2019 17:56

As a cm . I use second hand pushchairs . They get used for many years and are a fraction of the cost . Car seats always new, I also use travel cots and . would never buy second hand.

My own dc had a mix of new and second hand excluding mattress and car seat.

JustLooking2019 · 02/06/2019 18:06

I think it depends on the item.
I’d never buy a car seat or mattress second hand but everything else I would consider I think. Although with prams it’s good to have the warranty with them so it would have to be a real bargain for me to buy one second hand

firsttimebabybirther · 02/06/2019 18:13

It makes my eyes water when I think of the money we spent when pregnant with DS , I was being so stuck up about second hand things and insistent on everything being brand new , top of the range. What a dick. I can quite happily say any future children will be in secondhand and hand-me-downs. There was no need for the money we spent

Rememberallball · 02/06/2019 18:27

We have bought new for travel system including car seats and isofix bases, Next to Me, changing/bathing unit, rocking chair and footstool, but have got second hand cot beds, Moses baskets, clothes, and the like. Still need to get stair gates and bouncy chairs but am having twins so spread the cost across new/second hand items.

Jemineye · 02/06/2019 18:27

Yes we tried to buy everything second hand bar mattress and car seat.. No brainer for us!

MrsDilligaf · 02/06/2019 18:42

We bought a mix of new and 2nd hand. All DD's nursery furniture was 2nd hand aside from her cot mattress. We bought new bottles, car seat and pushchair but the rest was either gifts or 2nd hand.

I buy the majority of her clothes from eBay (especially if they are for nursery) and sell them on again if they are in good condition.

I've picked up some real bargains, and it's saved us a fortune.

GrassIsntGreener · 02/06/2019 18:44

Oh second hand is marvellous you can't beat it.

TeenTimesTwo · 02/06/2019 18:46

Second hand. Save the money for when they're older and more expensive.
That said, our teens have also been happy with second hand - eg better spec pre-owned phone v new lower spec.

Bear2014 · 02/06/2019 18:54

Second hand for most things here. We have picked up some absolute bargains, beautiful wooden furniture for a fraction of the price, massive bundles of baby clothes, toys and books for a couple of quid and a bugaboo bee for half price. Car seats and mattresses new.

It's a marathon not a sprint - even if you can afford everything new I would save some cash for later on. Newborn- 5 years at least don't know or care.

Slicedpineapple · 02/06/2019 19:07

We have bought most things second hand except car seat, cot, mattress, and nursery furniture (we have bought furniture that is fine for children too).
Things like cot bed sheets you can pick up cheap in home bargains/b&m type shops.

Baby monitor was also bought new as a gift.

PBobs · 02/06/2019 19:14

Most of our stuff has been new but that's because until a month ago we lived in a country where if you had anything going spare you gave it away to people who really needed it. Plus our friends there were either done with having kids years and years ago or weren't having them any time soon. Now we've moved I'm planning to donate all our baby clothes etc to refugee camps, orphanages, charities etc when we're done and sell a few bits too. We have been given a couple of bits including a fantastic carrier for carrying a slightly older baby on your back - with the metal frame etc. - which is great as DH and I are big walkers. Plus I was given a manual breast pump which is amazing and exactly what I was planning to get. And a good quality travel lightweight pack and play which is good as we do a lot of travelling.

Bettyhop · 02/06/2019 19:16

Thank you for this thread! You have all inspired me to get over my snobbiness and I have bought ds a lovely bundle of second hand clothes, beautiful expensive brands that I wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise! Thank you x

Flip

1 2 3