Secondhand vs new

[Katiem1234]

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!

Thank you everyone for your answers, all interesting reads! Glad I'm not the only one who doesn't mind secondhand! We have bought a few things new, including a new mattress & car seat.

A few people were following to read more views so thought I'd share mine. Pushchairs seem to loose their value fairly quickly, I like the idea of being able to sell it for the same or similar amount to what I paid. I could've spent about £300 on a pushchair, but I actually prefer the one I bought secondhand for much less!

I also figured with the climate crisis, its probably better to purchase secondhand anyway?! I just felt bad after my friend was so against buying secondhand, but you've all made me feel much better. Thank you!

I had a mixture, as I knew we wanted 2 reasonably close together I did buy a new pram, plus with 2 dogs it would be used every day, over rough ground etc. I think it depends on your budget at use. Now I have a toddler, I buy lots of 2nd hand toys, and have all his clothes left over for the one that is shortly due, I’ve had to buy very little 2nd time round so feel my new bits have been an investment.

I think using secondhand is awesome and I take my hat off to people who do it - for financial and environmental reasons. But we don’t have many family/friends with babies, so we haven’t had hand-me-downs, and I’m not sure where people find all this great secondhand stuff to buy - I’ve looked but haven’t really found anything!

Each to their own. With ds we bought new travel system, crib, bottle steriliser, and stroller as he got older as travel system was too bulky. We got second hand cot but new mattress. When dd was born we had D's old stuff so the used again. Apart from we bought new steriliser as previous one broke. They have both had a mixture of new, second hand bought and friends/family giving them clothes and toys. But sleepsuits and vests were all bought new.

My travel system was new, but not new. I bought it on ebay for £200 less than the retail price as it was in a damaged box. The actual product was perfect. I only get second hand stuff that looks almost new.

But babies don't care if their clothes are a bit washed out anyway!

Buddytheelf85
I think the trick is to keep checking regularly! Facebook marketplace(if you are on fb!), shpock, ebay & gumtree. Charity shops are a bit hit-and-miss around me. Most of the time its miss but if you keep checking often you do find nice bits too! Also car boot sales can be great. So keep checking online and in charity shops regularly, plus may be worth heading to a car boot sale or 2 if there's any close by.

I got a new pram. That was my treat but my crib, changing table, bottle prep and warmer etc along with some play things are all 2nd hand. The mattress is new though.
I've got no issues with 2nd hand at all!!