Is this tacky?

[Hedy]

DNiece is turning 13 soon. I'm planning on e-mailing her parents with a few gift ideas as I'd like to get her a nicer gift. Would it be tacky if I mention that the Nano I'd be getting her would be a refurb? I've discussed the virtues of refurbs with my brother before, and if it matters to her I'd want them to know she wouldn't be getting the newest one. I just don't want it to come across as "Auntie Heather is cheap-yay!"
So parents, would someone mentioning the gift they'd be getting your kid being a refurb irk you?

 

[donald&daisy]

Well, I am not a parent but I would be so happy to get such a nice gift that I could care less. You might let them know just in case something goes wrong with it, but from what I've heard they usually work just great. Its not like you're giving her used socks

 

[HaleyB]

Wouldn't bother me, I guess it depends on how close you are to your brother.

That said, I think I would be more worried that it would bother the 13 year old. They are a status symbol and no 13 year old wants to have 'last year's' anything.

 

[Hedy]

Wouldn't bother me, I guess it depends on how close you are to your brother.

That said, I think I would be more worried that it would bother the 13 year old. They are a status symbol and no 13 year old wants to have 'last year's' anything.

That's why I'd want to put it out there. OTOH, last I heard she has DB's Wal-Mart MP3 player.

 

[feedindy]

Keybank is running a promotion right now for a free Nano with new accounts. They did the same thing last year. DH and I each signed up for one, got two Nanos-1 for me; 1 for DD for Christmas.

I couldn't find the info on their website, but I'll double check the sign at my local bank tomorrow when I drive by and get back to you. If the promo is the same, you have to sign up for a new free checking account through the specific link and either get a Keybank credit card or have a direct deposit by a certain date. PayPal worked for me last year as our direct deposit.

ETA-these were brand new Nanos, in original packaging with no indication that we got them for free.

 

[JuneChickie]

Wouldn't bother me, I guess it depends on how close you are to your brother.

That said, I think I would be more worried that it would bother the 13 year old. They are a status symbol and no 13 year old wants to have 'last year's' anything.

Yep, thats pretty much true.

 

[Lisa_M]

I think a refurb is fine, but based on my experience I would skip getting her an Ipod. We bought SIL a nano when they first came out because she wanted one so badly. We got the larger capacity one (4gb) so 250 smackaroos later she had it. She was 16 and loved it so much, except every time we saw her she complained about how it "doesn't hold all my music." One year later, she sold the Ipod we bought her and had engraved to her friend (for how much I don't know) and spent $250 on a 30GB Ipod. This all really burned me because our intention was to get her a great gift that she would use for a long time and be happy with. Big mistake.

It's not tacky to get a refurb, but if your intentions are like mine were then I would say skip it. Some teens are too fickle to endulge with these types of gifts. I would worry that your niece would want the newest, latest and greatest thing.

 

[Threehearts]

I'm probably going to say something that is not very nice to hear but here goes. Nanos are "the" thing to have in our town. The kids really use them and they are looked at and compared often. A refurb wold not be nearly as special as a new one. That being said, I would never buy one for my son who would rarely use it and when the next generation came out, he would want to trade up. I really think that it depends on the child. If I were to buy one for my neice, I would buy the new one and make it clear that this would be her only gift for a very long time from you. I know it hurts when and if your neice eventually trades up for a newer version, but the reality is when you give a gift, you can't attach expectations(this includes gifts to adults). Nanos are very expensive and if it wasn't in my budget to get the new one, I would probably choose a different gift that was. You are an incredibly wonderful aunt to even consider such an expensive gift. I want to make it clear that I am not suggesting that you must buy your neice a new Nano. I'm trying to be honest about what girls in my area are thinking. I am the "mean" mother who doesn't give their kids allowances. Best, Threehearts

 

[timzagain]

Although I'd have no problem buying a re-furb, I'd be reluctant to give one as a gift! I'm thinking about my stepdaughter's nano experience! In spite of our repeated warnings about downloading music from Lime Wire and the like, she corrupted her nano with an infected download and that was the end of that! It was cleaned up by a reputable company and worked for a little while after that, but then it crashed again, for good! I'm glad she didn't attempt to re-sell, as she was planning!

When you buy a re-furb, you won't know its history and you could be giving your niece a dud instead of the nice gift you planned!

Stick to new if your budget allows - otherwise you could give her cash/ gift certificate towards the purchase of the nano she wants. My DD got a nano last Christmas, and announced yesterday that she'd like an upgrade to a 30G nano for Christmas this year! I was a bit surprised, she's not the techno-junkie. That's so NOT happening! I'm not not encouraging her to think that I will be buying expensive upgrades every year just because! If she wants an upgrade, she can sell her nano and supplement it with her part-time income - I'm sure she'll have a better appreciation for the investment if she worked towards it!

 

[Hedy]

Although I'd have no problem buying a re-furb, I'd be reluctant to give one as a gift! I'm thinking about my stepdaughter's nano experience! In spite of our repeated warnings about downloading music from Lime Wire and the like, she corrupted her nano with an infected download and that was the end of that! It was cleaned up by a reputable company and worked for a little while after that, but then it crashed again, for good! I'm glad she didn't attempt to re-sell, as she was planning!

When you buy a re-furb, you won't know its history and you could be giving your niece a dud instead of the nice gift you planned!

Stick to new if your budget allows - otherwise you could give her cash/ gift certificate towards the purchase of the nano she wants. My DD got a nano last Christmas, and announced yesterday that she'd like an upgrade to a 30G nano for Christmas this year! I was a bit surprised, she's not the techno-junkie. That's so NOT happening! I'm not not encouraging her to think that I will be buying expensive upgrades every year just because! If she wants an upgrade, she can sell her nano and supplement it with her part-time income - I'm sure she'll have a better appreciation for the investment if she worked towards it!

Apple refurbs are all individually tested, so there's actually less chance of that than with a normal Nano.

Thanks everyone for your opinion. I figure if I put it out there, her parents can always say "Erm, she wants a real one." or "We already got her one." (A possibility, but I've never seen her with it, and she is 12 ).

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Apple just announced that they are coming out with new ipods/iphones - The new nano looks really cute!!! More square than rectangle - So she may be bummed she is not getting a "newer" ipod style - But I also think that kids should really be happy with what they are given, not to expect things and to be grateful for what they do receive (like saying please, thank you, etc) -

You are giving a very thoughtful gift. I would mention it to the parents in case they wanted to get her an itunes gift card so she can start filling up her ipod!

 

[solgent]

When my stepmother asked what DDs wanted for Hanukah last year, I suggested iPod Shuffles and I even explained to her that refurbished units are available at a lower price. It would be no problem at all if she had chosen to do that.

DDs are very happy with their Shuffles. The older girls are almost 13 and these are silver Shuffles-- the different colors weren't sold then-- but DDs don't seem concerned about having last year's model.

DDs would be absolutely frantic and very unhappy if they had not been able to get HP & the Deathly Hallows right when it came out, but so far they are not very status-conscious about electronics or clothes! You know your niece & her family so you are in the best position to judge if it would matter to her.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I think a refurb is fine, but based on my experience I would skip getting her an Ipod. We bought SIL a nano when they first came out because she wanted one so badly. We got the larger capacity one (4gb) so 250 smackaroos later she had it. She was 16 and loved it so much, except every time we saw her she complained about how it "doesn't hold all my music." One year later, she sold the Ipod we bought her and had engraved to her friend (for how much I don't know) and spent $250 on a 30GB Ipod. This all really burned me because our intention was to get her a great gift that she would use for a long time and be happy with. Big mistake.

It's not tacky to get a refurb, but if your intentions are like mine were then I would say skip it. Some teens are too fickle to endulge with these types of gifts. I would worry that your niece would want the newest, latest and greatest thing.

IMHO a Nano is too small. I have more than 15g on my IPOD with just music.

You did buy her a nice gift that she used for a year. She then sold it and got a bigger one, which she needed to hold all of her music.

 

[Lisa_M]

IMHO a Nano is too small. I have more than 15g on my IPOD with just music.

You did buy her a nice gift that she used for a year. She then sold it and got a bigger one, which she needed to hold all of her music.

Yeah except for that year that she used it she was a snot about it. All she did was complain about Itunes not working right and 4gb being to small to hold all her "free" songs from the internet. Not grateful at all, but that was our mistake. We won't make one like that again.

 

[Threehearts]

I have 17 neices and nephews and 2 kids of my own. We have massively cut down on Christmas presents because of what I like to call, the "open and throw" system. You know, the kid sees a mountain of holiday gifts that people have generously and thoughtfully chosen, the child rips open the paper and then unceremoniously tosses the present and moves on. I was so appalled one Christmas, watching my own children doing this that my husband and I had a big talk with them and let them know that Santa would be giving them many fewer gifts next year. Santa did exactly that. Guess what? Six presents and some stocking stuffers and the kids had a wonderful day. What I do with my neices and nephews is if I don't get a thank you(from the child), I make a mental note. If it happens again, I forget to give a present. I am talking about children at an age where they can actually understand the meaning of appreciation. I always have my children call Grandma or Auntie if they receive a gift and the call was always appreciated. I don't blame the poster who said that she was disappointed in a child who was completely ungrateful after receiving an IPOD. That's inexcuseable. JMHO. Threehearts

 

[TheRealDoraExplorer]

Personally, I don't think it matters. She should be grateful for having an Auntie who thinks of her like that, especially enough to be giving her something so nice. I don't think she even needs to be told it's a refurb. Just that her Aunt loves her. Just make sure everything is in working order and you're golden in my eyes.

 

[M 'n C]

Question: Do you have to tell them or her its a refurb? I mean are they really going to know the difference? I'm sure apple packages it appropriatly so it won't get damaged during shipment. Just tell them you bought it straight from apple online.

 

[Hedy]

Question: Do you have to tell them or her its a refurb? I mean are they really going to know the difference? I'm sure apple packages it appropriatly so it won't get damaged during shipment. Just tell them you bought it straight from apple online.

The package of my nephew's shuffle said refurb, and also as it won't be the new, cool one, I want to make sure it's acceptable . DNiece is a good kid, but she is almost13, KWIM?

 

[M 'n C]

The package of my nephew's shuffle said refurb, and also as it won't be the new, cool one, I want to make sure it's acceptable . DNiece is a good kid, but she is almost13, KWIM?

Ahh ok. Didn't know the packaging said refurb on it. Ok I guess you would have to mention it then. Do they still have all the colors available on the refurb? Maybe it wouldn't matter as much if she got the cool pink or blue one. You know how some kids are all they care about is the color.