Spin off on Craigslist threads..

[C.Ann]

With Christmas coming and so many people being out of work, what do you think the odds are of people buying used items - in excellent condition - to give to their children for Christmas?

I'm wondering if this might be a good time to have DD's DH list a bunch of DGD's toys and Disney things that are in excellent condition? (She's 13 now and aside from a few items that have special meaning, she's fine with the rest being sold..)

Is anyone here - who is in a very tight spot - thinking of purchasing used items?

Good idea - or bad idea?

Thanks..

 

[jessica52877]

I have sold on ebay and craigslist for years and always get parents buying used toys, especially hard ones to find or ones that are no longer made.

 

[StephMK]

I think it's a great idea. I would not have a problem giving my kids used items in excellent condition. I doubt they would notice and certainly wouldn't care. You could be doing someone a huge favor because I'm sure there are many trying to stretch their holiday dollars.

 

[tasha99]

I am buying a used wii for DS13 this year from Gamestop because the new wiis don't play Gamecube games. I am going with a store though, so that I have the 1 month guarantee that everything will work. They're a black friday deal at Gamestop for 79.99. To me, that's better than slugging it out at Walmart for their 99.99 new console that won't play old games.

A few years ago, I bought my nephew some wooden Theodore Tugboat toys off of Craigslist that were discontinued. I didn't want to drive all the way to get them, so I talked with the person selling them and sent a check. It was a risk (no protections like ebay) but worked out fine.

While I'm sure there will be some people buying used because of the economy, even in a good economy, sometimes the old toys were better.

 

[C.Ann]

When my kids were little there were some very lean times (especially when I was married to my 1st husband who drank, gambled, and didn't give a hoot) that I purchased lots of items in late summer and early fall at garage sales for them.. They never seemed to notice - or care - but I just wasn't sure how kids/parents feel now - 30+ years later..

I know DD's DH would be thrilled to have even more stuff out of the attic!

 

[AlwaysMoving]

With Christmas coming and so many people being out of work, what do you think the odds are of people buying used items - in excellent condition - to give to their children for Christmas?

I think the odds are very high. It is better to buy one cheap new toy or a couple of used new looking toys rather than go broke trying to buy the new hot gift of the year spending money you don't have or expecting other people to buy it for your children.

I say sell the toys.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I'm a big fan of CL so I say LIST THEM! Really it can't hurt and you might make $$

DH is always saying he can't believe the things people buy!

 

[IUTBAM]

We aren't in a tight spot financially, but I'm frugal by nature, and would buy something used (in very good condition) for a Christmas gift for my kids in a heartbeat...and they would be fine with it (and they are both teens). I shop at thrift stores regularly! I say go for it.

 

[zoemurr]

we don't have $ issues.. but I would never pay $20 for something I could get for $1. I am well known for finding bargains at garage sales and giving them to my kids for Christmas. A big box full of Little People or Hot Wheels was just as fun for them if it didn't come in the original packaging. (Plus they got to play with it sooner 'cause it didn't take me forever to dismantle it.) When they were little they didn't know, and now that they are older they don't care. They'll still get games without the plastic on them if I know it has all the pieces. I have had a few people make comments that they would "never" do that.. but to each his own.

I have a large LT kitchen that I keep thinking needs to go on CL soon as it would make a great gift. List now and make yourself some holiday money.

 

[phred52]

Yep. I'm another one who bought a lot of my kids Christmas gifts while garage sailing. You can get a TON of stuff for a whole lot less $$. I was particular and bought things in excellent shape with all the pieces ..etc. At first kids were too young to know where things came from. As they grew, they didn't care. Now, both my DD's join me during the garage sale season, we keep our eyes out for each other's wish lists.

Matter of fact, when DD#1 moved into an apartment, I put $500 into an envelope and went 'shopping' at garage sales in the months before her move. Fully furnished a 2 bedroom apartment for that $$. Dishes, silverware, glasses, pots/pans, kitchen utensils, microwave, toaster, kitchen table/chairs, end tables, many many lamps, 2 sofa's, chair, nice TV, entertainment center, maple double bed, dresser, night stand, matching comforter/curtains/sheet set, IKEA desk & chair, 4 book shelves, 2 four drawer filing cabinets, many pieces of art for walls ..... and more. Just TONS of beautiful things.

You can get a lot of BANG for a buck while garage sailing or Craig's listing.

 

[AverageDiser]

I would definitely suggest it, C.Ann, I buy probably 50% of dd's presents used, everything from books to dvds to video games. The other 50% are little things like stocking stuffers, etc. She ends up with prob close to $200-300 worth of gifts for between $50-75. Can't beat that with a stick. If he wants to get rid of anything in the 10-12 yo range, let me know..LOL!

 

[C.Ann]

Just had another thought - in case anyone is reading this and feeling bad that they need to buy used and there won't be any packaging..

One year when my kids were little I made these denim drawstring bags.. (Think the size of a large trash bag. Now they can be purchased pre-made in canvas color very inexpensively through Oriental Trading.) I then took some Christmas stencils I had - along with liquid embroidery tubes of paint - and created scenes on the front (each was different) and then personalized it with their full names under the scene.. All the items I bought used went in those big bags - unwrapped - and were set near the tree, as though Santa brought them.. (When you see most photos of Santa with his sack overflowing with toys, they're not wrapped or in the packaging - right? )

Then with the little money I had, I purchased some inexpensive toys and books brand new - wrapped those - and put them under the tree.. The kids were none the wiser - until they got older (at which time they still didn't care "where" the stuff came from)..

Funny - now that I think about it, I still have those sacks packed away in the attic here at my DD's - along with all the Christmas decorations they made in school throughout the years; at church; at home; etc...

I'll have to talk to DD's DH and see if he's up for this - since he does most of the work, is the one to meet with the people, etc.. He has a pretty full plate right now - numerous projects going on - having to go out of state one night a week for schooling for his job - but knowing him, he may still be up for it.. I know he would love for that attic to be close to empty one day..

 

[goofyredraider]

90% of the toys I have sold in the past few weeks/months have been EUC and could pass for new - minus the packaging of course. I have NO doubt the parents that bought them are putting them away for Christmas.