What would you pay?

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Neighbor wants to sell her plastic toddler swing set. She bought it at least 2 years ago for $450. It has been outside the whole time she's had it, including this past winter with -40 degree temps. I could buy it new today for $355 after rebates. She asked $225 originally on a FB garage sale site. I offered $150. She said no so I told her if she decides she will take $180 to let me know. Now she has it on our neighborhood only site (which has a limited audience for toddler swingsets) at $200 firm. I think she's trying to send me a message. Would you pay $200 for the swingsets?

 

[Northernlites]

No, I think since it is two years old and been outside for two winters $150 is more than reasonable. When I sold my set I was happy with a having a buyer with cash and b getting 30% return.... Obviously she does not have a buyer or it would have sold. I would wait, and when in doubt buy new and then resale it later. I find Costco has the best prices.

 

[descovy]

In these cases its all about the intent of the seller.

If they need it gone bad enough, they will sell it for cheap.

If they don't mind holding on to it, but could use a little cash they will ask a little more.

Sounds like she doesn't need it gone bad enough...

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

In these cases its all about the intent of the seller. If they need it gone bad enough, they will sell it for cheap. If they don't mind holding on to it, but could use a little cash they will ask a little more. Sounds like she doesn't need it gone bad enough...

I totally agree. And as the buyer I don't need it bad enough to pay more than what I think it's worth. If it's meant to work out it will. But it will be interesting to watch.

A bunch of outdoor play sets are hitting the virtual garage sale sites now that the weather has broken, and most of them are priced at 50% of the original cost, and most of them are hearing crickets in terms of interest.

On the flip side, my friend listed 2 outdoor play pieces for 30% of what she paid and sold them in an hour last night.

 

[elaine amj]

Everyone is different. It's her prerogative to stick to the $200 firm price she set. It's your prerogative to stick to the max price you are willing to pay. You already offered to pay $180. Leave the door open if she ends up changing her mind.

I'm all for bargaining. I don't really care if someone gives me a lowball offer. I will set in my mind what I'm willing to let something go for and sometimes I say yes and sometimes, the answer is no. Supply and demand

 

[mm1971]

I have a wooden swing set and tower in my back yard. It's about 7 years old, but in good conditions still. It was well over $1K new. My kids are older now and the first person to show up and take it away can have it for free! We got more than our money's worth watching our kids enjoy it and would feel good knowing another family is doing the same.

Stick to your guns. If someone is willing to pay $200 then so be it. If not, I'm sure your neighbor will come around. Of course if you live near MA, you can PM me and I'll send a pic.

 

[DisneyFoodieFan]

I think $150 is MORE than fair. Things like that depreciate immediately and I would be shocked if she finds a buyer for $200.

 

[ponyboy]

You're willing to pay more than I would. I'm sure you could find the same thing or similar on Craiglist for $100 or less. I'd buy a brand new one before I paid $200 or even $180 for it.

 

[wendow]

I think $150 is MORE than fair. Things like that depreciate immediately and I would be shocked if she finds a buyer for $200.

You're willing to pay more than I would. I'm sure you could find the same thing or similar on Craiglist for $100 or less. I'd buy a brand new one before I paid $200 or even $180 for it.

I so agree We've bought some of these types of things on CL. People are practically having to give them away. Which is what we did with ours

 

[Happyjen27]

I belong to a MoM's club in my local area with an active buying/selling FB page. In general, things in great condition are priced 25% of what was paid.

Your offer was more than fair.

 

[texasroni75]

If it's a store-brand playset (like ones you find at Walmart, etc), I wouldn't pay more than $100 for a used one. They don't hold up very well over time in the elements. If, however, it's the wooden Rainbow playsystem type playsets, I'd pay closer to $500. Those last many years, and parts are easily replaceable if something does break, and you can even add on to it.

Of course, if you wait it out, you might even find one for free. DH was working with someone a few months back that was doing a yard renovation, and they offered a beautiful wood playset for free - all DH had to do was disassemble it himself and take it away.

 

[nugov2]

I sold a bunch of stuff like this on those boards...kitchen, house etc and got at perfect condition 40% of retail. When it is outside maybe 20-30% of retail is normal. I wouldn't pay more than 150. I highly doubt she gets what she is asking. My husband hates that I sell stuff and always tell me our garbage is only worth what someone else will pay for it even if I think it is worth more. If someone offers you $1 for it...take it. It's more than you would get on the curb. In a way he is right...when it is a good price it is snapped up and it is only worth what someone will pay.

I just noticed it was your neighbor...honestly, I would give something my kids had to a neighbor for next to nothing.

 

[HelenePA]

if you have facebook look for local garage sale sites on there.. you'll prob find something just like it a LOT cheaper! Those kind of things go really cheap around me used. I just gave all of our plastic toddler toys away to neighbors who were glad to have them! I just wanted them gone gone gone!

 

[MEM]

Neighbor wants to sell her plastic toddler swing set. She bought it at least 2 years ago for $450. It has been outside the whole time she's had it, including this past winter with -40 degree temps. I could buy it new today for $355 after rebates. She asked $225 originally on a FB garage sale site. I offered $150. She said no so I told her if she decides she will take $180 to let me know. Now she has it on our neighborhood only site (which has a limited audience for toddler swingsets) at $200 firm. I think she's trying to send me a message. Would you pay $200 for the swingsets?

Nope. $100 sounds fair but I'd have to see the condition - is it dirty, stained, faded, etc. Like others have said, I've seen these kinds of things sitting on the curb, free to good home or at yard sales for $50-75.

 

[kirstenb1]

I just re-read this, and noticed it's a toddler swingset. You're only going to use this for so long, before you need a kid-sized swingset, so $150 is generous.
Seriously, we have a wooden structure, and as much work as it will take to dis-assemble it, I'll prob say $100 plus you take it down, and it's yours! I may even say free when the time comes.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Hmmm. Looks like she might get $225 after all. Someone just posted they are interested and she replied that she has someone coming to look at it tonight but will let the interested party know if it doesn't sell. Oh well, on to the next one!

 

[scoutie]

People are weird about their things. I've seen people try to sell used clothing at garage sales for just a few dollars less than new.

I doubt she'll sell the set. If I were you, I'd go somewhere else to get one.

 

[FigmentFinder]

You can take a drive to NJ and take all the toddler sized equipment of my yard. My three year old has outgrown it all.

I didn't buy anything. Usually people are more than willing to give you the tiny toddler stuff for free. Once the kid can't use it, you just want it out of your yard.

Is it a really nice set?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

You can take a drive to NJ and take all the toddler sized equipment of my yard. My three year old has outgrown it all. I didn't buy anything. Usually people are more than willing to give you the tiny toddler stuff for free. Once the kid can't use it, you just want it out of your yard. Is it a really nice set?

No, it's the Step2 swing set with 2 swings and a slide. I may just pay the $370 to get a new one, since we will get a couple years out if it with our daughter and we plan to have a second.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I sold a bunch of stuff like this on those boards...kitchen, house etc and got at perfect condition 40% of retail. When it is outside maybe 20-30% of retail is normal. I wouldn't pay more than 150. I highly doubt she gets what she is asking. My husband hates that I sell stuff and always tell me our garbage is only worth what someone else will pay for it even if I think it is worth more. If someone offers you $1 for it...take it. It's more than you would get on the curb. In a way he is right...when it is a good price it is snapped up and it is only worth what someone will pay.

I just noticed it was your neighbor...honestly, I would give something my kids had to a neighbor for next to nothing.

Exactly!!! Too bad Op isn't my neighbor. A few years ago we gave our Little Tikes plastic playhouse to our next door neighbor. My kids were WAY too big for it. It was a little faded, and needed to be hosed, down but otherwise it was perfect. We have a Toys-R-Us wooden swing set/fort structure that we need someone to taker off our hands now.