Overpriced secondhand baby stuff

[3MenAndMe]

AIBU to think that some people expecting too much for their second hand pushchair/cot or whatever they are selling as 'secondhand'?

I am expecting at the moment and decided to buy as much things as possible secondhand as do not want to add to the landfill/stuff the pockets of greedy companies,but the prices some people are asking for are shocking....

As a rule of thumb it used to be 1/3 of original price max ,but some people want almost as much as for new for 2-3 year old stuff..I understand that if the item is almost new/rarely used and they can provide the receipt than fine,I am more than happy to pay...Times are tough and everybody wants extra cash,but within being reasonable....

Would it be rude to negotiate the price or should I just ignore the advert??
Would you buy from Ebay when is says 'No returns',it sounds a bit dodgy...????

[HollyBerryBush]

In all honesty, with the cheapness of places like Primark, or Asda, I wouldn't even bother faffing about with eBay.

Having said that, I made an absolute fortune selling the childrens clothes on through eBay - there is always someone on a remote Scots island who hasn't got a Mothercare or Toys-R-Us within 100 miles distance.

If you had asked for the receipt - I would have cancelled your bid and blocked you there and then. My life would be far too short to be collecting and filing little bits of paper for 6 months with newborn and toddlers to contend with.

[riskit4abiskit]

I have been looking at some of the maternity clothes on eBay and its a similar story. Used tops still going for about seven quid, you can get new from next for that in the sale!

On the other hand, I'm expecting my first and have been pleasantly surprised and grateful for offers of free things from friends and people at work.

So maybe it all evens up?

Things I will buy new are cot mattress, bras, and possibly a pram as at least I will get my moneys worth using it!

[TheRealFellatio]

I think between a half and a third depending upon age and condition of anything second hand is fair, unless it is literally virtually unused, and still of very current design/model.

What I really used to hate is when friends and acquaintances approached me and 'offered' me stuff, saying 'could you use this?' or 'would you like it?' making it unclear whether it was a gift, or an offer to buy, and then demanding a stupid amount of money for it, in which case I'd rather buy new and choose my own! So awkward! I've also seen people selling the mankiest old stained/worn children' clothes at NCT sales etc, and expecting unrealistic prices for them.

In my experience unless it's an expensive item in mint condition, Ebay for children's clothes is not worth it as the postage is too expensive to make it viable for big bundles of everyday stuff.

[myBOYSareBONKERS]

Try your local facebook selling pages. They tend to have cheap stuff

[TheRealFellatio]

Having said a third is fair depending on condition, there are some things I would not be cheeky enough to even ask for money for. If they were very worn/old I'd just give them away.

[pigletmania]

I totally understand, you don't have to buy from them. Just look about on e bay, and if the shops do sales on big items like, prams, cots, highchair, they usually do. Look in Argos or Asda they Usually do big items for a reasonable price. As for clothes i would supermarket, or Primark it, the clothes are very cheap and if they get ruined its no biggy. Realistically a buyer cannot say no returns, if the items is not as described or faulty than you are within your buyers rights to ask for a refund, if it is not forthcoming go through Paypals resolution service. The buyer nearly always gets a refund through Paypal, i have used it on several occasions.

[SucksToBeMe]

I agree, but I find charity shops are a rip off too. Car boots are my main source nowadays.

[Hawkmoon269]

I bought my buggy second hand on eBay for £335. Sold it 18 months later for £425. Crazy! But the person idols it to was thrilled because the same buggy costs £800 new and was in excellent condition.

I think I got it cheap from eBay because the auction end time was in the middle of the night....

[Hawkmoon269]

Person I sold it to. Not idols!

[TheRealFellatio]

Who pays 800 quid for a buggy?

[3MenAndMe]

I agree with TRF and STBM...
I was mainly after pram/reversible pushchair,crib or AMBY Nest,just the bigger bits...
Will never risk buying used matress or things like BF bra,too personal,like buying used pants...
But it is worrying that others are trying to make a 'fortune' out of those who are not able to afford new...

[DigestivesWithCheese]

I only buy items that are new or barely used and it is possible to get bargains of you get used to eBay. I find an item I want and look for the cheapest price online and then I look on eBay for people selling the item in new condition.

I found a playhouse I wanted for my DD - the cheapest price new was £200 but I got one on eBay (unused in the box but the box was a bit battered) for £110 including postage. Similar with my pushchairs - there's always someone who bought a pram, didn't get on with it and wants to sell it only a few months later - if you pay half the RRP then you have saved money.

The thing that confused me though, is the amount that people bid for used 'Next' childrens' clothes on eBay... Can anyone explain this? There are kids designer brands that can be snapped up at a fraction of the original price because there aren't many bids, but anything from Next seems to set off a bidding frenzy, so that uses clothes are selling for almost as much (or more) than the original price. Why not just buy from Next in the sale?

[TheFallenNinja]

It's always worth a bit of an old haggle. On eBay I look at the last few of the same that have sold and work with the average price.

Things are only worth what people will pay for them.

[HollyBerryBush]

Are these things with silly high starting bids or have they been bid up to the prices you are seeing?

Things are only worth what someone is prepared to pay.

[Viviennemary]

What about trying freecycle. I've never actually got anything from them but I've heard there is good stuff on there going free. But I think you do still get bargains. I'd avoid these silly people who think there secondhand things are worth as much as new. But if people want those designer brands I suppose they do have to expect to pay more.

[Hawkmoon269]

thereal Lots of people! Anyone who buys a bugaboo chameleon/donkey new. And people must be buying them new at some stage - otherwise there wouldn't be masses for sale second hand

[OhDearieDearieMe]

But it is worrying that others are trying to make a 'fortune' out of those who are not able to afford new...

See this is just silly. The market will decide the price of anything. Can't afford? Don't buy. But don't be getting on your soapbox about everyone trying to con you ffs.

Incidentally - 'no returns' on Ebay is utterly meaningless unless the item is being advertised and sold as 'not working'. Pay by Paypal and you are protected if the item is not as described.

[NumericalMum]

I never accept returns on eBay and doubt a genuine person selling second hand would? If it is not as detailed you could claim through disputes. Returns are only if someone changes their mind on top of that.

Most people I know who buy from eBay could afford new but prefer to save money and buy second hand.

And agree with the next insanity. I have got pennies for really expensive stuff and loads for cheap next, H&M, gap stuff. Weird!

[3MenAndMe]

I'm totally with you on this...
Would never spend money on so called 'designer',not even for myself....
I was considering Bugaboo Bee (new or secondhand),as we live in London and I have to rely to public transport.I also like the fact that it is reversible...
But TBH I looked at them in various shops and the quality is not compatible with the price...
Or AIBU again...?

[3MenAndMe]

Sorry..this was reply to Viviennemary...

[Hawkmoon269]

Lots of my friends have the Bee and love it. Or the chameleon which is a bugger to get in and out of the car but otherwise fabulous.

When I was pregnant, lots of people told me to buy an expensive pram/buggy as they paid £200-£300 for a new one and hated them or they broke easily. Obviously I'm sure lots of people but cheap(ish) prams and love them too... But I'm also in London and spent/spend HOURS pushing the pram every day. If it was awkward, squeaky, ugly etc it would drive me nuts.

[DigestivesWithCheese]

If you are familiar with second hand prices, that can also be taken into account when buying items new. For example, I bought quite an expensive bedside cot but I knew that I could sell it on for around half that price when I had finished with it. I did that and it meant someone else got an item in perfect condition for half the retail price and that that, effectively, it was also half price for me to use it from new.

It's no different from second hand cars really - some keep value better than others, there are people who like to buy brand new and others who are happy to have an older car. I have heard of people who buy really expensive prams (like the Bugaboo donkey) but put protective covers over the foam handle so they can preserve the condition for when they will be selling it on. That seems like a step to far to me as I wouldn't want to constantly worrying about damaging my pram!

For expensive baby items, it's always worth keeping the original packaging & instruction as then it will have a higher resale value. L

[llamallama]

Try gumtree! I much prefer it to eBay for baby things!

Saw a bugaboo bee on there for £50 yesterday! That was low compared to what I normally see them for but most people have realistic prices!

We just bought a little tikes plastic garden house for £50, they are £300 new and often go for almost £100 on eBay!

[exoticfruits]

No returns are not dodgy on eBay. I am not a shop to try it on and see if you like it! I am just selling clothes I no longer want as a one off. If the buyer happens to change their mind they will have to sell it on. I will take returns if faulty- but I check very carefully before I list.
I remember one problem a seller had - they sold a bottle of new, unopened, well known brand of perfume( unwanted gift) - the buyer opened it, didn't like the smell and wanted a refund!! Having made it unsellable!
If I sell a baby outfit for £3 I have paid commission, paid postage and am not having it back because the buyer didn't like it to sell all over again! There is nothing remotely dodgy in it.
Try car boot sales- they are great.

[llamallama]

On gumtree though you need to check frequently as the bargains get snapped up the same day that they are posted! Weekends are busier with new ads going up! I have the app on my phone and check it quite often!