The Diary of a Frugal Family

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Would you buy presents off Ebay….

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I know I’m early with the Christmas post but it’s because I have to start my Christmas planning earlier than usual.  You see, Christmas used to be paid for using my quarterly bonus from work which I got in November every year but this year (due to a promotion at work) my bonus is now paid half yearly which means no Christmas bonus ;-(

So far I’ve been getting a few bits and bobs here and there when I’ve been out and about shopping but today I remembered I had a bit of money in my Paypal account so I thought I’d pop on to Ebay and see if there were any bargains to be had. Able to steer clear of the fab clothing just begging for a quick bid, I did have some success regarding the children's presents. What did people do for bargain buying in the days before Ebay? I always get a thrill from winning a bid, although, apparently, fewer people are bidding in auctions than buying the fixed-price items these days. This seems crazy to me. I managed to get a new DS game that Miss Frugal is after, along with a Password Journal that I know she wants.  Both of these items are brand new so to me, it’s just like buying them from a shop but cheaper.

Then, I found this:

 Mr Potato Head, Mrs Potato Head, Spud Trooper, C3PO and a Transformers Mr Potato Head. 

Master Frugal loves Mr Potato Head and I’ve bought him the Buzz Lightyear one for Christmas already, I knew he would love this little lot so I bid on it and managed to get it for about a tenner, including postage. 

I was really pleased with my little bargain but then I started to wonder about giving him a second hand toy for Christmas, I’ve no problem with buying things from the car boot sale but shouldn’t Christmas presents be new….

Would you buy your children Christmas presents that were second hand?

 

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kailexness 45p · 758 weeks ago

I did last year, my kids love happy valley from early learning but it is so expensive, so I took my budget to ebay and bought a shed load more than I would have ever got new. They were thrilled with it all and young enough not to notice the odd scratch in the paint.

It's plastic so it all got disinfected and they have played with it every day since and if it gets broken which with a 4 yr old and a 2 yr old it inevitably does, I don't cringe like I do when the new toys get broken...

They had some new stuff too. :-)
1 reply · active 758 weeks ago
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Michelle Cooper · 758 weeks ago

Yes I would, have done and probably will again. Too much money is spent on buying all brand new, only for it to be discarded quickly or broken. It makes sense to buy some gifts second hand :) Most younger children wouldn't even notice. I already buy most of our board games from charity shops. :)
1 reply · active 757 weeks ago
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Nonstopmama · 758 weeks ago

Brill post and FAB present! She will be thrilled and If I may say, even more special I think. Xxx
1 reply · active 757 weeks ago
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Make do mum · 758 weeks ago

I bought K a secondhand wheelybug from ebay. She's too young to notice that it wasn't brand new and I couldn't afford a new one. Its great! I'm loving your spud trooper, how funny!
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Sue · 758 weeks ago

I have no problem with this at all. A good few years back I managed to get Tracy Island (Thunderbirds) for my son along with Buzz & Woody, none of which were avaliable new as they weren't current. So, they had a good scrub up and were put in a box and he was well chuffed!
1 reply · active 757 weeks ago
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LauraCYMFT · 758 weeks ago

What a bargain! I don't have a problem buying second hand and because of the age of my kids they don't even notice! I like to buy some new things because sometimes you'll get a better deal but eBay is great for some bargain hunting!
1 reply · active 757 weeks ago
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emandliv 42p · 758 weeks ago

I have no problem with it at all! Chick isn't old enough to be bothered either as long as she gets something she likes. Kids these days get way too much stuff anyway xx
1 reply · active 757 weeks ago
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Emma · 758 weeks ago

All of Oli's Christmas presents last year came from either ebay or a NCT sale I went to the month before!! He didnt know any different and meant we could put money in his trust fund for later on in life when he'll need that money more! :)
1 reply · active 757 weeks ago
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Barenakedmummy · 758 weeks ago

Bel (6) got a pre used DS last year because of the price difference. It came all boxed up and tbh she didn't realise. I will have a look at ebay this year and I know a friend of mine who having done some selling on ebay has now finished her christmas shoppping by buiyng majority of things on ebay!!
We spend so much on our children and then they prefer the box that I don't see the problem!!
1 reply · active 757 weeks ago
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coven1013 49p · 758 weeks ago

I have, when L was little she adored Blue's Clues to the point of obsession and of course I couldn't find anything in the shops so I bought loads of ebay - cheapest christmas I ever had and she loved it :)
1 reply · active 758 weeks ago
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lizzyo22 18p · 757 weeks ago

Absolutely! Ebay / boot sales / charity shops / garages and lofts of close friends and family! Re-used and recycled = re-loved and responsible!! A brilliant Christmas message for all!
I 100% agree with doing this for your own children. I have done it for other people's children too, although I have to admit that I've been hesitant doing this and have had to be a little bit ingenious about how I go about it - but with a pretty box here and a bow there, even this can work!
1 reply · active 757 weeks ago
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jordiegirl · 757 weeks ago

Definitely, why not buy second hand even if they are gifts. I think children have far too much spent on them these days. I doubt they'll even notice they are second hand and will have just as much fun with them and you have paid less saving yourself money which means you can buy more.
1 reply · active 757 weeks ago
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catherine (mummylion) · 757 weeks ago

you have all reassured me, my instinct was to say yes, and as a new mum i'll need to know present protocol. ive actually just bought him a 9 month present off ebay, it was on as used but its pristine.
1 reply · active 757 weeks ago
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Lynda · 757 weeks ago

Love your blog. Following you from blog hop www.abundanceyeah.blogspot.com

Remember to enter Salsa Trio Giveaway ending 10/10/2010 http://abundanceyeah.blogspot.com/2010/09/many-fl...
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Ice Maiden · 757 weeks ago

God yes - kids really don't care where it comes from as long as it works and has all the bits. Do it now before they are horrid teenagers who have to have everything brand new with the right logo on LOL
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jumblymummy 86p · 753 weeks ago

I buy presents for all sorts of people from ebay. Not just kids. I always trust people to sell stuff in the same condition that I would and one or two times I have realised that perhaps others aren't as honest or as me, or as caring so I've received some things that are trash and simply couldn't be given as gifts. Theres lots of new stuff on ebay too.
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ajourneyoffootsteps 56p · 753 weeks ago

Yes I would Baba is not old enough to know the difference and I would buy other peoples presents from ebay as well. As long as they are in a good condition I don't think it matters! xx
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helloitsgemma-2 57p · 753 weeks ago

Me too! seems like that's a big thumbs up. I love selling stuff, this year I have turned over the whole house and if its not being used it's recycled, ebay or charity shop. My son doesn't care if it comes in a box or not (I hope this doesn't change but suspect it might!) I got him a load of Bob Builder stuff last year for a tenner. My experience is, if your shopping for Xmas shop early as it get more competitive/expensive.
Great blog. So much to read.
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anna · 752 weeks ago

hi there, just stumbled across your blog and it looks great. I too have been trying to live more frugally, not just to save money (although, thats probably how it started) but also cos I have become sickened with over consumption and how much we in the West consume and buy so much crap!!! Anyways, I would absolutely buy pressies second hand. If they are in good condition and work then why not? We buy far too much new stuff in general and its such a waste of energy, resources and completely unecessary. Recycle !!!!
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frugalhomemaker · 752 weeks ago

I know I'm late to the party, but I wanted to comment anyway :D

For other people's children, I wouldn't buy second hand unless I was SURE the parents would be OK with it. But for our children (and each other!) Hubby & I buy second hand ALL the time. First, our children HATE waiting while we take the toys out of all the packaging, so buying already-opened toys saves all of us the frustration. Second, buying toys that another child is finished with keeps it out of the landfill, which is a great way to help teach our boys about recycling. And Third, like a few others have mentioned, it REALLY stretches our budget to buy second hand!! Just tonight, I bought my sons a remote control dinosaur they saw in the store for $40. I paid $4, and now I have $36 left in the budget for other things. Even better, the mom who was selling it just put new batteries in!! :D In my opinion, buying (good quality) second hand toys is a win for everyone involved.
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ella's avatar

ella · 752 weeks ago

Almost all my children's presents are second-hand. If they are good quality I don't see any problem with encouraging the message the reusing is good. The Mr Potato Head set you got there was fab value!

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