WWYD? Buying cheap/used vs. putting it on registry?

just_peachy

We dont' have a lot of money to spend and knowing that most baby stuff is used for a short time we are all about economizing through the baby years.

That being said, and with much hesitation, I agreed to register for stuff for a shower that my mom wants to graciously throw for me (I really don't want a shower and have issues with registries). Nevertheless, I'm on the fence about buying used/CL deals (putting out our money) vs. registering for things (having someone else buy it for us - which makes me very grateful yet uneasy)

Example.

If you saw on CL a jumperoo that you registered for that retails for $80 and someone is selling it for $30, would you buy it and take it off your registry so that your shower guests wouldn't have to pitch that expense?

WWYD?

wnk1029

Yup, I've done that with quite a few things -- our Baby Bjorn, our crib & changing table, our glider rocker, and the bouncy seat.  I'd just feel bad about people paying lots of money for these things when I know I can find them on sale or on CL and get them MUCH cheaper than off the registry.

mandaphilly

You're so thoughtful and considerate!

Honestly, I know the feeling makes you uneasy. But people are aware of how much an expense a baby is. They want to help, so let people help you! Whatever is not bought off your registry, buy on your own! Hope that helped?

PAIrishBride

If you have a problem with registries then by all means buy things yourself but I personally don't see an issue with a registry.  It purely means what you would like it doesn't make people buy it for you..it is more of a guideline.  In addition, I always weary of buying things for the baby used b/c you never really know the condition/safety.

Heather1979

I say this:

Make the registry with the things you need and or want. The registry is a suggestion anyway for guests and can be a useful tool for you as well. See what you get at the shower, and then whatever you still need I would then hit garage sales, swap/consignment meets, CL, etc.

 

madalynnsmommy09

Yes, that's kind of what we did. I tried to wait for the big items until after my showers, but didn't always work.

SusieQ1982

I figured I'd register for it all and if I didn't get it, then I'd buy it used (if it was an item I was comfortable having used).

JungleJulia

I've done it. I'll shop around and if I find something comparable that's been discontinued or on clearance, I'll buy it and take the one off my registry. It drives everyone batty so I've stopped but I hate showers (for ME, I love to give others stuff, just hate it for ME personally) and feel terrible for having a registry.

just_peachy

sadly, i don't think some of these CL deals will wait till late October to see if my shower presents were bought or not.

Just a dilemma.

Meanwhile, my mom is livid because she hates me buying used anything. She believes everything should be brand spankin new for a new 1st baby.

She just called me and hung up yelling that I shouldn't put things on a registry only to take them off for me, myself, to buy them.

WTF?????  Old school, maybe?

dawneo

I have been buying things on sale or used and taking them off my registry by marking them as bought.  My registry is now pretty slim pickings (very few items left over $25 because I have been looking for the expensive things first) but it looks like many things were bought for me not like I did not register for much.  I am not having a shower so that makes a bit of a difference.  If you find a deal I would pick it up.   It will save you money because otherwise you may end up paying full price for it if noone gets it for you.  You can always resell used/return new things if you end up with more than one of an item.  Just be careful about what you buy used and the condition it is in and you should be fine.

JungleJulia

just_peachy:

sadly, i don't think some of these CL deals will wait till late October to see if my shower presents were bought or not.

Just a dilemma.

Meanwhile, my mom is livid because she hates me buying used anything. She believes everything should be brand spankin new for a new 1st baby.

She just called me and hung up yelling that I shouldn't put things on a registry only to take them off for me, myself, to buy them.

WTF?????  Old school, maybe?

Yeah, at this point just let them do their thing then buy whatever you didn't get used. Your mom just really wants to do something nice for her first grandchild and she probably feels like you're throwing a wrench into their plans.

SusieQ1982

just_peachy:

sadly, i don't think some of these CL deals will wait till late October to see if my shower presents were bought or not.

Hon, there will ALWAYS be a deal on CL. Not that exact item, but someone else will appear selling the same thing. Don't worry about that!

vanessaNOV2

I think if you have some money to work with and found a great deal on a used item, then go for it!

 We bought our crib, changing table, and bouncer used before I registered for anything. Then after I registered for items, a family member offered us there awesome baby swing that their baby grew out of, so I took it and took ours off the registry. Also my mom's co-worker gave me her baby bjorn that her DD grew out of, so I took that off registry.

Its hard to pass up on great deals for used item, especially when LO will only use it for less then a year...

....

just_peachy

awww....you gals are sweet but this a very hard item to find.

It's this swing...and it's being sold for like  $75.

https://www.walmart.com/Fisher-Price-Starlight-Papasan-Periwinkle/ip/5430278?selected_variation_0=5430278&qty_0=1&upc=0002708444260&registry_id=86182299130&shopFor=true

ccorneau

We are avid tag salers and have found so many things the same (or very close to) what we'd registered for & we paid a fraction of the price.  For example the exact same mobile with remote for $5 instead of $50, the fireplace guards (new in box) we got for $1 instead of $25, countless other safety things like outlet covers, door handle covers, cabinet locks, etc...most for under $1.

 I would never buy a carseat used or a mattress or anything like that...but there are so many things that are still new or close to it that are just going to fill a dump somewhere instead of being reused.  It's kinda irresponsible to just go buy EVERYTIHNG new.  

just_peachy

and did I mention that only like 15 people are invited to the shower anyways?

I have like 4 big ticket items and just don't want people to roll their eyes at things on my registry.

DiscusCoach

I built my registry and then, as the date gets closer, I seem to be getting a lot of hand-me-downs. As I do, I take them off the registry.

If something is a great deal like that I would say go for it! That way the items left are the things you really need. 

Also, with two showers left and some items I really need (not just want) on the registry, I thinned the whole thing down so just the essentials are left. 

jen5-03

I would totally buy a good deal, even if I had registered for it.

However, I would not take it off my registry... I would mark it as "purchased", because it was!

And then play dumb with your mom about who might have bought it.

Plus, then people know that it's something that you have, not just something you forgot to register for and they get a better idea of the style/look that you want.