Thoughts on used toys?

slukd79 · November 2011

Due to our circumstances (having just moved to a new city and all the costs that entails, in addition to me being pregnant and being a temporary SAHM until after the new baby is born) I am considering buying some bigger ticket items (play kitchen, train table etc) from Craigslist. I figure if it is a good brand and in good condition, this would be very helpful (for our finances) this Christmas.

Any thoughts/what should I consider or be wary of? Confused

Just to add: I am not considering any smaller toys or plush toys. Just items that can be easily cleaned between kids.

OhSewCrafty · November 2011

We LOVE used toys. Think about it - kids toys are meant to be beat up, washed, and used again. A lot of C's fisher price plasticy toys (and a lot of his clothing for that matter) is from consignment sales. Most of the time its in like new condition and just needs a fresh set of batteries and a wipe down. If you can score any big Little Tikes gear (like the outside houses, etc.) that's an even better deal. I got my nephew a huge $400 castle play house for $50 on Craig's List. It was in great condition and the woman even scrubbed it down for us.

Don't feel bad about used toys. Its sustainable, cheaper, and just plain smart.

la79al · November 2011

I figure my kids would rather have a bunch of used toys than a handful of new toys. Plus, if I pay less for it, I don't freak out when it gets dragged down the sidewalk, dropped in a bucket of water or just in general destroyed.

ABColeslaw · November 2011

I always go to CL first for big ticket things. Sounds like an awesome plan!

joliemariée · November 2011

I try to buy a majority of our plastic toys used. Kitchen set, laugh and learn house, outdoor toys, little people sets, etc.. are all used from craigslist or hand-me-downs. I gave them the laugh & learn house for their 1st bday - it is not like they know or care where it came from at this age. I just clorox wipe them and hose them down and voila - good as new!

sunnybrook. · November 2011

I always check CL for big ticket items. I already bought my girls a kitchen set from CL this year and an outdoor playhouse. I bought my former foster son a train table. Heck, I even buy smaller toys from Goodwill if they can be sanitized. It just makes more sense to me. Buying new feels like a waste if you can find the same thing in excellent condition for a lot less money.

quidditchcapn1120 · November 2011

Jackson's favorite toy is an activity center I got at a garage sale for $2. So, I'm all for it. Just wipe it down with a clorox wipe and it's good as new.

Arcadia1114 · November 2011

Almost all of ds's toys and clothes are used. I wipe them down and wash them first. I never freak out if something gets stained. He loves his toys and never notices they're used. There's been a few things I've bought him that he barely played with. I'm so glad I didn't buy them new.

Mereou12 · November 2011

I'm a huge fan of buying big ticket items like that used.

A few months ago, we bought nearly $2000 worth of Thomas trains/accessories from Craigslist for $300. We got a train table, a playboard, a bin full of wooden tracks, at least 50 trains, and 2 more bins of the motorized trains with plastic track that we haven't even touched (they're packed away until he's older). BEST PURCHASE EVER. DS plays with the trains daily and loves them, but he's very rough on them -- at least I didn't fork over $20 apiece for a train. I've seen much smaller lots than this for closer to $100...we were just psyched to get SO much for relatively little $.

I've been eyeing a few kitchens on CL, too.

melody921 · November 2011

I love used toys. We've gotten some really good deals at consignment sales and also have some stuff that friends have passed our way. I think as long as it can be sanitized (as you said, not a stuffed animal), there's no problem with used.

[Deleted User] · November 2011

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ryry1977 · November 2011

I love getting nice used toys and do it all the time. I shop garage sales all summer long, then watch craigslist, also go to the consignment stores to see what they have from time to time. Craigslist is a great place to get stuff! Just be sure to check out the toy before buying it. I've had great expereince with it so far.

delg23 · November 2011

love em. You should check to see if there is a kids consignment store in your area. They seem to be popping up everywhere and I love them. Its great because kids get such short use out of everything.

LoveMyMen · November 2011

GO FOR IT!!!

Almost all of DS's toys I purchased were used. Garage sales, CL, and cosignment sales are great places to find them. Most all of DS's clothes were also purchased this way. I clean everything before he gets it. I love a good deal!

BelhurstBride · November 2011

OhSewCrafty:
We LOVE used toys. Think about it - kids toys are meant to be beat up, washed, and used again. A lot of C's fisher price plasticy toys (and a lot of his clothing for that matter) is from consignment sales. Most of the time its in like new condition and just needs a fresh set of batteries and a wipe down. If you can score any big Little Tikes gear (like the outside houses, etc.) that's an even better deal. I got my nephew a huge $400 castle play house for $50 on Craig's List. It was in great condition and the woman even scrubbed it down for us.
Don't feel bad about used toys. Its sustainable, cheaper, and just plain smart.

I agree completely.

KoalaBear103 · November 2011

We are all about used toys/clothes in this house

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