DO YOU BUY THINGS FOR YOUR BABY FROM THRIFT SHOPS,GOODWILL, GARAGE SALES, ETC.

Shirley - posted on 04/17/2010

To add to my last reply.I do buy used now for my son and myself.Times are hard for all and it's an awesome way not to waste money on name brand stuff when you can get the same and good quality.My son has so much old navy,ambercombie and gap that came from sales and thrift. Baby t-shirts .for anyone who wants to know. If you get stained white Tee's soak them in hot water with bleach and dishwashing liquid.All formula stains are removed and then wash well in the normal detergent or baby detergent.It works wonders.

Heather - posted on 04/17/2010

They grow out of things so fast it would be such a waste for everyone to buy everything new. I get about %75 of my kids stuff used.

Grace - posted on 04/17/2010

Hi Carla, I'm a mom of a 27yr.old boy/Man. I do believe that buying from Thrift stores,yard sales etc.. is appropriate . Just trust your instinct. Scan the neighborhood, check out the item closely. I even taught my son how to buy from Goodwill & Salvation army type of places. Even though I now live in an affluent neighborhood I do believe teaching my son to buy from those places taught him humility & humbleness. You see I grew up in the projects of San Antonio, Texas and have been BLESSED throughout the years and so teaching my son how to share & buy from those in need truly have supported him in life. Hope this helps.
God Bless,
grace wyman
St. Augustine, Florida

Lisa - posted on 04/16/2010

I think it's a great idea. Save as much money as possible now because you will need it when your baby becomes a teenager. :-)

Shirley - posted on 04/16/2010

I really didn't do that much of thrift shopping for my children.I was blessed with hand me downs. My sister owns a thrift shop and sifts through every item. She has moved a washer and dryer into work area for washings things.I would definitely disinfect anything from a thrift store, new store or anywhere else these days. Little one's and adult hands browse through old and new clothes.

Elizabeth - posted on 04/16/2010

I would and do buy from thrifts and garage sells. I cannot spend a fortune on clothes for my girls since like everyone here has said, kids go through clothes too fast. I do think that some things need to be new like panties and car seats for newborns. I watch for stains and wear but I just picked up two pairs of plaid disney capris from a thrift store for $1.99 a piece. They look new, are not stained and are just too cute. It seems a little snobby for a person to put their nose in the air about gently used clothing. It this day in age and economy, a family can use all the help they can get. My money may have to go towards antibiotics or something else important.

Jane - posted on 04/16/2010

I LOVE consignment stores....I used to hit those up often for kids clothes. Kids grow so fast. I wouldn't buy anything like underwear, socks or shoes but outfits for sure. I also did NOT buy toys, carseats, strollers or bedding. Essentially, I would only buy gently used outfits for my kids when they were little.

Emily - posted on 04/16/2010

i buy everything secondhand, but the only things you shouldn't are mattresses, car seats (unless you know the history), teethers (obvious reasons) and bottles, dummy, teats. I recently bought some secondhand washable nappies for 1/4 of the price brand new and they were as good as new. we've got tonnes of clothes for our son from ebay secondhand and www.netmums.com is a great place for secondhand toys, clothes and everything

Nicole - posted on 04/15/2010

Yes. There are some things I wouldn't purchase without the ability to pin point the exact model and age (ie play pens, crib or high chair).
Toys, clothes etc, sure. It can all be washed if I question whether or not it is sanitary.

Marietta - posted on 04/15/2010

It's a great feeling especially if you know you are getting a bargain. If you buy bedding & things that your child would wear of course the mummy gene would kick in and you would thoroughly clean/disinfect other than that, i don't see any probs with buying things 2nd hand! You get a great bargain and it's so funny digging for bargains!

Karen Sue - posted on 04/15/2010

I buy my lil one's clothes secondhand... I think it's a great way to get more for less, and to get what she needs w/o the rest of the family going without. I am the sole breadwinner in our home at present, with two children, myself & my husband & on my wages, there's no way in the world I could afford to clothe all of us w/o buying secondhand!!

Christina - posted on 04/15/2010

I love consignment shops and rummage sales. You can't beat the prices. It does get harder to find good quality used clothes though as your child gets older. They run around so much more and I guess they get worn out a lot easier than baby clothes. But I've been really lucky and even found unworn items with the tags still on them for $5, about a 5th of what you might pay at the store.

Gretta - posted on 04/15/2010

commen sense do u clean, most people kitchen are naster then there bath rooms if you buy used wash it and clean it you can buy it so called new how many hands and how many people have tried it on or touched it , sneezed on it and who knows what so it is no longer new just new to you your post and your comments really make no sense

Leigh - posted on 04/15/2010

As long as I can clean/sanitize it, I'm all for it

Lauren - posted on 04/15/2010

oh yes most def. i go to these thrift shops with my mom all the time i just make sure that they arent used but theres good stuff out there for so much less nd thats so helpful in so many ways.

Karen - posted on 04/15/2010

I'm totally for it! Why spend a fortune on something when you can get perfectly good stuff second hand? I've had some really nice clothes and toys from charity shops, and if they're a bit grubby you can always wash them :)

The only thing I would never get from a garage sale is a car seat because if it has been in an accident it isn't safe, my car seat is second hand but from a very good friend so i'm 100% sure of the history.

Sylvia - posted on 04/15/2010

I used to buy the majority of DD's clothes from second-hand stores. I got her booster seat (the kind you use at the table, not the kind you use in the car!!) at a yard sale. The only reason I don't still buy all her clothes second-hand is that there's less stuff available for bigger kids.

I wouldn't buy a carseat second-hand, but I'd buy anything else. Well, except for a crib, because I wouldn't buy a crib anyway.

Mandy - posted on 04/15/2010

We buy a lot of stuff at garage sales and Goodwill, and not only for my daughter. Goodwill can be a great option to find maternity and other clothes for myself as well at reasonable prices. Obviously you should be picky, and only buy what you like and items that are in good shape etc. We've managed to find so many brand name, often brand new, items for my daughter at a fraction of the store prices; this is a godsend to anyone who doesn't have a ton of money, which is most people.

Dora - posted on 04/15/2010

I don't think anything is wrong with buying clothing or bedding from thrift stores/garage sales. I am one that washes everything first whether I bought it from a store or not. Even stuff that I know is clean and given to me from friends. It all gets washed the way I like it and then my little man gets to wear it/use it. Babies/children outgrow clothing so quickly that I can't justify spending a fortune. The only thing I would NOT recommend buying from a thrift store or garage sale is a car seat because you don't know what wear and tear it has been through.

Rene - posted on 04/15/2010

I buy from thrift stores all the time....get deals on items in really good condition. I do clean everything like crazy when I get it home. Those bleach wipes are a life saver.

Catherine - posted on 04/15/2010

I buy clothes & toys from thrift stores and resale shops. It is the most frugel thing to do. They grow out of everything so fast you would be crazy, & broke to only buy from retail stores.

Alison - posted on 04/15/2010

I get a lot of clothes from friends, but I hardly have time to shop at the thrift stores. I have bought several used items using the internet (stroller, exersaucer, bumbo seat). Otherwise, I couldn't afford the stuff!

Natalie - posted on 04/15/2010

I also shop at second hand stores for my daughter. This question section is for people who need help, not for people asking a question just to put there opinion across.

Nita - posted on 04/15/2010

I frequently go to thrift stores to pickup clothes for my twin girls. Sometimes I can't even believe some of the things I find. My girls go thru some jeans so I go to a second hand store and get them 6 or 8 pairs for what I'd pay for 1 pair in a dept store and the best part about is they are usually the same brand. I've saved so much money doing this. When they were babies I would always check out consignment stores for their toys because you can bring it home and clean it up, it's really amazing what is out there.

Pam - posted on 04/14/2010

There's nothing wrong with buying clothes from garage sales, thift stores, etc. Just make sure YOU wash them before placing them on baby. Kids grow so fast that they go through clothes like no tomorrow and buying everything brand new would cost an arm and a leg. Also, use due regard when purchasing items from places like that, if you wouldn't wear it, why would you put your child in it? Most consignment sales are awesome places to find baby clothes and at wonderful prices

Mandy - posted on 04/14/2010

I see nothing wrong with buying clothes and some toys at thrift stores or garage sales. The way I see it, they are going to grow out of the clothes, as well as the toys - so why pay full price? I always make sure to wash the clothing and, when mine was little, i would disinfect the toys real good. I never bought mine toys that he would want to put in his mouth...usually it was Hot Wheels and toy trucks.

Noel - posted on 04/13/2010

Buying baby tings from those places is amazingly great! I agree, I wouldn't buy anything that touches the private areas or the feet. Shoes are one thing you should buy new. Just because children's feet are still growing and you don't want to mess them up with hand me down shoes ( just my opinion). Because bedding toys, etc.. can always be washed in hot water and sanitized when washed you know.

Rae - posted on 04/13/2010

I have no problem with it, I buy almost everything from markets, 2nd shops and garage sales, the only clothing i wont buy second hand is knickers and shoes, all toys are washed in milton before my son touches them and all bedding is washed on hot, just to make sure.

Jessica - posted on 04/13/2010

I buy 90% of my childrens toys and clothing from "Gently Used items" stores. We have Baby and Beyond and Once Upon A child. Those kind of stores have to follow state guidelines and can not sell things that are recalled, damaged or dirty. As for Goodwills and Thrift stores, I do NOT buy things from there. (This is just my opinion on my local stores)They tend to accept anything because their merchandise is donated and free, they put out dirty and broken items just to sell them and also they sell items at new prices. I have 4 kids so I count on the 2nd hand stores, you'ld be surprised how much money you can save, and the great thing about it is when you are done using the item they sometimes buy it back.

Heather - posted on 04/13/2010

I think it is great. I do it why pay four or five times as much to buy something new if you can get it used in good shape. As long as it is washed and disinfected I think it is fine,especially with clothes because babies don't wear their clothes long enough to wear them out as long as you wash them I think its great.

Carla - posted on 04/13/2010

Passing on things from relatives to relatives is absolutely great! That kind of thing I am all for it because like you say kids don't wear things long enough because they grow so fast! I am referring to Thrift stores!

Jacquie - posted on 04/13/2010

I don't see anything wrong with it -- I do it all the time... I see it as a way of recycling as well as saving money! I also pass my childrens' clothes on to relatives/friends that can use them. My thought is that kids don't wear anything long enough to wear it out... I am also not a "name-brand-only" shopper. I don't see the point in paying 3 or 4 times as much for a t-shirt just because it has a popular logo... I've always tried to "dress for less" and I think I look more than presentable. I think my kids look good, too!!

Carla - posted on 04/13/2010

Make sure that if you buy anything like a crib or a toy, Find out if there has been a recall on it because it could be extremely dangerous for the baby! I personally, I would never buy anything used for a child because of the many diseases that there are in the environment. I know that there are alot of people that do, they just need to be extremely careful. Many of those items have hidden mold, and sever bacterias that can cause illnesses in small children and babies. Take care!

Sara - posted on 04/13/2010

I am completely for it. I just won't get anything that touches private areas. Everything else is fine.