Buying kids stuff from the thrift store
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Anonymous
Yes, on this theory, if you really have an aversion to buying used, you can get backpacks, lunch bags and water bottles at Five Below each for under $5, so you can replace the whole set for less than the $15 water bottle. Yes, they are cheaper quality, but as the PP says, teach them that they only get nice ones once per season and if they lose it, they get the cheaper things until next time. Although we buy from consignment and thrift stores regularly, we only buy when we can find a good deal on a used item that is higher quality. If it was something of poorer quality, I'd just get new ones at the discount stores like Five Below. Note: these are only what's on the web-site. You can visit your local store and often find different varieties of the same categories: http://www.fivebelow.com/crafts/backpacks.html http://www.fivebelow.com/sports/56oz-jumbo-water-bottle.html http://www.fivebelow.com/now/back-2-school/lunch-totes.html |
Anonymous
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Op here. Thank you for the links. Maybe i am just cheap or just so fed with lost things. (like how can you come home empty handed and forgot where your whole backpack is with clothes, waterbottle, lunch bag etc) like even whenyou get on the bus, you will realize opps, i am not carrying anything!
I spent $5.99 at the thrift store and got the newish looning lunch Container (0.99 for 2), insulated lunch bag with another kids name on it! (0.99), used water bottle (0.99) and used back pack (2.99) |
Anonymous
That's crappy to get a lunch box with another kids name on it. Send her with cheap ziplock containers, a $5-15 backpack and a few dollar water bottle. And, shop clearances and sales and buy extra if you think you'll need it as well as for the future. |
Anonymous
Or, does PP ever eat out? Think of how many other mouths have used your fork next time you are out. |
Anonymous
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When my DD lost her sneakers earlier this year we went to Nordstrom rack and found ones that fit - and then I told her she could either get the least expensive ones OR pay me $10 from her piggy bank for the more expensive ones.
She needed to learn that things cost money. It was a great learning opportunity. Maybe you can do the same with your DD this weekend. (not sure she is old enough / what level of responsibility they should have with losing things at camp) |
Anonymous
OP, I would do this. I honestly don't understand why people would pay more for new stuff when you can get perfectly good stuff at the thrift store for a tiny fraction of the cost. On the other hand, if everybody thought like me, there wouldn't be any perfectly good stuff at the thrift store for a tiny fraction of the cost -- so thank you, people who only buy shiny new stuff and then donate it to the thrift store! |
Anonymous
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I guess your husband also has a problem with hotels and trying on clothes in stores? Because that stuff is used! I mean, strangers (but probably rich strangers) have rubbed their naked bodies against that stuff. You can't wash out germs! Eating in restaurants too! Someone else's mouth has been all over that stainless steel fork! You can't wash stainless steel, you will get a MOUTH disease!
Just in case, (This post is a joke) |
Anonymous
Puh-lease. We do this all the time. My kids don't care because they know what great deals they can get because we shopped consignment/thrift/yard sales. We just put our label (Mabel's Labels) over the name - or not. Sometimes the kids get a Sharpie and just cross out the previous name. The names are usually in an inconspicuous spot so no one sees it unless they're looking for it. They much prefer carrying the used, high quality, snazzy backpacks with the old name crossed out than the cheap ones from ToysRUs or Five Below. |
Anonymous
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I buy thrift store things all the time. My kids lose jackets and other stuff so easily and I don't want to be stressed out. I buy lots of top brands at a fraction of the cost. If we don't end up using everything, I just donate or resell.
As someone else said-I stay away from furniture. I am deathly afraid to get bed bugs and other issues. |
Anonymous
Just freeze it the night before. |
Anonymous
| I forgot it was pool day at camp, and had to buy towel, flip flops, and swim trunks. Thrift store was closer (and open at 8 AM!). The towel is now his absolute favorite. |
Anonymous
And all the cheap quality crap from 5 below ends up in the landfill in 6 months when it breaks. I'd rather buy from a thrift store, or buy quality that will last and I can give to friends or thrift stores. |
Anonymous
Right on! |
Anonymous
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If you insist on PBK - try ulgysofa.com - they are a reseller for PB stuff that has been returned, especially monogrammed stuff. When kids are young, being brand conscious is far more about the parents than kids. (but I get new stuff cheap enough where I don't worry about it).
Its one thing if you cannot afford it, but if you are high income, and don't want to sale/clearance shop, even Marshalls, Ross and TJ Max can have reasonably priced things. I got my son's adidas back back for around $20 or so and its going strong/looks like new year two. But, I wash it regularly and he's not hard on his things. |
Anonymous
If kids are younger, the camp counselors should be helping to keep track of stuff or you send a cheaper pair and have two pairs. I try to do two pair of sneakers (in case they get wet, etc) and keep a good pair at for home and another pair for school. |