Considering a second-hand toy as xmas present - feel guilty

easy

I might get a bit flamed for this ... but here goes.

I know my son would like a Robosapien or Robopet for Christmas, but I'm really trying to keep costs down, and get rid of old Credit Card debts. and these things are £45 - £90.

I've browsed a bit on ebay. There are a few on there, hardly played with. The sellers say they work fully (but then they would, wouldn't they).

So I might be able to get a used one for 1/2 the price. But I have never given anyone a second-hand present before, it seems ......uncaring ?? Like I feel he's not worth spending the full amount on ??

Better not to buy him one at all ????

Tell me what you think please ..

GlasweJen

hmm, i'm not sure. perhaps you could buy it onlne through a cashback website to save a % of the retail value. i know it's not a huge saving compared to half price second hand but it might be something to look into if you feel bad.

ameliarate

I personally don't see a problem with it. He gets what he wants, you save a bit of cash - it's all good really.

sooz

Why are you feeling guilty?
Kids get soooo many presents, and most of them are broken, have bits lost, etc by the end of the day.
Depending on how old he is, if he asks about the box, say [STRIKE]you[/STRIKE] Santa set it up for him.

Sssssss

why feel guilty? the fact the toy costs £90 to start with you're right to try and save some money. Most kids I know rip the box apart anyway and it ends up in the bin. It's the toy that counts and not the box.

supersmith

I think that £45 - £90 is a lot of money to spend on a toy and if it is a choice between your son getting a half-price one and not getting one at all, I know which I would prefer if I were your son! It sounds like the toy manufacturers are making a very large profit on their toy, and if you can get it cheaper then it is good sense. Especially as like most people you do not have unlimited money - if you can get the toy cheaper then it means you have more money for other christmas presents! I reckon don't feel guilty.:T

galvanizersbaby

Nope don't feel guilty!

Would be better if you had some sort of comeback though if you buy from ebay - perhaps go for a reputable seller?

bulchy

Dont feel guilty, its better than not getting the toy at all.
Sue

Pssst

This might sound corny but the greatest gift you can give a child is love,care and passing on all you know.

If it is THE wanted pressie then dont bankrupt yourself to buy it. Buy the best used one you can get.

one-non-blonde

I've frequently given my kids second-hand stuff for Xmas and they were either too young to notice or old enough to understand that it was the only way I would be able to afford to give them it at all.

I gave my son a Robosapien a few years ago - it was a complete !!!!!! to get out the box and could only be done by tearing the box to bits in the process. Giving him one already unpacked and with batteries in it will be a lot less stressful!

The Roboraptor is available in a few places (Argos, ToysRUs) for less than £40 if that helps (though I'm sure we got our for less than £20 in a sale).

easy

galvanizersbaby wrote: »

Would be better if you had some sort of comeback though if you buy from ebay - perhaps go for a reputable seller?

That is the bit that worries me, G, I could spend money on something that doesn't work/is not as described when I get it. Altho PayPal gives me some protection, doesn't it??