Would you use a second hand baby clothes store?

Saffron94

Hi
I am a young mother and looking to start a business. My business idea is an online store that will say second hand but high quality baby clothes from next, m&s, h&m, monsoon etc and some designer clothes. I will say price per item and some multiby deals on essentials like sleep suits vest suits etc. I will also use ebay as a selling platform.

Is this the kind of idea that would appeal to mothers? I would price the clothes all under £5 an item and the more basic items at a couple of pound. Delivery will be one price no matter how many items are brought.

McKneff

I cant see many people saying No to this to be honest. This is why Car boot sales and local selling sites are thriving.


But you have to be realistic. saying 'more basic things for a couple of pounds' ie you can buy 'basic packs of 5 body suits for a fiver for new ones


Good luck if you decide to go ahead with it.

Saffron94

McKneff wrote: »

I cant see many people saying No to this to be honest. This is why Car boot sales and local selling sites are thriving.


But you have to be realistic. saying 'more basic things for a couple of pounds' ie you can buy 'basic packs of 5 body suits for a fiver'


Good luck if you decide to go ahead with it.

Thanks for your reply. I meant basic as in the product opposed to the design. Essientials such as vests, sleepsuits etc. a pack of next sleepsuits brand new (for 3) are around £16. So I figured if I sold them at £3 each or 3 for £7, something like that.

missbiggles1

You'll be in competition from car boots which is, presumably, where you're planning on buying your own stock.

whitewing

I wouldn't buy from car boots as I can't be bothered to go to them.

I would buy second hand but am more likely to if delivery is included.

I'd also need to be able to search easily. If I buy second hand, it would often be because I am looking for specific items. Ideally, I would want to be able to 'compare' on line eg if I were looking at dresses, I may want to narrow it to my top 8 and then my top 4 and then buy a couple.

I would not buy second hand shoes for young children.

I would more likely buy from a stall at a fete or toddler group or something, but then buy online if I knew of the person.

We had a second hand baby shop near us a few years ago. It was great for buying and selling (if you sold, you got half and the shop got half). But I couldn't rely on getting the things I needed at the time I needed them. I think I wanted vests and they didn't have them.

iammumtoone

I brought most of ds baby clothes second hand (all good brands as you describe). However none of these came from ebay as by the time I added postage, it worked out too expensive compared to the price I could get items from charity shops/car boots.

Having said that I had to sort through alot of clothes to find the good quality ones which other people might not be prepared to do.

I suggest that you look at the completed listings on the items you are planning to sell, to see if they actually do sell for the prices you are hoping to achieve.

McKneff

And don't forget, you will then be running a business if you are buying to sell and must register with HMRC as such and also check with whoever you either rent from or your mortgage people. Also your house insurance.


I know its a pain but a necessary one.

PlymouthMaid

There are Mum to Mum markets in our area which seem very popular but the cost of postage may make your second hand goods a bit too pricey.

glentoran99

When you take in ebays cut and paypals cut, postage and of course your purchasing expense I cant see how this would be a profitable business, in order for people to buy second hand they would need to be significantly below what they can buy for elsewhere, and when the see what the supermarkets sell baby clothes for you might find it quite hard to make it worthwhile


you sell 3 sleep suits for £7


Ebay take 10% - 70p = £6.30


Paypal take 3.4% + 20p - 44p = £5.86


Postage at least £1 = £4.86


so you are getting £4.86 in (discount tax at this stage)


You would really need to be buying those 3 sleep suits for around £2 , is that likely, and if you can why cant your buyers?

iammumtoone

glentoran99 wrote: »

You would really need to be buying those 3 sleep suits for around £2 , is that likely, and if you can why cant your buyers?

Very easy to buy the items at this price BUT if you then factor in the time/travel it will take to search and find the items (which you need to do when running a business) plus laundry costs/time before you sell. I think the OP will find there is little or no profit in it.

McKneff

Could I suggest you just sell on local selling sites. People then come and pick up things, instant cash for you and no fees or postage.


We have quite a few selling sites here with thousands of members on them.


Ie go to Facebbook and search


Baby Items for sale near XXXX
Mums to Mums XXXX
Items for sale in XXXX


Toddlers items for sale in XXX


Its amazing how many pop up.