In terms of being frugal, is ebay better for kids clothes?

[Ambrose]

DD really needs a winter jacket. Right now she can wear either 2T or 3T so I was thinking of getting her a 3T winter jacket so she could use it next year too. Seeing as this is one expense that I really CAN'T put on a back burner, I was wondering if any of you could tell me if Ebay is cheaper in the long run or any of your experiences with Ebay and purchasing clothes (mainly kids clothes).

TIA

[KateKat]

I like for everybody to be able to try on their clothes, so wouldn't do ebay for them. I think you would be able to find a good inexpensive jacket at a thrift store or place like Burlington's Coat Factory and do just as well as you would have on Ebay or slightly better.

For me, ebay is only good for books.

[snazzy_mom]

I am an avid ebayer and I buy lots of clothes from there. I do however stick to brands that I know and how they fit. I get alot of my Old Navy and Gap clothes from there, same with DS and save quite a bit of $ doing so.

[velochic]

Ambrose... I have 3T-ish girl's winter coats I can mail you. Don't worry about the postage, even. PM me.

[velochic]

double post

[oneKnight]

Around here there are several consignment sales where parents get together and re-sale their kids old clothes. That's where all my clothes came from growing up, (heck I still fit into a lot of them )
ETA: for example

[treemom2]

My MIL is an avid ebayer and I hate to tell you most of the things she sends just get donated or used as rags. I know she loves to shop, but a lot of the stuff is stained, torn, really really ugly, or just really worn. These aren't bad for painting clothes, but you only need so many painting clothes--YK? I personally would try a second hand store in your area or a Goodwill? Then you can really check it out before you buy it.

[Ambrose]

Originally Posted by oneKnight

Around here there are several consignment sales where parents get together and re-sale their kids old clothes. That's where all my clothes came from growing up, (heck I still fit into a lot of them )
ETA: for example

Wow! That's a really nice website! I wish places around here did cool stuff like that. We DID have 2 consignment stores for kids but the original one (Once Upon A Child) ran the other store out of business. It was so sad because I liked the one that went out of business. Their prices were REASONABLE and I wasn't paying full price for used clothes.

Originally Posted by velochic

Ambrose... I have 3T-ish girl's winter coats I can mail you. Don't worry about the postage, even. PM me.

pm'd you

[Daisie125]

We love eBay for kid's clothes. I don't stick with brands or anything, I figure I can always use what I buy, and if not, I can resell.

[TimeToShine]

I've bought almost all of my daughters cloths on e-bay, but she is just 4 months! We have saved ALOT of money by buyings in lots. I have gotten some good deals like 30 pieces for $15 ( including shipping ) All of the cloths we have gotten are in good condition. You do have to be careful, there are dishonest people out there.

[judybean]

For younger children, I think ebay is fabulous! Fit is not nearly as important when they're young as it is when they're older (at least to me it's not.... if dd2's pants are a little baggy and a little long, we'll pin the pants and roll up the cuffs... problem solved). But, if you're really looking for a great fit, check out some brands locally (like if you have a babygap, check out the fit of various coats to see what you like) and then scan ebay for a good deal.

the best part? if you need to, you can always resell the item and generally get at/above what you paid for it.

[LEAW]

Head to Sears and try on winter coats (they carry Land's End) and then buy one on ebay for $10-20. YOu can find last year's style in great condition for cheap.

[Sharlla]

I don't bother with ebay for clothes, after shipping costs it's totally not worth it.

[Kleine Hexe]

Yeah, shipping has gotten so expensive. The cosignment store I go to has $ days twice a month. I only visit on dollar days and check out the racks where everything is only a dollar. I've gotten some nice things.

[lotusbeans]

Originally Posted by KateKat

I like for everybody to be able to try on their clothes, so wouldn't do ebay for them. I think you would be able to find a good inexpensive jacket at a thrift store or place like Burlington's Coat Factory and do just as well as you would have on Ebay or slightly better.

For me, ebay is only good for books.

Yep. What she said. Also, seams can be weak without looking torn in pictures.

[dove]

I dunno - I have had fabulous luck on ebay with clothing for ds. I really scour the auctions and watch how they are going for a while, and I don't bid until the very end. That way, if the auction really goes up in price, I don't feel all caught up in the action and feel like I need to keep bidding. If you can just keep your eye on a few things, be patient, and be able to walk away from some cute stuff, then I think you can do well. I really only buy "lots" of clothing, the price per item usually comes out way low and the shipping may be what it normally costs to ship, but when you add the auction price and the shipping and divide it up, it always comes out as worth it for me. (cause I don't have to scour stores and thrift shops, pay gas and bridge there and back...etc).

For example, I won and auction of 6 carter's sleepers (barely worn) for 1.19$ plus shipping (was around 6$). I won a Gap lot (included 2 sweaters, overalls, many t's, couple t-necks, coupla other things) for somewhere around $15 once. It was all practically brand new.

[kerc]

Winter coats in central minnesota? Ebay baby. All of my dd's coats have either come from sears (lands end on clearance after christmas the year before) or ebay. But...if you're still looking for a winter coat/snowpants PM me and I have an LLBean one that's a big 2T I'd sell you. What size boots does she need? I have two pair size 7, I think -- I was given one pair after I'd already bought them.

[msjd123]

I've had very good luck with finding bargains on Ebay, but it definitely takes some patience. Lots are definitely better deals than single items. I often search for common misspellings or typos, for example, "Hanna Anderson" instead of "Andersson." I also use Ebay for finding specific items off-season. For example, I bought a huge lot of fall clothes that had been listed in May. No one was buying them at the time, and I don't think it ocurred to the seller to list some of these brand-new things individually to make more money, so I bought the lot and then resold more than half of it at a profit. The last way to save money is if you like some of the more expensive brands that are good quality. I really like Hanna Andersson dresses, but no way would I pay $50 for a dress and leggings set, so instead I buy used sets at more than 60% savings. Some of them are practically brand new while others have needed minor repairs (small holes or a loose hem), but I've never paid more than $16 for a dress and my daughter has worn the same Hanna size for 9 months now. *That's* a deal!

[aywilkes]

Baby consignment shops are GREAT! Better for girls than boys after size 2T. You could try a thrift store too - if a Unique is in your area, I would check them out.

[jkpmomtoboys]

All the boys' ski clothes come from Ebay. I only buy the high end Columbia stuff (don't want him to feel cold and wet) and don't pay very much money at all...the stuff (as all winter coats are) is barely worn...