I'm wondering what you mammas think is a good guideline for what to pay for (or sell for) items that are:
1) Less than a year old, almost perfect condition, current model/type still being sold in stores? (So how much do you need to save to be willing to give up that brand new box and the receipt with the warranty and return privileges?)
2) Great condition, 1 - 3 years old, not sold in stores anymore/been replaced by newer models? (The kind of items that are all over craigslist, consignment sales, garage sales.)
3) Great condition, 1 yr to 3 years old, not quite "collectible", but pretty desirable (like some of the Baby Gap clothes, or the Pottery Barn decorations) (The kind of items that seem to show up most often on ebay and craigslist...and you pounce on them if you come across one at a garage sale.)
I've seen a WIDE range of %-off from new prices out there, wondering what you think is a good guideline.
To clarify - I'm usually the buyer, not the seller since I pass on my used items to friends.
1) I typically consider an item if it is at least 25% less than the original price.
2 & 3) Depends on the item, but I don't even think twice about it unless it's at least 50% off.
Hi there, I am not sure if you are wanting to sell items or buy? I do e-bay and there is a prompt called "completed listings", it will tell you what thing's have actually sold for. You have to be an e-bay member but that's easy to do. I go on there first to see first of all if something is actually selling, and about how much it may go for. You have to make sure something will sell because e-bay charges you a fee for listing. I have not sold any of my kids stuff on Craig's list, I would rather just do e-bay. ( I guess i don't want to deal with alot of people comomg over etc. it's just easier to do e-bay on my time). You are right, the Pottery Barn kids stuff will go, Gymboree( that's my big thing) alway's sells. It really has absolutely nothing to do with original retail, some items may just be more popular. I like to buy good shoes for my kids, I have a pair of sandals from Nordstrom that were originally over $70.00 that went for just a few $ while the Gymboree stuff you might get 1/2 back( sometimes, not alway's). Good luck!
In response to each number question:
1- 50% off the original purchase price. I know that seems painful, but let's face it, it's used stuff. You would be hard pressed to get more money for something that was used for even a short time, regardless of warranty and return privileges.
2 & 3- 60-70% off original purchase price. Anything with stains, dents, bite marks, or so forth should be discounted more.
I just read something, maybe even in the newspaper that you deduct on electronics and furniture 20% each year you had it if it is in good condition, 30% if in fair condition. Like if you bought a crib that cost $500 three years ago, in order to sell it fast and reasonable you would need to list it for like $200.
Especially in this economy. Making it make a lot more sense to purchase it used then jut going and buying a new one from the store. I had a double stroller, paid $150 for it, sold it two years later for $50 at a garage sale I had. In my garage sales things like toys I really do a mark down, even in great condition to make it go fast. I have a Geo Trax set, a ton of accessories with it, probably worth $175 all together new, but I will put it up for sale for like $50 or around there when I do a big garage sale this summer to rid ourselves of things we don't need or use. Last year I had three different Fisher Price little people sets, the farm, airport and house, I sold all three for $30. Kind of burns thinking that they are $25 or more a piece but still, they were well loved and played with for a few years (clean and all the pieces were there) but I felt we needed to get rid of it.
For clothes and stuff that is hard to say. I don't buy from garage sales unless it is really a great deal and the clothes are in really good condition. Like I got my daughter a great winter coat last year at a garage sale, it was in good condition and I got it for $5.00, easy I would have paid $45 or more in the store. It wasn't perfect but it looked really nice, clean and it was a great deal. Kids are so hard on coats and clothes at school it made much more sense to get this one then go buy a new one.
Consignment stores are a good gauge, you call a few, though they do a slight mark up to make a profit.
Like at thrift stores I got my son good condition pants for $2.50 a piece. Normally they probably would have gone in the store for $10 to $15 a pair.
If you are having a garage sale, then you can always leave room to negotiate. If you are putting them on Ebay or something then there of course is a low and a high you are willing to take on the item and it is kind of up to the bidding and interest at that time.
Good luck!!!
