We are in the middle of a series of articles about the best things to buy used. These are items in which purchasing second hand can mean significant savings and “like new” quality.
Here is the continuation of examples of used toys that are great used buys.
Activity centers. Babies outgrow their toys so quickly. This especially true for the activity center, an item that parents rush out to buy or add to their list. This is the classic exersaucer, although it comes under many other names and configuration. Some of these activity centers even convert into toddler or preschool toys. Personally, I loved the activity center. My babies always loved it, and I knew they were in a safe place and keeping me company while I cooked in the kitchen or did some other task nearby. When bought new, they can be outrageously expensive, from a minimum price of $59, all the way up to $200 for fancier models. Used, you can find them for anywhere from free to $25.
Matchbox and Hotwheels cars. In spite of the fact that there is at least one toy car collector that shows up at every yard sale looking for Matchbox and Hotwheels cars, there are still quite a number of these cars to be found used. I’ve found giant bags of them for $3 or $4 at thrift stores and even less at yard sales. The cars can come in various levels of wear (if you are worried about some paint being scratched off), but the sturdiness of these cars will make them usable for years and years.
Previously Hot Toys. This year’s Tickle Me Elmo is next year’s yard sale special. I never understood why parents would pay hundreds of dollars for a hot toy that normally retails for $20, just because everyone else wants it and it is currently in short supply. Wait a year or two and you can have that hot toy for just a dollar or two, as the thousands of hot toys that were fought over are now unloved, outgrown or otherwise unwanted.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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The Best Things to Buy Used: Toys 1