So much for birthing babies into the lap of luxury. This morning’s New York Times points out that even high-income couples are now looking first to second-hand sources when buying for their kids. Craig’s List, hand-me-downs and other money-saving options have become the purchasing preference for many parents.
The reasons: Beyond the practical – in this recession, you never know if you’ll have a job tomorrow – there are both philosophical and perceptual. In the current economy, even couples who are OK financially don’t want to openly champion conspicuous consumption. No longer are moms and dads pointedly asking retailers for the most expensive item in the shop.
What the Times calls the “play and discover” market – a $343 million category for toys and goods marketed to parents of children under a year old – has declined by more than a third in the past 18 months. According to the article, “New purchases have become more considered, less spontaneous.”
Moms – how have your shopping habits changed? Are you going second-hand for the first time? Marketers, are you experiencing this trend – and how are you responding?
For more, see the New York Times article here.
90% of our son’s stuff is and-me-downs from his 2 cousins. If we have to buy something Craigslist is our go-to-place. Every once in a while we have to buy something new. But he grows through his clothes so fast it doesn’t make sense to spend a lot on them. Not sure how much the economy has effected this thinking. As we were big 2nd hand/craigslist fans long before we became parents and the economy fell apart.
Tracey, thanks for your comments!
We’ve been buying second-hand baby and child items every since I was pregnant with our first child seven years ago.
We’ve bought gently used clothing on eBay and at thrift stores (and new-with-tags outfits at a fraction of retail). We’ve turned to garage sales and Craigslist for furniture. My neighbors would be shocked to learn that I’ve shopped at the Salvation Army, but that’s where I found a vintage, mint-condition pedal car for $9, a brand new Hanna Andersson snowsuit for $2, and a Little Tikes kitchen for $5.
We’ve hardly bought anything new for our second child. Clothes, shoes, toys–it’s all being handed down. We’re still using our first stroller in a neighborhood where Bug-a-Boos have been all the rage. We don’t need to spend $800 when the $100 Graco we bought in 2002 still works fine.
But this had nothing to do with the economy. I planned to leave my job to raise our family, so we went from a two-income family to a single one and had to cut corners. And yet, I don’t consider what we did a sacrifice. We are able to get everything we need–with money leftover for things we want–simply by avoiding retail whenever possible.
Tara, regardless of whether the economy or lifestyle choices are the motivation, it seems that second-hand is the way to go right now. Thanks for your comments — you gave some great examlpes of how to make it work.