Is buying Gymboree off of ebay a good idea?

[Karenn]

Are there scams that I should watch for? Why are there so many NWT items? Do people buy ahead to sell on ebay or what? I am such a novice in this department! Help!

[mapg]

I think a lot of people must work the big end of season sales, either looking ahead for selling next year or they get carried away with the big sale and end up with more than they need/want. Just keep in mind that Gymboree had some odd sizing a year or so ago. A couple of lines ran smaller than normal, so you might want to research that line. Check the Gymboree site for to get an idea what new items cost. There should be some sales starting soon. And pay attention to how much you are bidding, some of these auctions get pretty pricey.
MA

[oliviasmomma]

TO add on to the PP's great advice, I've found that sometimes you get a better eBay deal by buying an outfit rather than piece by piece.

From what I can tell, the sellers of NWT items work the gymboree sales (gymbucks and such). I've tried doing that on my own, but find I buy more than I need and therefore spend too much $$. You'll probably notice that most of the new stuff is last year's, not current. That doesn't bother me at all--but there are those who have to have this year's gymbo. Thankfully, I am not a gymboree fanatic--we can barely afford Hanna!

[funda62]

Also checkout www.gymbohaven.com for the current and past lines. They tell you what sizes they came in and how much they cost originally. This is a huge help if you are trying to match outfits or need just one piece to complete an outfit.

[Tracey]

As PPs said, there are so many NWT items from people who work the sales or who overbuy for their kids. I also think some of it is shoplifted...but that would be the vast minority. I personally, would not buy Gymboree on ebay. I shop Gymboree's circle of friend's sale if I like the lines at the time. With a sale plus 30% off, you're going to get a better deal that you will off of ebay. As for used things...these are playclothes. Why buy someone else's used stuff when it is only a few dollars cheaper than what you can buy it for new on sale. For instance, I just sold an outfit for $22 plus shipping. I paid $35 dollars for it new. Doesn't make sense to me unless those few dollars mean a lot in your budget. I supposed the exception would be if there were a particular item you just had to have.

I do buy a lot on ebay, but I buy NWT items for brands that can't be found in my area or that catch my eye. You can also catch some good NWT deals at the end of the season. I'll buy used high end items that are going for about 25-50% of their original value. I figure I would never have found it on sale for 75% off on some of these things that I really like. I just bought an outfit that I know retailed for around $200 last year for $40. These are still expensive items, but I never, ever would have paid full price.

[amp]

I do! I've bought both new and used. For Gymbo, unless it's something I need, I buy new. But I do buy other stuff used, so if you see something you really want, go for it! Just make sure you're not bidding over what it would have gone for originally! That happens a lot with other brands. Crazy!

[Karenn]

Thanks for all the advice. I should probably mention, we don't have a gymboree close enough that makes it convenient to shop sales, that's part of why I'm looking on line. When I was in one a few months back the stuff was *so* much cuter than what I'm finding in the children's shops around here that I felt compelled to at least check out my on-line shopping options. :)

I set my sniper for a couple of items. We'll see what happens. :)

[spanannie]

I'm selling NWT Gymbo right now. My mother bought an outfit for DD ahead of time (and paid full price-argh!) and by the time it was the right season, it was too small. I also have another NWT that we just didn't get around to wearing. I think there are people like me on there, but, then again, there are people buying to sell; I see them at the huge Gymboree sales buying TONS of stuff.

[DDowning]

There are a couple of people posting our town's community website looking for used brand name children's clothing like Gymbo, HA, J&J, etc. They are paying pennies on the dollar and then turning around and putting them on ebay.

[funda62]

I live overseas so for me getting something in EUC at even 50% off new is a good deal for me as I have no places to shop for "American" clothes. I would never pay more than 75% of the retail price even for NWT items though. That's why I like the site I mentioned above.

Also as I have a 5 year old DD who is very hard on clothes I figure it doesn't really make sense to buy new as she's liable to stain or tear them the first time she wears them.

[AngelaS]

I think you should buy on eBay---there are tons of other mommies like me who take good care of our kids' clothes and then resell them so we can buy the next size. :D

[pampamz]

I do, and never pay more than $10 + shipping. I'm in CDA and the price to ship from actual B&R stores is ridiculous, and the sales up here are never any good, IMO.
So, eBay works for me and I am stocking up on Fall stuff at prices way lower than I could even buy at TCP.
Hope that helps!

[mapg]

If you haven't signed up for emails from gymboree.com, do so. They send coupons and let you know about sales. Also sign up for the newsletters at Gymbohaven.com. The lady who runs this website seems to have a good source for info.

MA

[niecie]

I've had good luck so far but I have also heard stories about buying misrepresented resale clothing. Also sizing can be an issue to consider. I purchased one outfit that ran really small and ended up that my DD couldn't even wear it. But I still keep doing it! Good luck

[tina-t]

I just bought 5 outfits for dd from one lady on ebay. She was able to combine shipping and each piece came out to be about $2.50. These were in EUC. I may have just lucked out though. At her age, I just did not want to pay full price or buy it at a higher price and have her wear it for only a few months.

I think that you can get good deals on ebay as long as you don't get carried away with bidding wars.

[brownlesa]

I buy things off ebay. I have a pretty low price limit, so I lose a lot of auctions, but I have gotten some good deals. I work full time and the closest Gymboree store is 30 minutes from my house, so I don't have time to look for sales at the store. I do a lot of ebaying at work. :)

Leslie