(Updated w/picture in post #12) Would you buy this Brio train set? Please help.

[jmeyer23]

My sister-in-law just emailed and asked if we would like her son's Brio train set, instead of her putting it in a friend's rummage sale tomorrow. I know they are supposed to be good, but have never seen one in person. She said they have a ton of accessories, some electric trains, some not, and it's in great condition. She said she would list in the rummage sale for $100 (so I'm assuming she'd want us to pay that). My son is 19 months old, and she said she would hold onto it for awhile if we needed (she's 2 hrs away). A co-worker said they are awesome and I HAD to get it....any thoughts? TIA!

ETA: Here's a picture, I know it's small but couldn't figure out how to get it bigger and still fit to post. The box says 50 pieces for the tracks; she said it's in excellent condition and I believe her...she's very organized and keeps things very clean. Her sons are 9 and 6 but she said they absolutely loved it. She said she'd list it for $100 in the rummage sale and wish she would offer us a family discount, but i feel weird asking...it's nice she's thinking of us first and said no pressure if we don't want it. Let me know your thoughts, thanks much!

[brittone2]

can she take a digital pic and email it to you so you have a better idea of condition (any chipping paint, etc.) and volume of stuff/accessories?

[calv]

$100 sounds like a lot for a rummage sale but have her snap some pics and see what you think of them. The nice thing about brio is that it's interchangable w/Thomas trains/tracks as well as Ikea. we have both thomas and brio and love them all

[JTsMom]

Does it include a table? I'd want to see pics, but I think it has some potential.

[JBaxter]

Brio stuff is expensive how much stuff is she talking ( ask for apicture) We have HUGE amounts of train stuff dating from DS1 who is 17! It holds up WONDERFULLY.

[o_mom]

I would ask for a quick picture. If she really does have a bunch of stuff, then it might be worth $100. To give you some idea - the bigger pieces (roundhouse, turntable, etc) can be $50-80 new, the bridges $25-50+. For basic track and stuff, I buy generic compatible for $.99 each for straight and curves, and $5-10 for the larger switches. I wouldn't pay more than that for just track, but if there are 50 pieces of track and a half dozen accessories plus trains... could be a deal. I think if you look at it and the price is at least 50% off of new it is a good deal. You could post it here, too and we can all give our (not so humble) opinions. :)

[AngelaS]

I'd ask for a picture but that may very well be worth it. :) We have Brio and love it!

[jmeyer23]

Thanks ladies! I just emailed her to see if she could snap a picture as I had the same thought; I normally wouldn't buy something for $100 without at least seeing a picture, so why would I now, even from my SIL? If she can get one, I'll definitely try to post it or at least tell you what's actually included...you guys are awesome. :applause:

[ohiomom1121]

It probably is a good deal considering what all the train stuff costs. We got my son a bunch of Brio trains when he turned 2 and he loved them, but then got into Thomas. He refuses to play with the Brio trains because they "don't have a face". Just depends on how picky your child is. I think the Brios are really nice (and the battery powered ones are much better quality than the Thomas IMO) but they get zero playtime around here. I would definitely get a picture before committing too.

[mikeys_mom]

Brio stuff holds up really well. My parents still have a large collection of Brio from me and my 3 siblings. Some of the stuff is over 20 years old and still looks great. We played with it all the time and there are now 11 grandchildren using it, so it has been used a lot and not necessarily gently. $100 seems a good deal if there is a lot of stuff in addition to tracks.

[JBaxter]

I know the round house alone is like $70 new.

[Tondi G]

we love the Brio trains and tracks we have.... we mixed with other less expensive stuff (from Target) and you can tell the difference between the cheap stuff and the Brio stuff! For $100 I would want to see the condition and how much she is talking but it is probably a good deal!

[jmeyer23]

OK, I've got a picture...I've never attached here so I hope it works!

[AngelaS]

It's a pretty small picture to see what all is there....

[jmeyer23]

OK, I'm trying a bigger picture....

[Tondi G]

I think 100 bucks is probably good for that stuff. Looks like a decent size bin of tracks, couple of tunnels, a bridge piece. She might give you a better price since it's family!

here are some links to stores that sell sets and such

http://www.mytoybox.com/brio-toys.html

http://www.toysperiod.com/brio-c-47.html

http://www.trainsgalore.com/BRIO-Train-Sets-C72.aspx?UserID=7884143&SessionID=mkHmevdIY3vdCMYMUQrH

[JBaxter]

See I wouldnt pay 100 for whats pictured. I would wait for some of the amazon sales at christmas.. We built our set over time. If it was alot of stuff I would say yes but Im betting she wont get 100 for that at a yard sale or at least around here she wouldnt

$50 is more what I would pay for it.

[o_mom]

That set (Pack n' Play) retailed for $150, the adventure tunnel (with the yellow footbridge) is $25, the small enclosed tunnel $10-15 - not sure on the two piece mountain. I would guess there is at least $200+ MSRP there with the switches and other trains in the boxes. I think $100 is reasonable - not a screaming deal, but reasonable. It would be much harder to pull all of that together from eBay, yardsales, etc. than to just get it all from her, IMO.

[JTsMom]

ITA with Jeana- I'd pass. You can buy a set from Costco for close to the same price at Christmas, and it would come with a table. I bought our roundhouse for something like $10 (deal I found here), the Thomas quarry mine set for $25 (Target after Christmas clearance), and we've added trains a little at a time- there are always deals on them. I don't think she'll get anywhere close to $100 for that at a yard sale. Maybe she'll sell it to you for less after the fact.

[kijip]

ITA with Jeana- I'd pass. You can buy a set from Costco for close to the same price at Christmas, and it would come with a table. I bought our roundhouse for something like $10 (deal I found here), the Thomas quarry mine set for $25 (Target after Christmas clearance), and we've added trains a little at a time- there are always deals on them. I don't think she'll get anywhere close to $100 for that at a yard sale. Maybe she'll sell it to you for less after the fact.
:yeahthat:

Not worth $100 used. The prices it retailed for are not the prices it/similar can be found for new on sale.

[sste]

OK, this is not what you're asking, but are you sure your SIL isn't offering to give it to you for free? I would cut off a limb before I would ask a family member for money for a used toy!! I can see perhaps if its a more expensive item, let's say reselling in the $400-1000(very high end stroller, swing set etc) and I would otherwise resell - - then I might offer to a sell to a family member at a substantial discount from what I would sell to a stranger for. And even then I think its more likely than not I would just give it away . . .

[Cam&Clay]

I wouldn't pay $100 for that.

[kijip]

I would cut off a limb before I would ask a family member for money for a used toy!! I can see perhaps if its a more expensive item, let's say reselling in the $400-1000(very high end stroller, swing set etc) and I would otherwise resell - - then I might offer to a sell to a family member at a substantial discount from what I would sell to a stranger for. And even then I think its more likely than not I would just give it away . . .
:yeahthat:

I have some family-like friends that are TTC now and as soon as I found out, I realized immediately that there was no way I could sell them anything they were curious about needing after me. No way.

[ett]

I would not pay $100 for that set. I also would never think to sell to another family member. I would just give it to them.

[jmeyer23]

Thanks everyone, I think I'm going to pass. I appreciate your opinions! I agree, too....I would prefer to pass things to family members and I think $100 is a little much, especially since it's our first child and we don't make as much as they do! Since this isn't something we had planned on purchasing anyway, I'll just keep my eye out for Christmas deals. Have a great day and thanks again.

[LBW]

Great decision!

[JBaxter]

Good choice. My DS1 who is now 17yrs old got his first figure 8 set at 3 yrs old when his brother was born He played with it on the floor in my hospital room ( I remember it like it was yesterday) We have added pieces and sets for the boys through the years. AC Moore does a 40% coupon in their flyers and thats how we have gotten most of the bigger things. Its fun to add for bdays christmas and easter. Our train set is something I plan on keeping forever I want my grandkids to dig it out wheen they come to visit. Its such a classic toy for boys and girls.

[billysmommy]

Our train set is something I plan on keeping forever I want my grandkids to dig it out wheen they come to visit. Its such a classic toy for boys and girls.

I love going to my mom and dad's house and watching the boys pull out the Brio train set my brothers and I used to play with
And the electric train set that my dad had when he was little that my brothers and I were NEVER allowed to touch :)

[Tondi G]

Thanks everyone, I think I'm going to pass. I appreciate your opinions! I agree, too....I would prefer to pass things to family members and I think $100 is a little much, especially since it's our first child and we don't make as much as they do! Since this isn't something we had planned on purchasing anyway, I'll just keep my eye out for Christmas deals. Have a great day and thanks again.

you never know... she might not be able to sell it at the sale and come back asking if you want it since she just wants it out! :)

[o_mom]

you never know... she might not be able to sell it at the sale and come back asking if you want it since she just wants it out! :)

I agree - I would word your response something like "Thank you so much for the offer, but it is a bit more than we wanted to spend right now". That way she knows that you are interested but the price is too high. She might come back after the sale at $75 or $50, or offer to sell it to you for that if she doesn't get the asking price. I know with several things I have told friends/relatives to go ahead and price it, but I'll pay $XX if it doesn't sell, so they know not to go below that. It also gives her the opportunity to offer it for free if that was her intention.

[mikeys_mom]

Our train set is something I plan on keeping forever I want my grandkids to dig it out wheen they come to visit. Its such a classic toy for boys and girls.

My mother initially wanted me and my sisters to take her Brio set, but we said no because we wanted the kids to have something to play with at my parents' house. Now, she is so glad she kept it because it's the first thing that the grandchildren pull out when they visit.