BS: Craigslist & 2nd hand gift giving

Subject: BS: Craigslist & 2nd hand gift giving
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 12:22 PM

Anyone here shop at craigslist or ebay?

Apparently, shopping second hand for gifts is a "new phenomenon" to many middle class people. But we've always done it, and had a "stigma, schmigma!" sort of attitude.

Next, we'll be buying a used car online. Relatives have had great success buying online--one family even being the proud new owners of a 2 yr old luxury Saab for $12,000, bought online.

Subject: RE: BS: Craigslist & 2nd hand gift giving
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 01:08 PM

Nothing wrong with a second-hand gift. I would love a fairly nice second-hand Martin 00018. I would even say thank you.

This year I am giving one of my kids Jacob Bronowski's "The Ascent of Man." I have had the book for 33 years and it's time to pass it on. I've read it over a half dozen times and in its own way it's priceless.

If it's gifts people are giving, then make them gifts. That means the receivers will judge their worth and import. Not a UPC code.

Subject: RE: BS: Craigslist & 2nd hand gift giving
From: Bagpuss
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 03:36 AM

Even better than that, I got one of my other half's christmas presents from freecycle.

Subject: RE: BS: Craigslist & 2nd hand gift giving
From: Paul Burke
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 04:38 AM

I often buy second- hand stuff for my loved ones. Except that over here' they are called "antiques".

Subject: RE: BS: Craigslist & 2nd hand gift giving
From: Hawker
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 04:44 AM

I have bought my 16 year old daughter a beautiful plum velvet one-shouldered evening dress, which I know she will look stunning in from a charity shop. It is an expensive label that I just could not have afforded to buyt her hads it come from the original shop, but for £4.99 I am overjoyed ~ and hopefully she will be!
We bought her prom dress for next June off e- bay for a fraction of the price we would have had to pay in the shops too - and that was brand new!
I know some people have been unlucky with e-bay, but for us it has been a bit of a godsend!
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: BS: Craigslist & 2nd hand gift giving
From: fat B****rd
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 04:50 AM

I buy second hand/charity gifts for whoever I please. Generally speaking they're more interesting than new stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Craigslist & 2nd hand gift giving
From: Emma B
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 07:44 AM

Paul - you really shouldn't be describing your loved ones as "antiques" :)

Subject: RE: BS: Craigslist & 2nd hand gift giving
From: jacqui.c
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 08:07 AM

SINSULL and I haunt the thrift shops here for 'interesting' gifts to palm off on our friends!

Seriously, I'm always on the lookout for good 2nd hand to give to my grandchildren, in particular.

Subject: RE: BS: Craigslist & 2nd hand gift giving
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Dec 06 - 10:32 AM

That link didn't work, it had mudcat in part of it. Here is the link to Freecycle.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Craigslist & 2nd hand gift giving
From: Genie
Date: 19 Dec 06 - 01:20 AM

From: GUEST
Date: 17 Dec 06 - 01:08 PM
"Nothing wrong with a second-hand gift. I would love a fairly nice second-hand Martin 00018. I would even say thank you."

Well, mine is quite use-worn and over 50 years old, but you still can't have it.   I empathize though.   I would not turn up my nose at a second-hand D-28.   Or used gold jewelry and stuff.

I even have a used cat.

Interesting that if second-hand stuff is old enough it gets called "antiques" and commands a big price, but if it was made within the last few years and is in mint condition, some people still think it's an insult to be given it as a gift.   They'd rather have a brand-new $20 sweater than a pre-owned $100 sweater that's still got the price tag on it but was purchased at a yard sale or thrift store.

Glad to see more people are coming to their senses.

My family also freely makes use of "fraggle gifts" (aka "regifting).   The fact that I don't want/need it doesn't mean it wouldn't be valued by the right recipient.

Come to think of it, that goes for ex-lovers too, eh? :-D

Subject: RE: BS: Craigslist & 2nd hand gift giving
From: M.Ted
Date: 19 Dec 06 - 09:32 AM

Those "Re-Gifts" really come in handy--we justs rewrap them and pass them on.

Subject: RE: BS: Craigslist & 2nd hand gift giving
From: MBSLynne
Date: 19 Dec 06 - 09:45 AM

ShadyLady is really into clothes and last Christmas had several garments from places like Monsoon, which we could never have afforded new but got on e-bay. She loved them. Though it wasn't bought on-line, RAT-W's beloved bike was second hand and a Christmas present three years ago. It's a Raleigh, not much used and we got it for an incredibly good price. If he'd had to have a new one it would have been far inferior. It's probably the best present he's ever had in terms of how much he's used it since. His first playstation was also second hand. We couldn't afford any of these things for them if we had to pay the price of new ones.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: Craigslist & 2nd hand gift giving
From: Cluin
Date: 20 Dec 06 - 09:28 AM

Portraying Phillip Marlowe in the 1975 movie "Farewell My Lovely", Robert Mitchum had to wear an old dark pin-striped suit that was originally designed for Victor Mature for "Kiss of Death" in '47. Mitchum hated having to wear the suit, claiming the previous star had "farted it up" something fierce.

Don't know why that bit of trivia came to mind while scanning this thread...